ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Gayle Thurston
Kindergarten
Mrs. Thurston has a Bachelors degree in Psychology specializing in infant and child development from The University of Mary Washington. She has been married to her husband Chris since 1993 and they have two beautiful daughters. She has always had a desire in her heart to teach, and she is not only grateful but humbled that God placed her here at Trinity in 2007 to serve as teacher to His precious children.
Mrs. Thurston is a member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Dora. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Christina Wynn
Kindergarten
Mrs. Wynn is originally from Troy, Michigan. She was saved at the age of 12 when she began attending a Christian school in that area. She attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. where she met her future husband, Jonathan. They had many classes together as they both majored in Elementary Education. After graduation she began her teaching career in Winter Garden, Florida as a Kindergarten teacher. She married Jonathan in 2006 and he joined her in Winter Garden as a second grade teacher. Due to financial hardship, the school closed down in May 2008. The Lord brought her to her knees about this hardship as she claimed the verse: Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” The Lord did work it out for good! God brought her to Trinity Christian School in January 2009, and she praises Him every day for this wonderful opportunity.
Mrs. Wynn and her husband attend Calvary Baptist Church in Winter Garden, FL.
Julie Cionca
First Grade
Miss Cionca is from Chicago, IL. She attended Moody Bible Institute and Grace College. After graduation she moved to the Ft.Lauderdale/Hollywood area and taught in a private school for several years. She has been teaching at Trinity Christian School since 2001. She enjoys teaching third and fourth grades. Her favorite subjects are Bible, Language Arts, and History. She is passionate about Christian education and church ministry. Some of her favorite hobbies are singing, concerts, volleyball, decorating, walks along the beach, or just reading a good book. Her favorite authors are Charles Stanley, Church Swindoll, Billy Graham, Elizabeth George, Elizabeth Elliot, and Beth Moore. Her favorite past memories are short term mission trips to South America and the Caribbean and snow sledding as a young child. Even though she does not miss the cold, windy city. Her favorite animal is her pet, a five and a half pound Chihuahua.
Miss Cionca is a member of Journey Christian Church. Her life verses are Palms 143:10, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God. Thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness”. And Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Cynthia Skeen
First Grade
Mrs. Skeen was born and grew up in Sheboygan, WI. She graduated summa cum laude and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Toccoa Falls College. She has been teaching first grade at Trinity Christian School since 1999 and was Teacher of the year in 2005. Her family consists of her husband, Jim and daughters, Nicole and Rachel who both attended Trinity through the 8th grade.
Mrs. Skeen and her family attend Trinity Evangelical Free Church. Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”
Robyn Nichols
Second Grade
Miss Nichols was born and raised in Glenburn, Maine. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. She came to teach at Trinity in 1985 and has taught first grade and is currently teaching second grade. She is the team lead for second grade. She is certified by ACSI. She feels blessed to have the career she has chosen and be able to be a part of so many children’s lives each and every day. There is no better feeling.
Miss Nichols is a member of The First Baptist Church of Mt. Dora. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” How exciting to know that God is continually working in each of our lives.
Rebecca Simms
Second Grade
Mrs. Simms is a native Floridian. Mrs. Simms and her husband have two boys, Benjamin and Matthew. Their children have been attending Trinity Christian School since 2004.
Mrs. Simms earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida in Elementary Education. Before teaching at Trinity she taught third grade for two years for Orange County Public Schools. She enjoys teaching fifth grade Reading and Language Arts here at Trinity.
She and her family attend Apopka Assembly of God where she teaches a children’s Sunday School class. One Bible verse that encourages her in her walk with God is Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Jennifer Nash
Third Grade
Miss Nash is the second child of Ronald and Betty Jane Nash. She was born in Auburn, New York. She graduated from High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where her father was chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department at Western Kentucky University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988, and a Master’s in Education from Liberty University in 1994. She began her career of teaching in Florida in 1989. She is currently teaching third grade after previously teaching fourth and second grades. She is certified with ACSI and with the State of Florida. Miss Nash believes she has been called to teach at Trinity Christian School and has seen how God has worked in her life to prepare her for this ministry.
Miss Nash attends church at Saint Andrew’s Chapel. Her favorite verse is Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Paula Hudson
Third Grade
Miss Nash is the second child of Ronald and Betty Jane Nash. She was born in Auburn, New York. She graduated from High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where her father was chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department at Western Kentucky University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988, and a Master’s in Education from Liberty University in 1994. She began her career of teaching in Florida in 1989. She is currently teaching third grade after previously teaching fourth and second grades. She is certified with ACSI and with the State of Florida. Miss Nash believes she has been called to teach at Trinity Christian School and has seen how God has worked in her life to prepare her for this ministry.
Miss Nash attends church at Saint Andrew’s Chapel. Her favorite verse is Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Cynthia Kruse
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Kruse currently teaches fourth grade at Trinity Christian School. She is married and has a daughter, Ashley, who attended Trinity from Nursery 2 – 8th grade and is now in college. She graduated from The University of South Florida with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education.
Mrs. Kruse attends Trinity Baptist Church with her family and works with the Children’s Ministry. One of her favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Barbara Shaver
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Shaver is from New York and graduated from Newark State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Speech. She is a former Speech Therapist with New Jersey schools and has also owned two restaurants in Florida. Mrs. Shaver has been a Camp Director for Christian Missionary Alliance, a Christian Education Director, and a Pioneer Girls Coordinator. Mrs. Shaver is married to Robert Shaver and they have three children and nine grandchildren.
Mrs. Shaver attends Westwood Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 121: 1-2, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Linda Montgomery
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Montgomery is a Central Florida native. She went to college at Seminole Community College and finished her teaching degree at The University of Michigan. Her Master’s degree is from Nova University.
Mrs. Montgomery has two step-sons who are in college. They are both Eagle Scouts working on engineering degrees. Mrs. Montgomery has been in elementary Christian education since 1987. She enjoys the challenges of teaching fifth grade Science, Math, and History. Mrs. Montgomery’s favorite past time is spending time with her husband and her little dog named Dr. Livingstone.
Mrs. Montgomery is a member of Killarney Baptist Church and enjoys singing in the choir there. One of her favorite Bible verses is Psalm 117:2, “For his merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.”
