I am a native Miamian and have been a teacher for 12 years. I began my career teaching kindergarten at Crestview Elementary School. For four years, I enjoyed teaching young children how to read and write and was part of the recruitment team established for creating that school into a writing magnet school. In 1990, I came to Sunset Elementary and taught 3rd grade in the Spanish International Program for four years. In 1994, I assumed the position of Lead Teacher of the International Studies Magnet Program. I have a Master's degree in Elementary Education and am certified in Early Childhood and English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL). My responsibilities include being a liaison between teachers, parents, administration, the community, and the governments of France, Germany and Spain, assisting teachers with curriculum planning, presenting demonstration lessons in the classrooms, assisting students and parents with transportation, recruiting students from the targeted population needed to improve the racial balance in the school, and many other duties. I have had the opportunity to travel abroad to Spain with the 5th graders and see how well our students are performing compared to their counterparts. I enjoy my job and look forward to coming to work everyday. There is such a variety of cultures and different children and people from around the world at this school. The International Studies Magnet Program provides students with opportunities to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. I am proud to be part of an institution that prepares children to have the ability to live more effectively in the future world, a world that will be increasingly interdependent.

Annely Hoffmann

I am a Ukrainian-born, German-raised, naturalized American, who has traveled extensively in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. These travels have given me a great understanding of different lifestyles and cultures. My home in Germany is Dattenfeld near Bonn. My family lives there and I visit every summer. Dattenfeld is also where I attended elementary school and then Siegberg for secondary school. After my Matura, I took a degree in languages at the Mawritzki Institute in Heidelberg, and a Economic Correspondent's degree in Köln (Cologne). My academic credentials also include: an AA from Miami Dade Community College in 1989, a BA in English from Florida International University (FIU) in 1992, and an MS in Modern Languages Education from FIU in 1994. As a military dependent, I was a stay-at-home Mom for a long time, but at one point I worked with the international organization OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) in Bonn. I first came to Sunset in 1994, as an intern, to teach French and was subsequently hired into the German program that same year. I have been teaching German at Sunset for four years now. While I'm an avid tennis player and scuba diver, my favorite hobby is teaching children.  I have two adult children, and recently became a grandmother for the first time.

Jennifer Hobbs
First Grade Teacher

This is my fifth year at Sunset Elementary and I believe that educating children is the most rewarding and fulfilling profession. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Florida International University (FIU), I am currently working on my Practicum at Nova Southeastern University.  Upon completion of this task, I will receive a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. My teaching experience also includes four years at Granada Day School in Coral Gables.

Aleyda Robles
Second Grade Teacher

I have been teaching for ten years now and can honestly say there is never a dull moment. I love working with children and I enjoy working with the second grade. My goal is to motivate students and help them develop a love for learning.

Raquel Portella
Third Grade Teacher

I was born in New York City, NY, but I was raised here in Miami, FL. As soon as I was born I had the luck of having a fraternal twin on my side. We had a lot of fun being adventurous, mischievous, and sociable (imagine having a lifelong friend and playmate). Along with the joy of having a twin sister, I also had the joy of being blessed with a brother who is eight years old. He was born when I was eighteen and I have had a lot of fun being an older sister. On my spare time my hobbies are to sing, dance, and cook. My husband Louis and I have been married for five years and to my wonderful luck he is an educator. It's interesting being married to an educator because we help each other and share ideas. We have a lovable dog named Sassy. She is our baby for now and she is very spoiled. I graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I have been teaching for four years and I have loved every minute of it. When I was younger I dreamed of becoming a teacher. My father is a teacher and I used to help him check papers and ask him about his students. It was fascinating to watch him and hear his stories as an educator. From then on I knew my niche in life was to become an educator. I made my dream become a reality.

Ute Dahl-Ashcraft
Fourth Grade Teacher

A German native, I came to Miami in 1978. Once my two children were both in school, I was able to start realizing my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. I began my academic training at Miami Dade Community College (MDCC) and finished my undergraduate studies at University of Miami (UM) with a BS degree in Elementary Education. In 1990, I attained a Masters in Science degree in Gifted Education from Nova University. My first teaching position was at Lorah Park Elementary, where I remained for two years. It wasn't until 1987 that I was asked to join the staff at Sunset Elementary and help put the German Language Program on its feet. At that time, I was the only homeroom teacher in the German Program. I had a total of 18 students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6. In addition to teaching homeroom classes, I also taught German language. After such a humbling start, it is very rewarding for me to see the success of Sunset's German program and its growth to over 150 students in 1998. I currently enjoy teaching the fourth grade class and look forward to having your children.

Mercy G. Arrieta
Fifth Grade Teacher

I was born in Cuba but came to the United States in 1962 via the Pedro Pan Operation, a program designed to bring young children from Cuba. I attended high school in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Nova University with a business degree in finance and accounting. While working as a volunteer in my children's school, I discovered my love for teaching. At this time, I decided to return to school to earn a degree in education. I have been teaching at Sunset since 1993 as a fifth grade teacher in the International Program. I am married and the proud mother of three (Gus - 25 and a physician, Alex - 22 an accountant, and Annette Marie - 19 who just finished her first year of college). My hobbies are gardening and travelling. I firmly believe, "It is a luxury to learn, but the luxury of learning is not to be compared with the luxury of teaching", by R. D. Hitchcock.