Catalina Franco-Cicero: Camp Director for Pembroke Isles and Fitness For Kids Owner

Catalina has an Associate's degree in Physical Education from Miami-Dade College, a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education (1997), a Master's Degree in Sport Management (2004), and is now pursing her Doctoral Degree in Higher Education and Leadership from Barry University.

Catalina currently holds a position as Wellness, Instructional Activities and Recreation Coordinator and Adjunct Professor for the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences at Barry University in Miami Shores, FL. She taught physical education at Welleby Elementary in Sunrise, Florida for several years and has been recognized for her achievements in making personal fitness part of every child she teaches. She was nominated as a Health Care Hero in 2006 and her Fitness For Kids program was adopted by the BUCKids Camp at Barry University in 2006. She received the Rookie Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award in 1999 for Miami-Dade County Public Schools; was named by Broward County Schools as the Physical Education Teacher of the Year for 2002; and her program was recognized by the Florida Marlins and the American Heart Association as the Outstanding Elementary Physical Education Program of the Year for 2002.

Catalina’s certifications, experience, and memberships include:

• First Aid and CPR (American Red Cross)
• Florida Certified Physical Education Teacher K-8
• Group Fitness (AFAA)
• Pilates Certified
• Zumba Certified
• 13 years of teaching experience
• 19 years of group exercise teaching experience
• Member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
• Committee Chair of Wellness Initiative Network (WIN) at Barry University

Sarah Spaulding: Assistant to the Director and Head Counselor

Sarah recently graduated with honors from Barry University with B.S in psychology. Next fall she will attend graduate school to obtain a PhD. in clinical/developmental psychology with an emphasis on childhood development. She hopes to one day own her own practice doing clinical work with children and adolescents.

Some of Sarah’s honors include the President’s List at Barry University, Psi Chi, the honor’s society in psychology, of which she was Vice-President at the BU Chapter for two years, and Phi Gamma Mu, social sciences honor society. She conducted research on the decline of free-play among young children, and on multiple intelligences in children. She presented her research at the Florida Academy of Sciences and at the Barry University Department of Psychology Student Research Forum, where her group presentation won the grand prize. Sarah was chosen to attend a highly selective weekend program for future family and child scientists at Arizona State University in September. She is also a published photographer. 

Sarah has ten years of teaching experience working as a coach for the Christian Homeschool Athletic Association of Florida, a program providing physical education to homeschooled students in Florida, Texas, and Nevada. She teaches various sports, ranging from football to archery, to 250 students per day.
Sarah worked with Fitness for Kids for the past two summers- the first as Group 1’s counselor at the Sunset Lakes site and the second as the physical education instructor at the Pembroke Isles site. She enjoyed the experience and is excited to return to FFK again this year.

Sarah holds a certification in First Aid and CPR from the American Red Cross.

Gabriel Pellegrino: Physical Education Instructor

Gabriel Pellegrino is currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education at Barry University and will be completing his internship with us at Fitness For Kids this summer. Gabriel is from East Haven, Connecticut and has been an avid soccer player and overall sport participant since a young age.
Gabriel’s extensive experience working with children comes from his love for the outdoors. Some of his hobbies include camping, hiking, kayaking, and cycling. Last summer, he worked as the Sports and Creative Games Coordinator as part of the YMCA in Connecticut, and, throughout the year, has held a position with the Miami Shores Community Center as the soccer, basketball, and baseball coach for children of all ages. Further, he has worked as an afterschool care counselor and summer camp counselor in Miami.

This summer, Gabriel hopes to continue instilling the love of sport skill development, fitness, and wellness to the children at the Fitness For Kids Summer in Pembroke Isles. He will coordinate our Annual Summer Olympic Games, Carnival Games, and will prepare the campers for our 6th Annual End of Camp Show! He will also integrate concepts from this year’s World Soccer Cup to be held in South Africa.By the end of this summer, Gabriel will earn his K-12 teaching certificate in physical education.

