Instructors
Mrs. Marta Castillo
Mrs.Marta Castillo is a Hand Building Ceramics Instructor with over 20 years experience. She has homeschooled all 4 of her children who have attended PACE and have now graduated and are pursuing their careers. She loves to offer the ceramics class and is looking forward to teaching again at PACE!
Ms. Natalia Cordoba
Ms. Natalia Cordoba graduated from homeschool and PACE in 2022. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s in Graphic Design at FIU. She has been working at pace for 3 years now and is happy to teach another year at PACE.
Mrs. Ferchie Covas
Mrs. Covas has graduated her two children, Amanda and Syvan, from homeschooling, but continues to enjoy being a part of the homeschooling community. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and keeps her FL RN license current in case she finds it necessary to return to the nursing field. In the meantime, she loves being a home maker, a wife to Sergio for over 22 years, and a mother for 21 years. She is currently tutoring homeschoolers, and staying involved with various church and community ministries like directing her church’s children and adult choirs and praise team, and leading Life Groups and Bible Study groups. Soli Deo Gloria!
Mr. Syvan Covas
Mr. Covas has been a part of PACE since he was in Pre-K and is a PACE alumnus. He likes science and art, enjoys crochet, and is currently studying to be in the medical field. He also enjoys learning about different cultures, their food, and Their art. He has earned the title of Master as a 4th Dan (4th degree black belt) in TKD. Mr. Covas has taught at PACE for the past two years and is happy to continue supporting the homeschool community.
Mrs. Claire Gentry
Mrs. Claire Gentry attended the Florida State University College of Music where she studied as a voice student and earned a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. Mrs. Gentry has worked as a music therapist and music teacher in the greater Miami area for the past 15 years. She has worked with all ages, from infant and toddlers to older adults as well as individuals with all abilities. In her free time, she enjoys singing with her church choir at Wayside Baptist Church and makes music with family and friends any chance she gets. Mrs. Gentry began homeschooling her son in 2020 during the pandemic and never looked back!
Mrs. Magela Gonzalez
Mrs. Magela Gonzalez is a mother of four, who has been homeschooling for 10 years. She is a Florida Certified teacher with a Bachelor in Elementary Education. Magela has also been a Sunday School teacher at her church for many years. She is always looking for ways to make learning fun and to point children to their Creator.
Mr. Alberto Puerto Hernandez
Mr. Alberto Puerto is a Cuban born classical guitarist, composer, and educator with extensive international experience. He has taught guitar, harmony, and music theory at the Evangelical University of Bolivia and has developed a practical, student centered methodology for all levels of instruction. As a performer, he has appeared in festivals and cultural institutions across the United States, Latin America, and Europe, and has collaborated with renowned artists in both classical and jazz traditions. He is the founder of the Alberto Puerto Music School in Coral Gables and is dedicated to helping young musicians grow in technique, creativity, and confidence through a warm, structured, and inspiring learning environment. Mr. Puerto is a member of the Music Teachers' National Association and the Miami Music Teachers' Association.
Mrs. Kennia C Hernandez
Mrs. Kennia Hernandez has 13 years of hands-on educational experience through homeschooling her four children. She has led middle and high school level co-op classes as well as writing courses for upper elemtary levels.
Ms. Paloma King
Paloma King has over 10 years of experience playing violin and is currently involved in the Greater Miami Youth Symphony both as a violinist for the Symphony Orchestra, and as a class assistant and supporting musician in the beginner/intermediate Strings Orchestra. Paloma is also a dual-enrollment student at Miami-Dade College, studying music, as she plans on pursuing a career in music performance and education.
Mrs. Beatrice Koubi
Mrs. Beatrice Koubi, is a homeschooling mom of four, has taught hand- sewing, knitting, crochet, geography, art history and world history as well as German at different homeschool enrichment classes (PACE, HOME, PATH and other after school programs) over the past 20 years. Prior she has used knitting and hand sewing with her patients as part of occupational therapy for several years. Her homeschooling philosophy is based on a love for learning and her classes incorporate interactive hands-on activities and cultural mixture of art and history.
