Staff
Thomas Gerds
Head of School
Meredith Garner
Advancement Director
Kyle McKenzie
Assistant Head of School
College:
- Bachelor's Elementary/Middle School Ed. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Elementary/Middle School Teaching License (WI, IL, FL)
- Master's Educational Leadership Concordia University-Chicago
- Type 75 Certification
Start Date:
2014
Love about GCS?:
Family centered community and the ability to educate students in academics, social skills, and faith development
Roxie Foster
School Secretary
Start Date:
1993
Love about GCS?:
My favorite part of Grace is watching the children as they grow with us.
Debbie Bruni
Admissions Director & Events Coordinator
College:
- AA Mental Health Counseling Lassell College
Start Date:
1991
Love about GCS?:
My children and grandson attended Grace and I started out as a parent volunteer, then was asked to work part time and then full time in the office. My favorite part of Grace is the loving and nurturing environment and "family" atmosphere.
Kelsey Atkins
Business Manager
College:
- AA International Business College
Start Date:
2014
Love about GCS?:
My favorite part is the feeling that we're one big family. I came to Grace as a volunteer when my daughter was in Kindergarten and by the next year I was a full-time staff member.
Robin Booth
K3 Teacher
College:
- AA Central Florida College
- State Certified Childcare/Emergening Literacy
Start Date:
2008
Love about GCS?:
I love the family feel that comes with being part of Grace Christian School. In addition, our family are members of Christ the King Anglican Church, just making that family feeling even bigger!
Pam Feaster
Teacher Assistant
College:
- Early Childhood Specialty Certification
Start Date:
1996
Love about GCS?:
Pam loves Grace school because of the Christ centered love that she feels each & every day that she enters her classroom
Stacey Gibson
K4 Teacher
College:
- BS Telecommunications
Start Date:
1998
Love about GCS?:
Love teaching children to love God, themselves , and others. It’s a family here, we love and respect each other and all have the common good of Grace in our hearts.
Nadine Evans
Preschool Assistant and After-care/Extended Care Program Manager
Christina Leard
Kindergarten Teacher
College:
- BA Elementary Education Southern Florida University
- MA Elementary Education University of North Florida
Start Date:
2015
Love about GCS?:
She is an alumnae of Grace school and is so happy that God granted her the opportunity to return to her elementary school. She feels very blessed to be a part of the Grace family again!
Stephanie Salmon
Teacher Assistant
Start Date:
2011
Love about GCS?:
I started as a parent and volunteer, then was blessed with an opporunity to be a teacher assistant. I love being part of this community.
Mary Fulkerson
Teacher Assistant
College:
- Early Childhood Certificate
Start Date:
2005
Sarah Curran
College:
- BS in Elementary Education, Southeastern University.
- Certified in Elementary Education K-6 with ESOL endorsement
Start Date:
2017
Love about GCS?:
Grace has its own atmosphere of teachers who are truly seeking the glory of God and fulfilling their calling by working here. I find it inspiring to be part of such an amazing group of people who care about the students, about each other, and about aiming for excellence each day. I feel like I have found a place where I belong and am accepted for myself and the gifts I bring, and that is a feeling like no other.
Cheryl Young
1st grade teacher
College:
- BA Elementary Education University of Florida Elementary Certification
Start Date:
2004
Love about GCS?:
The Family friendly environment and loving people I encounter.
Carol Cameron
Kindergarten
Lauren Tuzzolino
Carol Cameron's K5 Assistant
Ashley Hinkle
3rd Grade Teacher
College:
- MA in Elementary Education from West Virginia University
Florida Teaching Certificate
Start Date:
2015
Love about GCS:
Family atmosphere and the ability to worship with her students
Austin Yates
4th/5th Math and Science Teacher
College:
- BS Interdisciplinary Studies, MA Educational Leadership
University of Central Florida
Start Date:
2020
Love about GCS:
I love having the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my students in a faith-based environment focused on academic excellence.
Mallory Strong
4th & 5th Grade Language Arts
Arianna Pray
Andrew Touchton
Social Studies Teacher
College:
- University of South Florida/ BA in Mass Communications TV Broadcast Productions/ Minor in Film Studies
Start Date:
2019
Love about GCS:
What I love about GCS is the camaraderie between students & staff. Everyone shares a common love for Christ & a love for one another as Children of God. That firm spiritual foundation relieves the stress of school life & allows us to focus on deeper things.
Christy Benway
Middle School Math
Cassie McKenzie
Middle School Science
Daniel Donnan
Language Arts Teacher
Nina Canfield
Spanish Teacher
College:
- BS Psychology St. Leo University
Start Date:
2001
Love about GCS?:
What I like most about Grace is the love and care that everyone shows for each other and being able to help the students at a personal level.
Robert Ramirez
Physical Education Teacher
College:
- BA St. Leo University
Start Date:
2000
Love about GCS?:
I felt God's calling to be here at Grace.
Ryan Owens
Technology Coordinator / Computer Teacher
College:
- BA in Elementary Education, Warner University
- MA in Educational Leadership, University of West Florida
Start Date:
2007
Love about GCS?:
The opportunity to serve God, students, and our families in a loving, Christ-Centered environment. Both of my children go to school here and feel very much the same way.
Luke Ferguson
Chorus Teacher
College:
- BS Music Theory/Compostion Covenant College
- MA Divinity Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Start Date:
2014
Love about GCS?:
I appreciate Grace's atmosphere of family where kids are loved and my staff and administration are so supportive
Jack Covell
College:
- BA Music Education William Patterson University
- MA Gifted Education Nova Southeastern University
Start Date:
2017
Love about GCS?:
All of the my band students, affectionately known as the Banditos
Ninette Clauss
Librarian
College:
- BS Elementary Education Florida State University
Start Date:
2017
Love about GCS?:
My favorite thing about Grace is truly the family atmosphere. All the staff and students know each other personally and treat each other so well! I came to Grace as a former public school teacher, then stay at home mom. I LOVE being at a private school.