Our Grades And Classes

(PK) Mara Shelton

has served as Pre-K teacher at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2003. Her teaching degree is from Milligan College in Johnson City, TN. She taught in Orlando and North Carolina before moving to Oldsmar in 2003. Her husband, Tommy Shelton, is a youth minister at a local church, where they have been members since 2003. Their two oldest children both attend NorthBay. Mara enjoys reading, watching movies, doing crafts with her children and having date nights with her husband. She is thrilled to be part of the NorthBay community and has a deep desire for young children to grow academically, but more importantly, to see them grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

(PK & K Teaching Assistant) Carolyn Madden

has served as a PK & K Teaching Assistant at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2007. She had previously taught elementary school in Pinellas County for 12 years. She earned a BA degree in Elementary Education, at the University of Central Florida, and a Master's degree in Reading/Language Arts from the University of South Florida. Carolyn, and her two middle school-aged daughters, Kaelyn and Carra, enjoy swimming, horseback riding, and sailing. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to work with the NorthBay students, families, and teachers.

(K) Terri Carrier

has served as a Kindergarten teacher at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2009 and, prior to that, was a professional teacher for thirteen years. She earned her BS in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Emporia State University and her Master’s Degree in Education from Baker University in Kansas. Terri and her husband, Riley, have two grown daughters and a son who is in high school. Terri and Riley have been active in their church serving as Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and core group leaders. Terri and her daughter are currently facilitating a scrapbooking class at their church as an outreach ministry. Terri enjoys reading, walking, scrapbooking, going to the beach and shelling. Her favorite verse is Isaiah 40:1.

(First-grade) Sharon Karn

(First-grade) Sharon Karn started teaching at NorthBay Christian Academy as a Pre-K teacher in 2001. She then served as the kindergarten teaching assistant for three years while completing her education degree from St. Petersburg College. She graduated with honors in 2005 and began teaching first-grade at NCA after graduation. Additionally, Sharon has a nursing degree and was a substitute teacher for many years at a local Christian school where her children attended. Sharon and her husband, Bud, have been married since 1982 and have four beautiful children. Sharon has been involved in children’s ministry for over twenty years. She also was awarded the Teacher of the Month for November 2009 from Gulf Coast Family Magazine. Sharon loves to garden, work with children, decorate and spend time with her close family and friends.

(Second-grade) Julia Bowen

has been a professional educator since 2007 and a NorthBay teacher since 2008. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University. She graduated cum laude. Julia is energized by her students and loves to teach. She teaches second grade, and first- through fourth-grade History. Her goals include helping students have a love for learning and a love for God through her example. Julia and her husband, Jeff, have attended their church since 2008, and she presently enjoys serving in the children’s department and growing with their small group. Julia and Jeff enjoy spending time with family and friends and walking their dog. Favorite verse: Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Third-grade) Beverly Karas

has served as a teacher at NorthBay Christian School since 2003. She taught first grade for two years and then moved up to third- grade, where she remains at this time. She came to NorthBay with fifteen years of experience in another Christian School as well as a year of tutoring in a public school. Beverly and her husband Dan have one daughter who is also a teacher. Beverly has been involved in various areas of ministries in their church, such as Sunday school teaching, small group leading, serving on the hospitality team, and participating in Bible study groups. Beverly enjoys doing volunteer work at Religious Community Services Food Bank and also the Buzz Thrift Store, a church outreach program. She loves travel, fishing and spending time with her family. (Fourth-grade) Sherrie Patterson has taught at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2002. She worked as a social worker after getting her BA degree at Florida Southern College. Eventually, after being a stay-at-home mom for a few years, she felt the Lord leading her to go back to school and become a teacher. Her BS degree in Education is from the University of South Florida. She taught for thirteen years in Christian education prior to joining the faculty of NCA and has substituted in the county schools for the last nine years. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons and a granddaughter. Sherrie and Wayne have been members of their church since 1995, and Sherrie presently serves there as a facilitator of a ladies’ evening Bible study group. In addition to her school and church activities, she enjoys spending as much time as possible with her granddaughter Anna, reading novels by Christian authors, and playing games on her Wii. Her life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(Fifth- and Sixth-grade) Rea Mennenga

