Administration

 

 

 

Luke Bennett –High School Principal
Graduated Belhaven University with MA, and Florida International University with BA. He is scheduled to complete his doctoral studies 2012. In the past he has served as an Athletic Director, PE Teacher, and MS & HS teacher. While at Foundation Academy, Luke has served as the HS Biology Teacher and Science Department Head, the Dean of Students, and now High School Principal. He is married to Jennifer Bennett and they have one son, Liam. Luke is an avid cyclist and runner. 

 

Mark Butler – Athletic Director
Graduate of Pensacola Christian College with Master in Secondary Education and Western Kentucky University with BS in Communications/History. Since 1989 he has served as an Athletic Director, Teacher, Administrator, and Coach. Mark is married to  Shannon, and together they have served at Foundation Academy since 2010 and have three children attending FA.

 

Gail Hatmaker – Middle School Principal
Graduate of Lubbock Christian University Master in Family Life Education & BS in Education from Tennessee Temple University. Has been an educator for over 30 years, as a classroom teacher, administrator and served with numerous professional development initiatives. She has also served as a certified consultant with Active Parenting and led parenting and educational seminars across America. She has two adult children. Her husband is a licensed mental health therapist.

 

Ruth Ann Farmer – NILD
Graduate of University of Phoenix with Master’s in Special Ed. and BA in Biblical Ministries from Luther Rice. She is a professionally certified educational therapist. She has been Program Director of NILD since 2004 with over 18 years experience as an education therapist. She is married and as has 3 grown sons.

 

Shawn Minks – Head Master
Graduate of Columbia International University with Masters in Ed. Administration and a BS in Elementary Ed. &  Bible from Northwestern College. Headmaster at Foundation Academy since 2007.  He holds a Lifetime ACSI All Levels Principal Certificate. He is married to Carol Minks and has 3 children attending FA. Prior to FA, he as served as a Middle School Principal, Dean of Students, HS Basketball & Tennis coach and secondary instructor of Health, Bible and Leadership classes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers & Staff

 

 

 

Lisa Amat - Science
Graduate of Texas A&M University with BS in Marine Biology. She is married and has a son and a daughter that attend FA. Attends First Baptist Church of Windermere. She enjoys hanging out with my family, going to Disney, going to the movies and competing in 5K's. 

 

Christy Baginski – Assistant to the Athletic Director/ Finance Assistant
Graduate of University of Phoenix with a Bachelors in Management. She is married to David, and has two children who attend Foundation Academy. They attend Harvest Bible Chapel. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking but most of all family time. Serving the Lord is her greatest joy and privilege.

 

David Baginski – Assistant Athletic Director, Facilities Manager, Elementary Sports Coordinator
David started with FA in 2010; coming to us from Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale where he was working with the Ministry Services. He is married to Christy and they have two children who both attend Foundation Academy. They attend Harvest Bible Chapel in Windermere. He enjoys sharing the Word of God to groups as well as one on one discipleship.

 

William Baysinger - Mathematics
Graduate of Barry University with Masters in Ed. Leadership and BS in Criminology from University of Florida. With wife, Stephanie Baysinger, he likes to travel and has a goal to travel to all 50 states and someday venture abroad. He is the youngest child of two lifelong educators.

 

Stephanie Baysinger - Guidance Counselor
Graduate of UCF with Master of Arts in Counselor Education and a BS in Psychology from University of Florida. She is married to William Baysinger since 2001. They are active members of The Crossing Church in Clermont. She has worked in admissions, recruitment, and as a 1st grade teacher prior to becoming a Guidance Counselor in 2006. She has been with FA since 2009.

  

Shannon Butler  - Mathematics / ILC
Graduate of FSU with BS in Civil Engineering. She is married to Mark Butler and together they have five children. She has worked as an Engineer & Discovery Therapist. She also publishes the FAN Mail, for Foundation Academy’s South Campus.

 

Karla Carson –Mathematics
Graduated University of Central Florida with B.S. in Computer Science. She is married to Scott and has 1 son, Connor, who has attended Foundation Academy since K5. Prior to coming to work at FA, she was a Systems Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin on programs including the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and WARSIM. 

 

Laura Chilcote – History
Graduate of Liberty University with BS in Social Sciences with an additional Secondary Education Teacher Licensure. She is from West Michigan and developed a love for mountain climbing and snowboarding while attending Liberty University in Virginia.

 

Patti Cogburn – English & Drama
Graduated University of Louisiana with M.Ed. in Secondary Ed English; certified in Secondary English & Drama and BS in General Studies. She is married to Willie Cogburn, an Entertainment Manager at WDW and has a daughter who attends FA. They enjoy going to the beach, theme parks, the theatre and traveling.
 

 

Alice Colon – English & Spanish
Attending University of Phoenix, completing a degree in Psychology. Married to Luis Orlando Colon. She has four grown sons, and a total of eight grandchildren. She attends Iglesia Gracia de Dios and enjoys outdoor activities like camping and gardening.

