Lower School (PS-6)

Ms. Jazmine Rodriguez

Preschool 3-4 Class

Jasmine was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, graduated from Sarasota High School, and then attended SCF. Throughout the past 8 years, she has babysat and taught Sunday school in the Sarasota area. Jasmine has a great passion for kids and loves watching them grow into the tiny humans that make this world better and enjoys finding ways to incorporate songs and crafts to make learning interesting and fun! She believes creating bonds with kids makes a learning environment easier for children to grow, gain confidence, and acquire knowledge.

Ms. Emiliee Nisly

Preschool Aide

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Ms Stephanie Yoder

Pre-Kindergarten 4-5 Class

I graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 with a BA in Elementary Education. I had lived in the north most of my life, until I moved here from Plainfield, IL. in 2006. I love living in Florida, although I do miss a few things: my sisters who still live up north with their families, Chicago, and the beautiful season of Fall. I started working at TCA in 2014 and have been teaching PreK since 2015. I love working with this age group because there is so much learning, exploring and growing that happens everyday! One of my favorite things about TCA is that we not only teach your child academically, but we also know how important it is to reach to the heart of each child through teaching and modeling the habits of virtue. In the classroom, I love reading children’s books, being creative with crafts, and conducting fun science experiments.

Mrs. Missy Hippich

Pre-Kindergarten 4-5 Class

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Ms. Elena Bockman-Pedersen

Pre-Kindergarten 4-5 Class

Elena Bockman-Pedersen graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2020 with a BA in Theatre Arts from the Supper Honors Program. Coming from an artistic family, Elena has been performing, crafting, and expressing herself artistically her whole life. She is passionate about education and instilling a love for creativity and the arts in children. Elena has worked in theatre education for the past four years and is excited to transfer that passion into teaching pre-k and art this year. She is so excited to pour into your students and get to know your families!

Ms. Lauren Betts

Pre-Kindergarten Aide

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Ms. Chynna Cole

Pre-Kindergarten Aide

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Mrs. Harmony Longenecker

Kindergarten

Harmony graduated from Manhattan Christian College with a BS in Family Studies in 2001. She was introduced to classical education in 2007 when her oldest daughter began attending a classical academy. Harmony spent three years classically home schooling her children while working together with her husband in the founding of TCA. She has worked closely with Hillsdale College, as well as other classical schools, in philosophy and curriculum development and staff training. She loves spending her day teaching Kindergarten and enjoys working alongside the teachers to implement the classical model. Harmony and her husband Josh have been married for 20 years and have 7 amazing children.

Mrs. Squeeze Willis

Kindergarten

Squeeze is a native Floridian and graduated from Southeastern University with a B.S. in elementary education. When researching avenues to home educate her 4 daughters, she discovered a love for classical education and with renewed vigor, began to redeem her own education by tutoring in and directing classical conversations communities. After touring TCA in 2019, she knew immediately that this is where she wanted her girls to continue their schooling and is now greatly anticipating this new season teaching Kindergarten. Alongside her husband Adam, she leads worship at their church and is passionate about teaching women how to delight in the disciplines as a Revelation Wellness instructor. Squeeze is an outdoors enthusiast, loves to read and write and be with her family.

Mrs. Jessica Carter

Kindergarten

Jessica Carter grew up in Tallahassee and is a graduate of Florida State University. She moved to Sarasota with her husband who joined the Manatee County Fire Department. Jessica loves working with children and is thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten at TCA! When she’s not at school she enjoys spending time on the beach and enjoying the outdoors with her three rescue dogs.

Mrs. Michele Kelley

1st Grade

Michele graduated with a BS in Behavioral and Social Science with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University and a Master’s in Education from Abilene Christian University. She lived in Indiana before moving to Sarasota in August of 2018. She has been married to her husband, Jesse, a real estate broker, for 30 years. She has two grown children, Micah and Morgan, and two grandchildren, Rivyr and Jane. She has taught multiple grade levels over the years; however, her primary focus was being a wife and mother and is enjoying teaching 1st grade in this season of her life. She is passionate about people, her family and is looking forward to pouring into the lives of students on a daily basis. Michele enjoys her family, the beach, music, lots of laughter and good relationships.

Ms. Angie Ropp

1st Grade

Angie is a native Texan who graduated with a BA in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Video Production/Marketing from Incarnate Word University in San Antonio. Prior to moving to Sarasota to 2010, she lived in a variety of places nation and worldwide; which allowed her the opportunity to serve and teach English as a second language. Angie has 4 beautiful children, all who attend TCA and she truly enjoys teaching first grade. She has a passion for people’s hearts and enjoys her close friendships within the community.

Mrs. Tammy McNesby

1st Grade

Tammy graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in counseling and human development from Troy University. She began her career working in the counseling and social services field before becoming the director of a non-profit organization specializing in serving at-risk children and families. During that time, Tammy served on the School Readiness Coalition Board and KidCare Advisory Board. Her passion for classical education began when she started teaching her own children classically. In the two years prior to joining TCA, she taught and mentored children with language-based disabilities. Tammy and her husband, Ron, have been married for 20 years and have two amazing children who attend TCA.

