FIU's College of Education Alumni Chapter Elects New Officers

FIU's College of Education Alumni Chapter, the largest and fastest growing chapter at the University, elected new officers to guide the organization for the 1997-98 year.

Listed below are the Chapter's elected leaders and brief summaries of their backgrounds and accomplishments.

• Laurie Kaplan, President: Ms. Kaplan, '94, '96, is employed as an ESOL teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Elementary School. Prior to that she taught at Van E. Blanton Elementary School. Laurie is currently the secretary of the Educational Excellence Council (EEC) at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Ms. Kaplan is involved in Omicron Delta Kappa and volunteers with the Miami City Ballet. She recently graduated with a second Masters in ESOL and is currently working on her administration certificate. For the past 5 years, Laurie has been a Lab Instructor for the College of Education. In her spare time, Laurie is an avid Panthers and Marlins fan.





• Cristina Hernandez-Cartaya, Vice President-Membership: Mrs. Hernandez-Cartaya a '96 graduate, received her BS in Special Education from FIU. Cristina has recently earned a Masters degree in Early Childhood/Special Education from Columbia University and is currently working as a Pre-K/Preschool teacher at the Learning Experience School in Coral Gables. Cristina is also a General Teaching Skills Lab Instructor for the College of Education.





• Elsa Orjuela, Vice-President-Fundraising: Ms. Orjuela, '94, received her undergraduate degree in Modern Language Education. She is currently working at RE/MAX Advance Realty in Miami where last year she and her partner sold over $4 million worth of homes. Elsa is currently working on her Masters degree in TESOL and is also a part-time Lab Instructor for the General Teaching Skills Lab. As a board member of the COE Alumni Chapter, Elsa has contributed to the College's fundraising efforts and encourages her fellow alumni to do the same.





• David Cadaval, Secretary: a '97 graduate, Mr. Cadaval is currently a fourth grade teacher at Henry E.S. Reeves Elementary School, a DCPS/Edison Partnership School. Upon graduation last Spring, David taught adult ESOL courses at M-DCC as an adjunct professor. David's commitment and approach to teaching is both clear and elegant. As he puts it: "Education is all about facilitating learning and children. Its as simple as that." David is currently working on his Masters degree in TESOL and was one of the recipients of the College of Education's FRIENDS of the College Fall '97 scholarships.





• Lawrence Orihuela, Treasurer: Mr. Orihuela, '87 has been teaching for eight years at Miami Springs Elementary School. He was selected as Dade County Math Teacher of the Year and is the Dade County Mathematics liaison for the State Department of Education. He has been recognized several times by the Governor's Commission on Education for his classroom teaching skills and ability to work with a diverse student population. Last year he was a finalist for Dade County Teacher of the Year. Though not a resident of Miami Springs, Larry carries his commitment to his students outside the classroom where he is involved with the building of a children's park.