 

Linda Currie - English
Graduate of UCF with M.Ed and University of Rhode Island with BA in Speech Communicatin and Broadcast Journalism.  She holds her certification in Elem. Ed, MS English, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. She began her career in radio broadcasting in Providence, RI, where she anchored the news and co-hosted a morning radio show. During her time in broadcasting, she was the recipient of an Associated Press News Award. She and her husband, Jim, live in Ocoee with their two children, one of whom attends Foundation Academy.
 

 

Andrew DeClercq – Physical Education & Health
Graduate of University of Florida with BA- History. Married to Tina DeClercq and has 2 daughters and 1 son. After college graduation he was drafted into the NBA.  He played Golden State, Boston, Cleveland and Orlando for over 10 years.  He developed and runs DeClercq Basketball, in Clearwater, Clermont and Winter Garden.

 

Dan Fort – Bible
Graduate of University of Central Florida with BS and AA from Valencia Community College. He is married to Shannon since June 2001 and has 2 children, Andrew and Katy; who both attend Foundation Acadmey. He is also very active in coaching at FA.

 

Mark Goff – Music
Graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a BA Degree in Music Education with Vocal emphasis. Mark is married to Dena and has twin boys who attend Foundation Academy. He is the director of Choral Music and Praise Band for Middle & High School. He moved to Orlando in 1990 to sing at Walt Disney World with the Voices of Liberty. He also works as a vocal coach and music director for WDW Entertainment.

 

Christine Hammond, M.S. - Psychology
Graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University with MS in Counseling Psychology & BS in English from James Madison University. Chris is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with over fifteen years of experience in ministry. She is married to Michael and they have three children, who all attend FA.

  

Christy Higgs – SGI / English & Reading
Graduate of Nova Southeastern University with BA in Elementary Education. She is married with two daughters who are both graduates of FA. She enjoys reading, and spending time with her family. 

 

 

Hope Laun - South Campus Receptionist
Hope is married and has one daughter who has attended FA since 2000. She has spent the past eleven years at Foundation volunteering; as homeroom mom for 3 years, 2 years as PTO secretary but now works as receptionist at the south campus since its opening.
 

  

Brad Lord - History
Graduate of UCF with BA in History. He is FA’s History Dept. Chair. He is married to Amy, and has 3 children who all attend FA. He played college football and has worked as Restaurateur, Sales Consultant, Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach. He and his family are members at St. Lukes United Methodist Church.

 

Rick Martin - History
Graduate of Luther Rice Seminary with a Masters and a BA from Arlington Baptist College, Texas. He has taught history at Foundation Academy since 2003, but he has been teaching in Christian Education for thirty-two years, all in the Central Florida area. He and his wife, Chris, have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys sports, especially baseball, and has coached the following sports at the Varsity level: baseball, softball, basketball, and football. 

 

Carolyn Massey - South Campus Librarian
Carolyn is South Campus Librarian. She is married to Joel Massey. They have three daughters; Leanne, Michelle and Lydia. Lydia is a 2010 grad of Foundation Academy. They have been members of FBC of Winter Garden for 33 years.
 

  

Lisa Mester – NILD Therapist
Graduate of Spring Arbor University with Management and Organizational Development. She is an NILD Certified Educational Therapist. She is married to Dean and has 3 children. She is currently working on MBA which is to be completed in 2012.

 

Laura Miller - Mathematics
Graduated with BS in Business Administration with minor in Education. She has 3 children, Megan, Lauren and Michael who have attended Foundation Academy since pre-school. She attends First Baptist Church of Orlando.
 

 

Carol Minks – Bible
Graduate of Palm Beach University with BS in Bible. She is married to Shawn Minks and has three children all attending Foundation Academy.  Her hobbies include: P90x, jogging, reading historical fiction novels, singing, and hiking.

 

 

Amy Smith Morgan - Yearbook & Speech
Attended Troy State University as an Art Education Major. She has taught elective classes at Foundation Academy since 1994. She has been involved with FA for over 20 years, first as a volunteer and then as a staff member. She is married to Pete Morgan and has 3 sons, Andrew, Jake and Zake, all of whom attended Foundation Academy. They attend First Baptist Church Winter Garden. 

 

Mary Ellen Murray - Art
Graduate of Boston University with Masters in Fine Arts, and BA in Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design. She is married to David Murray and together they have three children, all of whom have attended Foundation Academy. 

 

Sandy Pagan - Mathematics
Graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a BS in Business Administration, minor in Bible.  She is married to Kevin and has identical twin daughters, Heather & Brittany. She and her husband enjoy traveling.  They enjoy planning trips to their favorite place, the mountains of North Carolina.

 

Anna Pillow- Substitute Coordinator
Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida Southern College with a BA. Currently, she is certified by the state of Florida in Exceptional Student Education K-12th grades, Journalism 6th-12th grades, and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum. She resides in Windermere with her husband, Jim, and their children. She has two daughters who attend FA.

