Fine Arts & Languages

Mrs. Pamela Cox

Theater | Executive Internship | Choir | Set Design

Mrs. Pamela Cox graduated from the University of Kentucky with a major in Communications, and a minor in Vocal Performance. She performed professionally at King’s Island in Cincinnati, OH, Opryland in Nashville, TN, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines out of Miami, FL, and abroad for American Entertainment Productions. She has taught classically for many years, and enjoys combining her skills to inspire a love of learning in all her students. She lives in Sarasota, FL with her husband, Bart, and her three children, Charles, William, and Libby Jane.

Mrs. Krista Kauffman

Art (Lower & Upper School) | Set Design

Mrs. Kauffman was born and raised in Sarasota, FL, and has enjoyed creating art from a very young age which led her to earn her degree in Graphic Design. Through her passion for creating, sewing, and designing, she has worked with the theater department in costume and set design for the past three years. Mrs. Kauffman enjoys sharing her love for art with her students, and is excited about her third year at TCA. When she is not creating, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five children.

Michelle Tesinksky

Art (Lower School)

Mrs. Megan Herlihy

Music (K-3rd)

Megan has called Sarasota home since 2000. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with a double principal in voice and piano, and a minor in Christian Leadership. She is excited to be fulfilling her long-time dream of being a music teacher. Megan lives in Venice with her husband, Jason, and her five children who attend TCA. In her spare time she enjoys being active in her church, watching movies, playing the piano, exercising, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Charlene Tillman

Music (4th-6th)

Ms. Tillman is a native of Florida, growing up in Manatee County and now resides in Sarasota. She attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Music. Ms. Tillman also earned a Masters in Education from the University of Cincinnati in 2016. She has been teaching at TCA for the last 5 of her 15 years of teaching. Ms. Tillman taught 5th grade for her first 4 years at TCA and then moved to lower school music and upper school Wind Ensemble. She is currently working on building an instrumental music program at TCA for the development of aspiring musicians, and is also the aftercare director. Ms. Tillman enjoys spending time with her two children, reading with a great cup of coffee, playing the oboe, and attending local performing arts events.

Mrs. Melissa Spenner

Latin (K-4th & 6th) | Theater

Melissa Spenner graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a BA in Theatre Arts. She is excited to start teaching at TCA, and is looking forward to working with various age groups. Melissa grew up learning about Latin, and cannot wait to share her love of the subject with her students. When she is not at school, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, Christopher. They are avid Disney fans, and are looking forward to celebrating their one-year anniversary this year.

Mr. Drew Sarchet

Latin (5th & Upper School)

Born in Sarasota, Drew is a Florida native. He studied philosophy at the University of South Florida where he earned his B.A. He then moved to Southern California to continue his studies at Biola University earning an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion & Ethics and an M.A. in Theology with a Greek Emphasis. He moved back to Florida in the Spring of 2015. He enjoys teaching and discussing topics in philosophy, ethics, religion, and language.

Mrs. Amy Olsen

Latin (7th)

Amy Olsen has taught Latin and Language Arts in classical schools and co-ops in Texas and New Jersey. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she holds her BA in music from Wheaton College and her M.Ed. Degree in English from Liberty University. When not teaching at TCA, Amy, a classically trained singer, helps her husband with his music ministry in Venice, and manages her company, Writing Tales, which distributes her own classical elementary writing curriculum. Amy and her husband Glen have three grown children, one of whom also teaches at TCA.

Señorita Bella

Spanish (K-5th)

Isabella Mia Ortiz (Señorita Bella) was born in Boston and moved to Florida when she was 10 years old. Spanish is her first language. Growing up in a Puerto Rican household has helped Señorita Bella throughout her entire life, personally and professionally. Isabella spent three years working with children from the ages of 5-18 teaching them how to swim recreationally and competitively. Isabella is currently working towards her BA in Education virtually from the State College of Florida. She has a love for teaching and feels very blessed to work at TCA. In her spare time she enjoys reading on the beach, playing with her two dogs, attending Vous Church, and spending time with family.

Sra. Rosa Martín LaGarde

Spanish (Upper School)

Rose Martín LaGarde (Señora Rosa) was born and raised in New York City and moved to Sarasota (along with her family) in the mid 1970’s. She is a first generation American from Cuban parents, descendant from Spain. Both her mom and dad immigrated to the United States in the 1940’s-1950’s (her dad came in order to escape the ongoing revolution of Fidel Castro). Growing up in a bilingual household has served Señora Rosa well throughout her entire life, personally and professionally, though Spanish was the primary language spoken at home and at family gatherings. Rose holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in Food Science & Human Nutrition. Her career experience within the field has included lab technician for a food safety testing laboratory, nutritional counsellor/team leader for an established weight loss center, and as general manager/trainer/menu consultant within commercial kitchens and the restaurant industry. She maintains a passion for leadership and instruction.