Faculty & Staff Directory

Debbie Smith

Fourth Grade Teacher

After teaching third grade at Geneva for thirteen years, Debbie Smith joined the fourth grade teaching team in 2024. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. Debbie taught at Orangewood Christian School in Maitland, FL for eleven years, including nine years as a second grade teacher and two and a half years teaching the enrichment program (a program that she developed for gifted second–sixth grade students). An avid runner, she also coached the Orangewood varsity cross country team for six years.

Debbie and her husband, Verne, have two children—Raquel ’19 and Clay ’21. She enjoys studying the ocean and nature along the Florida coast on her family’s frequent trips to the beach to visit her mom.

Elizabeth Smith

Director of Lower School 3rd–6th Grade

Elizabeth Smith joined The Geneva School faculty in 2019. After spending four years on the fifth grade team, Elizabeth assumed the role of director of lower school 3rd–6th grade in 2023. She graduated from the State University of New York College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) in 2005 with a double major in elementary education and English. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in liberal studies from SUNY Stony Brook. Elizabeth spent seventeen years in the classroom with experience in all areas, including high school and middle school. In addition to her time at Geneva, she taught in New York for ten years and at Orangewood Christian School for three years.

Elizabeth and her husband, Greg, live in Casselberry with their children, Audrey (TGS Class of 2029) and Everett (TGS Class of 2032). She and her family attend Orlando Grace Church and like to spend time at Disney and the beach. Elizabeth enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and traveling.

Henry Spears

Music Teacher

Henry Spears joined TGS in 2022. His family helped instill in him a love of music at a young age, and he grew up having many jam sessions with his siblings. At Geneva, he serves as the guitar director, jazz band co-director, dialectic orchestra director, and assists with the band, choir, and orchestra programs. He also teaches a variety of instruments privately, including guitar, piano, voice, drums, and ukulele.

Henry serves at his church by playing with the worship team and through audio/visual setup, and he has been teaching lessons at The Avalon/East Orlando School of Music Since 2017. Outside of music, you can find Henry riding roller coasters at Universal or fixing up his 1984 Dodge truck.

Tecy St. Louis

Sixth Grade Teacher

Tecy joined The Geneva School faculty in 2024 and is honored to serve as a member of the sixth grade teaching team, bringing with him over twelve years of experience in education.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida International University (Miami, FL), Tecy taught science and math in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties over the span of ten years. Most recently, he taught seventh grade Bible at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, FL, from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, his teaching experiences extend beyond the classroom, working as a clinician, mentor, and consultant at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes (in Coral Gables, Weston, and Key Biscayne, FL); a tutor in a variety of contexts including Classical Conversations, the Miami-Dade Public Library System, and Tutorosity (his personal tutoring service); and as a homeschool teacher at Motivating Minds (in Key Biscayne, FL). Tecy has also taught English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) through VIPKid, an online teaching platform for students residing in China.

Prior to his family’s relocation to the Central Florida area in 2024, Tecy cherished his twelve-year membership at, and ministry to, Miami Bible Church. There, he served as a deacon and held a lead teaching role among the middle and high school students. While a state-certified educator, Tecy maintains the status of “student,” having completed some seminary coursework at The Expositors Seminary (Jupiter, FL) and is actively pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership with a focus in data analytics at the American College of Education. Aside from teaching, tutoring, and studying, Tecy is content to hold a good book in one hand and a basketball in the other. Yet there is nothing Tecy looks forward to more than spending time with his darling wife, Homene, and their two children, Aletheia (class of ’32) and Ethan (class of ’35), both current students at Geneva.

Lorrie Stewart

K4 Teacher

Lorrie Stewart is a native Floridian who taught kindergarten for four years in the public school system prior to coming to Geneva. She received a degree in elementary education (K–6) and certification in early childhood from the University of Central Florida. Lorrie has been part of the Geneva faculty and family since her eldest child entered kindergarten in 2000. She served for three years as a teacher’s aide in kindergarten and fell in love with the program. This love sparked a desire and passion to create and implement a K4 program for The Geneva School. This became a reality in 2003.

Lorrie loves helping young children develop their imaginations and a love of learning. She delights in the uniqueness of each child and strives to provide an environment where her students know they are loved, encouraged, and cared for. Working with families to provide a positive learning experience is just one of the many reasons she loves her job!

Lorrie and her husband Gary have two boys: Jordan (TGS Class of 2013) and Davis (TGS Class of 2015). She enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, and working in the yard.

