AICE English Language, AP English Language, AP English Literature

Ms. Karin Cook is a University of Florida alumna.  Go Gators! 

She majored in English Literature and minored in Education.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Science degree, National Board Certification, Gifted endorsement, ESOL endorsement, and Clinical Educator Certification.

With 23 years of experience, Ms. Cook has taught elementary, middle, and high school level students as a teacher within the private, charter, and public school systems.

Ms. Cook has been Teacher of the Year, is a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction, was a nominee for The Walt Disney Company’s American Teacher Awards, and was the SFLCW Super Teacher of the Week.

She teaches Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Advanced Placement Language and Composition, and English I Honors Gifted courses.

Additionally, Ms. Karin Cook has served as an adjunct professor of English, teaching ENC 1101, ENC 1102, and Research and Report Writing

World History Honors

Ms. Yolanda Hankerson is an experienced educator with a Bachelor's degree in History from Bethune-Cookman University. She has her professional certificate in Social Science 6-12 with a Gifted Endorsement. Ms. Hankerson has been nominated for Social Science Teacher of the Year at the school-based level as well as at the District level in Broward County, where she was recognized as the Runner-Up.  Ms. Hankerson has served as a Social Studies Department Chair at the Middle School level as well as the recipient of the Broward Education Foundation Adaptor Grant Award.  In addition, Ms. Hankerson has served as a Civics EOC Professional Learning Community Facilitator, making her a highly qualified educator in all the subjects within the discipline of Social Sciences.

AP American Government, AP World History, AICE Global Perspectives

Roman Shtrakhman has been a teacher with the Broward County school system since 2003. He speaks fluent Russian and moderate French fluently.

He is National Board Certified and received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston University. He holds a Masters Degree in American History and is Gifted Endorsed as well.

Having completed a Study Abroad program in both Paris and Brussels, Mr. Shtrakhman understands history must be taught within the most comprehensive context possible.  This is why all of the AP and Gifted classes are infused with lessons on the political, economic, religious and cultural components of a particular country or time period.

In addition, relating information to the modern world is of paramount importance. Mr. Shtrakhman believes we must stand on the shoulders of giants after all, for it is virtually impossible to understand the world today without studying and analyzing the various historical and geo-political characteristics that helped us get here. 

These classes have many wonderful topics, from the wonders of Latin America to the horrors of Vietnam.  From Hinduism and Buddhism to the sights and sounds of Africa and the Middle East. From the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Climate Change and population growth. Thus, Mr. Shtrakhman also tries to balance the needs and requirements of the various tests with all of the other awesome and brilliant spectacles of the world.

AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, AICE Thinking Skills

Mr. Kenneth Spohn has worked for Broward County Schools for 13 years—all at Plantation High School.  Before working for Broward County Schools, Mr. Spohn worked in the private sector for 13 years, applying his mathematics and data analytics knowledge to improve productivity for his region—surpassing other regions within the company by 300%.

Mr. Spohn is originally from Pennsylvania, where he attended Penn State University.  Mr. Spohn graduated with a degree in Computer Science, a minor in mathematics, and an emphasis was statistics.  After graduating from Penn State, Mr. Spohn moved to South Florida and has lived there ever since. 

Throughout his years at Plantation High School, Mr. Spohn has taught every mathematics course offered at the high school level. His passion for math is evident in the classroom, and through discussions with his current and past students.

In the classroom, Mr. Spohn employs a ‘discovery based’ learning approach, where the students are taught to apply higher level thinking skills to work through an investigative task.  Using this approach allows students to take ownership of their learning, and helps them comprehend and retain the mathematical skills they learn.  Mr. Spohn thoroughly enjoys teaching and being able to pass his love for mathematics on to the young people he teaches, watching those young people learn and grow into successful adults.

In talking to Mr. Spohn’s past and current students, it is evident that the students thoroughly enjoy his classes.  Mr. Spohn was nominated for ‘Life Changer of the Year in 2017-18’ and was featured on the CW during the 2018-19 year as a ‘Super Teacher’.  In addition, Mr. Spohn has been nominated for ‘Teacher of the Year’ at the high school level the past 3 years, and at the county level during 2016-17.  Mr. Spohn is seen as a teacher-leader among his peers and administrators, and his colleagues will attest that Mr. Spohn is a team-player who values collegiality and puts student learning and achievement above all else.

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Science in English Education, Florida State University

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Nova Southeastern University

Bio:

Ms. Cox is a Florida State University Alumna, Go Noles!

Tiffany Anderson-Cox majored in English Education. She has a Bachelor's of Science degree, ESOL endorsement, and Clinical Educator Certification

With 8 years of experience, Ms. Cox has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels within the Florida Public schools' system. (Leon and Broward Counties)

She teaches English 1 Honors, Cambridge: AICE General Papers and International Baccalaureate Language and Literature.

In the classroom, Ms. Cox employs a discussion-based classroom where she provides a safe learning environment to encourage students to share their thoughts on a particular argumentative global topic or analytical perspective within a particular work. She believes there is no right or wrong answer as long as the learner is able to support their reasoning with credible sources. 

Ms. Cox's hope for her class is for all students to leave her class by gaining a lifelong interest in language and literature and a love for the elegance and richness of human expression.