Jazlyn Vazquezbello

Ms. Liccioni starts her day off right, organizing her desktop as she prepares insightful lesson plans for her students.

As the 2025-2026 school year kicks off, Coral Gables Senior High welcomes Ms. Xaimile Liccioni to the Cavalier family. After spending most of her career shaping the futures of elementary students, Ms. Liccioni has been itching for a new atmosphere, eyeing the high school setting. Taking on a position in the English for Speakers of Other Languages department, her passion for second language learning began on a personal level and has been an integral part of her life.

Throughout Ms. Liccioni’s life, all roads have led her to pursue a career in teaching. Immigrating to the United States at 10 years old, she experienced firsthand the language and cultural barriers as she learned a language the majority of her peers were already proficient in. Igniting an ambition to help students in similar positions, her own journey is what inspired her to specialize in ESOL.

“When I was a little girl, I’d line up my dolls and do the whole entire lesson that I got at school. So ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. And then one day, I had a friend that was having trouble in school, so I helped them out, and that was [when I realized] I like [teaching]. I like helping out,” Ms. Liccioni said.

When Ms. Liccioni realized she desired a change, she took a leap of faith and applied for a job at Gables after hearing of its respected reputation. Scavenging for a location that was known for its academic excellence and pride, the home of the Cavaliers checked off every box for a smooth transition. As she gravitated towards the school, she began preparing her résumé, something she did not expect to do two decades later.

Coming from the youthful setting of Kinloch Park Elementary, Ms. Liccioni strives to bring that energy with her to Gables, in hopes that her students will feel the same sense of positivity. As a novice secondary school teacher, she has worked with seven large groups of students, creating lesson plans adapted to each course quarterly. After an entire career of simpler curriculums and smaller headcounts, Ms. Liccioni aims to overcome learning the ropes of high school and its complexities.

Though secondary school is new territory for Ms. Liccioni, she carries her spark for teaching despite the change in scenery. Structuring her teaching style to revolve around her students needs, she tailors her lessons to the strengths and weaknesses of her classes. Ms. Liccioni values both academic and personal bonds, hoping to create deep connections with her students.

“When starting at [Gables], first I needed to learn the school policy, the whereabouts…and finally, reaching out to my colleagues and getting to know them…But the most challenging part was learning the school routine.[because]..high school’s completely different from elementary, so learning something as simple as the bell schedule. I had no idea how that worked. [Even] odd days and even days, learning those things, it’s what has been the most [challenging],” Ms. Liccioni said.

For as long as Ms. Liccioni has been teaching, she has tutored students in a variety of subjects. Over the past year, Ms. DePaola has witnessed Ms. Liccioni in action as she tutors her daughter, Emma DePaola. From the moment the two began working together, she has watched her daughter become more driven in the STEM field, skyrocket in her test scores and find her ideal working style. Applauding Ms. Liccioni on motivating her daughter every step of the way, Ms. DePaola looks forward to working with her on a professional level.

“[Ms. Liccioni] encourages [Emma]. She’s like her mini coach…She brought in her own stuff that she would print. But she, to me, seems like this energy. She seems so excited. I’m so happy that I am just a few classes away from her. I think she’s going to be this, ball of excitement and energy…She is a lot of fun,” Ms. DePaola said.

Ms. Liccioni and her ultimate goal for her students remains the same: she aspires for her lessons to go beyond the classroom, leaving students with a newfound sense of certainty that they can carry with them moving forward in life. By striving to maintain a student centered and interactive learning environment, Ms. Liccioni brings life to her class, encouraging each of her students to use their voices.

After 22 years of growing accustomed to teaching elementary, Ms. Liccioni’s decision to turn over a new leaf will leave her relishing every moment. Her past first days of school have been a “welcome back”, but the 2025 school year marks an era of new beginnings.