Ms. Lynn (Helena) Paisley

My name is Lynn Paisley ("Helena") and I have been teaching at MAST Academy for the past thirty years. I teach Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture, Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Culture and Flamenco.

I learned Spanish after leaving college to study dance in Madrid. When I eventually returned to Miami, I completed my B.A. in English at Florida International University while performing in tablaos and starting a flamenco dance company. After beginning teaching at MAST I also went on to get a B.A. in Spanish and a master's in English Education, both at FIU.

Apart from my job as a teacher, I also write arts journalism for Artburst Miami, which is a website that provides articles to local publications such as The Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, Diario las Américas and the New Times.

A native Miamian, I grew up on Key Biscayne and graduated from Coral Gables High School. I am a founding member of MAST's Green Champions and I love riding my bike to school, swimming in the ocean and teaching students about the natural wonders of this extraordinary corner of our world.