 

Mike Reep - Director of Development
Graduate of Luther Rice Seminary with BA in Biblical Studies. Mike is married to Lorraine and has 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He has lived in Winter Garden for over 17 years and attends First Baptist of Winter Garden.

 

Suzy Richards – NILD Therapist
Graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a BS in Textiles.
She has been an NILD Therapist since 2005 and completed her graduate-level training to become an NILD Professionally Certified Educational Therapist in 2008.  Four of her children graduated from Foundation Academy and one is currently attending FA. She attends Discovery Church and leads a DivorceCare ministry there.

 

 

Whitney Shumaker – Secondary English
Graduate of University of Central Florida with a B.A. in English Literature. She is married to Mark and is the oldest of eight children. She has been teaching and taking care of children since she was very young. When she's not teaching, she keeps busy with cooking, reading, gardening, and volunteering with her church, Grace Church of Orlando.

 

 

Amy Simmons - French
Graduate of Texas A&M University with BS in Finance, minor in French. She has several years of teaching experience including a year with the public school system in Paris, France. She now teaches French via Skype.  She and her husband, Justin, live in Plano, Texas with their son, Peter. 

 

Jennifer Siracusano – SGI History and NILD Therapist
Graduate of Adelphi University with BA in Anthropology and is a NILD professionally certified Educational Therapist (PCET). She is married to her high school sweetheart, Vinny and has three children that all attend FA. 

 

Vinny Siracusano - Elementary & Middle School Art
Attending Trinity College. Before joining the faculty of FA, he worked as an animation artist for WDW Feature Animation Studios, for 12 years, in both California & Florida. He also has his own design & build firm, Kablooie Design Group which creates 3-dimensional wall sculptures. He has been recognized by the Orlando Museum of Art as a featured “Artist of the Month”. He is married to Jennifer and they have 3 children who attend FA.

 

Kathy Smith - Admissions & Marketing Director
Graduate of Florida Institute Technology with MBA and a BS from University of Missouri. She taught at Valencia Community College for 20+ years before coming to FA as the Director of Development. She has worked at Foundation Academy since 2003. She has been married to Rob since 1987 and have 2 children who graduated from FA, Rachel 2008 & Robert in 2010.

 

Donald P Stanley – NILD Therapist
Graduate of Jacksonville Baptist Seminary with DMin in Ministry, Trinity College with MDiv in Biblical Counseling and BS in Sociology from East Texas University. He has been at FA since 2009 in the NILD department. He is married to Dr. Susan Stanley and has 5 children and 7 grandchildren.

 

Deb Strong - Administrative Assistant
Deb has worked at Foundation Academy for 10 years. She has worked in the Finance Department and as an the Administrative Assistant. She is married to Jim and has two children. Kenny who attended Foundation Academy for 13 years and graduated in 2010. Mattie has been a student at FA for 9 years and is currently in the 8th grade.

 

Jon Territo - Band
Graduate of Rollins College with Masters of Music Ed and BA in Music Ed from University of Michigan. He also serves as Music Director of the Orlando Concert Band, Associate Conductor of the Florida Young Artist Orchestra, and in various capacities at Walt Disney World as a conductor and clinician. He and wife, Michelle have 3 children, Marino, Mariolina and Josephine, and live in a historic home in the beautiful town of Oakland, Florida.

 

Mike Thomas - Band
Graduate of University of North Texas with BA in Jazz. He lives in the Orlando area with his wife Amy and 3 children, Abby, Lyndsay and Ethan. His is also the full time Minister of Music at First Baptist Church Windermere.

 

Tami Uhrig - MS Physical Education & HS HOPE
Attended Texas Christian University. In addition to teaching, she has coached the FA Cheerleading program including elementary, middle and high school since 2005. She has also served as a substitute at both campuses prior to teaching PE & HOPE. She was formerly with WDW as dancer/Actors' Equity performer, staging assistant, and show choreographer. She is married and has 2 children both attending FA. She has been a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Windermere since 1989.
 

  

Dale Wood – English
Graduate of Plymouth State University with M.Ed. degree in Integrated Arts and Literature, University of Windsor (Canada) with M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing and B.A. in English Literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is currently enjoying his 20th year of teaching and has served 8 schools in 5 different countries. Dale is married to Jean and they have two children, Sebastian and Avery.
 

 

Jean Wood - Science
Graduate of University of Windsor Ontario with Masters in Educational Administration and University of Western Ontario with BS in Honors Genetics and Bachelor of Education in Biology & Mathematics. She has taught science, biology, and mathematics for over 13 years. Throughout her career, she has also served as Department Head of Science, coach, and an International Baccalaureate Biology examiner (Paper 2). She is married to Dale Wood and they have two young children.

 

Kristin Worley – English/ English SGI Instructor
Graduate of Troy State University with BS and working toward Master's Degree in Education. She is married to Mike and has three children that have been a part of the Foundation Academy family for over seven years. They are members at Harvest Bible Chapel. She is a devoted Seminole fan but married a Gator fan.