Administrators & Staff

Judith Stein, EdD, Executive Director

Dr. Judith S. Stein is the former Executive Director of the Division of Magnet/Innovative Programs for The Miami-Dade County Public Schools. From 1989-1995, she was the author of two successful MSAP grants, 1991-1993 and 1995-1998, which provided over $18 million in grant funds for the fourth largest in the nation. Dr. Stein was also the Director of Career Education, and a national leader in the career education movement. She served as President for the American Association for Career Education, a policy board member of the American Vocational Association, Guidance Division, and the Executive Chairperson of the International Collaborative Conference on Careers, held in Miami in March 1986.

Dr. Stein served as the President of the state organization for Magnet Schools/Program, 1991-1992, Consortium of Magnets/Public Choice Schools (COM/PCS), where she was founding President of that organization.

In May of 1992, Dr. Stein was nominated to serve as Interim President of Magnet Schools of America, Inc. (MSA), the national organization for magnet schools and programs. Dr. Stein served as first President of MSA from May 1993 to May 1994, representing all parts of the United States and over 3,000 magnet programs and schools. Dr. Stein was educated at Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts where she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree. She received her Master’s Degree from Trenton State Teachers College in English Education, and her Doctorate in Legal Education from the University of Miami in 1972.

Dr. Stein has been a school level administrator, having worked at American Senior High School during 1978-1980 as an Assistant Principal for Guidance and Curriculum. Dr. Stein served as the Operation Executive of the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) for the grass roots organization of career academies nationally from 2003 - 2007. She now serves on the NCAC board of directors.  She is on the National Advisory Board for the Boy Scouts of America / Exploring, and served as President of the Florida Career Development Association, a division of the Florida Association for Counseling and Development.

In 1998, she was appointed Director of the National Institute for Educational Options (NIEO) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in North Miami Beach, Florida. She leads this Institute at the Fischler School of Education and Human Services (FSEHS), one of the largest private, non-profit graduate education universities in distance learning providing resources and professional development for magnet schools, charter schools, independent schools, and theme/career academies.

Dr. Stein has received numerous awards including the following: Outstanding Career Guidance Professional of 1989 from the Guidance Division of the American Vocational Association; Buddy McKay Guidance Award from Occupational Specialist and Guidance Association, September 1988, State of Florida; State Award for National and State Leadership in Career Education from the Florida Department of Education; and National Vocational Guidance Association Merit Award in 1984.

For more information see: Dr. Stein's Bio

Michael Bell, Director of School Reform - NIEO

Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, Florida, Mr. Michael Bell brings a wealth of local experience and perspective to the national school choice and reform movements.  Prior to joining the National Institute for Educational Options’ team in June 2009, Mr. Bell served for 30 years in a variety of capacities within the Miami-Dade school system, the fourth-largest school district in the United States.  His roles in the public education arena ranged from classroom teacher to assistant superintendent responsible for the implementation of the district’s choice programs, magnet programs, and charter schools.  Notable consequences of his leadership in the school system included the substantial growth of nationally-recognized public school choice options and the development of the district’s secondary school reform and other strategic initiatives.  In addition, Mr. Bell led the acquisition of state and federal grants totaling in excess of $100 million to support the school district’s choice and school reform initiatives.

Complementing his employment experiences, Mr. Bell has served as an advisor to and grant reviewer for the United States and the Florida Department of Educations as well as provided expert testimony to the United States Senate on school choice.  Until his retirement from the school district in January 2009, he served as a commission member on the Florida Charter School Appeal Commission.  Mr. Bell’s national profile also includes opportunities as a conference presenter and panelist throughout the country.

Mr. Bell’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Florida International University, a Master of Science degree in Reading Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Specialist in Education degree in Computer Science from Barry University.

Through community volunteerism, Mr. Bell supports the development of student achievement and literary talent within Miami’s public and private schools vis-à-vis the implementation of student creative writing programs for The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition (26 years) and The Miami-Dade Region of The Scholastic Writing Awards (5 years).  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Education Fund.  Mr. Bell’s commitment to the betterment of K-12 education is evinced by his admirable public service career and commitment to volunteerism to support student achievement.  Although now retired from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Mr. Bell is continuing his support for school choice and reform initiatives under the auspices of the National Institute for Educational Options.

Nigel Whyte, M.B.A., Assistant Director - NIEO

Mr. Nigel Whyte is the Assistant Director for the National Institute for Educational Options (NIEO). He is a graduate of Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. He has a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

Jayne K. Caudill, Ed.D., Professional Development Coordinator - NIEO

Dr. Caudill is the Professional Development Coordinator for the National Institute for Educational Options (NIEO).  Additionally, she serves as the coordinator of the Parent Resource Center (PRC) Kendall Campus location.

Prior to working at Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Caudill worked 27 years with the Miami-Dade County Public School System at the school, region and district levels. Dr. Caudill has experience as an elementary and secondary counselor, student services department head and 14 years experience in parental involvement, working with the Title I Program.

