Bio
Brent Goldman, Ed.D.
President
Email
Brent Goldman, previously Principal of the Lower School, is an accomplished educator with experience at the preschool, elementary, middle and high school levels. He is state certified as a teacher and administrator in Florida. Dr. Goldman received his doctorate in education in Child & Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University and is currently an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University. He was named a winner of the South Florida Business Journal's Up and Comer Award in August 2000, and a "Heavy Hitter" in Education in 2005. He is a co-founder of The Sagemont School.
JoAnn Laskin, Ed. S.
Principal, Lower School Campus
Email
JoAnn Laskin has been with The Sagemont School since 1997. She brings with her a diverse amount of experience including 17 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. She has taught at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels. She has also been the director of summer camp programs for 10 years. JoAnn has her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Florida in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She is certified in early childhood, elementary education, gifted education, varying exceptionalities, and administration and supervision. She earned a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida Atlantic University, and has recently earned her Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Laskin is currently working towards her doctorate in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Laskin is an expert in the area of Differentiated Instruction and has presented at local and state conferences to both teachers and administrators. Mrs. Laskin is excited and proud to be a part of The Sagemont School. "This is a school which is truly helping students to become lifelong learners and exemplary citizens. The Sagemont School is preparing students to meet the challenges of this century and beyond. Please feel free to stop by and share your ideas and concerns. My door is always open."
Monica Vigna, M.S.
Assistant Principal Lower School Campus
Email
Monica Vigna is a Florida native who grew up in Miami Springs, Florida. She brings over 10 years of teaching experience in both the private and public school setting. Monica taught first grade at the Sagemont School prior to becoming an administrator. In addition, Monica has taught grades kindergarten through fifth as well as the dual language program at an International Baccalaureate school. She is certified in early childhood, elementary education, and is ESOL endorsed. Monica has earned her Bachelors and Masters of Arts degree from Florida International University. She is currently working towards her Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She is the assistant principal at the Sagemont School and is very happy to be part of the Sagemont family. She enjoys working hand in hand with students, faculty, parents, and the community. "Each child has a special gift and will bloom with the collaboration between home and school."
Edwin Cruz
Camp & Aftercare Director
Email
Edwin Cruz is a graduate of Kean College in New Jersey, now renamed Kean University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Recreation. During his twenty year career in the recreation field he has worked as a Recreation Director for nursing/rehabilitative facilities in New Jersey and South Florida, a recreation therapist at the Broward Children's Center and before joining the Sagemont team he worked for the City of Hollywood's Department of Parks Recreation & Cultural Arts where he served as a recreation coordinator. While with the city of Hollywood, Edwin worked in various community centers implementing recreational activities for youths and adults. A major part of his programming was with summer camps for the city's youth. In addition to operating successful summer camp programs, Edwin also revamped the Lower School's aftercare program to include enrichment classes which has also been successful.
Maritza Zea, M.S.W.
Guidance Counselor Lower School Campus
Email
Maritza Zea has been the Sagemont Lower School Campus guidance counselor for over 5 years. She earned a Master's in Social Work from Barry University in Miami, a Master of Science in Public Administration from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook and a Master of Arts in Psychology from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia. Ms. Zea holds a Florida Professional Educator's Certificate as School Social Worker and she is also a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern.
Ms. Zea has been a part of the The Sagemont School since 1999, first working in the classroom and in admissions before dedicating herself to guidance counseling. Before joining Sagemont, she worked at different jobs related to education or social work. Ms. Zea was an educational consultant to the Minister of Education in her home country, Colombia, where she developed a program to increase literacy. She co-founded the Bogota Children's Museum, where she served as assistant director for two years, and she was a social worker at Catholic Charities of New Jersey prior to coming to Sagemont.