Barbara Lind, Ancient World History

Barbara Lind, Ancient
World History
My name is Barbara Lind. I grew up in Miami,
Florida. Yes, I am truly a native Floridian. I
moved to Tampa to attend the University of
South Florida. I earned a Bachelor’s in
Political Science and a Master's degree in
Secondary Social Science Education. After
graduating in 1986, I began my teaching
career with the School District of
Hillsborough County. I have taught at Benito
since it opened in 1997. I currently teach
6th grade World History. I am also the Social
Studies Subject Area Leader. I am a huge fan
of the Tampa Bay Lightning. My giant orange
rescue kitty is named Vasy in honor of the
Lightning goalie. In my free time, I enjoy
spending time with my 2 daughters.

Keri Teal,
Ancient World
History

My name is Keri Teal and I have
been teaching at Benito for
the past 11 years, and in the
district for the past 13 years. I
have one son, Jayden, who will
be a 6th grader at Benito next
year, a wonderful husband,
James,
and a goofy Labrador Retriever,
Karter. I'm looking forward to
meeting you all!

James Hinchey,
Mathematics
I grew up in Alabama (ROLL TIDE) and moved to Florida
in 2005 after receiving my Bachelors from the
University of Alabama @Birmingham. I began my
teaching career shortly after moving to Florida in 2005.
I believe that each of my students can be successful,
and I am ALWAYS here to help. I am honored to be part
of your journey through 6th Grade and look forward to
learning and growing with you this year at BENITO.

The Hinchey Family: I have a wonderful Wife named
Michelle and together we have a fantastic son named
Tyler. Tyler is 11 and will be starting the 6th Grade at
Benito this year with you all. I am excited you will all
get to meet him :) We have quite a zoo at our house
with 3 cats and a young Boxer named Sir Crimson
Nicholas...he's a BIG BAMA FAN, LOL. Our cat's names
are Baby, Audi and Kitty from oldest to youngest.

Lisa McConnell,
VE Mathematics
Lisa McConnell was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of
Chicago, IL. She grew up in a family of teachers, which inspired her to
value education and ultimately follow in their footsteps. Lisa played
competitive softball all throughout her childhood through college,
playing the positions of pitcher and first base. In high school, She
graduated with honors and was Valedictorian of her high school. She
attended The University of Tampa on a full academic and athletic
scholarship, but she ended up transferring back home to Western
Illinois University where she received a Bachelor’s in History with
Secondary Education. In 2004, Lisa decided to move back to Tampa, FL
since she loved the beautiful weather and everything Tampa, FL has to
offer. For the past 17 years, Mrs. McConnell has taught various subjects
and grade levels at Benito Middle School. For the past few years, she
has taught mostly sixth grade mathematics which she prefers teaching
most of all!! In 2019, Lisa was awarded the Ida S. Baker Award at her
school, which honors teachers who go above and beyond to meet the
needs of our school’s diverse student population. She is part of the
before and after school H.O.S.T. program at Benito during the school
year as well as during the summer at schools in the area. She is excited
that Benito Middle School will be offering summer H.O.S.T this summer!
When she isn’t teaching, Lisa enjoys spending her free time with her
family. Lisa and her husband enjoy watching football, and she has
become a big Green Bay Packer and Nebraska Husker’s fan due to her
husband’s influence. She has 3 dogs and 3 cats at home, all rescue
animals. She also enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family
and friends, and going to the beach whenever given the opportunity.

Michelle Nolan,
Mathematics

I am Michelle Nolan and have taught at
two elementary schools, one sixth grade center, and
two middle schools. I have been at Benito for 25 years! I
am in the same classroom I was in 25 years ago when
Benito opened. Most of my career has been as a 6th
grade math teacher. I am certified in
Elementary Education and in Math Grades 5 - 9. I
have been a team leader in 6th grade for the last
13 years. I love working at Benito, it has truly become
my second home. The teachers here are amazing and
6th grade is more like a family than like co-workers.

I am married to Tim Nolan who teaches computer
science and pre-calculus at Tampa Bay Tech. My Mom
lives with us, and she sells antiques. We have two
Great Danes, Piper and Quinn.

