Project Description
Tamela Brown, Fellow
Whispering Pines Elementary School
Miami, FL
Tamela Brown, Principal of Whispering Pines Elementary School, started her educational career in 1996 as an elementary school teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Ms. Brown graduated from Florida A&M University with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education in 1996. In 1999, she earned a M.S. Degree in Mathematics from Florida State University followed by a second M.S. Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from The University of Miami in 2001. After teaching full-time while attending graduate school, Ms. Brown earned an Ed. S. Degree in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in 2002. Ms. Brown utilized her talents throughout her career to lead and support others. She held various leadership roles prior to becoming an assistant principal in 2003. As an assistant principal, Ms. Brown was instrumental in maintaining the high-quality educational experience at Hammocks Middle School. In 2007, Ms. Brown was promoted to Principal of Pine Villa Elementary School. Under Ms. Brown’s leadership as a first- year principal, PVE’s accountability grade increased from an “F” to “C”. In her current position, one of her major accomplishments is the establishment of the GOLDEN Geckos Mentoring Program. This program ensures all targeted students are assigned a mentor throughout the school year that assists students in setting goals, monitoring progress, and celebrating successes. Ms. Brown’s ultimate goal is to expand the program and include all students at her school. She believes in the importance of building positive relationships with all students to meet their individual educational needs.
Surama Flores, Ally
School Counselor
Whispering Pines Elementary School
Miami, FL
Surama "Sury" Flores, School Counselor of Whispering Pines Elementary, has been a school counselor with Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2003. Ms. Flores graduated from Florida International University with a B.S. Degree in Psychology in 1998. In 2001, she earned a M.S. Degree in School Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. In 2014, Ms. Flores earned an Ed. S. Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Aside from her counseling responsibilities, Ms. Flores works cohesively with administration in the areas of curriculum implementation, scheduling, disaggregating data, truancy intervention and daily operations. Ms. Flores also serves as the Professional Development Liaison and assists with coordination of the Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment (CELLA) for all English Language Learners (ELL) and facilitates the process of writing and implementation of the School Improvement Plan.