has served as a Middle School teacher at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2008. She came to NorthBay with thirty-six years of teaching experience. Her BS degree in Education is from Corban University in Salem, Oregon. Rea and her husband, Pat, have been instrumental in starting two Christian schools in the Orlando area. Pat is presently the Associate Director for Florida’s office of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools, International). Rea and Pat have been members of their church since 1998, and they are Sunday school teachers and small group leaders there. They have three grown children and four grandchildren, all Christian school students! Rea has been a cheerleading coach for thirty-three years and serves on the advisory board and as a Florida representative for FCC (Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders). Her other passions include spending time with her grandchildren, reading, step classes, camping, and the beach. Her life verse is Phil. 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(Seventh-and Eighth-grade) Larry Lashbrook

taught at Oak Grove Middle School for forty years and has taught at NorthBay since 2004. He majored in science education and was in the first graduating class at the University of South Florida. Larry has three grown children and ten grandchildren. Larry and his wife Kay are actively involved in their home church, where he is a deacon and an adult Sunday school teacher. At NorthBay, Larry’s passion for teaching science, Bible, and math is evident. He is known for motivating students to challenge themselves and for leading stimulating class discussions. One of his favorite scriptures is I Cor. 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(Enrichment Administrator) Tricia Greene

has been a part of NorthBay Christian Academy since 1999, when her older daughter was enrolled as a pre-K student. In 2002, she joined the Enrichment Day staff as a Drama teacher, teaching drama to all grades. In 2003, Tricia’s role at NCA expanded to include Enrichment Day Administrator with added responsibilities of leading the Enrichment Day faculty and planning the Enrichment Day schedule and special events. Tricia and her husband, Tim, have been active members of their church for the past thirteen years and enjoy many community activities. Their older daughter is currently in high school and their younger daughter is attending NCA.

(Art) Debbie Stratemeyer

attended two years of Bible College in Biblical Education, married her college sweetheart, and later attended St. Petersburg College where she received an AA degree while enjoying additional classes in the arts. Since high school, Debbie has been teaching some form of art. Experienced in most art mediums, she prefers mixed media and specializes in photography, including darkroom hand printed and tinted photos. She also teaches or coaches baton twirling, colorguard flags, scrapbooking, and children's craft and cooking classes.

(Chapel Leader) Kevin Patterson

has taught at NorthBay Christian Academy since 2001. Music has always been a major part of his life. He started playing the piano in second grade and now tunes pianos professionally. He has been Steinway-trained in New York and also at Oberlin College. He has tuned for famous artists including Harry Connick Jr, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and many more. Kevin's primary instrument is the saxophone. From fifth grade through college, he has performed in school concert, marching, and jazz bands. Ever since the eighth grade, he has been a part of worship teams in multiple churches. Kevin has a passion to inspire students to discover their musical talents. He has been happily married to his lovely wife Ruth since 2000, and his daughter Anna was born in 2008. One of Kevin's favorite verses is Romans 8:28.

(Elementary Drama) Tricia Greene is also our Enrichment Administrator. (Please see bio above)

(Elementary Music) Beverley Rampersad

joined the Enrichment Staff in February 2009. She has a B.A. degree from Eastern Mennonite College, Va. She pursued studies in music at both Liberty University in Virginia and University of South Florida in Tampa. Having taught students piano and guitar both in the Caribbean and in the U.S. for the last 20 years, she has several years of experience and a passion for teaching. She and her husband have three daughters. They have attended their church for many years and are facilitators of a small group which meets at their home. Her hobbies are reading, baking, cooking, gardening and sewing. A favorite verse: Hebrews 12:2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

(Middle School Music and Band Teacher) Kevin Patterson is also our Chapel Leader (see bio above)

(Elementary Physical Education) Sharon Karn began teaching P.E at NCA in 2008. She is also our first-grade homeroom teacher (please see above).

(Elementary Spanish) Sherrie Patterson has be teaching Spanish at NCA since 2006. She is also our fourth-grade homeroom teacher (please see bio above).

(Middle School Spanish) Cynthia Huelle

has served as the middle school Spanish teacher since 2008. Cynthia graduated with a BS in Spanish and Social Work from Mankato State University (Mankato, MN). During college she traveled to both Mexico and Spain. Upon graduation, she served many years as a full-time, live-in Christian counselor to women at Teen Challenge of the Midlands (NE & IA), and returned to Mexico several times on mission trips. Cynthia and her husband Lee have a passion for short-term missions and are the Missions Directors at their local church where they have attended since 2003. Cynthia and Lee have four children, and their two youngest daughters attend NorthBay.