Dr. Caudill received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1975, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Guidance in 1976, also from Eastern Kentucky University.  In 1982 she received her Rank I Certification in Educational Psychology and Guidance and School Psychology.  In 1993 Dr. Caudill received her Ed.D from Nova Southeastern University in Child & Youth Studies Management of Programs.

Marjorie Joseph, NIEO Administrative Assistant

Ms. Marjorie Joseph is the Administrative Assistant for the National Institute for Educational Options (NIEO). She is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She currently attends NSU and is pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at our Miramar Student Educational Center. Marjorie assists the Assistant Director of (NIEO) with day-to-day operations and coordination of its events. Additionally, she currently mentors teenage girls in the community with the Big Brother Big Sister foundation.

David B. Ross, EdD - Program Professor, NSU FSE Parent Academy

Dr. David B. Ross, Lead Faculty for the Doctoral Minor in Charter School Education and Leadership, has many years of experience in higher education administration, curriculum development, and classroom instruction. In his present roles as Program Professor at Nova Southeastern University – Fischler School of Education and Human Services, he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the field of education and leadership, oversees the online course development and delivery of the Parent Academy Program, and is Lead Faculty for the Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Charter School Education/Leadership. Dr. Ross has also been instrumental in the development of the doctoral minor in Charter School Education and Leadership. The new minor will meet the needs of leaders and corporations who are pursuing an emerging alternative to traditional public education.

At Palm Beach Community College he launched alternative teacher certification programs to help meet the state’s critical teacher shortage. He also provided extensive instructional design support to the program. His academic experience has included responsibilities as an adjunct professor of undergraduate and graduate courses in education and social sciences at Palm Beach Community College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Metropolitan University, and Nova Southeastern University.  He taught mathematics at the secondary level for The School District of Palm Beach County. Dr. Ross earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Specialist in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Adult Education, and a Master of Justice Policy Management with a Professional Certificate in Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science at Northern Illinois University. He also is frequently asked to speak at leadership and team building seminars across the country.

Dr. Ross is the current Southern Provincial Vice President and past Professional Development Chair (curriculum development) for Delta Sigma Pi, a Professional Business Fraternity with over 215,000 active members of 191 chapters.  Delta Sigma Pi is America’s foremost professional fraternity for men and women pursuing careers in business.  The fraternity, which is celebrating its 100 years, is mainly supported by volunteer leadership.  Dr. Ross, who has been dedicated to his fraternity for over twenty-seven years, has been elected to the Board of Directors as the Southern Provincial Vice President.  He is responsible for the leadership, training, and discipline of 38 collegiate chapters and 12 alumni chapters within six regions covering the following states: Florida, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Dr. Ross who sits on the Board of Directors for the fraternity has the following duties:

• Provide periodic updates on the status of national and provincial programs and activities
• Oversee and administer the Provincial funds
• Determine the organization’s mission and purpose
• Ensure effective organizational planning
• Enhance the organization’s public image
• Serve as a court of appeal
• To be responsible for the actions of the Regional Vice Presidents within their provinces
• To oversee the efforts within their provinces to achieve national priorities, directives, goals and objectives
• To appoint the chairs and members of provincial standing and special task committees, in accordance with these bylaws and the Laws and policies of the Fraternity, and monitor their performance
• To appoint the members of the Provincial Discipline Committee with the approval of the Provincial Council. The Provincial Vice Presidents shall have such further powers

Katy Beth Twist-Harty - Project Manager, FSCRC

Katy Beth Twist-Harty is the Project Manager for the Florida School Choice Resource Center.  She is in charge of managing all aspects of the five year cooperative agreement with the Florida Department of Education Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice to assist in Florida’s Voluntary Public School Choice Grant Program.  Mrs. Twist-Harty has been actively working on Voluntary School Choice Grant initiatives since the 2004-2005 grant cycle and on various grants for over a decade.

In partnership with the Florida Department of Education, Nova Southeastern University is committed to creating and expanding the Florida School Choice Parent Resource Centers in Florida to inform and educate parents on the quality and quantity of school choice options for their children with the goal to increase student achievement.  This cooperative agreement works in partnership with the University of South Florida’s Alliance for Applied Research Education and Anthropology to analyze if there is student achievement gains from students that do transfers to higher-performing schools or programs among students in lower-performing schools from families that utilize the Florida School Choice Parent Resource Centers.

Prior to Katy’s return as a NSU employee, she was a trainer/manager for 12 years for National Voter Outreach and for experiential educational courses.  She traveled Nationwide as a political consultant and life coach.  Currently, on her spare time, Mrs. Twist-Harty is a life coach/tutor for various teenagers in her community and is a proud member of the Nova Singers.  Katy is a graduate of the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship.  She is currently a graduate student in Charter School Education/Leadership and will eventually pursue her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership.

