Teacher Spotlight: Carianna Farfan

As a child growing up in Maine, our middle school humanities teacher Carianna Farfan had many possible career goals in mind: she would one day become a farmer, a doctor, a writer— or maybe even a teacher. 

By the time she started college, Ms. Farfan knew which path she wanted to pursue. She graduated from Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts with a double major in elementary education and psychology. While there wasn’t a single moment of inspiration she can pinpoint, it became clear early on that she wanted to teach others, which she has now been doing for 26 years.

“I don’t know if there was ever a definitive moment; perhaps it was more like a million little moments that just providentially brought me to my calling,” Ms. Farfan said.

The simpler aspects of life, such as the soothing waves of the ocean and warm sand on the beach, are what Ms. Farfan loves the most. She also enjoys going on nature walks with her family, but she sometimes prefers to take a canoe. Of all her travels, the most memorable was canoeing through Scandinavia, a place she considers to be absolutely beautiful. Someday, she would also like to visit Italy.

When Ms. Farfan has time to herself, she enjoys reading a good book with a hot cup of tea. Her favorite book is the Book of Psalms, with “The Secret Garden” as a very close second. If she was only able to eat one food for the rest of her life, she would go with another healthy option— salad. Not only would eating salad lead to a longer life; it can also be prepared in so many ways that she would never get bored of eating it. 

Teaching is Ms. Farfan’s passion, which shines through in her teaching philosophy. Within the last 10 years or so, she has worked to refine her process to create the best possible learning environment. Her classes consist of discussions where every student can share experiences and conversations. This allows for deeper and more meaningful learning. Outside of the classroom, she knows that these students often do not have enough opportunities to express themselves. At North Tampa Christian Academy, she finds it empowering to watch everyone work together to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, especially in this strange and isolated time. 

While watching students express themselves intellectually inspires Ms. Farfan, what she finds most rewarding about her position is having the opportunity to pray with her students. During those moments when their heads are bowed and it’s just God, the teacher, and the students, she finds there is a great deal of power in the classroom. At the end of the day, she hopes her students feel empowered to make a difference in the world. 

“Each student has a story to tell, experiences to relate, and lessons to teach that are valuable and that others need to hear. I hope, with God’s help, they have the courage to share!”

Get to know Carianna Farfan

What is your favorite movie?

The Sound of Music

What is your favorite Bible verse? 

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Do you have any pets?

I have 2 dogs, a jack russell named Scottie and a papidoodle named Luna.

If you could have dinner with any three people, who would you choose?

Eleanor Roosevelt; Mary, the mother of Jesus; and David

If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?

I’d cry and pray for wisdom.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, students thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

A New Partnership Paves the Way for Student Success

To Sarah Vande Berg, tennis was a way of life. Picking up her first racquet the age of 6, she became an outstanding tennis player committed to academic excellence and professional success. When she played tennis at USC Upstate, she observed that her teammates from other countries were often homesick. She invited them over on holidays to help them feel at home, uplifting them on and off the court. After a car accident tragically cut her life short, a developer from her hometown of Zephyrhills went to work constructing the Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis Center in her honor. The only tennis center of its kind, SVB carries on Sarah’s legacy of helping young players by providing lessons, leagues, socials, tournaments and more. 

Finding the Perfect Fit

The training center quickly gained international attention for the opportunities it provided to young players. In late 2020, the SVB foundation realized they needed help to expand their offerings. That’s when they started searching for a new partner who shared their philosophy, that hands-on education was crucial for youth development. They looked for a school that emphasized real-world education — that’s where we came in. When SVB asked us to collaborate, we knew it would be a great fit. We shared the same values and long-term goals of enriching children’s lives. 

Joining Forces with SVB Tennis Center

Our school’s project-based approach to learning and SVB’s passion for athletic excellence are a perfect match. Through this partnership, students pursue fitness goals while receiving an excellent education. At SVB, children learn sports like tennis and padel from the best coaches in the country. In the near future, athletic leaders from other sports will be joining the SVB team, and the facility will be expanded to include more programs. 

