Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

Dreamers Academy continues to grow with over 20 new hires as new school year approaches

Dr. Catherine Rodriguez, Head of School at Dreamers Academy with students Captain Santucci, 5, starting kindergarten and Dot Santucci, 7, going into the 2nd grade who loves science. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Dr. Catherine Rodriguez, Head of School at Dreamers Academy with students Captain Santucci, 5, starting kindergarten and Dot Santucci, 7, going into the 2nd grade who loves science. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Instant new friends, Michelle Garcia, 8, says she loves math and Camila Reina, 8, says her favorite classes are science and reading. Both will be going into the 3rd grade. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Instant new friends, Michelle Garcia, 8, says she loves math and Camila Reina, 8, says her favorite classes are science and reading. Both will be going into the 3rd grade. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Student, Camila Reina along with her grandmother Aura Velarde, far left, and mom Fabiana Ramsour attend the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Reina, 8, going into the 3rd grade says her favorite classes are science and reading. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Student, Camila Reina along with her grandmother Aura Velarde, far left, and mom Fabiana Ramsour attend the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Reina, 8, going into the 3rd grade says her favorite classes are science and reading. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The dream team hires, Alisha Cotto, Diego Velasco, Danna Morales, School Safety Deputy, Mike Magri, Ana Patron, Jason Rodriguez, Carolina Rivero, Susana Kowtko, Jayson Martinez, Elba Nieves, Dayana Rodriguez, Kenia Voyset, Michelle Kohl, Giovany Hernandez, Angela Rakowski, Maybel Gonzalez, Catiana Rodriguez, Omar Aguirre, Sabrina Sands, Tatiana Gonzalez, Breitner Gandica, Gabrielle Green, and Solange Lugo. Not in photo, Jessica Ocoro. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The dream team hires, Alisha Cotto, Diego Velasco, Danna Morales, School Safety Deputy, Mike Magri, Ana Patron, Jason Rodriguez, Carolina Rivero, Susana Kowtko, Jayson Martinez, Elba Nieves, Dayana Rodriguez, Kenia Voyset, Michelle Kohl, Giovany Hernandez, Angela Rakowski, Maybel Gonzalez, Catiana Rodriguez, Omar Aguirre, Sabrina Sands, Tatiana Gonzalez, Breitner Gandica, Gabrielle Green, and Solange Lugo. Not in photo, Jessica Ocoro. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Dreamers Academy held it's open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Dreamers Academy held it's open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Fourth grade teachers, Miss Whitney Curry and Mr. Diego Velasco, far right, new director of extended and after school programs, with 4th grader Alvin Perez, 10, dad Genaro Perez, 1st grader Gustavo Perez, 7, and 8th grader, Damian Perez, 13, who will be attending Booker Middle School, meet during a Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Fourth grade teachers, Miss Whitney Curry and Mr. Diego Velasco, far right, new director of extended and after school programs, with 4th grader Alvin Perez, 10, dad Genaro Perez, 1st grader Gustavo Perez, 7, and 8th grader, Damian Perez, 13, who will be attending Booker Middle School, meet during a Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Music teacher Mrs. Emily Miller meets with student Jordan Martinez, 6, going into the 1st grade, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Music teacher Mrs. Emily Miller meets with student Jordan Martinez, 6, going into the 1st grade, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Having some fun on the drums in the music room, Malakai Miller, 5, Keanu Nakayama, 5, and Kai Nakayama, 3, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Having some fun on the drums in the music room, Malakai Miller, 5, Keanu Nakayama, 5, and Kai Nakayama, 3, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Having some fun in the music room, Kai Nakayama, 3, Malakai Miller, 5, and Keanu Nakayama, 5, who will both will attend kindergarten, as dad Mr. Nakayama, looks on. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Having some fun in the music room, Kai Nakayama, 3, Malakai Miller, 5, and Keanu Nakayama, 5, who will both will attend kindergarten, as dad Mr. Nakayama, looks on. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Mom, Susana Martinez, of Port Charlotte, looks on with her son Joshua Alexis, 9, going into 4th grade, picking out a book to read, as as librarian Dr Carolina Rivero assist during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Mom, Susana Martinez, of Port Charlotte, looks on with her son Joshua Alexis, 9, going into 4th grade, picking out a book to read, as as librarian Dr Carolina Rivero assist during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Science teacher Mr. Josh Fraser, meets, six-year-old, Brock Vassell, going into 1st grade, as dad Brock Vassell looks on. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Science teacher Mr. Josh Fraser, meets, six-year-old, Brock Vassell, going into 1st grade, as dad Brock Vassell looks on. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Science teacher Mr. Josh Fraser, high fives, six-year-old, Rebeca Rodriguez going into the 1st grade, as mom Alejandra Vargas and son, Elias Rodriguez, 4, looks on, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Science teacher Mr. Josh Fraser, high fives, six-year-old, Rebeca Rodriguez going into the 1st grade, as mom Alejandra Vargas and son, Elias Rodriguez, 4, looks on, during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Part of the dream team teachers, Ana Patron, Omar Aguirre Giraldo, Alisha Cotto, Tatiana Gonzalez, Breitner Gandica and Michelle Kohl. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Part of the dream team teachers, Ana Patron, Omar Aguirre Giraldo, Alisha Cotto, Tatiana Gonzalez, Breitner Gandica and Michelle Kohl. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Art teacher Mrs. Jackeline Maldonado, on far right, meeting with Vanessa Esparza, 7, going into the 2nd grade, and her mom Amanda Esparza during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Art teacher Mrs. Jackeline Maldonado, on far right, meeting with Vanessa Esparza, 7, going into the 2nd grade, and her mom Amanda Esparza during the Dreamers Academy open house on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Intern assistant principal Josette Ortega with assistant principal Ryan Lee and Sarasota Sheriff Office, School Safety Deputy, Mike Magri. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Intern assistant principal Josette Ortega with assistant principal Ryan Lee and Sarasota Sheriff Office, School Safety Deputy, Mike Magri. Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Dreamers Academy is a dual-language public charter school located in north Sarasota that opened in 2021. Continuing it's expansion, the school is projected to have 1,200 students by the year 2028 with grades K‑8. For more information visit dreamersacademy.org — Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Dreamers Academy is heading into the new school year with its largest wave of new hires since opening its doors in 2021.

