Upper School (7-12)

Mr. Rick Soucie

Upper School Dean

Mrs. Rachel Borg

Literature (8th)

Rachel Borg graduated from Crown College with a BS in Christian Studies and English. Rachel is happily married to her amazing husband, Michael, and thankful to be the mother of five incredible children. She loves hiking the mountains of Montana, engaging in intentional conversation, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Sonya Clark

Geometry, Geometry Honors, & College Math

Coach Sonya Clark attended Asbury University in Kentucky for her bachelor’s degree. She also has a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Coach Clark taught Physical Education and Health at Sayre School (PreK – 12th private school) in Lexington, KY for 15 years prior to coming to FL and TCA. She has coached soccer at the middle school and high school levels for many years. Ms. Clark has always loved math and has enjoyed teaching high school math for 10+ years.

Ms. Maria Dent

Pre-Algebra, Sign Language, & Typing

Maria Dent was born and raised in Sarasota where she is now raising her family. She graduated from the University of South Florida with her degree in Elementary Education and taught in the public school system for 8 years before joining the TCA family in 2014. She has been a 4th grade teacher for her entire professional career but decided to make the change to middle school this year where she is teaching Pre-Algebra and Sign Language, a language she has been eager to improve and share with others. She enjoys reading, singing, college football and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Alaina Elliott

Physical Science (7th)

Melody Farrell

Academic Decathlon

I am SO excited to be joining the TCA faculty this year! I am the founder of Pioneer Circle and Director of Circle A Summit, ministries focused on resourcing young teens to live well in an age of change. I am a wife, mom, musician, podcaster, runner, and speaker. I also serve on the leadership team of Element Church Tampa. Our family has been with TCA from the beginning and we are so grateful to be part of this community.

Brittany Gieseke

Earth Science (8th)

I am thrilled to be teaching 8th-grade earth science for the second year. This is my 13th year in the teaching profession, during which I have had the pleasure of teaching students from 2nd to 8th grade. I also have experience teaching English to students in China. I have been happily married to my husband for 12 years, and we have two wonderful sons who are currently in kindergarten and pre-K at TCA. I love being a part of the Classical Academy family and look forward to a fantastic year of discovery and learning with my students.

Mr. Austin Hayes

Logic (8th) & Rhetoric (10th)

Mr. Hayes graduated from Troy University with a Bachelors in Communications and a minor in Public Relations. He began teaching at TCA in 2022 as a 6th grade teacher. Now, he teaches 8th grade formal logic and 10th grade rhetoric. He believes instilling truth, wisdom, and virtue into students is the best part of being a teacher. Besides teaching, Mr. Hayes enjoys reading good books, playing board games, and exploring nature.

Mr. Hayes got married to Mrs. Hayes, who teaches Kindergarten at TCA, in 2022. Together, they seek to serve the Lord and love others like Jesus. They attend the Church of Eleven22, where they worship alongside other TCA families.

Mr. Mathew Kepler

Upper School Math Dept. Chair | Algebra II, Precalculus, & Calculus

Mr. Kepler was drawn to TCA after 17 years in private industry where he was a consultant, project manager and project analyst. With a Bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University he is passionate about making complex concepts accessible and engaging to students while demonstrating the beauty and truth that lies in mathematics. Mr. Kepler strives to create a classroom where students feel confident to tackle challenging problems, ask questions, and learn from their mistakes. Mr. Kepler believes that the study of mathematics requires active participation and a deep desire for understanding, which helps one develop character and strengthen logical thinking. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Kepler enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two daughters, practicing jiu jitsu, and reading.

Ms. Addison Longenecker

Literature

Addy Longenecker received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hillsdale College in English. A 2020 TCA graduate, she is incredibly excited to have the opportunity to return and share her passion for literature. Her favorite book is Wind in the Willows but would be hard pressed to choose a favorite author.

Mr. Geoff McBride

Algebra 1

Geoff McBride has been in education for 18 years, holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Education. He previously worked for the New York City Department of Education teaching at a residential treatment facility for troubled youth with a focus in Algebra, Special Education and Physical Education. Geoff also served as head Varsity basketball coach during his entire teaching tenure at Mercyfirst as well as an assistant on the Varsity basketball staff at St. John the Baptist High School in the CHSAA.