Elisabeth Sutton

Fourth Grade Aide

Elisabeth Sutton has been the fourth grade aide since 2010. She started working at The Geneva School after years of volunteering in the classes of her two children. She then began substituting in various positions around the school with everything from teacher’s aide and front desk receptionist, to lunch server and librarian.

Elisabeth received a marketing degree from the University of Central Florida and worked in commercial printing sales for twelve years before staying home as a full time mom. She was born in Ostersund, Sweden, but was raised here in the Central Florida area by Swedish parents and still has the gift of the language. She especially enjoys the Viking portion of the fourth grade curriculum and pronouncing the Viking names for the children!

Outside of school, Elisabeth enjoys spending time with her family. Elisabeth and David have two adult children: Zak and Lauren attended TGS and both went on to graduate from FSU with sales degrees. Lauren is an assistant zone business manager for Frito-Lay in Jacksonville and Zak is an account executive with DarkTrace (selling Cyber Security Technology). Elisabeth also enjoys travel, the outdoors and camping, photography, jewelry making, sewing, reading, and loves dogs. Elisabeth and her family attend Northland Church.

Leigh Swain

Third Grade Teacher

Leigh Swain joined the Geneva family in 2017. She served as the sixth grade aide and as a teacher in both third and second grade before returning to third grade in 2023. She is thrilled to be a part of TGS and is grateful for the opportunity to work with Geneva’s third graders. Leigh received her BA in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She spent two years as an elementary school teacher in North Carolina and then eleven years homeschooling her four children.

Leigh and her husband, Scott, have four children: Carly, Sophie, Josiah (TGS Class of 2023) and Micah (TGS Class of 2025). In her spare time, Leigh enjoys reading and travel.

Tracy Talesnick

Director of Soccer / Head Girls Soccer Coach / Lunch Coordinator

Tracy Talesnick grew up playing soccer in Tampa. She represented the state of Florida on state select teams during high school, made the southern regional team and U.S. women’s national soccer team. Tracy attended North Carolina State University on a soccer scholarship, played in the final four, was team MVP, and captained a team that was in the top 10 her final three years in college. Tracy was an all-south and ACC first team selection multiple times, and was on the ACC academic honor roll all four years. Finally, Tracy continued to represent the U.S. while in college – playing in two Olympic training festivals.

After graduating from NCSU, Tracy worked for two years before pursuing her MBA at University of Florida. After completing her MBA she took a job with Progress Energy in Central Florida. She continued to play adult soccer and began to dip her toe into coaching. Tracy has now been coaching both boys and girls, at many different age levels, both in the club and school setting, since 2003.

“I really enjoy coaching young people and sharing my love for the beautiful game. I believe in teaching fundamentals and focusing on long-term development, not the quick fix that wins a game. I see my players as individuals that need to not only be taught soccer, but to embrace hard work and commitment to a team. Additionally, I believe strongly that the players should treat other teams, refs and parents with respect, that we win and lose games with class, and that we keep sports in the proper perspective in life.”

Off the field, Tracy volunteers regularly for her church and The Geneva School. Tracy and her husband, Noah, have two Geneva graduates: Nathan (class of ’18) and Taylor (class of ’20).

Scott Thigpen

Director of College Counseling
321-422-0213

Scott Thigpen joined the Geneva staff as the director of college counseling in the summer of 2012. He came with over ten years of management, leadership, and counseling experience in multiple settings. Scott received his BS in Business from the University of Central Florida in 2004. He went on to earn his graduate degree in counseling psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2007. As a manager and program director for public and non-profit organizations, he has had the opportunity to develop skills in promoting programs to outside stakeholders, to work one-on-one and in groups to counsel students, and to organize and develop multiple programs. Scott also has experience counseling in private practice settings and is a former college minister with Metro Church, located in Winter Springs. He is also a graduate of Leadership Seminole Class 21, where his class raised over $400,000 to build a dental unit that serves adults in need.

Scott admits the best thing about his job is building relationships with students and having the privilege of guiding them into higher education. Scott also submerges himself in the Geneva student culture by being involved with the wider student body. He is a co-sponsor of the senior class, competes in the faculty vs. varsity boys annual basketball game, and chaperones the senior trip to North Carolina. Outside of work, Scott’s schedule remains busy, spending time with his wife Alyssa, their three children, four chickens, two bunnies, two fish, and a cat.

