Alexander is passionate for a variety of things, so we asked him to tell us his top 5 favorites. He tells us that number one favorite is his family! He also loves computers and tinkering with them, his pet turtles, history, and “helping others.” He certainly does a wonderful job of helping others at Poinciana Elementary every day! Alexander’s favorite food is… wait for it… Garbage Plates. Say what?? He says it’s a Rochester NY local favorite - your choice of cheeseburger, hamburger, white or red hots* (aka hot dogs) Italian sausage, chicken, or grilled cheese, served on top of any combination of home fries, french fries, baked beans, and/or macaroni salad, then is usually topped with a Rochester-style meat hot sauce and traditionally served with a side of buttered bread (in case you were still hungry!). Wowza, what a meal! So what about his hobbies? He says that on his days off he can usually be found spending time with his family and his animals, or maybe at a desk gaming and dabbling in electronics. Lastly, we asked Alexander why he likes working for MCSD and he said, “ Being able to educate our students is endlessly rewarding, and everyone that I work with is super friendly!”

Amy is kept busy at school in her specialty role, working with ESE students from kindergarten through 8^th grade. So what hobbies does she enjoy in order to let down after a busy week? She says that she enjoys lots of outdoor activities – paddle boarding, playing soccer, hiking, camping, and hitting the ski slopes in the winter. Another hobby she enjoys is baking desserts, yum! How about Amy’s ‘top 5 favorite things’? Her number 1 favorite is her 8 year old son, Owen. Amy also loves “traveling to faraway places”, furry animals of any sort <smile>, spending summers with family in upstate NY, and like a true Keys gal she loves boating and lounging on tubes in the beautiful ocean waters of the Keys! So Amy enjoys baking desserts, but what about her favorite foods? She loves a delicious and hearty homemade mac and cheese, anything Mexican, and all things Thai food – mmm mmm! Lastly we asked Amy why she likes working for MCSD. She tells us, “I love seeing the amazing educators that I work with go above and beyond for our students each and every day! They are true professionals in every sense of the word. It is so wonderful to see the strong relationships that are built between staff and students.”

Kay plays a vital role in supporting our students’ success and she tells us that she just loves the smile on a student’s face as they leave her office. Three cheers to our School Counselors! We asked Kay about her hobbies and what she enjoys doing when she’s off school campus. She shared with us that she likes to stay active with tennis and bicycling around the Keys, but a little relaxation time by the pool and reading a good book. What tops her list of favorite things? The excitement of seniors graduating each May! Floyd, her dog. Also, traveling to visit family and friends at her mountain home town in Montana. We asked her about her favorite foods, and what does she love to eat? “Mexican and Asian dishes are the best!” Mmm mmmm… Lastly, we asked Kay why she likes working for MCSD and she said, “Our district is a small, but close community of schools, parents, and students who come together for both crises and successes.  This comradery gives our communities a sense of family atmosphere.”

Debra loves a great new adventure! After a busy week in the school’s office she loves to unwind with her hobbies – cooking a delicious meal, reading an awesome book, riding her bicycle, and relaxing at the beach. As a happy home chef, we asked her about her favorite foods and she said that she loves “seafood… of course!” She also tells us that she does love some good Mexican La Comida! Mmm, mmm! What about some of her favorite things? Number one on her list is: “Terrific Lady Day with my daughter – shopping, lunch!” We love it! Any other favorites? Like any Keys gal Debra loves to go out on the boat and living in Key Largo. She also enjoys traveling and good music – “especially Bruce Springsteen!” Lastly, we asked Debra what she likes about working for MCSD and she said, “I love the people I work with and the support KLS receives from the Key Largo community.”

As a Marathon High School alumni, Patti proudly wears her Dolphin Pride! She stays busy managing the school’s front office, so what hobbies does she enjoy doing in her downtime? She tells us that she loves to work in her yard and garden. Does she have a list of favorite things? Number one – spending time with her family. Patti also loves to relax by the pool, and traveling is her passion. We asked her about her favorite foods and she says that she loves good Italian food (Bellissimo!) and like a true Keys gal, she loves fresh seafood. When we asked Patti what she likes most about working for MCSD she said, “I love seeing students grow and thrive as they go through their school years, and working with the great team at MHS.”