Lower School (K-6)

Mrs. Lauren Betts

Kindergarten

Lauren Betts was born and raised in Sarasota, FL. She attended Arizona State University to receive a BS degree in Psychology. She is married to her wonderful husband, Parker. Ever since she was a child Lauren has always had a passion to teach. When she was introduced to TCA in 2020, she fell in love with classical education. This is her 2nd year as a Kindergarten teacher, and she cannot wait for what this year has in store! When Lauren is not teaching you can find her either thrift shopping, hanging out by the pool, camping, or spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Chynna Cole

Kindergarten

Chynna graduated from Southeastern University with a BS in Worship Ministries. She has lived in Florida her whole life. She loves the beach as well as the state parks. Coming from a family of musicians and artists, Chynna loves expressing herself through the fine arts. When not at school you may find her singing a medley at the piano or enjoying nature trails with her rescue dog Panda. Chynna adores children and loves the idea that school instills a sense of wonder in their little minds. She is beyond delighted to be teaching Kindergarten!

Mrs. Isabelle Hayes

Kindergarten

Isabelle graduated from Trinity Baptist College with a BS in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Education. After graduating, she taught at a Classical Academy in Jacksonville, FL before relocating to Sarasota to join the TCA family. Inspired by the education she received at home from her mother, Isabelle decided she wanted to pursue a career in teaching. Her passion is to instill a deep love of learning and an attitude of kindness in the hearts of her students. Isabelle enjoys spending time with family, traveling to visit family and friends, and serving in the community.

Ms. Kelly Murray

Kindergarten

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 first year teaching kindergarten, and she could not be more excited to spend each day doing what she loves. In her free time, Kelly adores trips to Disney, spending time with her wonderful family, and playing with her sweet puppy, Barley.

Mrs. Tamicka Quandt

Kindergarten

Emmalie Brock

Kindergarten Aide

Mrs. Alison Lacy

1st Grade

Ali is a graduate from USF with a bachelor's degree in Criminology. Her career history has been in corrections and juvenile justice. Her husband, John, serves in the US Army and they are a proud military family. They have been married for 11 years have 2 wonderful boys. Ali started to volunteer at TCA 4 years ago when her oldest son started kindergarten. Since then she has continue to volunteer and substitute teach here at TCA. Last year she took the roll as a part time 1st grade aide. This will be her first year teaching and she couldn't be happier. She and her family enjoy camping and working on their homestead together.

Stephanie Mercier

1st Grade Aide

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 and she is thrilled to return to education this year and have the opportunity to be the 1st Grade Aide. Mrs. Mercier is married to her loving husband David and they have two children; a son who attends TCA and a daughter who will be old enough to be a Patriot next year. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys adventures with her husband and children, gardening, trips to the beach, baking and crafts. Mrs. Mercier is a Sarasota native and is so grateful to be part of the TCA Family!

Mrs. Karra Minch

1st Grade

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

Mrs. Ashley Tamburino

1st Grade

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

Allyson Smith

1st Grade

Mrs. Pamela Winchell

1st Grade

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.

Briana Avila

2nd Grade Aide

Megan Grier

2nd Grade

Jenna Ramalho

2nd Grade

Mrs. Michelle Schale

2nd Grade

Mrs. Sarah Sommers

2nd Grade

Sarah Sommers graduated from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee with a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Mrs. Sommers started her career with children by teaching Sunday School for several years. Her love for teaching grew when she became a preschool teacher assistant, and her passion for helping children grew when she interned at jobs in the child welfare system. Mrs. Sommers started working at TCA in the Fall of 2021 and began her teaching career in the Spring of 2022. Mrs. Sommers and her husband, Daniel, love traveling, camping, kayaking, and all things adventure. In her free time, she enjoys reading, being active, and spending time with friends and family.

Mrs. Bethany Ulrich

2nd Grade

I graduated from Taylor University with my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I have been a teacher for 18 years. I have taught lower school, English as a second language, Mathematics, and Childbirth education. I have been a substitute at TCA as well as a math teacher for the last 2 years. I have been married for 21 years to my best friend, and have the pleasure of raising our family. We enjoy good food, time outside, and just being together.

Mrs. Jana Espy

3rd 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.

Mrs. Sara Lindquist

3rd Grade

Mary Olsen

3rd Grade

Mr. Daniel Preston

3rd Grade

Mrs. Alaina Elliott

3rd Grade Aide

Emily Bemis

4th Grade

Mrs. Bemis is so excited to come to sunny Florida from Northwestern Washington State. She holds her bachelor’s Degree from Mount Holyoke College, a Master’s in Teaching from Northwest University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Seattle Pacific University. She began her career in Hong Kong, teaching English abroad. Next, she spent over 13 years teaching in the greater Seattle Area. Mrs. Bemis loves instructing all subjects, but has a special place in her heart for teaching a deep love of literature. Mrs. Bemis is also the mother of two daughters, both of whom attend TCA. In her spare time, Mrs. Bemis might be found creating culinary delights in the kitchen, playing with her family on the beach, or curled up with a great book!

Mr. Justin Bradford

4th Grade

Jessica Long

4th Grade

Mr. Daniel Sommers

4th Grade

Daniel Sommers graduated from Southeastern University with a Bachelor’s in Ministerial Leadership. Mr. Sommers began working with children by teaching Sunday School several years ago, and he still volunteers with his wife, Sarah, at their church. Mr. Sommers is passionate about children’s ministry and has a desire to help children grow and develop. Mr. Sommers started subbing at TCA in the Spring of 2022. In his free time, he enjoys learning new things, woodworking, and spending time with friends and family.

Mrs. Gina Ianelli

4th/5th Grade Aide

Gina Ianelli was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA but has called Sarasota home since 2015. She graduated from Gannon University with a BS degree in Marketing and a Masters from the University of Phoenix. Gina worked as a substitute teacher before accepting a position at TCA. She lives in South Sarasota with her husband, Nick, and their three children. In her free time, she loves to camp, go to the beach, spend time with her family, and play with her puppy, Ranger. Gina is excited to be part of the TCA family.

Mrs. Ashley Hayes

5th Grade

Ashley Hayes is a 5th grade teacher bringing to TCA a decade of teaching experience in Sarasota County. Ashley graduated in 2005 from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. After graduation she spent her early career in the medical field before realizing her passion was in education. She received her Professional Educator Certification in several subjects and has taught mathematics, Language Arts, science, and history in grades 6-8. Ashley and her husband, Ryan, have three wonderful children Luke, Owen, and Emily. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and traveling. Ashley is excited to be part of the TCA family!

Stephanie Hegener

5th Grade

Stephanie graduated with a BS in Elementary education from University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee. She has been married to her husband, Winston, a Financial Advisor, for 5 years. She has two children, Christian and Kinley. She has taught multiple grade levels over the years. She is excited to be back in 5th grade! Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and shopping.

Mr. Spence McSorley

5th Grade

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.

Ms. Elaine Belenguer

6th Grade

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 be kicking off her teaching career in 6th grade at TCA!

Ms. Debbie Hegeman

6th Grade | Math (4th)

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. She has been at TCA for 5 years, 2 years in first grade and 3 years in 6th grade. Miss Hegeman enjoys spending time with friends and family and reading.

Jack Young

6th Grade

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.