OLLI Instructors

Our instructors find teaching at OLLI to be a rich and rewarding experience. 

We welcome new and returning instructors and invite course proposals that range from academic subjects to skills and activities. We also encourage a variety of teaching formats, including facilitated discussions, informational lectures, hands-on instruction, and field trips. 

OLLI members are in an instructor’s class by choice. There are no tests or papers to grade, and the classroom environment is casual and relaxed. OLLI students bring their own expertise and life experiences to the classroom, which makes for lively exchanges. 

OLLI instructors are required to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter, thorough preparation, sensitivity to different learning styles, adherence to OLLI policies and guidelines, and an ability to communicate concepts in a clear fashion.

OLLI at the University of Miami offers courses year-round. Courses are scheduled 3-4 months in advance.

If you are a prospective instructor interested in teaching a course, please fill out our course proposal form. If you should have any questions, please contact us at osher@miami.edu or 305-284-6554.

If you are a current OLLI instructor, please click the button below to view the OLLI Instructor Handbook.

Instructor Handbook

• Mr. Emanuel Abramovits

  is a native of Venezuela and received his MBA from the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello.  He is a concert promoter and instructor.  Presently he is teaching about the contribution of Jews to music (jazz, rock, blues, musicals, and classical music) and popular culture at Melton and More.

• Ms. Kate Albrecht

  Ms. Albrecht has a BA in English from Creighton University and an M.A. in English from the University of Miami. She is presently pursing a Doctorate in English from the University of Miami.

• Ms. Simona Bai

  is a native of Italy. She has many years of teaching experience working with adult populatios. Before coming to OLLI at UM, Ms. Bai taught Grammar and Italian for Travelers at Ringling College - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Sarasota, FL. and at Suncoast Technical College - Adult and Community Enrichment.  Prior to that, Ms. Bai taught Italian in Modena, Italy. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Bologna in Italy.

• Ms. Margie Bauer

  is a botanical and scientific illustrator, a "zendoodler" and a teacher in watercolor, pen and mixed media.  She works out of her studios in Cashiers, NC and Coral Gables, FL.  She often studies her subjects by growing native plants at home that attrack native creatures.  She has taught her classes at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, Viscaya, Just Your Height exhibition and The Knitting Garden.

• Dr. Batia Cohen

  has a Doctorate in Mesoamerican Studies from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the Universidad Metropolitana in Mexico City. She was an adjunct professor at Florida International University and she has taught in Florida for the past 15 years. Ms. Cohen has published numerous articles in specialized Art and History magazines. She is currently a collaborator of a cultural magazine in Spanish online; LetraUrbana.com. She is the author of the historical novel Una Amapola Entre Cactus.

• Dr. Marsha B. Cohen

  is a lecturer, educator, independent scholar, news analyst, and writer in Miami, FL.  A Lecturer in International Relations for over a decade at Florida International University, she earned her PhD in International Relations at FIU. Dr. Cohen has also taught as a Lecturer at the University of Miami, where she currently teaches lifelong learning and adult education courses, including online courses via Zoom.

• Mr. Robert Dawson

  is a BFA graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.  He taught there, in the theatre department, for 4.5 years.   He was the founder and director of The Ring of Steel, a 35 member troupe of theatrical stage fighters and choreographers who conducted workshops, classes, and performances in a 6-state area for over 10 years.  For 8.5 years, he was the historian and marketing director of Turner Broadcasting's HMS Bounty, and appeared as Lt. Cmdr. William Bligh.  Prior to becoming an Osher Lecturer, Mr. Dawson was the lead science performer for the Miami Museum of Science, entertaining and educating over 600,000 guests over 16 years.  Today, Mr. Dawson devotes his time and energy to creating and performing characters in his "Triumph and Tragedy" series of over 100 historic biographies.

