Miami, FL
Miami-Dade Schools joins forces with Teacher Accelerator Program to address critical shortage
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Florida faced a staggering challenge: over 5000 teaching positions remained unfilled.
This shortage, attributed to a variety of factors including low wages, political pressures in the classroom, and increased stressors, has deterred many college students from pursuing careers in education.
The crisis persists, which is evident in Miami-Dade where approximately 70 core instructional teacher positions remain vacant.
In response, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation’s third-largest school district, is taking proactive measures.
On Friday, they are formalizing a partnership with the Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP) through a memorandum of understanding.
TAP, an initiative of Achieve Miami, aims to alleviate the teacher shortage by offering a streamlined pathway into the profession for college students who did not major in education.
Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres highlighted that around 60 percent of the teachers they hire come from non-traditional educational backgrounds.
“This program provides an opportunity for you to prepare before you enter the classroom,” said Dotres.
Dotres expressed personal resonance with the initiative, noting that he, too, could have benefited from such a program during his college years.
“I would have probably entered in this program because I was a career changer,” he said.
The program offers interested individuals a one-semester course, followed by a paid six-week summer internship. Successful completion leads to state certification and a guaranteed teaching position in a Miami-Dade public school.
Jasmine Calin-Micek, TAP’s Senior Director, noted that the initiative has already seen success, with initial cohorts now actively teaching in classrooms.
“We’ve had an opportunity of one of our first cohorts already go through—they’re in the classroom now,” she said.
The program, which began with 40 students at the University of Miami last year, has now expanded to include approximately 150 participants from institutions such as Miami-Dade College and Florida International University.
Leslie Miller Saiontz, Founder and President of Achieve Miami, emphasized the program’s dual benefit of serving the community while providing enriching experiences for participants.
“What a great opportunity to come in, give back to your community,” said Miller Saiontz, adding, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if you get hooked.”
For more information on the Teacher Accelerated Program, click here.
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Miami, FL
Tommy Paul’s Fiancée Paige Lorenze Stuns in Pink Crop Top at Miami Open
There have been some surprising results to this point at the Miami Open. Perhaps the most surprising of all was when world No. 1-ranked player Carlos Alcaraz suffered a defeat to Sebastian Korda of the United States in the Round of 32.
While the clear favorite to win is Italy’s Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz bowing out of the tournament earlier than anticipated means that the playing field is much more open than it often is in these tournaments. It also means that American tennis stars like 28-year-old Tommy Paul have an opportunity to make a major splash in Miami.
Paul (who is currently the world’s No. 23-ranked player, according to the ATP) secured a victory in straight sets against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on March 24. This means he’s set up to face France’s Arthur Fils in the Quarterfinal.
Tommy Paul is trying to build off perhaps the best professional year of his career in 2025. He became the first American man in 23 years to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Open before losing to Alcaraz, but this successful tournament vaulted him all the way up to No. 8 in the world rankings at the time.
What’s for certain is that Paul has the unconditional support of Paige Lorenze, his influencer and entrepreneur, who is best known for the lifestyle brand Dairy Boy.
The couple has been dating since 2022, and Paul has made many appearances on Lorenze’s social media channels. Paul and Lorenze were engaged in July of 2025, and she is constantly seen on tour with him.
Tommy Paul’s Fiancée Paige Lorenze Turns Heads in Bold Pink Miami Open Outfit
Lorenze is with Paul at the Miami Open right now. And an outfit she wore earlier in the week is causing quite a stir.
Lorenze made a March 21 Instagram post that showed her in a pink and yellow crop top outfit with matching pants while at the Miami Open. The post was captioned, “🩵🌴🎾🌸,” which appears to be a nod to the floral color scheme and the general vibe of the Miami Open.
It’s a good thing that this outfit didn’t take Tommy Paul’s attention away from the court while he was trying to make it to the quarterfinals.
All eyes will be on Paul to see whether he can secure a victory over Arthur Fils on March 25 to cement what could be a good start to the 2026 campaign. Lorenze will be rooting him on.
Miami, FL
Motorcyclist killed in crash on Biscayne Boulevard, deputies say
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in northeast Miami-Dade on Tuesday morning, deputies said.
The crash happened on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast 127th Street and involved a vehicle and a motorcycle, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said.
The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity was not released.
The condition of the driver in the vehicle was also not released.
Aerial footage from Chopper 6 showed a yellow tarp covering the body next to the damaged vehicle. The motorcycle was on the ground nearby surrounded by debris.
All southbound lanes on Biscayne Boulevard from Northeast 126th Street to 128th Street have been closed.
The crash was under investigation.
Miami, FL
‘Confident’ Bencic takes out Anisimova, eyes Gauff next in Miami
A “super clean and confident” performance from Belinda Bencic earned her an upset of one Top 10-ranked American at the Miami Open on Monday night — and she’s hoping that form carries over into another in less than 24 hours.
Miami: Scores | Draws | Order of play
The No. 12 seed led nearly wire-to-wire in a 6-2, 6-2 thumping of No. 6 seed Amanda Anisimova to put her through to a 12th career WTA 1000 quarterfinal, and second in Miami after she reached the 2022 semifinals. She’ll face another Florida resident, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, on Tuesday night in the hopes of matching her tournament best from four years ago.
Bencic had good reason to praise her play against Anisimova, in a match that was projected to be a late-afternoon affair but ended up taking the court at 9 p.m. after three of the four matches preceding it on Grandstand stretched to three sets. She landed 87% of her first serves, winning 72% of those points, and hit 19 winners in 14 games to break a 2-2 head-to-head tie against the two-time Grand Slam singles finalist.
She saved the only break point she faced, too, which came when she was already ahead 6-2, 4-1.
Bencic next looks to complete a personal Sunshine Double of sorts against Gauff as she eyes back-to-back Top 10 victories on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz.
Though the American has won four of their previous six meetings, Bencic’s most-recent win came in the Round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open last year.
More to come…
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