Meet the new principals

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

Eight experienced educators have taken over as principals of archdiocesan schools this year, and an ninth, Edward Garcia, has moved to another school after a long stint as principal at his alma mater, Immaculate Conception School in Hialeah. Here are brief biographies of the newly promoted.

Rebeca Bautista
Archdiocese of Miami Virtual Catholic School
Bautista began her career in education 15 years ago as a literature teacher at Msgr. Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens. After a few years, she began to assist the administration in faculty planning and development while pursuing a master�s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. In 2008, she was named dean of academics, in charge of curriculum and instruction, faculty development, and instructional technology. She is currently a doctoral candidate in instructional leadership with a concentration in curriculum development and a minor in curriculum design. Bautista also has taught secondary school courses and graduate level courses online for the University of Phoenix. Her passion for and dedication to the field of education have led her to become the new principal for the Archdiocese of Miami Virtual Catholic School, where communities can receive quality education regardless of class size or available resources. �I firmly believe that the virtual classroom provides an innovative learning environment that meets the needs of all students, as well as Catholic virtues and principles for students across the nation.�

Annette Buscemi
St. Helen School, Fort Lauderdale
Buscemi brings more than 20 years of experience working with families and youths in the Archdiocese of Miami, including the past 12 within the Catholic school system. She is an alumnus of Barry University in Miami Shores, where she earned her Educational Specialist Degree in Catholic School Leadership. She also earned a master�s in social work from Florida International University, a bachelor�s in psychology from Florida Atlantic University and a certificate in educational leadership from the Florida Department of Education. As St. Helen School marks its 40th anniversary, she plans to work collaboratively with community organizations and volunteers to provide a much needed extended school day program to meet the needs of the students and families. �It is evident that it is an exciting time to be in education within the Archdiocese of Miami; the implementation of many innovations over the past few years indicates the recognition of the changing face of education.�  

Maria Capote-Alonso
St. Brendan Elementary, Miami
Capote-Alonso started working for the Archdiocese of Miami 11 years ago as a teacher at St. Brendan School, where her three young daughters have been attending since pre-k. She has a master�s in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and was appointed assistant principal of St. Brendan in 2006. As a product of Catholic education herself, she firmly believes that Catholic schools help develop the whole child, spiritually, academically, and socially. �I look forward to the opportunity to continue building on the foundation and Gospel values that have been the basis of St. Brendan Catholic Elementary School�s philosophy.�

Ana Casariego
Mother of Our Redeemer, Miami
Casariego was born in Cuba in 1969. In 1992, she graduated from Pablo Lafargue Institute of Higher Education where she majored in education in the English language. She moved to the United States in 1994, where she continued her career as a teacher. She worked at the Lincoln-Marti Schools where she taught first grade for three years. She was then hired as a middle school teacher at Our Lady of Divine Providence School in Miami. There she taught language arts, reading and social sciences to sixth through eighth grades for seven years. In 2005 she became principal at Divine Providence and led the school for four years. In 2006, she obtained a master�s in education administration from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. When Our Lady of Divine Providence School closed in 2009, she was offered a position as a lead teacher in the public school system. She worked at Pinecrest Academy Charter School for three years, the last two as assistant principal. Most recently, she worked as lead teacher at Mater Academy of International Studies Charter School.

Lisa Dodge
St. Ambrose School, Deerfield Beach
Born at St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach, Dodge attended Holy Family School in North Miami and Madonna Academy in Hollywood, and her children graduated from Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches. Prior to entering the teaching profession, she spent 22 years in law enforcement: as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and interim chief of police. Her experience as a school resource and D.A.R.E. officer in Miami-Dade and Broward schools motivated her to make the career move into education. She earned her advanced degrees at Nova Southeastern University and a Specialist in Education Leadership degree from Barry University. Her goal at St. Ambrose is to �build a team of professional educators who embrace Christian values, who are dedicated to Catholic education, committed to life-long learning and self-development, who encourage parental involvement in their child�s education, and all within a Christ-centered environment.�


Victoria Flutie-Leon
Immaculate Conception School, Hialeah  
Born and raised in Hialeah, Flutie-Leon hails from Irish, German and Lebanese ancestry. She and her husband, Luis, have a large extended family, including children and grandchildren. She is a product of public schools but attended religious education classes at Immaculate. She also obtained both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Barry University. She began her teaching career at Immaculate in 1983, teaching Spanish; she then taught seventh and fifth grades; became the school guidance counselor in 2001; and was named vice principal in 2009. She succeeds Immaculate�s longtime principal, Edward Garcia, who is now principal of St. Louis Covenant School in Pinecrest. �I am very proud and honored to be the leader of such a wonderful school,� Flutie-Leon said.

Maria Wagner
St. Bernadette School, Hollywood
Originally from West Palm Beach, Wagner attended St. Juliana School and Cardinal Newman High School. She earned a bachelor�s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and worked at Pratt & Whitney locally and in Connecticut before moving to the Washington D.C. area with her husband, Stephen, also a Notre Dame graduate. While working as a systems/logistics engineer in the Washington, D.C. area, she began thinking about teaching as she visited schools for science and career fairs. She earned a teaching certificate from George Mason University in Virginia and began her teaching career at the Dhahran International School in Saudi Arabia, where her family spent three years in the diplomatic corps. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1997, she taught mathematics and other core subjects at St. Agnes School in Arlington, Va. In 2002, the family returned to South Florida and she began teaching science and mathematics at St. Gregory the Great School in Plantation. Nine years later, after earning a master�s in education and human development from the George Washington University, she became a curriculum and instruction specialist at St. Gregory. She said she is excited by her new position at St. Bernadette, and looks forward to �a great year of service, growth and personal enrichment.�

Robert Wright
Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Key West
Wright came to the Basilica School from John Paul II Catholic High School in Tallahassee, where he served as a teacher, coach and administrator since 2006. He also served as youth director at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More since 2005. He holds a bachelor�s degree in social science education from Florida State University and a master�s in educational leadership and administration from the University of Dayton. Wright and his wife Jessica are the proud parents of three young children � and she is a sixth generation conch happy to be back in Key West. �I have been led to this particular ministry, Catholic education, through much discernment and grace,� Wright said. �I envision a school culture that respects the dignity of every human person and inspires greatness in each young life. I look forward to bringing this vision to the Basilica School this fall.