Upper Division Faculty
Sakari Alvarez
History / Government / Economics
Sakari Alvarez received her Bachelor degree from University of North Florida. She has taught in the Duval County Public School system since 2018. Sakari is married and has two children. She enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Hope Belk
Spanish II / Spanish III / Bible
Bachelor's degree from Trinity Baptist College
FACCS certified
Hope Belk has taught at Trinity since 2010. She taught Elementary Spanish and PE and started teaching Spanish II and III in the high school in 2018. She likes to read and be outdoors. Her husband works for the Jacksonville sheriff’s office and she has two sons who she adores.
Tiffany Boehnlein
Art
Tiffany Boehnlein has a passion for art and an excitement for all of its possibilities. She graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 3D Studio Arts and a Minor in Psychology. She then received her Masters in Education from Georgetown college. She has been teaching art in the classroom since 2014. Due to their love for the beach, Tiffany and her family moved to Jacksonville in 2019 from Louisville, Kentucky. Her interests include being outside, going on adventures with her family, creating, and trying new things. She has been blessed with a loving husband, two sweet kiddos, and a snuggly puppy. Tiffany finds joy in teaching as she gets to share the love of the Ultimate Creator with her students, in their making process.
Kristina Boudreau
7th/8th Comp, Admin-Community Service / Elec. Wheel Teacher
Bachelor’s degree from UNF in Health Science, Community Health minor in Exercise Science
FACCS certified
Kristi Boudreau taught Elementary PE for 10 years before joining TCA in 2016 in the Upper Division. She enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and finding great deals. She has been married to her amazing husband Brian since 1997. They have 2 wonderful children, Jared and Riley. They also have 2 other members of the family, Miracle and Spirit, husky malamute dogs. She loves being at Trinity to hopefully make a positive impact in her student lives. She wants each student to know what Christ did for them and how we should all follow His lead.
Christine Brown
English / Yearbook Teacher
Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Pensacola Christian College
FACCS certified
Christine Brown is originally from Virginia and is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education for both English and History. She began teaching in 1996 at Trinity Christian Academy and has remained here ever since. In 2002, she married her husband and the couple have two children, Kaylee and Kasey. As an English teacher, she enjoys helping her students become better writers, readers, and speakers. She also has an incredible passion for the school yearbook, which she produces every year with the help of her wonderful editors and staff. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and her cats.
Raymond Bureau
Physical Science / Bible / Sports Journalism
Bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of North Florida, 1993
Master of Education and Distance Learning from the University of Phoenix, 2005
FACCS Certified
Columbia School of Broadcasting, 1990
Raymond Bureau began teaching in 1993. He taught many subjects at Florida State College at Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs Middle School, Clay High School, and Orange Park Christian Academy before coming to Trinity in 2004. He also taught at Trinity Baptist College from 2008-2010. He also has 4 years of professional radio experience. Raymond serves as the sports information director of Trinity Baptist College and the radio/live-stream announcer for both TCA and TBC. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports and writing for various sports Websites. Raymond’s wife Beth teaches biology and anatomy at Stanton College Preparatory School. They married in 1995, and their son Dean graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in 2018 as an honor student.
Tim Burgess
Bible Teacher
BA in Marketing Management
Masters in Theology
Tim Burgess has been in the ministry as a pastor for 26 years. His first year in the academic classroom was in 2018. He enjoys traveling the world, fishing, and spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife, Carmen, for 27 years and they have three children, Jacob, Micailah, and Stephen. Tim feels privileged to share the Good News every day with all of his students.
Megan Burns
English Teacher
Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Florida
FACCS Certified
Megan Burns has taught at TCA since 2013. She was previously the junior high and senior high resource director and the 8th grade earth science teacher. She is currently teaching 8th English and Honors English. She attended TCA from kindergarten through 12th grade. She has been married to her husband, Luke since 2016. They have two children, Tucker and Caleb.
Kristen Buttrey
Environmental Science / Life Science
Kristen Buttrey earned a bachelors degree in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida in 2018. As she coached volleyball she realized her passion for instructing and guiding young people which led her to begin teaching in 2018. She is passionate about science and helping students cultivate the same excitement for the sciences as well as the entire process of learning. Kristen has played volleyball from the 4th grade on and is excited to be a part of the volleyball coaching staff at TCA.
Tolando Cleveland
PE / Elec. Wheel Teacher
Tolando Cleveland is a native of Alabama. Immediately after high school, he started a career serving in the United States Army. After twenty years of serving our country, he retired from the military in July 2013, and soon after, began another chapter in his life by pursuing higher education full time at Trinity Baptist College. Upon graduating college in May 2019, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Church Ministries with proficiency of Assistant Pastor. Tolando Cleveland is married with six children. He enjoys volunteering as a ministerial leader at Heartland Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and mentoring juveniles at the Duval Detention Center, both are here Jacksonville. His hobbies are exercising and watching football.