The dual-language public charter school has brought on 23 new instructional and support staff for 2025-26, a milestone Cathy Rodriguez, the head of the school, calls “a formidable crew.”

More: Dual language Dreamers Academy opens new school facility in Sarasota

“This is the largest cohort we have welcomed in any given year since we opened,” Rodriguez said. “We had a remarkable pool of applicants this year.”

Among the notable additions is Carolina Y. Rivero Ojeda, an author, professor and longtime literacy advocate who will manage the school’s Biblioteca Tech Center as its new media specialist. “Dr. Rivero will complement our literacy team to ensure students are selecting books that will challenge them and spark new interests,” Rodriguez said.

The new hires arrive as Dreamers expands capacity and adds a sixth-grade class this school year.

The school leaders say they are continuing an expansion to a full K-8 model. Construction is underway for a middle school campus on Leonard Reid Ave., building on the school’s existing site in Sarasota’s Newtown neighborhood.

The lineup also includes three new physical education teachers, annexperienced sixth-grade teaching team, and educators joining nearly everynelementary grade level. Additional hires range from an ESOL specialist and paraprofessional to a communications coordinator and facilities team members.

Rodriguez said the hires reflect Dreamers’ commitment to its dual-language immersion model, where students learn Florida standards in both English and Spanish, while also strengthening connections with families and the broader community.

Dreamers Academy first opened in 2021 and moved into its Myrtle Avenue campus in 2023. With the expansion now in motion, Rodriguez said the school is positioning itself to serve more students than ever.

Originally Posted:
Aug 8, 2025
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2025/08/08/students-welcome-new-teachers-new-year-at-sarasotas-dreamers-academy/85515628007/