COVENANT ACADEMY - Key Persons
Coach Matt Young (PE) believes athletics is a great way to build and instill character. As creator of "Story Time Soccer" his stated core values for physical education include fun, discipline, confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Coach is always ready to integrate Christian values and the teaching of Jesus into his lessons on the field.
Dr. Wilson, a graduate of the University of Florida and St. Leo University, holds a Doctor of Education degree from Liberty University. Having taught in a traditional setting and homeschooling her children, Dr. Wilson founded and launched Covenant Academy, Florida's only University-Model® school, in 2015. She serves as a Regional Representative for UMS I, in the southeast. She is also founder of Life and Learning, an educational resource for parents. Her passion is to encourage parents in the training of their children, to help students experience the gospel, grow spiritually, and reach their full potential in Christ. She and her husband, Ron, adore their two children and three grandchildren. They are members of and serve at Local Church St. Pete.
Mrs. Angela Gleichowski earned her Associates degree from St. Petersburg College and continued her studies in Elementary Education at Bryan College. As a former homeschool parent, she is passionate about fostering curiosity and a love for learning. The past 7 years she has served as both a teacher and the Children's Ministry Director at her church. She enjoys spending time with family, being active, and reading. She and her family attend Building 28 Church, in Clearwater.
Mrs. Anne Eide has a bachelor's in Social Work from Winona State University. She and her husband Brian have five sons and one daughter-in-law. Mrs. Eide has 16 years of homeschool experience, is passionate about both strong academics and character building, and is excited and thankful to be a part of the Covenant Academy Community along with her two youngest sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, speed walking, and reading. She and her family are members and serve at Faith Community Church in Seminole.
Mrs. Colbert has a degree in Special Education from USF. She works with individual students as well as teachers to enhance the R.E.AD. program. Her creativity and experience is a blessing to the Covenant Academy staff and families.
Mrs. Denning attended the University of Alaska, majoring in history. Her passion for history is a catalyst for making learning fun and relevant. She is very familiar with University Model schooling and Covenant Academy having more than a decade teaching her three children through the program. With this experience, she is uniquely qualified to partner with parents in their role as parent-teacher. Mrs. Denning and her family attend Gulf Coast Church in Largo.
Mrs. Stevenson retired from a career in nursing to join the Covenant Academy staff where she is free to share her Christian values and worldview, in addition to her expertise in the field of science. She is a graduate of USF with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. As a Covenant Academy parent prior to coming on staff, she understands the program and the need for good teacher-parent communication. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and gardening. The Stevenson family attends Community Bible Baptist Church.
Mrs. Hannah Gibson is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She especially loves teaching the younger grades and has taught kindergarten for several years. She looks forward to sharing her faith and partnering with parents to educate her students. Mrs. Gibson enjoys craft projects, cooking, and baking. She attends Faith Community Church with her husband.
Mrs. Thornton earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Alabama and has taught in both public and private school. Decades of ministry experience in local churches has taken her to New Zealand and back. Mrs. Thornton has a passion for Christian education and creativity; she feels closest to our Creator when she is immersed in literary, visual, and architectural arts. Her husband, Dillon, is the Lead Pastor at Faith Community Church. They have two boys attending Covenant.
Job Titles:
- Director of Educational Services
Mrs. Karen Hopping has a Bachelor of Science degree Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech. She has thirteen years of experience successfully homeschooling her own children and more than a decade of experience providing educational services to our parents. She is passionate about helping parents prepare their children for God's purpose. She works with students and parents to ensure their readiness for early college. Mrs. Hopping loves spending time with her two children and five grandchildren. She is a longtime member of Gulf Coast Community Church in St. Petersburg.
Mrs. Marcia DiPietro earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Evangel University and loves music, playtime, and storytelling as avenues for teaching young children. Having taught in public, private school, and Montessori school, her most rewarding experience has come from homeschooling her own children. Students and parents benefit from Mrs. DiPietro's engaging learning activities and attendance to character development. Mrs. DiPietro and her husband serve as pastors of Faith Assembly St Pete.
Mrs. Morgan Holton is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has taught in both private and public schools. She loves the joy that younger students have for learning and is excited to have a classroom community centered on Jesus. Science is her favorite subject to teach, as she loves investigating and discovering how intentional the Lord was with creation. She attends Local Church St. Pete with her husband!
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Activities
Mrs. Paola Hernandez grew up in Venezuela, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Physics. She also holds a Masters of Theology from New Covenant University. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Hernandez serves as the Director of Student Activities, supervising student clubs, councils, competitions and school events. In this role she shares her administrative gifts which she imparts to student leaders. She and her family attend Calvary Chapel Fellowship in St. Petersburg.
Mrs. Paola Hernandez grew up in Venezuela, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics. She also holds a Masters of Theology from New Covenant University. Mrs. Hernandez shares her passion for math and God's design for order with her students. Under her wing, students learn useful organizational and study skills that help to develop math understanding and important life skills. She and her husband Luis enjoy teaching their daughter who attends Covenant. The family attends Calvary Chapel Fellowship in St. Petersburg.
Mr. Lee has three children who attend Covenant Academy. Teacher assistants are used to fulfill many roles at Covenant Academy. From Recess and Lunch Supervision, to classroom help, our assistants allow teachers time for planning and individual work with students.
Mrs. McLawhorn has three children who attend Covenant Academy. Teacher assistants are used to fulfill many roles at Covenant Academy. From Recess and Lunch Supervision, to classroom help, our assistants allow teachers time for planning and individual work with students.
Mrs. Stephany Condra attended Remington College, majoring in Computer Information Systems and Operations Management. After working in corporate management, her focus shifted. Wanting to devote more time to her family, she returned home to be more involved in their daughters' education and began teaching alongside her husband at their local church. Her love for children and their hunger for learning is a passion God has placed on her heart. Mrs. Condra loves to read, bike ride, laugh, sing, dance, and teach people about Jesus through her testimony and His truth.
Mrs. Susan Estes brings more than thirty years of teaching experience and expertise to Covenant Academy. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Reading. Mrs. Estes's love for Jesus is expressed in her teaching and interaction with students and parents alike. Her genuine care for the school community is a blessing to all. In addition to teaching, she loves spending time with her three grandsons who live in Kentucky.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Registrar
Mrs. Toni Carr has been at Covenant Academy since the start and is actively and wholeheartedly committed to our program. She welcomes new families and helps them through the registration process. In addition, Mrs. Carr manages volunteers, fundraisers, and assists the Administrator with a variety of tasks. Having spent more than twenty five years homeschooling her seven children, she embraces the University-Model approach to education as a win win for parents and students. She attends Faith Community Church in Seminole.