Gabriel holds a CPR and First Aid Certification from the American Red Cross, and is a member of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Kelly Dantas - Swimming Instructor

Kelly Dantas was recruited from Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2002 to be part of Barry University’s volleyball team. Pursuing a full volleyball athletic scholarship, she contributed all her passion to the sport, teamwork, and effort by winning the NCAA II National Tournament in 2004. That same year Kelly completed her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.

In 2005, she started her Master’s degree in Movement Science with an emphasis in Physical Education, and became the assistant coach for the volleyball team at Barry University. In 2006, Kelly acquired her Water Safety Instructor Certification and became part of the Fitness for Kids’ staff, where she also completed a portion of her internship hours.
After graduation, Kelly taught secondary physical education and coached swimming at the Doctors Charter School in Miami Shores, Florida. For the past four three years, Kelly has been successfully teaching swimming to children and adults of all ability levels.
Kelly is also a Boot Camp group exercise instructor.

Kelly’s Accreditations include:

- Florida Certified Teacher- Physical Education K-12
- Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and AED
- Certified in Standard First Aid / Administering Emergency Oxygen
- Certified in Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor.
- YMCA Orientation on Child Abuse Prevention.
- National Strength and Conditioning Association Member

Camille Vernon-Academic Instructor

Camille has been a Broward County teacher since 1991. During her teaching career Camille has had the pleasure to work as a third grade teacher, an instructional technologist, and most recently as the math special area teacher for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Camille has extensive experience in workshop development and technological support and has been responsible for the computer laboratory at her school. Camille holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on technology, and an Education Specialist degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Camille has worked with Fitness for Kids for the past two summers- the first as the academic instructor at the Sunset Lakes site and the second as the academic instructor at Pembroke Isles site. She enjoyed the experience and is excited to return to FFK again this year.

Camille holds a Florida teaching certification, as well as certifications in First Aid and CPR from the American Red Cross.

Frank Garaitonandia - Art Instructor

Mr. Frank Garaitonandia is a Cuban born artist who grew up in South Miami and attended New World School of the Arts (where his art work is currently still displayed). Soon thereafter, he graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's in Arts. As an exhibiting local artist his artwork has been displayed in several well-known galleries throughout the US. As a gallery director he has learned to discover and cultivate talent. For the past six years, he has been teaching the various forms of visual arts in the elementary and middle school level.
During his free time, Mr. Garaitonandia volunteeres to train his most talented 5th graders in the preparation for middle school magnet programs auditions and helps them prepare their portfolio. He continues to stay active in the participation of his students entering and winning art contests and exhibiting their work in various art galleries.

Through the exploration of the arts, his students are exposed to other cultures, history, science, writing and math. Mr. Frank encourages children to be creative, free, bold and flexible.  Children are also taught skills of self-criticism and self-evaluation. He encourages children to carry an original idea from beginning to end. He believes that we are building citizens whose self-esteem grows with their artistic progress, knowledge and their ability to make and appreciate beauty.

Mr. Garaitonanidia has worked with Fitness for Kids for the past two summers as the art, music, and drama teacher at the Sunset Lakes site and at Pembroke Isles site. He enjoyed the experience and is excited to return to FFK again this year.

Mr. Garaitonandia holds a Florida teaching certification in art, as well as certifications in First Aid and CPR from the American Red Cross.

Alexis Acosta: Camp Counselor and Lifeguard

Alexis is a student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. She is the Cinema Director for the Campus Activities Board, a Peer Advisor with the Office of First year advising and explorations and a member of Catholic Campus Ministries, while also maintaining a position on the Dean’s list.
             
During her senior year of high school, she became certified and trained in lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED. She loves working with children and strives to be the best role model she can be. She has volunteered for 2 years with the St. Maximillian Kolbe Preschool in Pembroke Pines for the summer Camp, and has conducted many “Parent’s night out” for the parish families.