Fostering Excellence in Athletics and Education

With a flexible educational approach, this world-class sports destination gives children a chance to shine in a family environment. Students can register for lessons at SVB during the school year or enroll in a summer camp session catered to their unique skill sets. Several of our students play sports in this facility alongside students from abroad. We are proud to join forces with SVB to start an athletic educational movement.

Titan Teacher Network

When student athletes require flexible learning options, the Titan Teacher Network brings the classroom experience to them, wherever they are. This partnership gives students the ability to train and go to school in a fully integrated program. With on-campus interactive live-classroom instruction, online interactive live-classroom instruction, and on-demand recorded classroom instruction, students receive the best in education without missing a beat. 

Children in these programs succeed academically while they build confidence, learn healthy habits and discover what it takes to be a pro athlete. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more? Contact us today.

Principal Spotlight: Sherrie Warren

Academic Principal Sherrie Warren’s prolific academic career has taught her that, now more than ever, listening to students is the most important way to support their success.

“I feel that I have learned how to be a good listener throughout my years of teaching, and today’s students really need someone to listen to them,” Principal Warren said.

Principal Warren’s path to becoming a principal at NTCA began in 1988 when she started teaching for the Seventh-Day Adventist education system. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State University, then a master’s in administration and leadership from Capella University. Since then, she has worked at boarding academies, junior academies and K-12 schools. In the early 2000s, Principal Warren had her first foray into administration as an interim principal. Later on, at Thunderbird Academy, she worked as the vice principal of academics, registrar, student recruiter and alumni relations coordinator. 

Working in education brought Principal Warren a welcome variety that she wouldn’t otherwise experience, as well as a solid background for her current role. In recognition of her achievements in education, she earned a Tom and Violet Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Education allows Principal Warren to make a positive impact on the lives of students and their families. She loves to watch students learn about Jesus and choose to become dedicated followers. 

At NTCA, Principal Warren feels empowered to collaborate with her coworkers to help students prepare for their goals. If students take anything away from working with her, she hopes they learn behavioral, leadership and emotional skills, not just academic ones, to become positive, caring, service-driven citizens. The most rewarding part of her career is the moment when a student finally understands a concept after struggling with it.

“I love seeing my students have an ‘AHA’ moment when the light bulb goes on and they have comprehended a challenging concept,” Principal Warren said.

While helping students is her passion, Principal Warren also makes the most of life outside of school. She enjoys walking her two mini Daschund dogs, Casey and Jax, traveling to new places, taking road trips and going to the beach. Her favorite she’s traveled to is the island of Kalaui, Hawaii. Most of her hobbies involve being outside, but she enjoys spending some of her time off indoors, too. She likes to watch shows like Downton Abbey, which she says is the best series ever, but she especially enjoys reading.

“My favorite book is whatever I’m currently reading,” Principal Warren said. “I love to read and love each book I read.”

Get to Know Principal Sherrie Warren

1. Where did you grow up? I was born in southern California and lived there until I was 13 years old, then my family moved to south Oregon. 

2. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate!

3. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Clone myself so more can get accomplished. 

4. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher, then a doctor, then an airline pilot. 

5. What’s your favorite Bible verse or passage? 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 ”According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.

Tips for Acing Standardized Tests

Test taking can be intimidating, even for the smartest students. There always seems to be too much time to anxiously anticipate the upcoming test and not enough time to study for it. If your child struggles with standardized tests, know that he’s not alone. Many students find these tests intimidating. Our Tampa private school has tips for acing the next standardized test:

Prepare Ahead of Time

Just like any test, standardized tests are easier if you study. Practice tests are available for most standardized tests, as well as guides to taking them. Check in advance if guessing will count for or against your overall score. The night before the test, make sure to get plenty of sleep. The morning of, eat a hearty breakfast, and pack your bag with extra pencils. To take stress out of the experience, arrive early, and take deep breaths beforehand to stay calm. Preparing for the test mentally and physically gives you an advantage.

Start with the Easiest Questions

When taking a long test, it seems obvious that you would answer the questions in order. However, starting with the easiest questions has several benefits. First, you will get through the test faster. When you waste time on difficult questions, you risk running out of time, and you lose momentum. Skipping around to questions you know the answer to helps boost your confidence, which will make it easier to go back and answer the more difficult questions in a timely manner.

