Academics

ACADEMICS Welcome New Bulldogs

Shea-Leah Addenbrooke, Summer Camp and Extended Care Director: Addenbrooke grew up in Eustis, and moved to Colorado eight years ago where she was a director at a local charter school. She has a huge passion for planning summer camps and afterschool activities. In her free time, Shea-Leah loves to travel, explore new activities, and spend time with family.

Carson Barker, Secondary Bible Teacher: Barker is a 2013 graduate of MDCA. He started at MDCA when he was two years old. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from FreedHardeman University. He married his wife, Briana, in 2019 and they now have two children, Kasey and Shiloh.

Claire Bell, Third Grade Teacher: Bell graduated from Mount Dora High School, where she played quarterback as the only girl on the boys' football team. She went on to graduate from The University of Central Florida with her bachelor's degree in elementary education. Bell absolutely loves teaching 3rd grade. She got married last year to her husband, Mikey. Outside of school, Bell loves plants, astronomy, running in Spartan Races, and spending time with her family.

Tannia Crane, Preschool 2s Lead Teacher: Crane was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to the U.S. at the age of 15. She graduated from high school in Illinois and moved to Florida in 2002. Crane has nine years of experience teaching primary grades in public education. She started her career at Orange County Public Schools and then moved to Lake County Schools. She and her husband, Carlos, have two girls, Salome and Michaela, who have been attending MDCA since preschool. Holly Hall, Kindergarten Teacher: Hall grew up in the Central Florida area, where her family still resides. She began her college education at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and finished her degree at Flagler College. Hall has served in the public school system for 18 years, mostly as a kindergarten teacher. She and her husband, Jason have two sons, Nolan and Liam.

Haley Lynn, Kindergarten teacher: Lynn is a first-year teacher from Searcy, Arkansas, where she received her education degree from Harding University. In her spare time, Lynn enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with friends. Haley was the children’s ministry intern at College Church of Christ in Searcy. During this time, she was able to organize events such as VBS and parents night out, and plan lessons for Sunday morning Bible classes.

Charles Marcussen, Chief Financial Officer: A native of South Bend, Indiana, Marcussen attended Harding University, earning degrees in Accounting and in Management and Marketing. For the past 20-plus years, Marcussen has served in various roles while progressing through the ranks in corporate and public accounting in both Little Rock, Arkansas, and Orlando, Florida. Marcussen's wife, Jennifer, is one of our VPK teachers. They have two daughters attending MDCA, Josie and Millie. Prior to being named Chief Financial Officer at MDCA, Marcussen was a Managing Partner at MSH CPAs in Orlando.

Tara Romano, Preschool Assistant: Romano grew up in upstate New York. She received her associate degree while pursuing a future in social work. Children, especially those with trauma, captured her heart. She went to Elim Bible College to learn about Jesus. Romano soon married Chris, and they now have five children. Two are now married, and Romano is a grandma of three. Romano and her family ministered at their home church for 23 years. There, they had the privilege of serving adults, youth, and children. During those years, she also received her degree in Biblical studies at Vision Christian Bible College and Seminary, where her husband is the president. This led them to move to Central Florida a year ago.

Susan Tillery, Third Grade Teacher: A 1970 graduate of MDCA, Tillery attended Lipscomb University, where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education and early childhood. Later, she received her master's degree in early childhood from Nova University and then a specialist degree in educational leadership from Barry University. Tillery has 42 years of experience in education. She and her husband, Douglas, will be celebrating 20 years of marriage this December. They have two children, several grandchildren, and one great grandson.

Liz Tucker, Secondary English Teacher: Tucker has been teaching middle school in Lake County for the last ten years. She has a bachelor's in Elementary Education from St. Leo University and a master's in special education with an intervention specialist certification from the University of Central Florida. Tucker and her husband have four children. She has a passion for inclusion in education and enjoys participating with Special Olympics and Best Buddies of Central Florida.