Alyssa Tompkins

Math & Science Teacher

Alyssa Tompkins joined the Geneva faculty in 2023 and teaches math and science in the rhetoric school (Scientific Revolution, AP Physics, and Astronomy). After graduating from UCF with a degree in physics and a minor in science education, she taught high school physics and chemistry in public school for three years. Alyssa has a passion for science, with a focus on how the study of creation gives us a deeper understanding of our Creator. Her favorite topics include optics, astrophysics, and thermodynamics. She loves to learn, and she will often be found researching new and interesting science topics in her free time.

Alyssa and her husband Nathan-Andrew love to play board games, read fantasy novels, and explore nature together. They are connected with their church community, and they enjoy taking part in board game nights and other fellowship opportunities. Alyssa is passionate about music and enjoys singing and playing guitar and piano. She is also a member of her church’s worship team. Alyssa’s perfect day includes reading a good book, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.

Juliette Trafton

Drama Teacher

Juliette joined the lower school drama team in 2024 and is thrilled to work with the young artists at Geneva, helping them use their unique gifts to bring characters and stories to life for the glory of God. Juliette holds a BFA in theatre from Abilene Christian University.

Before moving to Orlando in 2019, Juliette lived in NYC with her husband and three children and worked as a professional actor. Notable credits include starring as Luisa in the longest-running musical in the world, The Fantasticks, directed by Tom Jones in New York City, and performing the role of Christine Daae (u/s) alongside her husband, Stephen, as Raoul in the National Broadway Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. The two met and married during their time on Phantom. While living in NYC, they were actively involved with Redeemer Presbyterian Church and served as worship leaders for City to City and The New York Project as well as the Westside, Downtown, and Lincoln Square congregations, with Stephen eventually working on staff as the youth director. The two created a scripture performance ministry called Living Letters (living-letters.com) with the hope of using their acting gifts to bring the word of God to life and into the hearts of their audiences.

After becoming a mother to three (all now Geneva students!), Juliette transitioned successfully to acting in commercials. She continues to work in commercials here in Orlando as well as perform in concert with her husband, both locally and across the country. Juliette loves coaching actors and teaches privately from her home. For fun, Juliette enjoys being outside with her family playing games. She is also partial to a good cup of coffee and delights in training the family doodle, Digory!

Mandy Turnbull

English Teacher

Mandy Turnbull joined The Geneva School in 2014 with seven years of teaching experience in both public and private settings. Mandy earned her undergraduate degree in secondary English education from Asbury University and her Master of Liberal Studies degree from Rollins college, completing her course requirements with a thesis on modern American literature. Mandy’s true passion is literature and poetry, and she loves to help students explore the way in which the skill of the written word can lead to the artistry of story.

Mandy and her husband, Chad, married in 1998 and have three children (Madeline ’20, Charley ’23, and Annabelle ’26). The Turnbull family has been a part of the Geneva community since 2008 when their oldest daughter, Madeline, entered the first grade. They are continually grateful to participate in a community that supports one another in the pursuit of piety, virtue, wisdom, and grace.

Linda Urichko

Fifth Grade Teacher

Linda Urichko joined the TGS fifth grade team in 2022. She is a teacher committed to providing a catalytic, organized, and Christ-centered environment for students to thrive using critical thinking skills. She brings an enthusiasm for learning following thirty-plus years in the classroom. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, she taught in Orange County, at a private Christian school, and in an aerospace and mechanical engineering magnet program in Seminole County prior to coming to Geneva. She is also certified in reading and gifted education.

Linda resides in Longwood with her husband, Kevin, of over thirty years, who is a local pastor. They have two grown children: Kristen is a physician assistant and married to Cameron Outlaw and Isaac is a financial analyst.

Other than spending time with her family, Linda enjoys the beach, reading, and exercise. Her passion for Jesus is what motivates all that she does.

Peter Vande Brake

Rhetoric Dean of Students / Bible Teacher
321-422-0224

The son and grandson of teachers and pastors, Dr. Peter Vande Brake joined the Geneva administration in 2019 as director of the upper school, and he transitioned to the dean of students position in 2021. He has a passion for teaching and discussing theology, especially philosophical theology, theodicy, and worldview. He has taught several courses in his career, including English, logic, rhetoric, worldview/media, Christian doctrine, Latin, and church history. He has also coached track and field for the last twenty-five years at both the college and high school level.

Peter attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he earned a BA in Philosophy and was a four-time All-American decathlete. He worked as a mental health worker at a psychiatric hospital for a year before going to Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he received an MDiv. He did his doctorate work in systematic theology, earning a PhD from Calvin Theological Seminary in 2000, and he was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2001. In 2020, he transferred his ordination to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). Peter completed the Van Lunen Fellows Program for Executive Leadership in July of 2009.

