CIRCLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Owner of Valuation & Litigation Services
Adam is the owner of Valuation & Litigation Services, LLC in Orlando and is a forensic accountant, a business appraiser/valuator, and an expert witness in court. He lives in Winter Garden with his wife Amy and their five children, all of whom have attended or are attending Circle. Adam graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate in finance as well as an MBA with a finance concentration and has various designations related to his work. He also serves as a deacon at St. John's Presbyterian Church (PCA) and is actively involved in Trail Life USA Troop 40, both based in Winter Garden.
Bryna Cannon has been part of Circle Christian School since she became a CCS student in 3rd grade. After graduating from Circle in 2004, she earned a B.A. in English at the University of Central Florida and returned to CCS to teach in 2009. Over the years, she has taught in a variety of Lower and Upper School programs and has served in several administrative roles. She has spent most of her time here as the eLearning Campus administrator and teaching middle school English and high school French. She is married to a fellow CCS graduate and has two young daughters.
Cathy Godlewski holds a B.A. in Communications from University of Central Florida. She and her husband Vic, have 5 adult children. She homeschooled through Circle for 19 years. Cathy taught English and PE in Circle's HOUSE program and tutored for Classical Conversations. She also enjoyed teaching Humanities to Middle School students at Trace Academy for 3 years. Cathy feels that God prepared and called her to the position of an Upper School Parent/Teacher Liaison in 2019, serving the parents, teachers and students at Circle.
Job Titles:
- Class Enrollment Specialist
Cheryl Adams is the class registrar and assists with financial questions as well. Cheryl monitors class sizes and waitlists and keeps families updated as to their status in joining classes that they may be waitlisted for. Cheryl also assists current families with the admission process for their younger students. Cheryl joined the Circle team in 2006, after her youngest daughter, Sarah, graduated from Circle. Cheryl loves assisting families with choosing appropriate classes and helping them to get the best class schedule possible.
A native to the state, Cory was born in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He graduated from Stetson University's Business School, where he met his wife, Maureen. Cory is grateful for the privilege of being a father to their four amazing children, who are each students at Circle. Cory is a Strategic Sales Director at Medallia, providing companies the ability to have bi-directional conversations with their customers, collect that feedback, collate and disseminate it to those who can take action and bring innovation to the business.
David began his CCS journey in the fall of 2007 when he, along with his beloved wife Erin and their sons, Jake and Sam, relocated from Southern California to Sanford for David to begin his tenure at Ligonier Ministries as their Video Producer. This move came after almost 20 years in a variety of production roles in Hollywood, all of which groomed him to begin producing educational content for world class bible teachers such as RC Sproul. He continues to serve at Ligonier, now as Senior Manager of Production. In his spare time he can most often be found building sets for Circle Theatre Company, where both of his boys thrived during their years at CCS. David is immensely proud of his extremely talented sons, both of whom graduated from Circle, and is grateful to CCS for playing such an integral role in who they have become professionally and spiritually. He holds a BA in Radio/TV-Film from California State University at Long Beach.
Erin Theriault is thrilled to be Circle Christian School's Arts Director. She has been a part of the Circle Theatre Company family since 2007, serving in a variety of capacities. She is currently also the CTC Vocal Director and has musically directed many CTC shows including You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Through the Looking Glass, The Marvelous Wonderettes '58, Jingle in the City,and Anything Goes. Erin also spent many years as a performer, and has appeared on television, in musical theatre, and in concerts throughout the United States, Japan, and South America with Ray Conniff and the Singers. In addition to live performances, Erin has a variety of recordings to her credit as both a singer and songwriter, and has worked with such artists as Richard Carpenter and Glenn Frey. As a performer herself, she loves being a part of helping students find their own passion and love for the arts. She currently resides in Sorrento, FL, where she performs her favorite role of wife to David and mom to Jake (CTC alum and current CSP Director) and Sam (CTC alum and Palm Beach Atlantic University Music Composition Major, Class of 2019).
Job Titles:
- Director of Lower School
- Is Director of Lower School
Gretchen Simmonds is Director of Lower School. Gretchen has been a familiar face around Circle since 2010. First joining the Circle team as a 6th grade teacher, she then stepped into an additional leadership role, serving as Program Director for numerous years. In 2018, she began serving in her position as Lower School Director. Gretchen feels called to partner closely with Lower School families as they seek the best educational options for their students through our parent-directed model. Gretchen holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida. She not only brings her professional experience to her role, but also her personal experience as a Circle parent. Gretchen is married to Michael, Circle's Director of Spiritual Formation and Athletic Director, and they have three wonderful children (two currently enrolled at Circle and one a Circle grad). In her role as Lower School Director, Gretchen has the delight of providing valued support to parents, guiding educational programming, leading teachers, and encouraging students.
Jeanne Vanetta earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida. She is married to Bret and has two children who both attend the Circle Christian Calvary Campus. Jeanne enjoyed a career as a paralegal before the Lord called her to focus on schooling Nathanael and Grace. Since 2010, she has partnered with Circle in homeschooling her children. Jeanne works as Parent Teacher Liaison for Circle and enjoys the blessings of serving the Circle parents, students and teachers.