Max Cordell
Band Teacher
Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Bob Jones University
Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia
Max Cordell has taught at Trinity Christian Academy for 45 years and at Athens Christian School (GA) for one year. He has a love for traveling and visiting historic places as well as playing the trombone in the church orchestra. He is married to Joan Cordell, they have 3 children, Angela, Jonathan, and Elizabeth, and 3 grandchildren. He feels that the size and scope of the Academy gives us a great opportunity to impact the community and the lives of our students in many positive ways. The growth of the students musically from beginning to advanced is always exciting to him.
Leanne Dix
Algebra II / Bible / VLL
Leanne Dix is a graduate of Trinity Christian Academy. She has a BA in Math Education from the University of North Florida. Leanne enjoys traveling, learning about other cultures, and singing.
Danny English
Admin Maker Space / Digital Design
Danny English has been a baseball coach at Trinity since 2011. It while coaching he discovered his passion for leading and instructing. He graduated from Trinity Baptist College in 2016 with a degree in Secondary Education. Upon graduating, he took over the computer program at TCA and has been involved in numerous projects to grow and integrate technology throughout Trinity's campus. He is responsible for the upkeep of the Makerspace and Technology room, which aim to provide extra resources for teachers and students. One hobby he enjoys is 3D printing, which you can see displayed on the shelves if you ever visit his room. His favorite memory at Trinity is winning the first ever State Championship for baseball in 2015.
Renee Gallazzi
Chemistry / Bible
Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Trinity Baptist College, Master’s degree in Chemistry Education from Western Governors University
FACCS certified
Renee Gallazzi is originally from Ohio. She served in the Marines where she worked on aircrafts, fired machine guns, and threw grenades. She also served as a missionary in Korea. She never had a desire to teach, but God opened and closed doors until she surrendered. She came to TCA in 2008 and she describes her first year as cruel agony. She believes teaching is her calling from God. She says, “He knew me better than I knew myself.” She has one son, Gavin. Psalms 78:37-39 reminds me of God’s love and forgiveness.
Jessica Gibson
ASL / VLL Teacher
University of N. Florida; Master of Arts in Education- Deaf Education
University of N. Florida; Bachelor of Arts in Education- Special Education
Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate
FACCS Certificate
Jessica Gibson was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and graduated from Jones High School. She came to Jacksonville, Florida in 2006 to attend the University of North Florida where she was heavily involved with student organizations. Jessica has taught in Duval County Public Schools as a special needs and general education teacher and joined Trinity in 2018. She is married to her husband, Dwayne, and they have been gifted with a beautiful daughter. Together they serve in the youth, and marriage ministries at their church. Jessica enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and crocheting.
Ginger Harrison
10th - 12th Bible/Career Skills/Study Skills Teacher
Associate degree in Office Administration (Trinity Baptist College) and a bachelor’s degree in Education (Trinity Baptist College)
Certified: FACCS
Ginger Harrison has been at TCA since 1988 and is the mother of 3 children. She teaches 7th grade Study Skills, 8th grade Career Skills, and Elective Wheel in order to equip students with helpful life skills for a successful future. She also has the opportunity to have an impact in the lives of her students in her 10th-12th grade girls' Bible classes. During the summer months, she enjoys hiking and camping.
Monica Henry
US History / Geography / Honors World History Teacher / Elective Wheel
Monica Henry is a native of Arizona and a graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in History. She and her husband moved to Jacksonville in 2005 to serve on staff at a local church. After staying at home with her boys for ten years, Monica began her teaching career in the Duval Public School System and happily served her students for five years. She has three sons and enjoys reading, traveling and Mexican food.
Lauren Houseman
Science / English
Bachelor degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of North Florida.
FACCS certified
Google Level 1&2 Certified Educator
Lauren Houseman has worked with children since 2001. She began as a gymnastics instructor in south Florida working with elementary aged children. She was a teacher‘s aide at St. Peter’s Child Development Center working with children from ages 2-5. In college Lauren worked as a substitute teacher for Duval county. She began working for Trinity Christian Academy in 2021 as a long term substitute for the upper division. She loves spending time with family, baking, knitting, reading and Disney. She and her husband have three children that all attend the academy; Amelia, Gunner, and Lennox.
