Gina Rivera Fickett

Drama Teacher

Gina Rivera Fickett joined Geneva in 2021 as a grammar school drama teacher. Theater has played a significant role in her life from an early age. She received her BFA in Acting from Avila University and also studied Theater and Creative Writing at UCF. Post-graduation, she participated in a nine-month acting/education internship at Orlando Shakes, where she was able to perform, continue her training, and teach children of various ages about acting and Shakespeare. Later, she moved up to NYC to continue pursuing an acting career. She was blessed to be able to perform in a broad range of productions from Shakespeare plays to contemporary comedies to musicals, including an Off-Broadway musical with the Classical Theater of Harlem that won four Audelco Awards, one of which was Best Musical of the Year.

Her favorite role was playing Celia in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Hal (who was producing and acting in the show). Together they attend NewCity Orlando and have two amazing (and very dramatic) children, Elijah and Gabriella.

Kelly Rives

Science Teacher

After being a part of the TGS community since 2020 as a parent, volunteer, and substitute teacher, Kelly joined the dialectic teaching team in 2024, teaching physical science to eighth grade students. Kelly loves that the curriculum provides the students a hands-on exploration of God’s creation, including an introduction to both chemistry and physics through our Father’s grand design.

A native of Mississippi, Kelly graduated from Ole Miss where she earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education. She taught elementary school for four years before going back to school and earning a master’s in middle grades math and a specialist degree in middle grades language arts from Mercer University. It was at this time that Kelly discovered her love for middle school students, teaching both math and language arts. Kelly continued to teach for thirteen years until she and her husband, Ben, began having children and she had the opportunity to stay home with them.

The Rives family lived in Atlanta and Raleigh before landing in the Orlando area. Over the years, she has taught at her children’s elementary school, volunteered for a number of positions, tutored many grades, and substitute taught. Ben and Kelly have three children: Caroline, Sarah, and Lindley (TGS Class ’25 and currently attending George Washington University).

The Rives family attend River Oaks Presbyterian Church. During her free time with her family, Kelly enjoys going to the beach, doing puzzles, and snuggling with her precious puppy, Ruby.

Montanna Roberts

Second Grade Teacher

Montanna joined the Geneva second grade team in 2022 having previously taught fourth grade for one year in Kentucky. She graduated from Kentucky Christian University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in ministry.

Montanna’s passion for teaching was inspired while working with elementary-aged students as a counselor at a Christian camp during the summers of 2016 and 2017. She built lasting relationships with the campers and parents, and she was able to share the gospel with many. She then got involved with the local school system through her work studies in college, which ultimately led to her degree in elementary education.

Montanna enjoys being outdoors, gardening, baking, thrift-store shopping, soccer, and hanging out with friends and family. Montanna is thrilled to be a part of the Geneva community where the gospel is central to every area of life.

Kara Rogers

History Teacher

Kara and her family relocated to Florida in 2023 so that her daughter, Ailsa (class of ’29) could attend The Geneva School. Kara joined the teaching faculty at Geneva in 2024 and taught lower school science part-time for one year. In 2025, she transitioned to the dialectic school and currently teaches eighth grade history. Kara studied history and political science in the honors program at Baylor University and received her teacher training through the Master Teacher Fellows Program at Wake Forest University. After earning her master’s degree, Kara returned to Texas where she taught middle school social studies in Colleyville and in Highland Park. While classically homeschooling her daughter for seven years, she earned her South Carolina Master Naturalist certification through a collaboration between Clemson University and the Lowcountry Institute.

In her spare time Kara enjoys nature study, playing the piano, and walking her Labrador retrievers, Windy and Breezy. Her family attends First Baptist Church in Winter Park where Ailsa is active in the youth group.

Mary Chris Rowe

Music Teacher

A native Floridian, Mary Chris grew up in a Christian home where music played an integral part of family, church, and community life. She graduated from Florida State University (1991) with a degree in English education. While there, Mary Chris had the distinct honor of studying piano under the famed pianist, Leonidas Lipovetsky.

For many years, she has taught piano lessons, accompanied church services, and led numerous musical and dramatic performances. Mary Chris has written children’s songs professionally and enjoyed teaching music education to aspiring teachers at the Rafiki Institute for Classical Education in Uganda.