Read Through the Answers Carefully

Before reading through the answers to a question, consider how you would answer. If you know the right answer before reading the options, you will be more confident when your theory is confirmed. Consider all the options carefully, keeping in mind that these tests are meant to be tricky. Eliminate any choices that are obviously wrong before answering the question. This way, you don’t waste time reconsidering or doubting yourself, and you narrow down your options. 

Pay Attention to Long Questions

When long questions come up on a test, it can be tempting to skim them and move on to the easier multiple choice questions. However, going through quickly and carelessly will end up taking more time, since you will likely have to re-read what you’ve skimmed. Read the instructions carefully to make sure you understand the context and know how to answer the question. Highlight key points to make it easier to answer the question fully. This can also save you time if you find yourself needing to reread the question.

Pace Yourself

If you’re being timed, it’s tempting to get through the task at hand as fast as possible. With a long-form test, this can lead to careless mistakes, like marking wrong answers or skipping questions. If you feel like you’re racing the clock, the process will become more stressful, which can be detrimental to your performance. Figure out a good pace by taking a timed practice test in advance. If you end up with leftover time, use it to review your answers. Even if you feel confident, there’s no harm in looking back and making sure you did not make any glaring mistakes. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.

Teacher Spotlight: Smyrna Jackson

Smyrna Jackson’s goal as a teacher is to make sure her students enjoy learning so they feel empowered to reach their full potential. Through project-based classes, she aspires to show all of her first graders, especially those who fall behind, that learning can be fun.

“Growing up, I always thought school was boring. Academics wasn’t something that came easy to me,” Ms. Jackson said. “I thank God that my wonderful parents kept me going.” 

Ms. Jackson grew up in many different places. She was born in New Jersey, then lived in Puerto Rico, Virginia, and Maryland. Eventually, her family moved back to her birthplace, but she wasn’t done moving around. Finding herself back in Maryland, she graduated from Washington Adventist University with a BS in counseling psychology. Later on, she moved to Florida, where she went back to school at St. Petersburg College to complete an alternative teaching program. 

As a child, Ms. Jackson wanted to be a paramedic, thinking it would be an exciting and fun job where she could help people. Since 1997, she’s worked with elementary school students in various roles— camp counselor, sabbath school teacher, mental health technician and teacher’s assistant. While working as an aftercare and summer camp director, she found her passion for teaching, which she has now been doing for 8 years.

“I realized how much I loved working with young kids, and I really wanted to make a difference in their lives,” Ms. Jackson said.

Outside of school, Ms. Jackson enjoys watching movies, traveling and going to the beach with her family, including her dog Rocky. When she has a chance, she would like to visit Ireland and see the Cliffs of Moher. During her alone time, she enjoys listening to music and reading. Her two favorite books are “Because I Love You” by Max Lucado and “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers. 

If Ms. Jackson could have dinner with anyone, she would choose Oprah Winfrey, Esther and Moses. She would talk to Oprah to find out how she got to the top and gain insight into what made her show so successful. With Esther, she would have a talk about courage. Given the chance to talk to Moses, she would ask about how he felt when he parted the Red Sea. While these figures inspire her, she also finds inspiration in her students. 

The most rewarding part of Ms. Jackson’s work as a teacher at NTCA is seeing how excited students get when they learn something new. The school encourages her to make changes when something isn’t working and supports her in meeting the needs of her students. She has found that her dramatic teaching style has been a great fit for her first graders, and she enjoys watching them get their hands dirty while engaging in project-based learning.

At the end of the day, Ms. Jackson hopes her students leave her classroom with a sense of responsibility and knowledge that they are part of something bigger than themselves— they are part of a community, and they are loved. 

“The number one thing I hope they take away from my classroom is that Jesus loves them no matter what,” Ms. Jackson said.

Get to Know Smyrna Jackson

• What’s your favorite TV show? Seinfeld.

• What’s your favorite Bible verse? “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13 

• If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Garden salad.

• If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do? Take a cruise around the world.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? It would be so cool to fly.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.