Welcome Students, Parents, and Friends!
This website is a tool that will help you excel in my class. It will keep you informed of class assignments, activities, and school happenings. Please bookmark it! Also, can view your current grade using the Jupiter Grades link on each class page. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments. I look forward to another great year at Pembroke Pines Charter High! GO JAGS!
About Me:

I'm originally from Buffalo, NY and I've lived in Florida for 14 years now. I am a graduate of S.U.N.Y. Geneseo, with a degree in Biology, and received my Masters degree in International and Intercultural Education from F. I. U.
Outside of work, I love to travel! I just got back from a month stay in Indonesia for the Teachers for Global Classrooms fellowship. As part of this summer program, I traveled with a group of 14 other teachers from across the U.S. to visit and work in schools. I learned so much about the Indonesian culture, educational system, and built amazing friendships. I am really looking forward to sharing that new experience with my students this year, and hopefully, connecting with Indonesian classrooms for collaborative projects. If you want to read about my travel adventures, check out the Global Education tab above! I visited coffee, cocoa, and dragonfruit plantations, saw monkeys in the wild and even hiked a mountain to see Blue Fire! So much of my visit ties in with the science I teach! Other international work I have done includes spending five summers at Leysin American School in Switzerland. I worked with students from all over the world and I had a wonderful time traveling and exploring the Swiss Alps.
Outside of work, I love to travel! I just got back from a month stay in Indonesia for the Teachers for Global Classrooms fellowship. As part of this summer program, I traveled with a group of 14 other teachers from across the U.S. to visit and work in schools. I learned so much about the Indonesian culture, educational system, and built amazing friendships. I am really looking forward to sharing that new experience with my students this year, and hopefully, connecting with Indonesian classrooms for collaborative projects. If you want to read about my travel adventures, check out the Global Education tab above! I visited coffee, cocoa, and dragonfruit plantations, saw monkeys in the wild and even hiked a mountain to see Blue Fire! So much of my visit ties in with the science I teach! Other international work I have done includes spending five summers at Leysin American School in Switzerland. I worked with students from all over the world and I had a wonderful time traveling and exploring the Swiss Alps.
Besides travel, I have a passion for teaching. My mission is to share my love of learning and exploration with my students. I enjoy the laughter and inquisitiveness teenagers bring to the classroom. To me, teaching science is fun because it can be applied to everyday life. My goal every year is for my students to say to me, "I never liked science until your class!" That's when I know I did my job right!
I also served as the Faculty Advisor for the PPCHS Key Club for 4 years and this is my 2nd year as the Culinary Club Advisor. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the beach, dancing and spending time with my family and friends. I am truly looking forward to the challenging year ahead filled with laughter, learning, and great memories!
I also served as the Faculty Advisor for the PPCHS Key Club for 4 years and this is my 2nd year as the Culinary Club Advisor. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the beach, dancing and spending time with my family and friends. I am truly looking forward to the challenging year ahead filled with laughter, learning, and great memories!
Recent Happenings in Ms. Rago's Classes!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Diego Burga- 2016 Outstanding Student (A.P. Environmental Science)
Ryanne Thelwell - 2016 Outstanding Student (Pre-AICE Biology)
Diego Burga- 2016 Outstanding Student (A.P. Environmental Science)
Ryanne Thelwell - 2016 Outstanding Student (Pre-AICE Biology)
Genetics Unit- We made "babies"! Check out the new families!
Lab Fun! Fetal Pig Dissections
Human Body Systems Board Games Project! (2013-2014)
PPCHS is really "Going Green!" Check out our Outdoor Classroom!

Designed and built by our own students and staff, this outdoor classroom also holds two herb gardens, which are growing wild with basil, cilantro, rosemary, mint and more! We even picked 2 green peppers the other day and I had them in my salad! It's a proud display of the hard work we do in AP Environmental Science and the amazing support of our school's administrators and science department.