Lower School (K-6)

Mrs. Leguizamon graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. She began her career in education in Tampa as a middle and high school Language Arts teacher, and then held the title of Assistant Principal. At TCA, she has taught middle and high school, and currently serves as the Lower School Dean. She is a mom of five who enjoys spending time traveling with her family and attending their various sporting events.

Emmalie was born in Tallahassee, Florida but has lived in Sarasota most of her life. She graduated from Southeastern University in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Ministerial Leadership. After graduating, she worked part time at Bayside Community Church as a Kids Coordinator and part time at TCA as a lower school Aide. This is Emmalie's first year as a Kindergarten Teacher. She has a true passion for kids and loves playing a part in helping them grow in knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. She also loves the Lord and is excited that He has called her to teach and empower the next generation of leaders. She is excited for all this school year has in store, as well as her wedding planning for her upcoming wedding in March!

Kelly graduated from the University of South Florida with her Bachelor's Degree in Communication. As a Sarasota native, she has lived in Florida her whole life. After graduation, she was reminded that her true passion was working with children. Teaching runs in her family, and she has watched her mother teach 5th grade in Sarasota County for many years. This is her fourth-year teaching kindergarten, and spending each day doing what she loves. In her free time, Kelly adores trips to Disney, reading on her Kindle, spending time with her wonderful friends and family, and playing with her sweet puppy, Barley.

Mrs. Q is from the land of Lincoln...Illinois. She grew up on Lincoln Ave. She joined the U.S. Navy after high school and was stationed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln working with helicopters. Needless to say, she loves a shiny penny! She was once a massage therapist before becoming a Deputy at the Sheriff's Office. She actually met her husband in jail...on the right side of the bars. She loves telling salty sea stories to her students. Mrs. Q loves God, the USA and spending time at home with her family. She is a no-nonsense person who enjoys laughing at herself and finding joy in the chaos.

Julia Marmelo was born and raised in Westport, Connecticut, and graduated from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore with a degree in psychology. She is thrilled and grateful to join TCA, where she is eager to support students' growth and help them develop a love for learning. Julia enjoys spending time with her family and friends outside the classroom, including her three siblings. Her passions include swimming, camping, reading, and dancing.

Ali is a graduate from USF with a bachelor's degree in Criminology. Her career history has been in corrections, juvenile justice, and counseling. She started volunteering at TCA in 2018 when her oldest son started kindergarten. That turned into substitute teaching, then a part time aide position, and in 2022 she became a full-time 1st grade teacher. She has a passion for teaching children and loves classical education. She and her husband married in 2012. They have 2 sons that attend TCA. She loves watching her sons play sports, camping with her family and working on their homestead together. Her husband, John, retired in 2024 after serving 25 years in the U.S. Army. They are a proud military family.

Stephanie Mercier graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. After college she taught for 3.5 years in North Florida public education. Working with children has always been her passion. Last year, she was thrilled to return to her career in education and served as TCA’s 1st Grade Aide. This year, Mrs. Mercier is very excited to be teaching 1st Grade. Mrs. Mercier is married to her loving husband David and they have two children; a son and daughter who attend TCA. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys adventures with her husband and children, gardening, trips to the beach, baking, thrifting, and crafts. Mrs. Mercier is a Sarasota native and is so grateful to be part of the TCA Family!

It's A Great Day To Be A Patriot. GO PATRIOTS!

Pamela grew up in the Bradenton/Sarasota and attended Florida State University, where she graduated with a degree in Chemical Science. She and her husband Terry have been married for 20 years and have 2 daughters who attend TCA. Her career history has been in the Financial Sector for the past 17 years. She recently joined TCA as a substitute teacher in January 2023 and was thrilled to join the first-grade team as a teacher for the 2023 school year. In her spare time she enjoys RVing across the country with her family, boating, and outdoor activities.

Keri McMahon was raised in Sarasota, FL and graduated from the University of South Florida with her bachelor's degree in forensic studies and justice. She worked in anti-human trafficking with Selah Freedom before moving to Austin, Texas where she started teaching and fell in love with the classroom. Keri taught for three years in Texas before deciding to come back to her hometown. She has a passion for teaching and a heart for children and cannot wait for this new chapter at TCA both in the classroom and in the gym coaching volleyball. In her free time, Keri loves playing pickleball, beach volleyball, being outside, spending time with her family, or cooking something up in the kitchen.

