WELCOME

Our Faculty

The exceptional education and academic experience available at PBIA is in large part because of the fantastic team of educators we’ve assembled.

Our faculty team is composed of a diverse and fascinating group of professional educators from around the world. We encourage them to explore outside interests and to bring their unique perspectives into their classes and sections.

All of our educators, teachers and tutors are thoroughly vetted and screened, with many holding graduate level degrees in education or specific subjects and areas of interest. They all share the same foundational philosophy that learning must be enjoyable, interactive, and enriching, as well as a passion for helping students grow and achieve.

In a one-on-one or small group setting, students, teachers, and tutors must be compatible on many levels, so PBIA takes great care in matching students with the best educator for their specific needs and interests.

Joanne Weiner

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“The goal of education is not to teach rote facts, but rather to teach students how to ask questions, seek answers, and find solutions so they may continue to learn and grow throughout their lives.”

 

Joanne holds a degree from the University of Rochester (NY) in English and Women’s Studies, and she has also attended the College of Marin for Art and FAU for Education. It wasn’t until she began tutoring students that she found her true calling. Her gift for helping disorganized and struggling students overcome learning obstacles convinced her to launch the tutoring service that soon evolved into a full-fledged school known as Palm Beach International Academy.

 

She is not only dedicated to helping students of all levels improve, but has also crafted PBIA into a model for educational innovation for tomorrow’s progressive learning institutions to emulate.

Sergio Andre

MS & HS Academic Director

“Education is nurturing. Any educational endeavor should be permeated by Lao Tzu’s three treasures; simplicity, patience and compassion.”

Minka Hoffberg

Elementary Academic Director & Teacher

“Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire”

~ WB Yates.

JoAnn Garfinkel

Academic Director

“Math is the foundation for almost everything in our daily lives. Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel”

Fon Teawdatwan

Teacher & Academic Director

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” ~ Aristotle. 

Jason Sholl

University@PBIA Professor

“Education should be a nurturing experience, filled with patience, compassion and clarity

Karen Ballinger

Tutor

“A good education provides tools necessary for success; a great education provides these tools through individualized innovation.”

Lindsay Zeltzer

teacher

“Go out on a limb—that’s where the fruit is.”

~ Bob Ross

Deb Moroney

Tutor

“By getting to know my student, I can choose the teaching method based on the learning style of the student and their interests”

Scotch Peloso

Tutor

“Math is the foundation for almost everything in our daily lives. Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel”

Frequently asked questions

Questions and Answers

We LOVE questions! They are the doorway to learning. We’ve taken the liberty of answering the most common ones here.

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Want to learn more about PBIA and what kind of academic fit we can be for your student’s and family’s needs? Contact us today.

Sergio Andre

MS & HS Academic Director

Sergio obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad de Santo Tomás in Bogotá, Colombia. With over 16 years of teaching experience, he was awarded the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Sergio holds certifications in TEFL and ESOL (K-12). Sergio has taught Spanish, World History and Math and has been a coach and assistant coach for track and field, basketball and other sports. He has been an Academic Director at PBIA since 2012.

Minka Hoffberg

Elementary Academic Director & Teacher

Minka obtained her bachelors degree in elementary education from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of Reading Education from FAU. Minka holds a K-8 certificate in education with an ELL endorsement and with close to 20 years of experience has also obtained a National Board Certification in reading education. Minka has taught all subject areas in kindergarten through fourth grade in public school and micro school classrooms. Minka is currently the Elementary Academic Director at PBIA.

JoAnn Garfinkel

Academic Director

JoAnn has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education. She has been a mathematics teacher and school administrator in private college preparatory schools in San Francisco, New York and West Palm Beach. Her passion is to help students enjoy and understand mathematical skills and processes using the latest technology. She teaches math and is an Academic Director at PBIA.

Fon Teawdatwan

Teacher & Academic Director

Fon is originally from Bangkok, Thailand and moved to the United States at the age of four. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in Biology and minors in Education/Poverty and Human Capability Studies. While in college, Fon took on different leadership roles with the university’s Campus Kitchen, College Access program, and national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. She has been awarded the Nabors Service League McLoughlin Award for Volunteerism, an award that “Recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to their community through innovative service.”

Jason Sholl

University@PBIA Professor

Jason launched and successfully led profitable, multi-year remote seasonal programs for PBIA in Ocala, FL and Gulfport, MS. In addition, Jason spearheaded the successful development and launch of new core programs for PBIA including university, college counseling, and summer camp divisions. Jason holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. from the University of Arizona, where he lectured in English and Creative Writing from 2002-2005. Jason holds a certificate of college counseling from UCLA and has been a member of the National Association of College Counseling since 2008. He has completed professional development in STEAM and 21st-century pedagogy through MIT and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to his career in education, Jason was an editor for the National Magazine Award-winning periodical Lingua Franca and worked as a literary agent at a premier firm in New York City. For fun, Jason makes math-and code-based artwork and travels to the less-explored corners of the globe. 

Karen Ballinger

Tutor

Karin completed a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Masters in Education, and postgraduate work from Ashland University, Walsh University, and St Andrew’s College. She has also taught research writing at The Ohio State University and served the Ohio Department of Education as a literacy consultant, literacy coach, and professional development presenter. Karin had a successful 36-year career teaching advanced middle and high school language arts students in central Ohio before relocating to Wellington. As a long-standing horse show mom, she sees the value in providing individualized instruction to accommodate students’ educations and goals while competing.

Lindsay Zeltzer

teacher

Lindsay, a native of Wellington, holds a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She is certified in Art K-12 and Exceptional Student Education and has extensive experience providing one-on-one tutoring across a range of subjects and age groups. With a background in the tech industry, Lindsay has also earned certifications in artificial intelligence and the ethical use of data and technology. A former equestrian, she brings a personal appreciation for the students of PBIA and a deep connection to the local community.

Deb Moroney

Tutor

Deb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with Minors in Mathematics and Psychology from Allegheny College, a Master’s degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University, a Teaching Certificate in Biology from the State of Florida, as well as a PADI Divemaster Certification! While living on a sailboat and traveling throughout the Caribbean, she taught Marine Biology and Oceanography to middle and high school students. Currently, she is writing a middle grades book about sailing and has been published in scientific peer-reviewed journals. Deb began tutoring math and science at Palm Beach International Academy in 2010.

Scotch Peloso

Tutor

Scotch grew up on a sailboat off of Sanibel Island, Florida. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Physics at the University of Alabama, he decided to balance out his education by obtaining Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and American Studies. Scotch is a voracious learner and enjoys sharing his knowledge with students of any age. His educational background makes him an ideal tutor for ACT and SAT testing preparation. He currently resides in Palm Beach, where he is active in community affairs and is a member of the Town Board.