• Ms. Jeannie DeQuine

  has taught English as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, as well as other colleges and universities.  Ms. DeQuine has over 25 years of experience as a journalist for Time, Newsweek and People magazines.  She has two graduate degrees in writing from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and Florida International University.

• Mr. Alan Dietz

  an active OLLI member, was an original Madison Avenue "Madman" as a Creative Director at some of the world's largest ad agencies headquartered in New York and Chicago. He was President and Creative Director at his own ad agency in Miami for many years. Alan has created high-profile ad campaigns for some of the world's premier clients. He graduated with a BA and MA in history at the University of Miami, where he taught American and world history as a graduate teaching assistant. This was followed by PhD work in history at Cal-Berkeley, which was interrupted by his acceptance of a job as an advertising copywriter at J. Walter Thompson in New York. He is presently writing a sci-fi novel dealing with quantum physics and relativity theory.

• Dr. Pamela Dickson

  is a retired academic radiologist who had a long career at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. She received her medical degree from State University of New York, Stonybrook, after her bachelor’s in Natural Science from Fordham University (NY). Since then, she has devoted her time to studying Functional Medicine and Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture. Recently, she has been interested in the effects of climate change on global public health.

• Ms. Susan Dow

  has taught adults for over 20 years. She is a retired director of adult education at Miami-Dade College and current adjunct lecturer at UM in Spanish and English as a Second Language.

• Ms. Paulette Dozier

  Ms. Dozier has a BA in English from Florida International University and a Masters of Science from Nova SouthEastern University. She has a certification as a Group Fitness Instructor from the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and National Academy of Sport's Medicine.  She has been teaching Rhythm International Fitness, online, since April 2023.

• Mr. Armando Droulers

  is an artist, art historian and educator. He studied at Bard College, Academia de Arte Federico Brandt, New World School of the Arts and the University of Florida. He lectures on art, culture and travel, teaches fine art and design and organizes cultural tours, as well as art and wine culinary events. As a Master Artist, he teaches art and is a guest lecturer onboard Celebrity Cruises ships. He has lived in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States and speaks fluent English, French and Spanish.

• Mr. Mark Egdall

  is the award winning author of the popular science book Einstein Relatively Simple: Our Universe Revealed in Everyday Language.  A retired aerospace program manager, he has been teaching at other South Florida lifelong learning programs since 2006 and at OLLI @UM since 2010.

• Dr. Judith Etzion

  received her doctoral degree in Musicology, Columbia University, has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scholar, performer, and university professor in the USA, Israel, and Spain. She has also conducted courses in music appreciation for adult education programs for over 30 years. Dr. Etzion teaches various lifelong learning programs in South Florida.

• Dr. Luis Carlos Fallon

  has a Doctorate of Law, Political and Social Sciences from the Universidad Nacional, Bogota, Colombia.  Dr. Fallon has taught at the National University in Colombia and was an associate professor at Tamkang University in China. He has written five books and has taught Spanish language and Literature.  He currently teaches a variety of Spanish language courses at the University of Miami, Intensive Language Institute. In 2018, he was honored with an award in Colombian Literature “FILCOL 2017” by the Hispanic Heritage Literature Organization in Miami, as a special recognition for his works as a writer, and poet, and for his dedication to teaching the Spanish language and Hispanic literature for over 40 years.

• Dr. Sean Foreman

  Dr. Sean Foreman earned a B.A. in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He received his M.A. in International Studies from Florida International University (FIU) with a graduate certificate from the Latin American and Caribbean Center. In 2003, Foreman earned his doctoral degree in Political Science from FIU.  He is the Chair of the Department of History & Political Science which houses 4 majors: History, Political Science, Pre-Law and International Studies.