Peter worked as a teacher and coach at North Hills Classical Academy in Grand Rapids beginning in 1996 and served as headmaster from 1998–2010. In 2010, he began his nine-year tenure at The Potter’s House, an urban, Christ-centered school in Grand Rapids. There he served in various capacities, most recently as the high school principal.

Peter has served as a leadership consultant for the CiRCE Institute and has served on the national boards for CiRCE and the Society for Classical Learning. He has written several articles in the SCL Journal and in various CiRCE publications. For seven years, he taught a ten-month online course for CiRCE every year called “The Atrium,” in which students work through David Hick’s book Norms and Nobility.

Peter has been married to Susan since 1988, and they have two daughters, Olivia and Annake. Olivia is a Baylor University graduate (2018) and works as a NICU nurse at DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, and she is married to Austin Reichert. Annake is a graduate of Calvin University (2021) with a major in film and a minor in graphic design, and she works at Scott Allen Creative in Grand Rapids, a PR firm for non-profit organizations.

Christina Walker

Communications Coordinator
321-422-0236

Christina joined the Geneva community when she and her husband, Michael, enrolled their three children in 2016 (Michaela ’19, Christian ’21, and Eliana ’26). Before joining the advancement team in 2018, she was an active volunteer for the school, assisting with the annual auction and copy editing for The Courier.

Christina graduated from Longwood University, VA, with a BA in English and studied for one year at Reformed Theological Seminary.

After their year at RTS Orlando, the Walkers sojourned in Princeton (six years), Louisville (two years), and Dallas (nine years); they finally made their way back to Michael’s hometown of Winter Park in 2016. They attend First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Karen Ward

HR Coordinator

After working for fifteen years as a preschool teacher, Karen joined Geneva’s HR department in 2023. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in finance and worked in commercial banking before staying home with her children.

Karen lives in Maitland with her husband, John, and they have two children: Brandon, an operations manager for Axiom in New York City, and Sydney, a systems text engineer for Symbotic. Karen and John attend King’s Chapel and serve on the hospitality and set-up committees. Karen also enjoys playing pickleball, walking, reading, and going to the beach.

Jennifer Warner

Second Grade Teacher

After living in Charlotte, NC, for ten years, Jennifer relocated with her children back to Florida in 2020 and served with Geneva’s third-grade team for three years before transitioning to second grade in 2023. Jennifer grew up in Florida and graduated from Stetson University in 1995 with a degree in business management. After homeschooling her children for two years, she realized God was leading her to a future in education.

During her time in Charlotte, Jennifer was an integral part of the faculty at Covenant Day School for nine years. Her career started as a teaching assistant while she pursued a Master’s in Education from Wingate University. She then taught elementary school for four years. At CDS, Jennifer’s contributions extended beyond the classroom. She was a member of the Social Studies Curriculum Cabinet and the Math Curriculum Outcomes Team. She was a designated representative at The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project in New York in 2019. Jennifer was honored to act as an education advisor for The Christian and Missionary Alliance at the Middle East Field Forum in 2017 (Greece) and 2019 (Austria), where she provided academic testing and advice to missionary families and their children.

Jennifer has three children: Madeline, Olivia, and Landon (TGS Class of 2022). In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing at the beach, playing with her dog, Rosie, and traveling.

Amy Welday

First Grade Aide

Amy Welday was born and raised in South Bend, IN, and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, with a degree in interior design and housing. She and her husband David moved to Orlando in 1981, but they have never stopped missing all four seasons. They have raised three sons here. Hearing about a brand new school, called The Geneva School, in the fall of 1993 piqued their interest and their boys were quickly enrolled for the next fall. Prior to working at Geneva, Amy spent seven years as a preschool director and taught two, three, and four year olds for four years before that.

When the school day ends Amy enjoys scrapbooking, sewing, walking, and gardening. Amy and Dave have hosted a neighborhood Bible study in their home for over thirty-five years. Having a heart for young people, they have gotten involved in doing premarital counseling which has now expanded to include a Bible study with young couples. Most summers the family finds its way to the family homestead in Maine, which has been in the family since the early 1700s. It remains the gathering place for much extended family, which now includes seven grandchildren.