As a longtime classroom teacher, she incorporated music to develop creativity and active learning while building a nurturing culture of belonging. She treasures getting to know each child individually and come alongside families in the nurture of their children.

She and her husband, David, are the appreciative parents of Joey (TGS class of 2023). Along with their Golden Retriever Sadie, they greatly enjoy life in central Florida.

Luke Russo

Head Tennis Coach

Luke Russo came to TGS in 2019 and currently coaches the varsity tennis teams and students attending the after-school tennis programs. Geneva’s tennis program has grown and now has more than sixty players practicing year-round, and more than 350 athletes participating in Luke’s tennis camps that take place throughout the school year at the Geneva tennis courts.

Coach Luke grew up in Orlando and attended The First Academy where he found his passion for tennis, quickly moving up the ranks of the high school team. Luke became the team’s #1 player and team captain, and he received the MVP award for three consecutive years. While in high school, he began coaching when he was hired to practice with international students and was able to learn from the #1-rated coach in America, John Richards.

After graduating high school, Luke went on to play division II tennis at Lee University in Tennessee. His team finished top forty in the nation in 2016. While at Lee, Luke ran a special needs tennis camp, along with players on the team, to help kids who would not typically play tennis learn the sport. Luke went on to reach a career high of #199 in the ITF top 500 players in America and #11 in Florida.

In 2016, Coach Luke moved back to Orlando and started coaching at Lake Cane Tennis Center where he was promoted to head coach of the U10 programs and multiple women’s teams. After coaching more than three hundred players, gaining knowledge and experience, and improving his skill as a coach Luke started his own tennis program—Excellence Only Training—to help young players reach their tennis and life goals.

Luke loves nothing more than sharing his passion for the sport and is excited to work with players as they hone their tennis skills and learn to be leaders on and off the court.

Becky Ryden

English Teacher

Becky Ryden joined the TGS faculty in 2021 and teaches tenth grade English and the Journalism/Magazine elective, which publishes the student publication, The Post, and the literary magazine, Asterope. Becky has been involved in classical education as a parent, volunteer, and teacher for over twenty-five years. She previously taught at Geneva School of Boerne, TX for twelve years, and at The Covenant School in Dallas, TX, for two years. She has taught and developed curriculum for middle school English, and high school creative writing, English, and senior thesis. She has won numerous publication awards with the Texas UIL, National Scholastic Press Association, and the Gold Crown award with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Prior to teaching, Becky was a shoe buyer for Neiman Marcus in Dallas, TX, for fifteen years. She has a BA in English/Journalism from Baylor University.

Becky and her husband Brad have been married for thirty-nine years, and are the parents of four children: Alex, a doctor in Salt Lake City, UT; Ethan and his wife Sidney, architects in San Antonio, TX; Audrey, a designer in Atlanta, GA, along with her husband Jacob, working as an architect; and Eliot (TGS Class of ’23), a graduate of the Culinary School of America currently working as a pastry chef at Laity Lodge in Leakey, Texas.

Brad Ryden

Head of School

Brad Ryden joined The Geneva School in 2020 and serves as the head of school. He comes to Geneva after having served as head of school at Geneva School of Boerne, Texas, from 2006 to 2020. Prior to that, he served as a fifth grade teacher, lower school headmaster, and head of school at The Covenant School in Dallas, Texas, from 1994 to 2006.

Brad earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1988 followed by an MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1990 and an MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary in 1993. His intentions were to open a counseling practice. God intervened, presenting him with the opportunity to teach a fifth grade class at a newly formed Christian classical school. One year of teaching led to another, and soon Brad knew his life’s calling was in education. He has pursued graduate level studies through various programs including the Teacher’s Academy at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. Brad has also served on the board of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL).

Brad is married to Becky, and they are parents of four children: Alex, a resident in internal medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah; Ethan, an architect in San Antonio, Texas; Audrey, a designer in Atlanta, Georgia; and Eliot (TGS Class of ’23), a student at the Culinary Institute of America. Brad enjoys reading, watching and occasionally playing basketball, and pursuing the perfect cup of coffee.