Mr. Samuel Linero
Samuel Linero has been serving in Next Gen ministry for 11 years and currently oversees the Young Adults ministry at Christ Journey Church, while also being actively involved in the Student Ministry. He holds a B.A. in Christian Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing an M.Div. in Biblical Counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Passionate about discipleship, Samuel is dedicated to equipping the next generation with a strong biblical foundation and guiding them in their faith journey.
Mrs. Stephanie Linero
Mrs. Stephanie Linero is a retired professional Makeup and Hair Artist with nearly 20 years of experience in the beauty and creative industries. She is self-taught in makeup and a graduate of Paul Mitchell The School for Cosmetology (2012). Her professional work spans e-commerce, runway, editorial, private clients, weddings, magazines, music videos, and commercial projects. She was previously signed with Creative Management by MC2 and Artists at Wilhelmina, with a career highlight of contributing to the digital cover of the 2014 Ocean Drive Swim Issue. In addition to beauty and styling, she has experience in wardrobe styling, closet organization, and personal presentation. Over the past nine years, she has been actively involved in content creation for personal and professional projects, including managing digital marketing for churches and nonprofit organizations, and is currently growing her own platforms across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Mrs. Brandi McAlpine
Mrs. Brandi McAlpine has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, including elementary education. She has worked over 10 years in a Christian school and 7 years leading the Children’s ministry at her last church. She has experience with all age ranges, as well as 3 kids of her own. She has been homeschooling since 2020 and during that time took up the hobby of cookie decorating that became a business. She has sold her decorated cookies at a farmers market, holidays sales and private orders.
Mrs. Tricia Munger
Mrs. Tricia Munger, a homeschool mom of 4 boys and a homeschool graduate herself, has a background in music education but has a stronger desire and leading to teach God's Word using the Titus 2 model in the Bible. She has been a girls youth group leader, girls purity retreat leader, and has a homeschool mom retreats ministry. She currently leads our PACE Mom's group and PACE prayer room.
Mrs. Jessica Nuñez
Mrs. Nuñez has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from FIU. She was an assistant for a year and then a second grade teacher for a year at Christian private school. She has been teaching, leading, and serving in children's/youth ministry at her church for over 20 years. Mrs. Nuñez has been teaching IEW Structure and Style at a homeschool community for the past 3 years and has had the blessing of homeschooling her 3 boys since 2020.
Mrs. Ydania Peralta
Mrs. Ydania Peralta, a homeschooling mom of 20+ years, chaplain, and founder/CEO of His Hands and Feet nonprofit, is dedicated to serving her community with love. Married for 35 years, she is a proud wife, mother, mother-in-law, anD grandmother. A longtime member of the PACE community, Ydania has taught drama, crafts, and filmmaking, finding joy in fostering creativity. Her passion for theater stems from watching her daughter perform, and she loves helping students build confidence and self-expression. Outside of teaching, she enjoys journaling, making memories, and watching true stories. Excited to return to PACE, she looks forward to inspiring students on their learning journey!
Mrs. Vilma Quintela
Mrs. Vilma Quintela is owner of a professional balloon art business, she brings hands-on experience in designing balloon decor, creating custom installations, and working with clients for events of all sizes. Her background includes years of practical work in balloon twisting, structural design, and event setup, along with experience training staff and guiding beginners. She is passionate about teaching others the skill, techniques, and creative confidence needed to succeed in balloon art.
Mr. Gabriel Salstein
Mr. Gabriel Salstein has been playing piano for 11 years, this has allowed him the opportunity to play piano for his church worship band. Learning to play the piano has opened up a whole world of music that he had never known existed and he is excited to share that with his students. He loves music and will do everything to help his students do the same.
Miss Sarai Salstein
Ms. Sarai Salstein has been playing piano for over 11 years. She has been teaching younger students learn and fall in love with music for over 3 years, one year with PACE She believes that an understanding and love for music are some of the most important things you can instill in a child.
Mr. Jeff Wade
Grandmaster Jeff Wade has been studying martial arts since 1986 and teaching martial arts since 1989. He holds a 7th degree in Taekwondo, a third in Aikido, and has extensive experience in many other styles. He has a masters in music education and is the owner of South Miami Taekwondo.