Banks Sewell, Band Director: Sewell grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and received his bachelor's degree in music from Faulkner University this past spring. While at Faulkner, he met his wife, Julie Anne. In his free time, he enjoys going to the beach, playing disc golf, and composing and arranging music.

Julie Anne Sewell, Elementary Music Teacher: Sewell is from Wetumpka, Alabama, and is a recent graduate of Faulkner University, where she received her BA in music. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, reading, and photography. She recently married Banks Sewell on June 4.

Brandi Smith, Fifth Grade Teacher: Smith has an Associate of Arts degree from Faulkner University and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Orleans. She has been married to her husband, Thomas, for 24 years. They have two children, Ella, a sophomore at Harding, and Evan, a junior at MDCA. Her family relocated to Central Florida seven years ago from Luling, Louisiana, where she taught fourth grade for 12 years. The Smith family attends Concord Street Church of Christ and volunteers with Lads to Leaders. Dr. Verna-Kay Smith, Secondary English Teacher: Dr. Smith married her retired military husband, Ken Smith, 34 years ago after meeting him at Faulkner University. The military took them on a life of world travel, moving every four years. They have two sons (Travis & Todd), one daughter-in-law (Lizzy), and one granddaughter (Madelyn Grace). Dr. Smith has a bachelor's, two master's, and a Ph.D. She was a government employee for 20 years and has taught students for three years. Dr. Smith is passionate about leadership, role modeling, confidence building, and empowering students.

Melanie Steill, First Grade Teacher: Steill was born and raised in Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's of Science in elementary education. She has taught in both public and private schools. Steill and her husband, Randy, have been married for 10 years, and they have three boys, Kyler, Camden, and Clayton, who all attend MDCA.

Tom Wagenhauser, Secondary Math Teacher: Wagenhauser is a 25-year veteran of the information technology industry, as well as a successful business owner, published book author, and public speaker. Wagenhauser was born and raised in Ohio and later moved to Indiana in 1999, where he met his wife, Kristin, and they had their daughter, Alexis. In 2016, he sold his IT business and moved to Florida where he bought and sold a restaurant, got into real estate, and later found a passion for coaching volleyball. His coaching experience reinvigorated a long-lost passion for teaching. With a love for math, Wagenhauser has taught high school math the past three years. He is a graduate of Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies.

Daniel Whaley, Secondary History Teacher: Whaley is originally from Fort Myers, Florida. He completed his undergraduate degree in secondary social studies education in Fort Myers at Florida Gulf Coast University. He started his teaching career at his alma mater in Lee County, Florida, and has taught there for the past 10 years.

The Class of 2022

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Valedictorian: Sophia Kainz

Salutatorian: Amelia Deleon

High School Student of the Year: Rebekah Baker

Mr. and Miss MDCA: Caleb Romano and Rebekah Baker

Christian Leadership Award: Caleb Romano and Rebekah Baker

Christian Athlete Award: Caleb Romano and Rebekah Baker

President’s Award: Emily Allen and Reggie Virgil

Scholarship Money: $2.4 million+

Hours of Community Service: 5,464

MDCA CLASS OF 2022 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Auburn University Aurora University

Baldwin Wallace University Bethany College

Cedarville University Chowan University Clemson University

Concordia University Wisconsin Culver-Stockton University Drury University East Tennessee State University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida State University Freed-Hardeman University

Geneva College

Harding University

Indiana Wesleyan University Jacksonville University Kettering University LaGrange College Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lake Sumter State College Lander University

Liberty University Lipscomb University Louisiana State University

Miami University (Ohio)

Muskingum University Ottawa University

Palm Beach Atlantic University Seminole State College Southeastern University

St. Thomas University

Stetson University

The Ohio State University University of North Carolina (Charlotte) University of North Carolina (Greensboro) Troy University University of Alabama University of Central Florida University of Colorado

University of Florida

University of Georgia University of Mississippi

University of Mount Union University of Nebraska

University of North Florida University of Northwestern University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Tampa University of Tennessee

Valencia College Vanderbilt University

Warner University Washington and Jefferson College

York College