Smart Horizons Career Online Education is pleased to announce the hiring of Teresa Salafrio as the company’s new Director of Academics. Salafrio brings a wealth of experience in both traditional and online school settings to the position.
She served as Principal for the University of Miami Global Academy— an online AdvancED/SACS accredited college preparatory program—from 2009 to 2012. In 2005, she was also instrumental in growing the University of Miami Online High School and served as both Teacher and Principal for the school. In addition, Salafrio was an Exceptional Student Education Teacher for Florida’s Broward County Public Schools.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exceptional Education from Florida Atlantic University, and a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment through Walden University. The area of focus in her doctoral work is how to best deliver online instruction to ensure academic success.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Smart Horizons Career Online Education,” Salafrio said. “In my position as Director of Academics, I will work with SHCOE faculty across all 11 of the schools in the SHCOE online school district to ensure student success and retention.”
In addition to focusing on student retention, Salafrio will work with SHCOE’s curriculum development team as the company continues to improve and expand its academic programs.
“Teresa comes to us with many years of leadership experience in secondary online education, including knowledge of learning management systems, academic support in virtual environments, and professional development for online instructors,” said Wendy Kauffman, Chief Operating Office for SHCOE. “I am confident that she will be able to jump in and lead our academic support team while upholding our mission as an online school district.”
“SHCOE has experienced 65 percent enrollment growth in the past 10 weeks alone,” said Dr. Howard Liebman, CEO and Superintendent for SHCOE. “We are very excited to bring in a dynamic educator like Teresa who has the specialized expertise in online secondary education to help expedite our continued growth as a private online school district. We are all thrilled to bring her on board, especially during this time of growth and expansion.”