Welcome to
Polaris Global Academy
Polaris Global Academy (PGA) provides a platform for students from anywhere in the world to achieve more than they thought possible. We empower students to realize their potential by surrounding them with high-achieving peers, top international teachers, rigorous curriculum, a robust learning management system, and a supportive community. At PGA, we recognize that every student possesses remarkable ambitions and unique talents. Our mission is to thoughtfully nurture these qualities, helping each student achieve their fullest potential. The star that represents our school is a symbol of these beliefs. Known as the North Star, Polaris has been a steadfast navigational aid for travelers. Polaris Global Academy is a guiding star for students seeking admission to top universities. I invite you to walk with us and realize your true potential.
-Kevin Ferrone, Head of School
Meet our Administration Team:
Adam Rozalowski
Head of Academics
Le Son
Student Success Manager
Yvonne Wang
Student Success Coach
Patrycja Pietrzykowska
Student Success Coach
Lindsay Keller
Academic Coordinator
Meet our Teaching Team:
Carrie Frizzell
Math
With over five years of college-level experience teaching pre-calculus and calculus, Carrie Frizzell has also tutored students from elementary through high school, with a focus on middle and high school. She’s passionate about connecting with students and helping them build confidence in math—confidence she hopes will carry into other areas of their lives.
Irene Kurtz
Science
Irene is a seasoned science teacher with hands-on experience in scientific laboratories and applications. For over a decade, she has taught, lectured, and tutored students from elementary to college-level in science and mathematics. As the recipient of teaching awards and national grants, Irene is passionate about providing her students with numerous opportunities and resources. Irene holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Jacque Monterroso
ESOL
Jacque Monterroso has over 10 years of experience as a cyber teacher, specializing in online ESL instruction for children and adults. She has also taught English, history, and math for grades 6–8, and STEAM at the preschool level. Jacque holds a B.A. in Education, a K–6 teaching certificate, certifications in middle school social studies and math, and an M.Ed. focused on ESL.
Adam Rozalowski
Social Studies
Adam Rozalowski has 15 years of teaching experience across three continents, specializing in AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, and social studies. He’s taught in U.S. and international schools in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Adam has helped 100+ students gain university admission and organized Krakow’s first youth TEDx. He holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Groningen University.
Maria Munarriz
ELA
Maria Munarriz has 27 years of high school teaching experience, including over 15 years of AP English Literature and Language, with pass rates consistently above state and national averages. She’s also taught American and British Literature, Journalism, and Creative Writing. Maria holds a BA in English and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Miami, along with a 6–12 teaching certificate. She’s passionate about helping students read critically and write effectively.
Charity Jones
ELA
Charity Jones has over a decade of teaching experience across diverse educational settings in the United States and China, from elementary to undergraduate levels. She specializes in composition and literature while also exploring broader areas of the humanities. She has taught advanced courses, guiding students in developing strong writing, research, and critical thinking skills. Her background includes graduate-level study in English and international experience teaching business English. In addition to classroom instruction, she has experience in curriculum development and grant writing, bringing a well-rounded and adaptable approach to education.
Maggie Botes
ESL
Maggie Botes is an English language specialist with 20 years of journalism experience and over a decade teaching advanced ELA, Academic Writing, IELTS, TOEFL, and literature-focused Honors English. She works with motivated students and professionals who want to communicate with clarity, authority, and confidence. Her lessons blend expert instruction, detailed feedback, and personalized coaching to deliver measurable improvement in writing, speaking, and exam performance.
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John James
ELA
As an IB English and AP Language & Literature teacher with two decades of experience having taught in the USA, Kuwait, Thailand, Japan, China, and Singapore. I create a structured yet engaging environment focused on critical thinking, note-taking, and discussion. My teaching style centers on engaging students with interactive discussions, personalized feedback, and strategies that make complex ideas accessible. I believe in motivating each student to reach their full potential by fostering confidence and a love of learning as students develop skills they can carry beyond the classroom. By creating a supportive online classroom, I encourage every student to participate actively and think independently in each lesson, using motivation techniques tailored to individual learning styles.
Brian Harrod
Computer Science & Business
Brian Harrod is an experienced AP Computer Science instructor with a strong background in both traditional and virtual education. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he has successfully led AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles courses, incorporating hands-on coding, problem-solving, and real-world applications into his curriculum. He specializes in fostering positive relationships that support a deep understanding of programming languages. His extensive experience allows him to adapt to diverse learning needs and help students excel in computer science.
Grahme Smith
Science
Grahme Smith is an experienced science educator with over two decades of teaching in both traditional and online settings. He currently teaches AP Chemistry at the North Carolina School of Science and Math and has designed and taught courses across biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. Grahme has led professional development programs, mentored teachers, and created NGSS-aligned curriculum for national education platforms. His work spans charter schools, virtual academies, and public high schools, always focused on equity, innovation, and engagement. He holds teaching credentials in multiple states and a Master’s in Education from the University of Hawaii.
Israel Canales
History
With roughly a decade of teaching experience in both the United States and abroad, Israel specializes in making Social Studies engaging, relevant, and meaningful for students. As an AP U.S. History and AP Psychology teacher, former Department Head, and Dean of Students, he emphasizes academic excellence, critical thinking, and leadership development. He also mentors students through Model United Nations, guiding them to become confident global citizens. Israel holds a Master’s in Education with a specialization in Globalized Education and is dedicated to creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms that inspire curiosity and success. He believes in nurturing both intellect and character to prepare students for a changing world.
Alex Brouhard
AP Psychology
Alex Brouhard has taught Social Studies since 2019, specializing in AP Psychology and the practical application of social science. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Science Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. By pairing academic rigor with individualized support, Alex consistently leads his students to outperform state, national, and global AP exam averages.
Beyond the classroom, he has served as a running coach, Student Council advisor, AP Psychology mentor, student teacher supervisor, and tutor. He also blogs about the role psychology plays in everyday life, helping readers connect academic concepts to real-world behavior.
Matthew Sherman
Math
Over the past 25 years, Matthew has taught in traditional classrooms and online environments, with extensive experience in remote math education and curriculum design. Teaching is his true passion, and over the past decade he has continued to refine his practice as an online educator. His goal is to help students master course content, stay engaged, and successfully earn their credits. He values learning about students’ goals and encourages them to share their aspirations. He looks forward to working with them.
Jennifer Smith
Economics and Government
As an educator for over 20 years, Jennifer Smith loves her job. She has taught an array of subjects in the Social Sciences including AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP US Government, US History, Psychology and Criminal Law. She is especially passionate about AP Economics. She enjoys teaching students new concepts that are applicable to their lives as they enter young adulthood. Jenn works with students from all over the world including Asia, Europe, South America and North America. She also serves as an AP Economics exam reader each summer and has scored thousands of FRQ’s.
Frank Maher
Science
Dr Frank Maher is an experienced science educator with over 16 years teaching in international schools across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. He specialises in Biology, Chemistry and Physics across IB, AP, A Level and GCSE, with extensive experience preparing students for high-stakes external examinations. Frank is known for his clear, structured explanations and data-driven approach to revision, helping students build deep understanding and exam confidence. He has a strong background in blended learning and has developed online learning portals to support exam preparation. His teaching combines academic rigour with innovative digital strategies to support personalised student success.