This year Miami High has a new addition to the Stingaree family in the school library. She speaks 4 different languages, and she comes from what is often called the “Paris of the Middle East”- Beirut, Lebanon. Miami High welcomes Ms. Marina Torossian as our new librarian, Dual Enrollment coordinator, and ACT/SAT prep teacher.

Miami High

   Becoming Miami High’s new librarian is an honor for Ms. Torossian. “I have heard so many great things about Miami High.  It is the oldest high school in Miami and has an unprecedented, rich tradition,” she said. Ms. Torossian admires both the school’s and library’s architecture. One thing she cannot wait to experience is homecoming week.

As a librarian her responsibilities include assisting students and staff with their library needs. “I enjoy helping students excel and find their path in life,” she said. She believes the library can play an important role in this process.

Not only is Ms. Torossian our librarian, she is also the ACT/SAT prep teacher and Dual Enrollment (DE) coordinator. As the DE coordinator, she works closely with Academic Affairs, Administrative Affairs and Student Services “to provide a comprehensive program that affords high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while attending high school,” she said.

Being in a new school can be a little scary, but not for Ms. Torossian. “Although this is my first year teaching here, I feel I have been part of the family for many years,” she said. “Everyone treated me like I was part of the Stingaree family.”

Indeed, her family members have worked here before she arrived. “My husband Al Torossian used to teach here from 2004-2013 and was the boys basketball coach as well as the test chairperson.” Her brother-in-law James Torossian currently is a Digital Design teacher here at Miami High.

When asked where does she see herself in 10 years, her reply was, “Continuing to make a difference in the lives of my students here at Miami High!”

All About Marina

   Being born on February 21 makes Ms. Torossian a Pisces, who are known for being selfless. They are always willing to help others without expecting to get anything back. This explains her passion for helping her students persevere.

She was raised in Beirut, Lebanon, until the age of 8 when her family moved to Michigan to join her mother’s immediate and extended family members who had already moved there. “We came to America to pursue the American dream with the hope for better future prospects than what my home country was offering,” she said.

While many Miami High students speak more than one language, Ms. Torossian stands out for speaking 4 languages: Arabic, Armenian, Spanish, and English

Her favorite book is The Great Gatsby and her favorite movie is The Notebook because, “I happen to love reading books and watching movies about great love stories,” she said. Her hobbies include enjoying the ocean and having fun with her kids.

Before Miami High

Ms. Torossian attended Wayne State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She also attended the University of Florida and earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

However, she wasn’t always interested in teaching. “Another field I was interested in was nursing,” she said.

Ms. Torossian has been working with Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) since 2004. Before Miami High, she taught for 15 years at Coconut Grove Elementary.