Carol Sanders

Accounting Specialist

Carol joined the Geneva business office in November 2023 as an accounting specialist. After graduating from the University of Florida with an accounting degree, she married an army officer and spent the next thirty-five years moving all over the US and Germany, using her accounting background in a wide variety of jobs. Her most recent position before The Geneva School was as an accountant at Wakefield School in The Plains, Virginia. Carol has two grown sons: Tom is married and works as an analyst in Herndon, Virginia, and Jack is married and is a veterinarian in Winchester, Virginia.

Carol spends her free time caring for her nonagenarian father and reading voraciously. She is currently a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo.

Vanessa Schaefer

Science Teacher

Vanessa Schaefer joined the Geneva faculty in 2004 where she teaches science to grammar school students. She earned a BS in education from Concordia University with a concentration in early childhood education. Her career has spanned more than forty years teaching in elementary classrooms in Miami, Chicago, Oviedo, and Casselberry. She has had the opportunity to teach in a bilingual school, a multi-age classroom, and an inclusion classroom.

Vanessa currently resides in Longwood, Florida, with her husband Jay and son Peter. She and her family enjoy traveling, spending time at the beach, and a variety of other outdoor activities. Vanessa and Jay are active members at their home church, Ascension Lutheran Church in Casselberry. They currently teach confirmation classes and adult Bible studies as well as leading the middle school youth group.

Jill Schubert

Lower School Curriculum Coordinator

Jill earned a BS in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Grove City College and joined The Geneva School faculty in 2006. Her certifications include elementary education, early childhood education, and middle school mathematics. In the summer of 2019, she completed a 60-hour course on the Orton-Gillingham Approach to teaching reading and spelling.

During her time at TGS, Jill has taught third grade, fourth grade, and early childhood Spanish. In her role as Curriculum Coordinator, she supports the administration and faculty of the school in a variety of ways. Whether she is developing teaching materials, crafting a schedule, analyzing data, researching, or planning for the Spelling Bee, Jill is always looking to solve logistical puzzles in ways that will improve the teaching and learning experience for all involved.

Jill loves learning new things and delights in sharing this love of learning with others. She has interests in a number of creative areas including handcrafts and making music. She plays the piano, flute, oboe, handbells, and ukulele and enjoys singing. Most weekends she and her husband can be found taking in the local sights or completely absorbed in good books.

Hannah Seneff

History & Art Teacher

After returning to The Geneva School in 2021, Hannah Seneff was a member of Geneva’s sixth grade team for four years. In 2025, she transitioned to the dialectic school and currently teaches history and art to seventh graders. From 2003–2006 Hannah was a member of Geneva’s fourth grade teaching team. In her time away, she lived and worked in Kenya, attended school in New York, and taught seventh and eighth grade English for five years. She is thrilled to share her skills and experience with Geneva’s seventh graders.

Hannah was born and raised in Winter Park and graduated from Winter Park High School before heading to Wheaton College where she earned a degree in elementary education with a minor in sociology.

Hannah is a member of NewCity Church. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new cities, hosting friends, and painting.

Ryan Sharp

Director of Dialectic School / Bible Teacher

Ryan Sharp has been involved at Geneva since 2016 when his oldest four (of five) children enrolled at TGS and his wife, Shelly, began teaching fourth grade. In 2022, he transitioned from a very involved dad and occasional substitute teacher to a part-time employee, teaching the freshman Bible course. He currently serves (full-time) as the director of the dialectic school while continuing to teach the Foundational Biblical Doctrines class to ninth grade students.

Prior to serving at Geneva full-time, Ryan held senior management positions at Ligonier Ministries, Amazon, and FedEx Express. Ryan also tutored middle school students in English grammar for Classical Conversations for many years. All of these careers have enabled Ryan and his family to live in six different states and eight different cities.

Ryan holds a BS in Religion from Liberty University and an MDiv in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of ministry degree at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando. Ryan is also an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, boating (although there’s more “fixing” than “boating” going on these days), playing guitar, trying not to get hurt while playing soccer, and reading broadly. Most of all, Ryan enjoys spending time with Shelly and their five children, TGS classes of ’25, ’27, ’28, ’29, and ’32.

