North Tampa Christian Academy is pleased to introduce next year’s Kindergarten through 8th grade Principal, Damon Gilliam! Hailing from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. G has always been a leader. From student government to captain of various sports teams to church elder, Mr. G has always been extremely active in his community. At a young age, he wanted to be a pediatrician with the dream of making children healthier. In high school, however, he enjoyed working with children so much that he decided he wanted to be a youth pastor or a teacher. Calling the Bible his favorite book, Mr. G says, “I knew God specifically wanted me to do something in the realm of working with young people … I hope that each student chooses Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and with that choice, they understand that He wants each one to become a difference maker in this world.”
Teacher Spotlight: Amanda Darsey
Teacher Spotlight: Rozaleth “RJ” Tenga
Rozaleth “RJ” Tenga grew up in the Philippines with missionary parents. In 2005, her parents decided to take a call to be teachers in Kenya and moved to a high elevation area where Kenyan Olympic marathoners trained at her school. There, she met her Tanzanian husband whose advisor at the time was RJ’s father.
Teacher Spotlight: Derek White
Derek White, a teacher at North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, has had a love for education since he was a math tutor in college. His philosophy is inspired by the great Nelson Mandela, who said, “Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world.” His love for teaching continued after graduation when he tutored inner-city junior high school students in Dallas. As a community organizer, he worked to develop the leadership qualities of refugee youth living in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. His goal is to change the world; therefore, he teaches.