Carolyn Orihuela,
Mathematics
Mrs. Orihuela (a.k.a. Ms. O) was born
and raised in Florida. She graduated
from USF where she earned her
Master's degree in education. Her
family enjoys the beach, and her
daughter, Kylie, and she love to go
on "waterfall hikes." The Orihuela
Family currently has two adopted
dogs (Daisy and Ollie), one adopted
rabbit (Bunny Foo Foo), and a fish
(Fish).

Katherine Shaw,
Language Arts
Hello! My name is Kate Shaw and I am
one of the 6th grade language arts
teachers here at Benito. I am originally
from Michigan and have lived in several
states around the country. I graduated
from Rutgers University with a focus on
psychology and sociology as well as early
childhood education. I have been
teaching at Benito for 14 years and am
very proud of our school. I love teaching
middle school students because there is
never a dull moment! When I’m not
teaching, I love a good coffee, watching
hockey, shopping, and traveling with my
husband and son. :)

Maureen Dunn,
Language Arts &
Reading
My name is Maureen Dunn, and I grew
up in Tallahassee, Florida! Go Noles!
I’ve been teaching here in Hillsborough
County since 2008. I graduated with a
Bachelor of Science in Education from
the University of South Florida. I’ve
lived here in the Tampa Bay area for
over thirty years and love spending
time with my husband, family and
friends.
Teaching is my calling! I believe every
child has the capacity to achieve their
personal best and my job is to
facilitate that process in an
encouraging way!

Karen
Burchfield,
Language Arts
I have been teaching for 25 years, most of my
experience is with middle school. I have taught in
three states and four counties. I have been at
Benito for 15 years. I am one of the two team
leaders for the sixth-grade team and very much
love the group of amazing teachers that I have the
honor of working with each day. I have had the
pleasure of coaching both volleyball and track for
12 of the 15 years here at Benito. I am the
yearbook advisor and teach a class of 7th and 8th
grade students the craft of creating the school's
annual yearbook. My subject at Benito is language
arts and I have taught this subject here for 15
years. I am fully versed in the writing and have had
much success with the subject throughout my
years as a teacher. I am crazy organized and
detailed oriented. Your child will work hard in my
class, will be treated fairly and equally, and will be
properly prepared for 7th grade. I look forward to
having the opportunity to work with both you and
your child during this next adventure.

Krista Fielder,
Reading

Krista Fielder has taught in the
HCPS district since 1993. She has
taught grades 2-8, has both her
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in
education and is a National Board
Certified Teacher. She has one
daughter, several dogs, and LOVES
her job!

Carrie Frump,
Reading
My name is Carrie Frump. I have
been teaching for about 19 years. I
have been at Benito for two years
and absolutely love our students
and staff! I grew up in the
Cincinnati, Ohio area, but have
been in Florida for over 20 years. I
have one daughter who will come
to Benito next year and a husband
who teaches and coaches. In my
free time, I love to read, go to the
beach, travel, listen to music, and
spend time with family.

Laura Demes,
Science
My name is Laura Demes. I was born
and raised in Florida. This is my
21st year teaching and I currently teach
6th grade Science and I LOVE being a
Benito Jaguar! I enjoy teaching and
science, so I am very grateful that I get
to combine the two every day!! I have
three sons, ages 14, 12, and 8! We also
have an adorable dog named Rome. All
three of my sons play competitive
soccer, which keeps us very busy
throughout the year! I coach the Girls'
Soccer team here at Benito, which is
always an exciting endeavor!! I love
watching soccer too, especially my
favorite team, Liverpool!

Patricia Tanner,
Science

Hi, my name is Patricia Tanner. I
am a sixth-grade science teacher at
Benito Middle School. I have been
teaching at Benito for seven years. I
am blessed with three sons and a
beautiful granddaughter. I was born
and raised in Florida and have been
in the Tampa Bay area for over
thirty years. I enjoy nature and
spend a lot of time outdoors.

Annette Ramirez,
Science
Hello, my name is Mrs. Ramirez! I was born
and raised in Florida! I am a UCF Grad where
I majored in Health Sciences. I have been a
teacher in Hillsborough County since 2006
and really enjoy making learning fun! The
2021-22 school year will be my 6th year as a
Benito Middle School science teacher! My
favorite thing to do is spend time with my
husband and three sons- traveling and
playing sports! My oldest son will be an 8th
grader here at Benito next year!

I look forward to helping you learn to love
science, work on design challenges and use
our school’s new 3D printer next school
year! ~Mrs. Ramirez