Shelly Sharp

Fourth Grade Teacher

Shelly is a native Floridian, she graduated from UCF (Go Knights!) with a bachelor’s in elementary education. After college, she taught various grade levels in both public and private schools in Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Shelly and her husband Ryan married in 1999 and they have five children: Michael, Matthew, Mark, Molly, and Megan, who walk the halls of Geneva.

In 2010, Shelly joined Classical Conversations as a tutor, where she fell in love with the classical model of education. She continued to tutor for the next three years, and in 2014 became a director of Classical Conversations in Seattle, WA, where she started a thriving community dedicated to knowing God and making him known. In 2015, she started another new Classical Conversations group in the Chattanooga, TN, area and tremendously enjoyed serving in that community as well. In 2016, Shelly had the honor of joining the fourth grade teaching team at The Geneva School.

Working full-time and raising five children is somewhat prohibitive of free time, but when Shelly does have a few moments to herself, she loves to do anything outside: hiking, walking, camping, swimming, and gardening—just to name a few things. She enjoys having friends over for conversation and a delicious meal. And, she loves playing with her kids—on occasion, you may even spot her with her favorite softball glove playing a game of catch.

Rob Shelton

Director of the Rhetoric School / Bible Teacher
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Rob Shelton came to The Geneva School in the summer of 2021 and currently serves as the director of the rhetoric school. He also teaches 12th grade Bible and a rhetoric school academic elective: The Life and Works of C.S. Lewis.

Prior to joining TGS, Rob served as the rhetoric school headmaster at Geneva School of Boerne, Texas, for fourteen years. Before his transition to Christian classical education, Rob worked for twenty-two years as a youth pastor (nineteen of them at one church). He was also a part-time lecturer in rhetoric and English for ten years at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Rob earned his BA and MA in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After the birth of their twin daughters, Rob and his wife, Kathleen, began investigating future educational options, and they were drawn to Christian classical education. He knew he had to be a part of this movement, so he transitioned from the church house to the schoolhouse, and now he is able to combine his calling to work with students with his desire to cultivate intellectually vibrant disciples of Christ.

Rob and Kathleen were married in 1987 and have twin daughters (very fraternal): Emily and Erica. Both graduated from Geneva School of Boerne and Calvin University and both are now married and living abroad: Emily in South Korea and Erica in England. Rob and Kathleen love Disney World and have spent way too much money there over the years, but they plan on spending more (especially now that they have grandchildren). Rob loves (in addition to his wife) reading, sports, and C.S. Lewis (mostly in that order). He and Kathleen attend First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Cyndy Shoemaker

English Teacher

Cyndy Shoemaker (aka Mrs. Shoe) joined the Geneva faculty in 2021. After teaching fourth grade for one year and sixth  grade for two years, she currently teaches eighth grade English. As a veteran classical educator, she has had the joy and privilege of teaching in classical schools in Vermont, Virginia, North Carolina, and now Florida. After graduating from Rockmont College, now Colorado Christian University, with a BA in Developmental Psychology, Cyndy and her husband traveled America courtesy of the Air Force. With each new address, she served in children’s and women’s ministries and home educated their three sons through their high school years. Along with her BA, Cyndy earned a master’s in theology with an emphasis in marriage and family counseling from Trinity College of the Bible and Seminary and a certificate from the Rosemond Leadership Parenting Coach Institute. A passion for partnering with parents as they train their children to love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbors as themselves has manifested itself in the education arena, where Cyndy’s biblical training and love of God’s word equip her to integrate the Scriptures and Christ-likeness into the academic life of her students.

Cyndy and her husband, Carl, have been ministering together for over forty years and have three grown sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and nine delightful grandchildren. They have had the privilege of seeing our beautiful country and meeting its amazing people. One of Cyndy’s bucket-list goals is to visit all fifty states; she has one left, Alaska!

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.

Tecy St. Louis

Latin Teacher

Tecy St. Louis joined The Geneva School faculty in 2024 and was honored to serve as a member of the sixth grade teaching team during his initial year. He brings over thirteen years of experience in education. Tecy currently serves as the lower school Latin teacher (3rd–5th grade).

