Miami Palmetto Senior High School started the 2026-27 school year with three new teachers who arrived from outside the traditional teaching pipeline.

Three unconventional paths into the classroom

Robert Allison, the new drama teacher, has an acting background and spent years doing gig work at other schools. Theresa Baker, a sophomore English teacher, left a corporate career and moved from state to state before settling at the Pinecrest campus. Ella Sleeman, who teaches pre-AP and AP chemistry, earned the full-time role after working as a substitute in the same course last year. She is also preparing for graduate school.

New English teacher praises administrators

Student journalists at The Panther, the school's newspaper, first profiled the hires Sept. 23.

Baker credited school leaders with easing her transition. "We have such a strong administrative staff. They're always open to questions and are always trying to support," she told The Panther.

Campus tours set for prospective families

Miami Palmetto, at 7431 SW 120th St., serves families from Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Kendall, West Perrine and Palmetto Estates. The school has scheduled tours for prospective families Nov. 4, Nov. 10 and Dec. 3.