Zamira Pauley, MBA
Zamira Pauley, MBA, is an accomplished language curriculum leader with more than two decades of experience advancing world language education through innovation, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. Currently serving as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) Spanish Teacher and World Languages Department Chair at Paxon School for Advanced Studies, she teaches IB Spanish across all levels — Higher Level, Standard Level, and Ab Initio. She has been consistently rated “Highly Effective” and is known for expanding rigorous academic pathways. Her leadership has helped achieve over 90% IB and 92% AP exam pass rates in the last five years, while launching programs like Spanish Ab Initio to ensure access and success for diverse learners.
Zamira’s career reflects a rare blend of global perspective and educational expertise. Originally from Panama, she began her professional journey as an economist with the Department of Labor of Panama, where she worked on national labor data and led digital transformation initiatives. After immigrating to the United States, she transitioned into higher education, teaching college-level Spanish at institutions including Old Dominion University and the College of Charleston before dedicating herself to high school education in Florida, where she has spent nearly two decades shaping advanced language programs. Driven by a belief in cultural intelligence, high standards, and honesty in leadership, Zamira is deeply committed to empowering both students and educators. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Policy at Florida State University, where her research examines how non-native English-speaking world language teachers describe the relationship between their language background and professional identity, further strengthening her ability to lead systemic change. Through her work, she continues to elevate language education as a powerful tool for global understanding, equity, and student achievement.
• IB Certification
• AP Certification
• Economist
• Spanish Language K-12
• Florida State University- Ed.D.
• Southern New Hampshire University- Master's
• Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencias y Tecnologia ULACIT- Master's
• Universidad de Panamá- Bachelor's
• International Baccalaureate
• Universidad de Alcalá
• Florida Foreign Language Association
• AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese)
• Regional Language Association (Tennessee)
• Northeast Florida World Language Association
• The Foreign Language Educators of Northeast Florida
• Asociación Panameña de Economistas
• Lenox
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a deeply positive and resilient mindset — I believe that in any situation, there is always a way forward if you stay open, hopeful, and willing to do the work. I hold myself to high standards, but I focus on enjoying the process rather than fixating on the outcome. Staying grounded in gratitude for where I come from and what I've been able to build allows me to inspire my students and my own children to value perseverance, pride in their roots, and appreciation for even the smallest opportunities.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was that life is a tripod — choose your legs wisely. For me, those three legs have always been motherhood, my professional life, and my family and friends. No matter how busy or ambitious things get, I always come back to balance. If one leg is shorter than the others, everything tips. Success means nothing if the people you love and the life you are building outside of work are not standing with you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn languages as early as you can and be proactive about pursuing education, credentials, and leadership opportunities — don't wait for permission or the "perfect time." And if you speak with an accent, own it. It is not the sound of your words that defines you, but the content of what you have to say. No matter your background or when your journey begins, immigrant women and adult learners can absolutely rise into advanced study and leadership. Your visibility helps others believe it's possible too.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education, particularly for immigrant professionals, is overcoming bias around accents and the recognition of international credentials — both can limit opportunities despite strong qualifications. At the same time, there is tremendous opportunity to lead cultural intelligence initiatives, drive departmental innovation, publish and present research, and use your visibility to open doors for others from similar backgrounds.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are positivity, honesty, and holding myself and others to high standards — while never forgetting or diminishing my humble beginnings. I deeply value cultural tolerance and believe in giving back through teaching and mentorship, using my own experiences to uplift students and inspire others to see what is possible. My background made me who I am today — without it, I would not be the same person. You have something valuable to give. We all have something that makes us special. Embrace it and use it as a flag, so nobody can use it as a weapon.
Locations
Paxon School for Advanced Studies
3239 Norman E. Thagard Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244