  Dr. Foreman is a regular panelist and occasional host on WPBT-TV's "Issues" and often on local news stations including WIOD News Radio 610, where he was the 2016 Presidential Election Analyst, and WFTL 850 AM as well as nationally through NBC News Radio (formerly 24/7 News service). His co-edited book Local Politics and Mayoral Elections in 21st Century America: The Keys to City Hall (Taylor & Francis 2014) is part of the Routledge Research in Urban Politics and Policy Series. His article "Top 10 Reasons Why Barack Obama Won the Presidency in 2008 and What it Means in the 2012 Election," was published in the Florida Political Chronicle, and his chapter "Florida: The Purple Swing State" is in the book Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter (Lexington Press, 2015). 

• Ms. Liza Girgis

  Ms. Girgis has a BA and MA in Spanish from the University of Toronto, Canada and a certificate in teaching Spanish as a foreign language from the University of Salamanca, Spain. Liza has been teaching Spanish classes at OLLI at UM since Spring 2023.

• Ms. Grisell Gonzalez

  studied under Tai Chi Master, Tony Garcia, Certified Tai Chi for Health by Dr. Paul Lam - The Yang 24, Sun Tai Chi for Arthritis I/II, Sun/Chen Tai Chi for Energy, and Qi Gong.  She is also a certified Yoga instructor.

• Dr. Eugene Greco

  graduated cum laude from Union College as a Humanities major, concentrating in music and art history. He holds an MME degree in Choral Music Education from Ithaca College and a second masters from State University of NY at Albany in Educational Administration. Additionally, Dr. Greco holds a PhD in Musicology from UM. He teaches at both Miami Dade College and UM.

• Mr. Leslie Gross

  went to Harvard College and Law School. He clerked for an appellate judge, then taught Social Institutions at Miami Dade College for a year, while joining the Greenberg law firm. He also taught real estate investment at UM Law School in 1984.

• Dr. Karl Gunther

  is an associate professor of History at the University of Miami since 2015.  He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. 

• Dr. Cynthia Halpern

  is an active OLLI member. She has taught Ethics and Public Policy for the last 30 years, first at Princeton University and then at Swarthmore College, a top ranked liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia. She is an associate professor emeritus at Swarthmore College and a published author in Political Theory, and has taught five courses a year in Political Theory at Princeton and then at Swarthmore.

• Ed Harper, PhD

  is an active OLLI member who earned a BA with Honors from Principia College in Government and Foreign Affairs and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has held many high level executive positions, including vice president of Emerson Electric, executive vice president of the Campbell Soup Company, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, and chief operating officer of American Security Group and was Chairman of the Government Affairs Council for the Financial Services Roundtable composed of the 100 largest financial institutions in the US. In the public sector, he is a former special assistant to President Nixon and a former Assistant to President Reagan as well as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Dr. Harper was on the faculty of the Political Science Department at Rutgers University where he lectured on American Government.

• Ms. Lucy Harper

  holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Agnes Scott College with an emphasis on religion and religious philosophy courses. She earned a Master of Arts in English literature from The University of Virginia. She is a CPA and has taught college English courses and done tax work in various accounting firms. Lucy chairs various non-profit organizations and boards. She is a former Chair of the OLLI at UM Advisory Council. She has traveled extensively, including trips to Israel and Egypt.

• Mr. Richard Hauser, Esq.

  recently retired from The Boeing Copany, where he was vice president and assistant general counsel for Government Operations in Washington, D.C., and as Chairman, Board of Direetors, Thrivent Mutual Funds, Minneapolis, MN. Earlier, he served as president of the National Legal Center for the Public Interest and was a partner with the national law firm Baker Hostetler.  He has held numerous positions in government incuding Assistant United States Attorney (Miami) and Attorney Advisor, Office of the Deputey Attorney General,  US Department of Justice; General Counsel,  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);  Deputy Counsel to the President, the White House; and Chairman, Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation.  Mr. Hauser has a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  He received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami, School of Law.  He has taught a series at OLLI at UM called “Law and Order” for the past three years.