Alaina Ivey
Home Ec Teacher
Alaina started teaching Family Home and Consumer Technology (Home Ec) at TCA in August of 2020, however she is no stranger to the ministry. Her husband Marc is the Worship pastor at Trinity Baptist and they have been part of the Trinity family since 2012. She has 4 boys and they have all been enrolled since moving to FL in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in FACS from Liberty University in 2001. She has a love for her students and wants them to first know and love Jesus as well as teach them life skills that they can use for the rest of their life. Her hobbies consist of everything that she teaches. She loves to cook, sew and love on people. She also enjoys participating in the worship ministry at Trinity. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and make memories. She hopes that each student leaves her class with great memories.
Jessica Keck
Algebra I / Bible
Jessica Keck has lived in many places, but considers Minnesota home. She graduated from Bob Jones University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in English Education, a Spanish minor, and a Math minor equivalent. She began her teaching career that same year. Her immediate family is scattered across the United States and beyond, but they love visiting each other as often as possible. Besides sharing her love of learning with her students, some of her passions are reading, singing, spending time with her family and friends, and eating Chick-fil-a.
Amanda Kinder
Pre Alg./Honors Pre-Alg Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University, Master of Arts in Human Services, Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University
FACCS Certified
Amanda Kinder has been teaching at Trinity since 2008. She has taught English, Bible, Reading, Psychology, and Pre-Algebra during her tenure at TCA. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Rob, and 2 children, Brynley and Camden. She also loves anything involving the outdoors and DIY projects. Her favorite thing about Trinity is sharing her passion for God with her students and building relationships with her co-workers and TCA families.
Cynthia Lentz
US History / Honors World History Teacher / Holocaust
Cynthia Lentz has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education within the fields of history and English and has been teaching since 2002. She loves to read, travel the world and spend time outside doing anything adventurous. She has been married to Adam Lentz since 2000 and has two children, Alexa and Christopher, and a furry child named Riley (she’s the favorite). Cynthia’s favorite thing about Trinity is the people and the relationships she’s formed while working here.
Dharma Leon
Spanish I/Theatre Teacher
Dharma León feels blessed to have the privilege of teaching her two favorite subjects at TCA since joining in December of 2019. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Communications from the University of Puerto Rico. Dharma began her official teaching career in 2007, at Applewood Christian School in Sedalia, Missouri, after she had homeschooled her two oldest children up to 5th grade. Dharma also worked for the Children's Theatrical Summer Program at the Liberty Center Association for the Arts, and was also the Children's Ministry Director and Children's Choir Director at Maplewood Church in Sedalia, Missouri. Dharma is originally from Puerto Rico, but moved to Jacksonville in 2019, after living for 14 years in Missouri. She and her husband are members at Westside Baptist Church and serve in the Hispanic ministry. They have three wonderful children and two beautiful grandsons. Dharma likes to listen to music, read mysteries, cook up new recipes, and loves to spend time with her family. She is grateful that the Lord has provided her with an amazing family and a loving and supportive husband, and feels blessed to serve Him by teaching her native language and the theatrical arts!
Maylynn Leporacci
Jr. High Chorus / VIP
Bachelor’s degree in Music from West Coast Baptist College, Master’s Degree in Church Music from Pensacola Theological Seminary
FACCS certified
Maylynn Leporacci has been teaching music and singing at TCA since 2009. She is also involved in the Florida Vocal Association and The North Florida Chapter for the National Association for Teachers of Singing in which her students are involved in to compete and be evaluated vocally. She serves in the music ministry with her husband, Jacob Leporacci, and also teach as an adjunct music professor at Trinity Baptist College. Through music, Maylynn has been given the opportunity to enrich lives and encourage others in 48 states and 5 countries. She is also the mother of two beautiful boys: Landon and Lincoln.
Reagan Marshall
Geometry / Honors Geometry Teacher
Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education with a proficiency in Mathematics and Business
FACCS Certified
Reagan Marshall studied math at UNF before graduating at TBC with a degree in Secondary Education Mathematics. Previous to TCA, she taught Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus at First Coast Christian. She also coaches volleyball for the middle school, has coached JV, assisted varsity, and assisted the college team at TBC. She and her husband have a daughter, Zoey, and are due with a baby boy due November 2019. In her free time, she enjoys painting, Chipotle, and spending time with family.
Heather Milford
Biology / Anatomy / Physiology
Mrs. Milford was born and raised in California and is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine where she earned her degree in both Chemistry and Biology. She has received awards for her laboratory research and is also a published author. She first transitioned to the classroom in 2006 and has a passion for teaching science from a dedicated Christian perspective. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids camping, hiking, and playing at the beach.
Jonathan Norman
Bible Teacher
Bachelor’s in Education from Trinity Baptist College, Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University, Master of Education from American College of Education
FACCS Certified
Jonathan Norman has been at TCA since 2009. He has taught several different grades and classes during his time at Trinity, and he has experience teaching English at the high school and college level. In his free time, he takes an active interest in rooting for his favorite sports’ teams. He also loves spending time with his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Aaron and Ethan.