Kaylee has lived in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, but has lived much of her life in Bradenton, FL. She graduated from Southeastern University summa cum laude with a degree in Psychology. She has worked in ministry as a worship leader and managed a worship academy where she has taught piano to students and adults of all ages for 4 years. More recently, Kaylee has been working at TCA as the 2nd grade aide. She is passionate about teaching! In her spare time, Kaylee stays busy reading, singing, teaching piano, and planning for her upcoming wedding this year.

Robin Clapp was born and raised in northern California. She studied psychology at Colorado Christian University, where she met her husband, Mike. They have been married for 24 years and have two daughters that are 18 and 19 years old. She has taught classically for over 10 years and is amazed at what she continues to learn from year to year, as she teaches her students. In her free time, she enjoys working on house projects with her husband, spending time with her girls, and serving at her church.

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 20 years. In her free time, Jana enjoys exercising, traveling, boating, and spending time at the beach. She and her husband, Bill, have one son.

Megan was born and raised in Bradenton, FL. She married her husband, Rob, in 2008 with whom she has three wonderful kids Devyn, Rylee, and Emmett. She spent a decade as a stay-at-home mom before returning to work at her children's previous school, where she discovered her passion for education and enrolled at WGU for an Elementary Studies degree. This is her second year at TCA, where she has come to love classical education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, boating, and attempting to keep up in pickleball!

Mrs. Hernandez is from Jackson Tennessee and loves this generation! She moved to Florida in 2021 after a year of teaching middle & high school . As a second-year teacher at TCA , she has thrived at building relationships and empowering students by learning what best serves them. Her experience both in and out of the classroom with K-12th has equipped her to adapt to the needs of her classroom and individual students. As a new wife, Mrs. Hernandez is ecstatic to hit the ground running and read a few good books this Fall.

Mrs. Sanders was born and raised I Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from The University of Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and has been in the education field for nineteen years. She moved to Sarasota in 2011, where shortly after, she met her husband, Shawn. They have two children together, Charlie and Maddie and a dog named Sierra. In her free time she enjoys working out, going camping in their RV, reading and spending time with family.

Mrs. Bordones was born and raised in Indiana. She graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has been in the education field for 22 years. She moved to Sarasota in 2014. She and her husband have 3 children (2 boys and a girl). The oldest is attending USF in Tampa, her middle child is off to the Navy, and her daughter is just beginning high school. In her free time, she enjoys reading, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with family.

Justin was born in Santa Cruz, California and later moved to Sarasota Florida where he attended Cardinal Mooney High School and would go on to study Anthropology at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!). After many wonderful years serving in vocational ministry, he continued his education and is currently working toward a degree in Biblical Studies. Justin has a passion for history and literature as well as traveling to experience other cultures.

Spence McSorley grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, near the University of Notre Dame where he received a BA in History (2005) and an MA in Theology (2007). He is married to Andrea, a native Floridian from Tampa Bay. Together they have four incredible boys—Seth, Micah, Nathan, and Isaac. After a three-year mission serving the church in Malawi, Africa, the McSorleys moved to Manatee County where Spence was the Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministries at Our Lady of the Angels from 2013-2022. Spence enjoys learning about different cultures and experiencing them through art, cuisine, music, and travel.

Elaine was born and raised in Long Valley, New Jersey. In 2017, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida to study education at Jacksonville University. With the love and support of her amazing family, Elaine earned her BS in Elementary Education, her M.Ed., and her TESOL and Reading Endorsements. Elaine is so excited to start her third year teaching 6th grade at TCA! When she is not at school, you can find Elaine relaxing on the beach or wandering through Target.

Miss Debbie Hegeman was born in Jackson, Michigan and moved to Florida in elementary school. She has lived in the Bradenton/Sarasota area since fourth grade. She attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., where she graduated in 1987 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Miss Hegeman has taught every elementary grade level. Miss Hegeman enjoys spending time with friends and family and reading.

Jack was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, and he recently moved to the Bradenton/Sarasota area after graduation from Moody Bible Institute with a BA in Youth Ministry. Jack loves working with students and helping them pursue truth, and he is excited to help further their knowledge and education in the classroom! When he is not teaching, Jack loves to volunteer at his church, relax at the beach, and play basketball.