• Mr. Haim Karp

  has been an OLLI member for the past 10 years, after retiring from a Financial Services company.  During this time, he has been an active OLLI member, serving as Chairman of the Advisory Council and then as a member of the Council.  In addition, he has served as the Chairman of the Curriculum Committee; as the founder and coordinator of the Current Events Club; as an instructor of the Investments Class; and, as facilitator of the Great Decisions courses, and more.

• Ms. Susan King

  is an OLLI member who enjoys leading and facilitating the Book Club.

• Ms. Anita L. Klimek

  has been an artist all her life.  She is an illustrator, graphic artist, freelance artist, layout artist, art director and art teacher.  Ms, Klimek has worked in the art department of large companies.  She attended Miami-Dade Community College, International Fine Arts College and the University of Miami where she studied Design, Commercial Art, Graphic Design and Painting.  

• Mr. Karl Koslowski

  received his degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. As a member of the US and Foreign Commercial Service, Mr. Koslowski designed USA pavilions and supervised the installations of major USA exhibitions in international trade fairs and solo exhibitions in 30 countries throughout the world.  For the past 15 years, Mr. Koslowski has been teaching various courses in the Art of Digital Photography and Adobe post processing enhancement at OLLI@UM, Miami-Dade Community College and FIU.

• Mr. Ron Kohn

  is an active OLLI member who enjoys facilitating the Shakespeare Reading Group.

• Ms. Janet Krutchik

  is an active OLLI member who enjoys leading the “In the News” SIG. She is a retired educator with experience teaching film.

• Dr. Nancy Lawther

  who served on the faculties of Texas A&M University, the University of Georgia, and Barry University, holds a doctorate in French from Yale University. A long-time French instructor at OLLI, she shifted her focus several years ago to coincide with her passion for public education advocacy. She now frequently represents the Florida PTA in Tallahassee and is widely known to members of the Dade Legislative Delegation. In April 2018, she was elected to the position of President of Miami Dade County Council PTA/PTSA, the oldest and largest non-profit child advocacy membership organization in the County. Her term ends in June 2020.

• Ms. Randy Letzler

  is a professional actress, dancer, choreographer and director.  She is a member of Actor's Equity and when not performing she taught improvisation, musical theatre and acting to students ranging in age from six to adult.  She has directed and choreographed shows for numerous universities and off broadway.

• Ms. Phyllis Levy

  is an active OLLI member who participated in the Ph.D Cinema Studies program at the University of Miami belongs to several film discussion groups and has facilitated her own film group for the past three years.  She is a retired librarian who managed the Kendall Branch Library for 18 years.

• Ms. Ronnie Londner

  has a BA in Political Science from Long Island University, an an M. Ed. in Community Psychology from the University of Miami. She is a pscychological counselor who has worked in school and community settings with children and adults on drug, sexual and domestic abuse issues as well as bullying. She is a child of Holocaust survivors and Nazi Germany refugees. She has personal experience with former Nazis seeking forgiveness.

• Dr. Peter Luykx

  received his Ph.D. degree from the University of California (Berkeley).  He was in the Dept. of Biology faculty at the University of Miami 1967-2005, teaching General Genetics, Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, and led undergraduate discussion courses on social and ethical issues in human genetics.  He is currently a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a former member of the American Society of Human Genetics and the Genetics Society of America.  He has published scientific papers in the areas of general genetics, human analysis and evolution.

• Ms. Penny Marchany

  has dedicated the last 22 years of her life as an Educator within the public sector. She has a Master’s degree in Professional Studies, a Bachelor’s degree and an Advanced Certificate from the State University of NY. She holds numerous Professional Teacher Certifications in various States and completed a Bilingual Teacher Certificate Program from an accredited Graduate School. She has helped thousands of students and families in several regions of the United States and enhanced the lives of many special needs students. Ms. Marchany is currently advocating for and ensuring compliance for the special needs population. In addition, to her work with special needs students in education, she spent many years of her life teaching World History, Economics and Government. Furthermore, she loves to incorporate her travels into her teaching. She has traveled the World extensively, to almost 20 other nations for exploration, to learn and immerse herself into other cultures on four out seven continents, such as of Africa, Asia, Europe as well as North America. She collects art and has a passion and fire for instructing and changing the World one student at a time. She believes people should not only read about History from a book, but they should get out there, travel and see it with their own eyes.