Lauren Sherwood
English Teacher
Bachelor degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of North Florida.
FACCS certified
Google Level 1&2 Certified Educator
Lauren Houseman has worked with children since 2001. She began as a gymnastics instructor in south Florida working with elementary aged children. She was a teacher‘s aide at St. Peter’s Child Development Center working with children from ages 2-5. In college Lauren worked as a substitute teacher for Duval county. She began working for Trinity Christian Academy in 2021 as a long term substitute for the upper division. She loves spending time with family, baking, knitting, reading and Disney. She and her husband have three children that all attend the academy; Amelia, Gunner, and Lennox.
Leah Smith
PE Teacher
She is a Health and Wellness major from Gardner-Webb University, where she ran Track and Field and Cross Country from 2009-2013. Following graduation from college she returned to Trinity, her alma mater, to teach PE and coach Cross Country and Track.
She has been married since 2016 to husband, Hudson and has a son, Grayson. Her hobbies including running, playing soccer, working out and enjoying all the family time at the beach and pool.
Casey Stephens
Student Support Services Teacher
Casey graduated from the University of North Florida in 2005 with her degree in education, specializing in Special Education, with an endorsement in English for speakers of other languages. Since then, she has taught in every grade, K-12 in some capacity, as well as homeschooled her own children for 4 years. She has had the privilege of teaching in a variety of settings as she followed her husband in the ministry to Georgia, Kentucky and now back to Florida. Casey and her husband, David have four children; Callie, Reagan, Candler and Cadence. She loves music, reading, and spending time with family.
Ryan Scott
English
Ryan is a Jacksonville native that attended Trinity Christian Academy from Kindergarten to high school graduation. He graduated from Trinity Baptist College in 2021 with a degree in English/Social Studies in Secondary Education. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing guitar and banjo, researching coffee brewing techniques, and spending time with his wife Capri and dog Gryffin.
Kimberly Shank
Physics / CR Math / PreCal / Bible / VLL
Kim has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Jacksonville University, a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a master's degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida. She has been teaching physics and math since 2004. Before beginning a full-time teaching career, she completed 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy's Civil Engineer Corps.
Sarah Vorpahl
7th Math/Bible Teacher
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from TBC
FACCS certified
Sarah Vorpahl was born in Germany and later grew up in Portland, Oregon. She moved to Florida in 2001. She loves traveling and has been to many different states and countries. She has been teaching at Trinity Christian Academy since 2006. she taught in the elementary school for 11 years and has been in the junior high teaching Math and Bible since 2017. Sarah and her husband have been married since 2008, and have three wonderful sons. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Teaching and inspiring students to learn and grow is also one of her passions.
David Wenberg
7th Civics/Bible Teacher
Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Trinity Baptist College
FACCS and ACSI certified
David Wenberg is originally from California and has been a member of the United States Air Force for over 30 years. He spent three years teaching science at University Christian School of Jacksonville and is currently teaching Civics and Bible here at Trinity. David has been married for fifteen years to his wife, Jessica, and they have two children Lydia and Aiden. He is a certified scuba diver, enjoys sports, and travelling the world experiencing different cultures and seeing historical sights.
Getachew Wendim
AP Calculus Teacher
Bachelor’s degree in statistics/mathematics from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; Master’s degree in economics from the Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna Austria; Master’s degree in transformational leadership and change from Greenwich University, London, UK; Master’s degree in math from Jacksonville University.
Getachew Wendim has been at TCA since 2013 teaching math at all levels - Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Probability & Statistics, and Calculus. He also teaches at Jacksonville University and Florida State College at Jacksonville. Before coming to the United States, he worked in a government office in Ethiopia starting from an expert level to a higher official level, and as well taught quantitative courses as a part-time lecturer for four years in Addis Ababa University.
Cliff Willis
8th PE/Bible Teacher
Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies - Major in Physical Education and Minor in Bible
FACCS Certified
Cliff Willis has been part of the Trinity team since 2010. Prior to starting at TCA, he spent 21 years as a manager in the automotive industry. He has been married to his wife, Jill since 1982. They have been blessed with 3 wonderful daughters, Rachel, April, and Ariel. April and Ariel both graduated from Trinity. They also have 3 grandchildren, Emma, Abbie, and Parker. Cliff is the Boys JV head basketball coach and the assistant head coach for the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team. He is also the designated chaperone for all senior trips. Originally from Chicago, he is a huge Bulls, Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks fan. His hobbies include fishing and lots of it.