Geoff, his wife Aimee and four children Brandon 13, Gavin 11, Beckham 5 and Madelyn 3 relocated from Long Island, NY to Florida last August and have never been happier. They were thrilled to join the TCA community, especially after forming a deep appreciation for the classical education model. Geoff joined the TCA coaching staff as the assistant coach for middle school flag football team and as head coach for middle school basketball team. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching this past year at TCA.

Geoff is delighted to join the teaching staff for the 2022-2023 school year teaching Physical Education and Algebra at TCA. He is on staff for TCA’s inaugural varsity tackle football team, head coach for middle school flag football and middle school basketball teams. He looks forward to teaching/coaching this year.

Andrea McSorley

Literature, Senior Thesis

Andrea graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a dual major in Pre-medicine and Theology. She continued on at Notre Dame to earn her Masters degree in Theology as part of the Echo Faith Formation Leadership Program. Andrea taught English and Business Communications for three and a half years at a college level trade school in Lunzu, Malawi. After this experience, she served as Formation Assistant for ten years to graduate students from Notre Dame coaching young adults in communal and professional skills and personal development. She is married to Mr. Spencer McSorley, also an instructor at TCA, and has four fun and energetic boys. Andrea loves any excuse to get outside, a great book with a warm drink, and conversations with good friends.

Mrs. Amy Olsen

Literature & Latin | Language Arts Dept. Chair

Amy Olsen has taught Latin and Language Arts in classical schools and co-ops in Texas, New Jersey, and Florida for many years. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she holds her BA in music from Wheaton College and her M.Ed. degree in English Education from Liberty University. When not teaching at TCA, Amy, a classically-trained singer, helps her husband with his music ministry in Sarasota. Amy and her husband Glen have three grown children and one adorable baby grandson.

Dr. Jessica Patella

Science Dept. Chair | AP Psychology, Anatomy, & Physiology Honors

Dr. Patella is a Sarasota native. She majored in Exercise Physiology at Florida State University and graduated magna cum laude and with honors. Her honors research while at FSU, was based on lifestyle effects on glucose levels in women. After FSU, Dr. Patella moved to Arizona to continue her education at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, where she earned her degree as a Naturopathic Doctor and specialized in nutrition and homeopathic medicine. From there, she and her husband moved to North Carolina, where she started her practice and began teaching nutrition at the local community college. It was her experience at the community college that led her to fall in love with teaching. Eventually, she moved back to Sarasota and began her teaching career. Dr. Patella is passionate about the human body and is looking forward to sharing that passion with students at TCA. Outside of work, Dr. Patella enjoys spending time with her children and family, reading, running (Although very slowly!), going to the beach and traveling!

Rebecca Sirek

Logic (7th), Patriot Girls Coach

Rebecca grew up near Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Mount Union College with a Bachelor's degree in Middle Childhood Education. With a passion for dance and a love for working with children, Rebecca pursued a career coaching dance and cheer in both traditional school and private gym settings. She is a proud military wife to her husband, Keris, and has continued to volunteer in Sunday school classrooms wherever the Navy sent them. They have been married 17 years and have four children, all whom attend TCA. Rebecca is ecstatic to bring her coaching experience to TCA in starting the brand-new Patriot Girls dance and cheer team. And she is happy to join the upper school teaching staff.

Mr. Dominic Stevens

History (10th-12th)

Mr. Stevens was born in London, England and joined TCA after moving to Florida with his wife, Kate, in 2017. 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 and High 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 two young daughters, Chloe and Lucy

Maj. Alexander Vanston

Western Civilization I | US Constitution | Civility & Survival

Major Vanston retired from the Marine Corps with over 24 years of service both as an officer and enlisted. Some of the highlights of his career were serving as a US Embassy Guard, Civil Affairs Officer, and POW/MIA Recovery Team Leader. Maj Vanston taught in Florida public schools for five years before moving to TCA in 2022. He met his wife Jennifer while stationed in Sri Lanka in 1994, they have two children Ceylon and Nathan. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2016 his family settled in Sarasota. His greatest enjoyment is international travel with his family.