• Dr. Judith McCalla

  has an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami and was employed at UM for over 20 years in the Psychology department. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been providing therapy for over 20 years. As a faculty member at UM, Dr. McCalla trained many graduate students to use Coping Skills Training with clients to help deal more effectively with life stressors and taught graduate and undergraduate courses for over 12 years.

• Ms. Marina McLerran

  Ms. McLerran has a B.M. in music education from Stephen F. Austin State University and an M.M. in music education from the University of Miami.  She is presently pursuing a Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Miami.

• Ms. Alicia Menendez-King

  an OLLI member,is a UM graduate with a double major in French and English and received an M.A. from UNC at Chapel Hill in French. She has held French teaching posts in Dallas, FIU, Rice, and Houston Community College. Ms. Menendez-King studied in France and lived in Bordeaux. She has a passion for languages and cultures.

• Dra. Margarita Montemar

  has a Doctorate in Education from University of Miami, a Master of Science in Mathematics from New York University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from University of Puerto Rico. She taught Mathematics at Miami Dade College for thirty-five years and is presently an Adjunct Mathematics Professor at the University of Miami.
  
  For the past ten years, Dra. Montemar has attended numerous conferences, workshops and seminars on the Bible and has earned Certificates from Ignatian Spirituality Center.  She has taught many classes related to Spirituality topics.

• Ms. Miriam Moussatche-Wechsler, LCSW, LMHC

  holds a Masters in Education Psychology, a Masters in Clinical Social Work, and Post Graduate studies from Argentina.  She is a licensed psychotherapist-coach in private practice lately focusing in working with men and women 50+. Ms. Moussatche-Wechsler is a frequent lecturer on the subjects of transitions, positive psychology, wellness, active aging, neuroscience, meaningful legacy, resilience and decluttering. Ms. Moussatche-Wechsler’s workshops and group-work have been transforming those interested in exploring the full potential of the middle and late life-stages.

• Mr. Brian Murphy

  is a pianist, composer, clinician, instructor and arranger who has recorded and performed extensively in U.S., Canada, and around the world. Brian has collaborated with the great Tito Puente on a number of award-winning albums. He has conducted workshops on improvisation and has received grants. He has guided Honors Jazz Ensembles in the development of their music related skills: ear training, sight reading and interpretation, chord and inversion recognition, the importance of playing in tune and keeping steady time, how to listen and communicate within an ensemble, the conversational element of improvisation, and trading 2, 4 and 8 measure phrases.  He was in 2008 New World School of the Arts (Miami) Adjunct Professor for Advanced Jazz Ensemble.

• Dr. Magda Novelli-Pearson

  received her Doctorate of Modern Languages from Middlebury College in Vermont and is presently an Italian instructor at F.I.U. She has been the Educational Director for O.D.L.I. (Organizzazione Per La Diffusione Della Lingua Italiana) since 2013.

• Ms. Joan Nurse

  is a Corporate Trainer. She has 16 years of experience working in the Call Center Industry. She trained in various computer systems, such as AT&T and FedEx, domestically and internationally. In addition, she has a wide range of experience in Microsoft and Macintosh.

• Dr. Manuel Prestamo

  earned his Ph.D and M.A. from New York University in higher education and arts administration.  Dr. Prestamo is an internationally recognized symphony orchestra conductor and has extensive experience in all areas of music.  He is  presently an adjunct faculty at Florida International University.