Robyn Whipple

KIndergarten Teacher

Robyn joined the kindergarten teaching team in 2024. She is a native Floridian who moved back to Florida in 2024 after living in Texas for eleven years. Robyn graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in early childhood education. After graduating, she began teaching pre-K and then taught kindergarten at a private school in Newport, Rhode Island, for three years. After her first child was born, she moved back to Florida to raise her family and later began homeschooling. It was during her homeschooling years that she discovered the wisdom and beauty of Christian classical education. In 2013, her family moved to Texas; four years later, three of her children began attending Covenant Academy, a Christian classical school. It was during this time that Robyn stepped back into the classroom, teaching pre-K for one year and being a second grade assistant for two years. She is excited to be a part of the Geneva community and for the wonderful opportunity to teach kindergarten again.

Robyn considers it a privilege to teach and guide students’ hearts and minds to love God and others. She is passionate about teaching children to see truth, beauty, and goodness in every subject and cherishes the moments of discipleship that happen naturally throughout the school day. Whether it is a word of encouragement, a word of correction, or a word of gratitude, she finds great joy in leading a child’s heart to the Lord.

Robyn and her husband, York, married in 1997 and have four children. Their oldest daughter, Grace, and her husband, Caleb, work for Dallas Baptist University and live in Dallas, Texas. Leah, their second daughter, is a junior at Texas A&M University in College Station. Their oldest son, Drew, is a freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Luke, their youngest, is a student at Geneva (TGS Class of ’28). In her spare time, Robyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, having date nights with her husband, reading good books, and being outdoors. Most importantly, she loves growing in her relationship with Jesus and seeks to glorify him in all she does.

Kamillia White

Math Teacher

Kamillia White began serving as a receptionist at the main campus in 2012, as the lunch program coordinator in 2015, and answered the call to teach algebra in 2017. Prior to that time, she served both as a member of the lunchtime staff and as a substitute teacher’s aide. She also enjoys a home business with Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Prior to life with children, Kamillia’s professional career experience is interesting and varied. She earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. From there she attained a MEng in Computer Engineering from Cornell University. She functioned as a computer analyst and system administrator for IBM, Duquesne Light Company, and Mellon Bank. After over ten years of corporate experience, Kamillia recognized God’s calling to serve the Lord through working in the community. She has held leadership roles for a number of not-for-profit organizations and her service to God has been most evident in the many roles she has held in her church life. Kamillia has led administrative, financial, as well as educational and children’s ministries. She is currently a member of Church on the Way, where she serves alongside her husband, Pastor Reginald J. White.

The Whites are blessed with three children: Martin (TGS Class of 2021), Charles (TGS Class of 2023), and Bailey (TGS Class of 2025). Kamillia was born and raised in the Washington, DC area, but prefers to call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her home.

Ron Wood

Girls Golf Coach

Ron began working with Geneva’s girls golf team in 2018. He views his coaching and mentoring of the girls as an extension of his ministry as a full-time pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Orlando, where he has served since 2012. Ron earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications with an emphasis in sports broadcasting from the University of Florida in 1997. He also earned an associate’s degree in golf management from The Golf Academy of America in 1999. Ron is currently enrolled at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary where he is seeking an MA in Pastoral Studies. He has been married to his wife Sabrina since October 2002, and they have one daughter, Selah ’30, whom they adopted from Armenia in 2014.

Elizabeth Yawn

Controller
321-422-0225

Elizabeth has been the accountant at Geneva since 2002. She received her BS in Accounting from Florida Southern College.

Elizabeth and her husband Tim are native Floridians and have been married since 1979. They have two grown daughters. Sarah and her husband, Thomas, live in Manhattan Beach, CA, with their daughter. Erin and her husband, Jason, live in Saint Augustine with their two sons. Elizabeth and Tim are members of Willow Creek Presbyterian Church. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, gardening, FSU football, and especially being Gram”E” to Wesley, Preston, and Magnolia and also the two grand dogs, Maize and Blue.

Scott Zellner CMP CSEP

Stagecraft Teacher / Drama Tech Assistant

Scott Zellner joined The Geneva School to teach stagecraft, a rhetoric school arts elective, in 2021. He is a seasoned theatrical professional and producer and has been a part of Central Florida’s themed entertainment industry for decades, including the project management of Universal Orlando’s opening of Islands of Adventure. Technical theatre and entertainment management have spanned his forty year career and bring a richness to his students’ instruction. Scott’s leadership and his skill in optimizing processes have spearheaded and implemented many professional concerts, live event productions, and trade shows in Orlando, Las Vegas, and across the United States. Scott and his wife, Kathryn Peters, currently own several entertainment businesses where he serves as the general manager, technical director, and producer.

Scott and Kathryn have three children, a son Derek Zellner, along with Reese (TGS Class of ’25) and Hayden Peters (TGS Class of ’23).