Staff
Thomas Gerds
Head of School
Mr. Gerds was born and raised here in Ocala, Florida. He is married to a fellow educator and has two children that attend Grace Christian School. Mr. Gerds graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in History and a minor in Secondary Education. He then received his master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. Mr. Gerds is entering his seventeenth year in education in which he has served as a teacher, district level curriculum specialist, assistant principal, elementary principal and high school principal. The 2021-2022 school year is Mr. Gerds first year as Head of School at Grace Christian School. Mr. Gerds states, “Having the opportunity to serve as the Head of School of Grace Christian School is truly a blessing. This school has my family’s heart and I am extremely passionate about the mission and vision of the school and will dedicate myself as we work to sustain a culture of academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment.”
Meredith Garner
Advancement Director
College:
- BA in Communication, Virginia Tech
Start Date:
2021
Love about GCS:
What I love about Grace: From the time my two children first attended Grace, we knew it was such a special school and immediately felt like part of the family. I love being part of this team, and showing the love of Christ to our students every day!
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
This is my 37th year teaching. All of it has been in Marion County and most of it has been in kindergarten. I am dedicated to helping all students grow and learn in a developmentally appropriate classroom.I love teaching at Grace because the staff and students are like one big family and Christ is at the center of everything we do.
I graduated from the University of Florida. I am certified in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and I have endorsements in PreK ESE, ESOL, and Reading.
My husband Glenn and I have two grown children who live and work in Ocala and we are expecting our first grandchild in December. We love spending time with family, traveling, camping, walking, going to the movies, volunteering at our church and attending Gator sports events.
Lauren Tuzzolino
Carol Cameron's K5 Assistant
I’ve been in education for about 7 years, three of which I was a lead VPK teacher. I love teaching younger children. I love teaching at Grace because it’s a great family friendly environment and the kids that I teach keep me on my toes and make me laugh. Kids say the strangest things at times! I live in Ocala and I’m married with two pre-teen girls and a little dog named Louie. I love chocolate and yummy goodies of all kinds! I love to spend time outside when it’s not too hot and my favorite restaurant is Las Margaritas.
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
College:
- University of Florida, 2008
Start Date:
2021
Love about GCS:
The relationships I build with my students and getting to be part of my own children’s school day.
Janet Robinson
5th Grade Homeroom & 4th-5th Social Studies
I've been teaching for 21 years - 17 years in the public school system and 4 years as an online ESL teacher. So far the best thing about GCS is the support I'm getting from everyone. I don't have a family, so it means a lot to me to feel as if I belong. I love the fact that everyone says that the school is like their family. It means a lot to me. I also really like the class sizes; I'm used to 25 - 30 students per class, with 7 classes a day. The smaller class size means more time to attend to the needs of each student.
I have 5 dogs (used to have 7) and they truly are like my family. My college degrees are both in Science - Associates in General Science and Bachelors in Biology, which I received in Charleston, SC. I received my teaching certification from Valdosta State University in Georgia. I love nature - animals and especially dogs - and live on 2.5 acres in a rural setting here in Ocala. My hobbies are reading, yoga, working out, and jigsaw puzzles.
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
I began my teaching career as an instructional paraprofessional more than 10 years ago. I earned my teaching certification and began teaching after completing my degree in 2017. I currently hold two teaching certifications: math and business. I have been married to my high school sweetheart since 1997 and have two wonderful grown sons - and one daughter-in-law. My family has, and always will, come first in my life and Grace Christian School has become my extended family. What I love about Grace is that we start each morning with worship, either in the Courtyard or at church.
Cassie McKenzie
Middle School Science
I have a degree in Secondary Science Education from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI and have worked in education for 8 years now. I am excited to be at Grace for the Christ-centered environment, and the wonderful students and engaged parents that are at Grace. I have lived in Ocala for 6 years with my husband, and have 3 daughters (2 of which attend Grace).
Stephanie Zetty
Middle School Language Arts
This is my fifth year as a teacher after working in the child welfare system for five years, and taking seven years to stay home and raise my two children. Grace Christian is the perfect school to share my love for Christ while using the gift of teaching that the Lord has blessed upon me. I feel as though everyone who attends Grace is part of a large and loving family.
My husband and I moved with our two children to Florida in 2015. We are from Ohio & West Virginia where our extended families continue to reside.
I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work Administration from Ohio University, and a permanent teaching certificate in the State of Florida. For the last twenty years, I have worked with children of different ages and backgrounds. My family and I enjoy kayaking, watching movies, and traveling north. Most of all, our Lord and Savior is the centerpiece of our family, and we strive to live our lives to please Him.
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