• Ms. Jiovannina (Nina) Ramos

  as born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she received her background and practice as a teacher in yoga and meditation from La Gran Fraternidad Universal Fundación. She graduated with a bachelor degree in humanities and art degree from the Escuela de Artes Visuales Cristobal Rojas, also in Caracas. Nina lived in Caracas until 1995 when she moved to Miami. In Miami, Nina is a life coach, medical assistant and licensed massage therapist.

• Ms. Susan Rosenthal

  is a retired M-DCPS teacher.  She retired after 35 years of educating students in the M-DCPS system.  She has been a member of OLLI since 2013. Susan attained her Masters in Reading because she loves reading and likes to share this passion with others. Susan is also certified by the NCCAP (National Certification Council for Activity Professionals) as an Activity Consultant (ACC).   She enjoys leading and facilitating the As the "Book" Pages Turn Shared Interest Group.

• Dr. Michael Scheibach

  has a PhD in American studies, and is the author of four books on the Atomic Age. He has 20 years of experience as an adjunct professor of American history.

• Mr. Eric Selby

  has taught English and directed drama for over 30 years. He holds a M.A. in English from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and has attended the University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College for additional graduate work.

• Harvey J. Sepler, J.D., Ph.D

  received his J.D. from the University of Miami and is a seasoned appellate attorney having personally litigated over 1400 civil and criminal appeals spanning a 32-year career.  Among his many victories, he has obtained unanimous decisions in both the United States Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers – one of the country’s more prestigious organizations.  Mr. Sepler has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law for over 22 years, teaching most of the appellate courses at the University of Miami.

• Mr. Preston Stone

  is a graduate student at the University of Miami English PhD program, specializing in Black feminism, Contemporary literary theory, Cultural analytics in digital humanities and Critical Black Cultural Studies.  He has a BA in English from Clemson University.

• Dr. Daniel Vitaglione

  is a native of Marseille, France. He obtained a BA and Master’s degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Aix-Marseille and a Master’s degree in Comparative Philosophy from the University of Hawaii. He was awarded his PhD in English and Comparative Literature at St. Andrews in the UK. He is the author of several books including George Eliot and George Sand, L’Amerique des Utopies, The Literature of Provence, A Literary Guide to Provence, and a Dictionary of Idioms: French-American, American-French. He has taught French and Comparative Literature in various American universities as well as the Defense Language Institute in Monterey and the Alliance Française of San Francisco. He has also taught Philosophy at a French lycée and English literature in French universities of Strasbourg, Nice and Marseille. Daniel moved to Miami in 2013 and has been teaching philosophy at MDC, FIU, and most recently French and philosophy at UM-OLLI. Dr. Vitaglione has also taught cinema classes at the San Francisco Film Institute on the New Wave, and French female directors, Santa Clara University and the Alliance Française.

• Dr. Sylvie Vitaglione

  holds a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies from New York University and an M.A. in Film Studies from University College, London. Dr. Vitaglione also studied Italian cinema history in Italy with senior scholar, Gian Piero Brunetta at the University of Padua and is fluent in Italian. She has previously taught at New York University and at Queens College.

• Ms. Chanel Williams

  has a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Specialist Degree in Special Education from the University of Florida. She has been an ESE Facilitator for the Broward County Public Schools since 2008.

• Mr. Gedalyahu Wittow

  Ged has a BA in Humanities from the Open University of Israel and an MA in Cognitive Science from the Hebrew Univesrity of Jerusalem, Israel.  He is presently pursing a doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Miami.

• Mr. Arthur Young

  has coached and refereed youth sports and officiated high school and small college football for 43 years, including being a member of the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami and Orange Bowl games chain crew.  Mr. Young officiated high school and college baseball including University of Miami and Olympic trials games.

• Ms. Josie Zomerfeld

  is an active member who enjoys leading and facilitating technology classes. She attended Miami-Dade College and Barry University, obtaining a degree in Liberal Arts. She retired as a manager from AT&T and later worked as an Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Coral Gables. She is currently a translator for a Catholic group and a proud grand-mother of three beautiful children.