Ms. Karra Minch

1st Grade

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Mrs. Heather Whitehouse

2nd Grade

Mrs. Whitehouse is Canadian! She graduated with her Bachelor of Music Education from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She taught kindergarten for the Carleton County Board of Education in New Brunswick before moving to Ontario with her husband, Derek. There, she home schooled her children and substitute taught from k5-grade12 for the Waterloo Board of Education. The Whitehouse’s moved to the U.S. in 2004. They have home schooled their four children using the classical model for 10 years. She has directed many children’s choirs including assisting with the Sarasota Young Voices until her employment here at TCA.

Ms. Liz Soodak

2nd Grade

Liz Soodak was born in Eugene, Oregon and shortly there after moved to Venice, Florida. After the age of three she spent most of her life in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving back to Venice to finish her BS. Graduating from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee with a BS in Elementary Education she is now very excited to start her teaching career at The Classical Academy of Sarasota as a 2nd grade teacher. Forever and always a student of history and the medieval arts, Liz enjoys both the study of history and recreating historical and medieval recipes in her own “somewhat modern” kitchen. When not exploring the past she typically explores the great outdoors and one day dreams to visit every national and state park!

Mrs. Caroline Chapman

3rd Grade

Caroline Chapman came to TCA after many years of working in the administrative field for various companies in Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL, and Sarasota, FL. With her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts, she understands and values the rich studies of a liberal arts education and is always excited to pass on her love of learning to her students. Caroline is married to Matthew, a fellow teacher, and they have an awesome dog named Oscar.

Mrs. Kelsey Bolkema

3rd Grade

Kelsey graduated from Dordt University with a double major in Psychology and Social Work. She began her career working at various jobs in the Child Welfare System. Through her experiences in child welfare, Kelsey cultivated a love for children and a desire to see them grow and flourish. She began her teaching career in 2018 at TCA and fell in love with helping children thrive in a different way. Kelsey and her husband, Jordan, have just celebrated 3 years of marriage. As a couple, they love to play with their puppy, go to the movies, spend time with family and friends, and explore different areas and restaurants in Florida. Kelsey enjoys crafts, going to the beach, running, and cooking.

Mrs. Maria Dent

4th Grade

Maria first attended college at the University of Central Florida where she cheered for two years. Afterleaving UCF, she continued her education and received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She has over 12 years of teaching experience. Maria is a Sarasota native. She has four children, Riley-14 Lacey-11, Brayden-3and Noah-2.

Mrs. Jana Espy

4th Grade

Jana grew up in Alabama and graduated from Auburn University.  She moved to Florida from Texas in 2000 and quickly fell in love with Sarasota and all it has to offer.  Teaching kids and watching them learn and grow is her passion, and she has been doing this for more than 16 years.  In her free time, Jana enjoys exercising, traveling, boating, and spending time at the beach.  She and her husband, Bill, have one son who is a recent graduate of the University of Florida.

Mr. Dominic Stevens

4th Grade Math

Mr. Stevens was born in London, England and moved to Florida with his wife, Kate, in 2017 when he joined TCA. He graduated from Goldsmith’s, University of London with a BA Honors Degree in History, and later received a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in History from the University of Chichester. Mr. Stevens is also a qualified soccer coach and coaches TCA’s middle school soccer team. Mr. Stevens loves teaching children and bringing the pages of history to life! Outside of teaching, his interests include soccer, playing the drums, reading, watching movies, going on vacations, studying history and spending time with his wife and young daughter, Chloe.

Mrs. Megan Herlihy

5th Grade

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

Mrs. Brooke Cole

5th Grade

Brooke Cole has spent most of her life in Sarasota and, although she prefers cool mountain weather, has come to consider the Florida heat her home. She attended Liberty University in Virginia and graduated with a degree in Journalism in 2004. Since then, she has worked in church ministry and as a freelance writer. She has aspired to become an elementary teacher for many years and is thrilled to be a part of the TCA staff. She and her husband of 12 years enjoy making memories with friends and family and their little dog, Bailey.

Ms. Debbie Hegeman

6th Grade

Miss Debbie Hegeman was born in Jackson, Michigan and moved to Florida when she was in second grade. She has lived in the Bradenton/Sarasota area since fourth grade. She attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, where she graduated in 1987 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Miss Hegeman has taught every elementary grade level from 1st through 5th grade and two years of 6th grade English. She has taught for the past 4 years at TCA, 2 years in first grade and 2 years in sixth grade. Miss Hegeman enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and playing with household pets.

Mr. Micah Kelley

6th Grade

Micah graduated from Liberty University with a BA in Biblical Studies and a minor in Koine Greek. He is married to his lovely wife, Casey, who is an ASL interpreter for Manatee County schools. Micah has a major passion for the teaching, coaching, and mentoring of young men and women in order for them to reach their greatest potential both in the classroom and life. Micah is an avid sports fan and musician with a great appreciation for the arts. He and his wife enjoy time with friends and family, concerts, coffee shops, board games, books, and specialty food/beverages!

Mrs. Robin Clapp

Resource Teacher (K-6th)

Robin is originally from Northern California and moved to Colorado in order to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Colorado Christian University. While at Colorado Christian University, she met her husband, Mike. She moved to Florida in 2008 with Mike, and their two daughters. She became passionately involved in classical education while home schooling her children until TCA opened in 2013. She has taught classically for over ten years, and has had a role as a teacher in lower school at TCA for the past six years. For the first three years at TCA, Robin taught 3rd grade. Since then, she has been the resource teacher for K-6th. In addition to her love for teaching at TCA, she is involved in sports, and the theater department.