Dr. “Mell” Smith
CEO
Dr. Smith is an English, ESL, and Spanish professor who has been in the classroom for over 15 years. She was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States in 2012. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish & French, a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a minor in English.
She started Solara after being encouraged by her students to share her gift of teaching. Known for her ability to explain concepts clearly, she helps students truly understand and succeed. Among her accolades is the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award from the Department of Adult & Community Education in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dr. Smith is also a speaker, upcoming author, and has a deep passion for helping young people become exceptional adults. She enjoys shopping, making vegan meals, and traveling.
Above all, she is a serious and committed Christian who lives her life according to the precepts of the Bible.
Maria Matthew
Spanish & ESL Instructor
Maria Matthew is an experienced Spanish and English teacher with over 23 years of teaching students of all ages and levels in synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. She creates engaging, interactive, and personalized lessons that build confidence, communication skills, and cultural awareness. Her teaching style is patient, supportive, and student-centered.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, reading, learning new languages, and cooking, interests that allow her to bring real-life context, cultural richness, and authentic conversation into her lessons.
Eva Bautista
Social Media Manager and Brand Lead
Eva Bautista is our senior multimedia specialist with 13 years of experience in design and video production. She is the brand lead for Solara and manages end-to-end creation of high-quality visual content, combining expert graphics and video editing from concept to final delivery. As a strategic social media manager, she develops data-driven content calendars, ensures brand consistency, and optimizes media for maximum engagement across all digital platforms.
Meet our Portuguese Instructor:
Bianca Bauer Monks is a native of Brazil and graduated with a degree in pharmacy and biochemistry in 2002 from the Catholic University of Pelotas. She also has a postgraduate degree in health services management and has obtained her teaching certification, which qualifies her to teach adults and children. She has been living in Lake Worth, Florida, for three years and has been dedicating herself to studying the English language since then.
My Vision for the Future
“I see Solara growing into a place where dreams take flight — where students walk in with curiosity and walk out with confidence.💫
Our commitment is to nurture learners with heart, guide them with purpose, and inspire them with passion. Together, we’ll turn challenges into opportunities and goals into achievements.”
Dr. Smith
