8th Grade Faculty

Contact Information

  1. Berti

    Paula Berti

    Math
    Email

    Paula Berti has been teaching at Academic Village since 2019.  Mrs. Berti graduated as a Materials Engineer in Polymer Science from Universidad Simon Bolivar in Venezuela.  She worked in the plastics industry in New England and started her Master’s degree in Polymer Science at UCONN.  Mrs. Berti has been married for 28 years. She has two sons who started Kindergarten at PPC Central Campus and graduated from PPCHS in 2017 and 2019.  Mrs. Berti enjoys traveling inside and outside of the US, and also enjoys swimming and biking. 


  2. Bonawitz2

    Lisa Bonawitz

    Language Arts & Reading
    E-Mail

    Ms. Bonawitz is a native Floridian who grew up in Pembroke Pines and has been teaching since 1993. Although she is new to Academic Village, she has been a member of PPCS since 2012.  Ms. Bonawitz began her teaching career as a first grade teacher in Broward County. Since then, she has been a Reading Coach in both elementary and middle school. In addition, she has taught Social Studies and Reading in grades 6-8. Ms. Bonawitz enjoys boating, crafting, and spending time with her family. She graduated from FIU and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her certification in Reading.




  3. Jennifer Carson

    Language Arts & Debate
    Email
    Jennifer Carson has been teaching since 2004 and is one of the founding faculty members of the Academic Village Middle School.  Mrs. Carson began her teaching career in Canada as a high school Social Studies and English teacher focused on the at-risk population. Currently, Mrs. Carson is the 8th grade Cambridge English teacher.  She also teaches the Debate program, including the 6th grade elective wheel.  Mrs. Carson lives to travel to places like Tanzania, Ireland, and Hawaii while reading anything she can get her hands on.  Mrs. Carson has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and History, along with a Professional Degree in Education from the University of Ottawa.


  4. Coolidge

    Lisa Coolidge

    Math
    Email
    Lisa Coolidge has been teaching since 2005 and is one of the founding faculty members of the Academic Village Middle School.  Mrs. Coolidge began her teaching career as a Math teacher at our charter high school.  Before teaching, Mrs. Coolidge worked in accounting for Carnival Cruise Line. Currently, Mrs. Coolidge is the Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry teacher. Mrs. Coolidge enjoys hiking and spending time with her family at her second home in North Carolina.  She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems from Florida Atlantic University and Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas.

  5. Gustavo Gil

    Social Studies
    Email
    Gustavo Gil has been teaching since 2006 and began his journey at the Academic Village Middle School in Fall 2015.  Mr. Gil began his career teaching Social Studies in Miami-Dade County Schools.  Mr. Gil currently teaches 8th grade US History and the 6th grade Research class.  He enjoys mountain biking and traveling with his wife and two children.  Mr. Gil holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Education from Florida International University.

  6. O'Connor

    Margaret O'Connor

    Science
    Email
    Mrs. O'Connor started her journey at AVM in the Fall of 2021, but has been in education since 1995.  She is currently our 8th grade Science and 6th grade STEM teacher.  She has taught K-12 Science in a number of settings, including with ESE, Gifted, and ESOL populations.  Mrs. O'Connor has a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami and Master's in Medical Lab Sciences from Florida International University. Throughout her lengthy career in Science education, Mrs. O'Connor has enjoyed preparing students for a variety of science competitions encouraging the students to create a passion for the subject.  Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.