Jill Workman has been a part of Circle Christian School for more than 14 years as both a parent and, in recent years, as a staff member. Jill home schooled her two daughters, accumulating 18 years of home education experience. She thoroughly enjoys coming alongside families in partnership for their student's success at CCS. Jill will tell you it takes heart, humility, and humor to endure the calling God places on parents who choose parent-directed education for their children.
John is the CEO of CFS Financial, a consulting firm which engages primarily with nonprofit organizations to resolve debt disputes, negotiate debt terms, and resolve other financial management matters. Prior to CFS John spent 28 years in commercial banking. He is a student of theology and fills several servant leadership capacities at his church. His experience includes an adjunct teaching role at The University of Central Florida as well as board service with various nonprofit entities. John has been married to Connie for 35 years. They have one daughter, a 2016 Circle grad.
Karen Cory is mother to four amazing kiddos! She and her husband, Mike, have homeschooled them through Circle since 1999. Hannah graduated 2012, Luke in 2014, Gabe is set for 2022 and Sophie 2024. She strongly believes in the power of schooling together as a family and also in Circle's model that allows incredible flexibility in meeting students academic, social and extra curricular needs. When not homeschooling, or working at CCS, she enjoys volunteering her time with Circle's incredible theatre program, reading and long walks through the woods with the family dog…Maya :)
Linda Buskirk began her adventure with Circle in 2005 with two elementary boys who just lost their father. Her boys were active in Circle athletics until their graduation. Linda received her Bachelors in Elementary Education, has been blessed to assist in the Culinary Arts program for two years and is now in the guidance department as an Academic Advisor. Linda describes her Circle experience as abundantly more than she could have asked for (Ephesians 3: 20-21). She loves family-time, encouraging others in their walk with Christ and serving at her church.
Job Titles:
- Lower School Campus Manager, Winter Springs
Job Titles:
- Senior Guidance Academic Assistant
Job Titles:
- Head of School
- Team in 2020 As the Director
Matt joined the Circle Team in 2020 as the Director of Guidance after spending 15 years teaching in Christian Education. Matt is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. He enjoys using his experience in the classroom and Christian Education to help build relationships and guide families to find the best path for their individual student's educational success. Matt enjoys working with families to explore each student's interests and passions as they prepare for their steps into college and beyond. He is excited to get to know Circle families and provide the direction that will lead to each student's success.
Melanie has been a "Circle Mom'' since 2012, and she is the CFO of Circle Christan School, Inc. Melanie is a CPA licensed in the States of Florida and Texas. She graduated with a Master of Science in Taxation from Texas A&M University, and she graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She began her career in Dallas with Ernst & Young, LLP, where she worked with a number of Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She was a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters for 16 years. Melanie re-entered the workforce in public accounting after her youngest daughter started high school.
Job Titles:
- Director of Spiritual Formation and Athletic Director
Michael is a long time Circle dad, worship leader, and CCS teacher. He has served in the athletic department as a coach from 2012 - 2018 and joined the athletics administration team in 2019 as an associate athletic director. Michael assumed the role of Athletic Director at the end of the 2019-20 school year. A graduate of Stetson University in DeLand, Michael is one of the founding ministers of the Church at 434 in Winter Springs. Michael is a child of God, the husband of Gretchen, and the dad of Patrick (2018), Max (2022) and Katie (2024).
Job Titles:
- Director of Technology
- Team in 2021 As the Director of Technology
Michelle joined the Circle Team in 2021 as the Director of Technology after spending 10 years teaching humanities and space exploration. She graduated from Florida International University with a double degree, triple majoring in History, International Relations, and Liberal Studies while minoring in Religion and Art History. While Michelle has many interests, her faith in Christ informs her everyday life more than any other discipline. She devoted her graduate work to Theological Studies earning a Master's degree from Southeastern University. Most recently, Michelle worked at NASA Kennedy Space Center in the education department teaching astronomy, space exploration, rocket science, and biology. Her abilities in technology, website design, and FACTS are a natural fit to join Circle's leadership team as the Director of Technology.
Mrs. Julie Cashion holds a B.A. in Interior Design/Art from Samford University. She has been a homeschooling parent, with her husband Jeff, to six children for 23 years and has done so through Circle since 2008. Mrs. Cashion began working at Circle Christian School in January of 2018 as an assistant to the campus manager on the Winter Springs campus. In the spring of 2020 she moved into the position of Parent Teacher Liaison under the leadership of the Upper School Director. Mrs. Cashion believes strongly in the parent-directed education model and the way it helps strengthen students in their God given talents and abilities. She loves students and families and desires to assist them in their efforts to be successful in our unique university model. She has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Circle Christian School for 13 years and counting!
Job Titles:
- Director of Guidanc
- Director of Guidance
Rayna Sousa started as a Circle parent in 2003 with Joseph (2011) and Lydia (2018), then joined the Circle Guidance team in 2017. She works closely with College Board and ACT to set up testing accommodations and assists students in the college application process. She loves meeting with parents and students to map out a high school course plan that will build confidence and success in their years after graduation. Rayna is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.
Job Titles:
- Lower School Campus Manager, Winter Garden
- Upper School Campus Manager Winter Garden