Mrs. Twist-Harty’s personal mission is to create a world in peaceful unity, where we are a source of empowerment for creation, creativity, and unconditional love - especially with children.

Venches J. Papillon - Senior Project Coordinator, PRC

Venches J Papillon is the Project Coordinator for the Florida School Choice Resource Center, Parent Resource Centers at Nova Southeastern University’s North Miami Beach and Kendall campuses funded by the Florida Department of Education.  Prior to working at NSU, Venches worked in the Social Services / Foster Care system for thirteen years in many different capacities.

Since 2004, the Parent Resource Centers and the nation’s fourth largest school system continue to provide free voluntary public school choice information and resources to parents throughout South Florida.  Ms. Papillon has presented this unique partnership and model at several local and national workshops and conferences.  Venches and her staff are committed in expanding the mirrored vision of the university and grant by effective promotion of public school choice within South Florida’s diverse community.

Ofelia M. Hampton -North Project Coordinator - FSCRC

Ofelia M. Hampton is the North Project Coordinator for the Florida Voluntary Public School Choice Grant; she supervises and coordinates Parent Resource Centers with the partner faith-based community and district organizations located in South Florida, Jacksonville, Gadsden, and Orlando.  Each Parent Resource Center is a place where parents are welcome to come and receive one-on-one assistance, participate in workshops while acquiring awareness and information.

Ms. Hampton comes with 17 years of experience in the educational field and is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University.  Prior to coming to NSU, Ms. Hampton worked for the St. Johns County Public School District as a systems analyst and later decided to follow her passion and became a high school Spanish and Psychology teacher.  Her background also includes experience working in the Miami-Dade County Public School District, primarily in the Magnet Program. 

Stephanie Benjamin – Administrative Assistant, FSCRC

Ms. Stephanie Benjamin is the Administrative Assistant for the Florida School Choice Resource Center She started with the FSCRC in 2005 as a Student Assistant, and joined the staff full-time in September 2008. She assist in improving the quality and quantity of school choice options for Florida families with the goal of  increasing the number of student transfers to higher-performing schools among families that have children in lower-performing schools by assisting the Program Manager with carrying out the goals and objectives of the Florida School Choice Resource Center.

Carmen Garrandes - Senior Parent Liaison, PRC

Since the opening of the Parent Resource Centers in August 2004, Carmen Garrandes has been working as a Parent Liaison for the Florida School Choice Resource Center at Miami Student Educational Center – Kendall campus.  Her duties include outreach, training, and coordinating parental involvement activities for parents in the South Florida and throughout the state.  Mrs. Garrandes is fluent in Spanish and works closely with the Hispanic families in Little Havana and Homestead.

Carmen is currently a part-time student at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business obtaining a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.

Higor Moreau - Parent Liaison, NMB, PRC

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Higor Moreau has been living in Miami four years and is currently studying Elementary Education at Miami-Dade Community College.  Higor is a Parent Liaison the Florida School Choice Parent Resource Center, where he is responsible for assisting parent inquiries and reaching out to the community. He is fluent in English, French and Haitian-Creole, and is experienced in conducting workshops and translating.

Maria Rivero - Parent Liaison, FSCRC

Mrs. Maria Rivero is a Parent Liaison for the Parent Resource Center.  Maria started with the NIEO in 2005.  She is currently a student at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences studying for a bachelor’s in Computer Information systems. As a liaison Maria covers the Centro Campesino Parent Resource Center & Kendall Parent Resource Center. Centro Campesino is a non-profit rural development corporation which supports economic self-sufficiency to improve the quality of life for migrant and seasonal farm workers and their children. Centro Campesino creates affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, offers free after school and summer camp programs for the children of farm workers and other at-risk youth, conducts workshops and seminars which empower families, trains farm workers for jobs leading to secure employment, strengthens communities through civic engagement activities, provides disaster relief and weatherization services, and advocates for initiatives and legislation which protect the rights of farm workers and other families of low income.

Jamie Dee Failoni - Parent Liaison - FSCRC

Jamie Dee Failoni became one of the newest members to the NIEO team n July 2009.  She graduated from Florida State University in May 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Sciences.  She currently resides in Cooper City and is currently a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University in the Family Therapy program.  She loves being around family and friends, and always enjoy challenging herself in new ways.  Jamie looks forward to helping families with public school choice throughout the Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach communities while working at the Florida Parent Resource Center.

Crystal Lee - Parent Outreach Assistant - FSCRC

Crystal Lee is the Parent Outreach Assistant for the VPSC FSCRC grant. She assists the project coordinators with marketing related tasks and assignments and ensures that the PRCs are properly equipped with materials and supplies.

Dr. H. Wells Singleton, Provost

Dr. Singleton is the Provost of Education for Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education & Human Services.

For more information see: Fischler School of Education and Human Services website