Over the summer, Pine Crest School faculty had the opportunity to participate in specialized professional development workshops in virtual reality (VR). 

Mr. Antoine Khouri, Orchestra Director on the Fort Lauderdale campus, has loved music since he was a child. His parents and grandparents encouraged him to sing in his church’s choir and begin learning the piano at five years old, with his mother as his teacher. 

Coming into her eighth year of teaching at Pine Crest, Jordanna Court ’12 says she didn’t know what she wanted to do after graduating from college.

Patty Gómez is the Chair of the World Languages Department and has been teaching at Pine Crest for 10 years. A former materials science engineer, Patty says that teaching is what she was meant to do. 

Mr. Scott Wing ’13H, a longtime Pine Crest School community member, passed away on July 3, 2024. Mr. Wing was a former Head of Middle School and Head of School on the Boca Raton campus, spouse of an Upper School math instructor, parent and grandparent of Pine Crest alumnae and honorary alumnus of the Class of 2013. He joined Pine Crest in 1986 and retired in 2014

By: Asha Gandreti ’25

Fostering connections is what Middle School English Teacher Mrs. Debbie Gibson enjoys most about working students. 

By: Madison Rechter ’26

Any Pine Crest student who has matriculated through pre-kindergarten on the Boca Raton campus in the last 20 years would likely recognize the words “pre-k” and “Ms. Wanland” as synonymous, with many recalling her friendly nature, bright smile, and warm hugs. As a member of the spirited, experienced, and enthusiastic pre-kindergarten team on the Boca campus, Ms. Shawna Wanland has retired from Pine Crest School after 24 years of service. 

Since joining the Pine Crest School community in 2006, Coach Eileen Pliske, Middle School Athletic Director on the Fort Lauderdale campus, led the varsity girls lacrosse program to 13 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) district championships and two regional championship titles. To speak only about the titles she has as a coach would diminish the impact she has had on student-athletes throughout her time here.

Glen Pierson ’23H, Assistant Head of Upper School and Dean of Students will retire this summer from Pine Crest School after 29 years. GP, as he is affectionately known by the students, began his career at Pine Crest in the Upper School science department as a chemistry teacher, although teaching was not always on Mr. Pierson’s radar. 

By: Asha Gandreti ’25

By: Danielle Keyes ’24

By: Sara Pearl Adler ’24

For 37 years, Mrs. Lisa Weihe has been driving the same route from home to Pine Crest School. A beloved pre-kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Weihe began her tenure when her eldest daughter started pre-kindergarten in 1985. 

Mrs. Janice Reich may not have taken a traditional path into teaching third grade on Pine Crest’s Boca Raton campus, but it is one that is unique and marked by true dedication and service. Born, raised, and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Reich attended Temple University where she majored in accounting as an undergraduate.

By: Danielle Snyder ’23

By: Danielle Keyes ’24

By: Lindsey Keyes ’24

By: Courtney Klar ’22

As she walked across the stage to receive her Pine Crest School diploma, Mrs. Michelle (Smith) Santarelli ’89 never imagined that her career path would one day lead her back to her educational roots. From a fourth grade student in the Lower School to a biology teacher in the Upper School, and a parent of two Pine Crest “lifers,” John ’21 and Jaden ’23, Mrs. Santarelli now cannot envision herself anywhere else.

After Mrs. Santarelli graduated from Pine Crest in 1989, she attended the University of Virginia, where she received a degree in biology. Upon graduating from college, she began her career as a marketing director for an educational tutoring company. While she did well in the position, she quickly realized that her true passions were for biology and teaching. “I never thought I wanted to be a teacher,” said Mrs. Santarelli. “I worked in an educational environment, which is what attracted me to that company. But I missed biology and wanted to find a way to combine biology and my love of public speaking. That was the first time I decided to become a teacher. I knew the only place I wanted to do that was Pine Crest.”

On teaching biology, Mrs. Santarelli says “science is the one field that always captivated me—living organisms are so complex. What I love about biology is that there is so much we don't know. Biology is exciting, and there are discoveries being made every day!”

When speaking about what keeps her at Pine Crest, Mrs. Santarelli says the students and her colleagues. “What is great about Pine Crest students,” she said, “is that if you are excited about something, they are excited about it too. My students love learning just as much as I do.”