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, in 2025 he earned an MS in organizational leadership from the American College of Education. 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. 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.

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 friends and her family. Elisabeth and David have two adult children: Zak and Lauren who both attended TGS and both went on to graduate from FSU with marketing degrees. Lauren is senior zone business manager for PepsiCo in Jacksonville and Zak is an account executive with DarkTrace (selling cyber security technology) for their Miami office. Elisabeth also enjoys travel, the outdoors and camping in their RV on summer road trips, photography, crafting, sewing, reading, and dogs (especially her Malitpoo, Gus).

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
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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.

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
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Dr. Peter Vande Brake joined the Geneva faculty in 2019 as director of the upper school and transitioned to the dean of students position in 2021. He is the son and grandson of teachers and pastors. He grew up in various places in the Southeast where his parents taught at a few private schools and colleges in Georgia and Tennessee. He has a passion for teaching and talking about theology, especially philosophical theology, theodicy, and worldview. His favorite class to teach is a worldview/media class in which he explores both points of intersection and areas of divergence of popular culture and the Christian faith in the lives and hearts of his students. He has taught several other courses in his career including English literature and composition, logic, rhetoric, Christian doctrine, Latin, church history, and others. He has also coached track and field for the last thirty years at both the college and high school levels.

He attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he received a BA in Philosophy and was a four-time All-American decathlete. He was a mental health worker at a psychiatric hospital for a year before going on to seminary at Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he received his MDiv. He then did his doctoral work at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids obtaining a PhD in systematic theology in 2000 where he was a graduate assistant to Calvin Van Reken and Cornelius Plantinga. He taught an introductory philosophy course at Calvin College for a couple of years after completing his course work for his PhD as an adjunct faculty member. He was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA in 2001. He completed the Van Lunen Fellows Program for Executive Leadership in July of 2009. He taught, coached, and administrated at North Hills Classical Academy from 1996–2010 and served as the headmaster there beginning in 1998. He is a leadership consultant for The CiRCE Institute and has served on the national boards for The CiRCE Institute and the Society for Classical Learning.M ost recently he worked at the Potter’s House, an urban, Christ-centered school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 2010–2019 in various capacities and served as the high school principal from 2015–2019.

He has been a speaker many times covering various topics at the national conferences for The Society of Classical Learning and at the CiRCE Conferences. He has written several articles in the SCL Journal and in various CiRCE publications. He also teaches a ten-month online course for CiRCE every year called “The Atrium” in which he works through David Hick’s book Norms and Nobility with students. He has been married to Susan since 1988 and has two daughters, Olivia and Annake. Olivia is a Baylor (2018) and Vanderbilt University graduate (2024) and is working as a NICU nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Annake is a Calvin University graduate and works as a graphic designer for Cure International in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Christina Walker

Communications Coordinator
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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

Science Teacher

After living in Charlotte, North Carolina, for ten years, Jennifer returned to Florida with her children in 2020 and initially joined Geneva’s third-grade team. In 2023, she transitioned to second grade, and in 2025 she transitioned again and currently teaches lower school science.

A Florida native, Jennifer graduated from Stetson University in 1995 with a degree in business management. After homeschooling her children for two years, she felt God’s call to pursue a career in education. She later earned her Master’s in Education from Wingate University.

Jennifer spent nine years on the faculty at Covenant Day School in Charlotte, where she taught elementary students and contributed to curriculum development as a member of the Social Studies Curriculum Cabinet and the Math Curriculum Outcomes Team. In 2017 and 2019, she also served as an educational advisor for The Christian and Missionary Alliance at the Middle East Field Forum in Greece and Austria, providing academic support to missionary families.

She is an active member of the Junior Service League of DeLand, where she enjoys serving women and families in Volusia County. Outside the classroom, Jennifer loves paddleboarding, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Her greatest joy is watching her grown children pursue their unique callings with purpose and passion.

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 three adult children and Luke, their youngest, is a student at Geneva (TGS Class of ’28). She was blessed with the birth of her first grandson, Corban, in the summer of 2025. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, 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.