Administration

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Mr. Kenneth S. Cooper, Principal

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Mr. Kenneth S. Cooper has thirty years of experience as a professional
educator and fifteen years as a school site principal. Mr. Cooper began
his career with Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a social studies
teacher and department chairperson at Citrus Grove Middle School. Mr.
Cooper also taught Social Studies at Southwood Middle School. In July
1983, Mr. Cooper was appointed to an assistant principalship at
Southwood Middle School. During the following six years, Mr. Cooper had
numerous responsibilities which included middle school teaming,
community liaison, security and school safety, capital improvement
projects, facilities management, personnel, budget, attendance, and
standardized testing.

In August 1989, through leadership experiences in the District's
Executive Training Program, Mr. Cooper became involved in elementary
education with an assignment at William Jennings Bryan Elementary
School. During that year, Mr. Cooper chaired the Child Study Team.
Other accomplishments included cadre support under the school based
Shared Decision Making Model and PTA involvement to increase parental
involvement. In January 1990, Mr. Cooper was appointed principal at Jan
Mann Opportunity School. He restructured the instructional program and
began utilizing technology to enhance literacy skills. In June 1992,
Mr. Cooper was asked to operate a school for students with disabilities.
Over a four year period, Robert Renick Educational Center received many
accolades, awards, and accomplishments. Mr. Cooper organized a band for
emotionally handicapped and severely emotionally disturbed students.
Through structure and consistency in the curriculum, students made
positive strides in music, art, and academics. A community of learners
included therapists, students, parents, teachers, and community
partners. Mr. Cooper has written for the newspaper and other
professional magazines. Mr. Cooper was assigned to Pine Villa
Elementary School in June 1996. Through his leadership, the school's
negative budget was improved. The following year, Mr. Cooper moved to
Mays Middle Community School. His leadership has added great strength
to this historic school site.

Mr. Cooper received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice
Administration and Masters of Science degree in Adult Education
Administration and Supervision. He has postgraduate work in social
studies, education administration and supervision, and educational
leadership. Mr. Cooper is certified in Political Science 7-12 and holds
a level 1 principal certificate from the State of Florida. His annual
evaluations over the past fifteen years are distinguished. Mr. Cooper
is a member of Dade Association of School Administrators.

Ms. Beverley Salomatoff, Assistant Principal

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Ms. Salomatoff has worked for 15 years in the Miami-Dade County Public
School System (MDCPS). Ms. Salomataff holds a Bachelor of Science in
History and a Masters of Science in Elementary Education and Educational
Leadership. For ten years, Ms. Salomatoff worked at Arthur & Polly Mays
Middle as an instructor of geography, civics, and U.S. History. Ms.
Salomatoff's certification covers social studies 6-12, elementary
education, and educational leadership. Ms. Salomatoff also served as
Team Leader coordinator, United Way Ambassador, Volunteer Liaison, Dade
Partner Liaison, and Mediation Specialist.

After teaching for ten years at Arthur & Polly Mays Middle School, Ms.
Salomatoff was selected as the Magnet Lead Teacher/Administrative
Assistant. This position entailed the day to day operation of the
magnet program which included student recruitment, orientations, parent
contacts, transportation, course placement, and discipline. As
administrative assistant, Ms. Salomatoff helped develop the school's
improvement plan and assisted in dissemination of District initiatives.
Ms. Salomatoff became an Assistant Principal last year after serving the
Arthur & Polly Mays Community School for 14 years, making her both a
committed and integral part of the administrative team. As the new
assistant principal of curriculum, Ms. Salomatoff has led the curriculum
support team in an effort to increase overall student achievement. Her
current position is that of Assistant Principal of Curriculum.

Mr. Leron Cook, Assistant Principal

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Mr. Cook

Mr. Cook has worked for twenty-four years in the Miami-Dade County Public School system. Mr. Cook holds a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Arts Education from Florida A & M University. He also attended Nova Southeastern University where he received a masterys degree in Educational Leadership. Mr. Cook began his his career as a power and transportation and SCSI instructor at Brownville Middle School. He also worked at Rockway Middle School teaching Industrial Arts Education. After spending about four months at Rockway Middle School, Mr. Cook transfered to Miami Central Senior where he began his career in administration. He also served as an administrative assistant at Lake Stevens Middle and Miami Norland Senoir High. Mr Cook's firs assignment occurred at Arthur & Polly Mays Middle under the leadership of Mr. Kenneth S. Cooper. Mr. Cook served the community of Goulds for three years before returning back to Norland Senior High. In May of 2006, Mr. Cook was asked to return to the community he loved.

Dr. James Tranthem, Assistant Principal Community Education

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Dr. Tranthem has worked for 23 years in the Miami-Dade County Public
School System (MDCPS). Dr. Tranthem holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
English, Master of Science degree in Educational Administration, and a
Doctorate in Community Educational Administration. Tranthem began his
teaching career at Booker T. Washington where he taught English for
three years. For the last 17 years of Dr. Tranthem's career, he has
worked as an Assistant Principal for Communty Education (APCE). He was
APCE of the Year for the 1999-2000 school year. Dr. Tranthem is an
integral part of the administrative team at Arthur & Polly Mays Middle
School by ensuring both students and parents have an opportunity to
continue their education beyond the school day. He holds certification
in English, Spanish and Administrative Supervision. Dr. Tranthem's
dedication and commitment to the Gould's community ensure that everyone
has the opportunity to succeed. Dr. Tranthem's involvement in the
Goulds Coalition keeps the community interests at the forefront of all
stakeholders' agendas.