Meet Ministries Director Cesar Grassiotto

Pastor Cesar Grassiotto, Ministries Director at NTCA, has discovered over the past 15 years that serving children and students is his life’s passion.

“There is indeed nothing that brings more joy to my heart than connecting young people to Jesus,” Pastor Cesar said.

Before finding his way to NTCA, Pastor Cesar had the privilege of being a youth pastor at five churches and the senior pastor of the Highland View Academy Church. As senior pastor, he helped organize the school campus ministry, which gave him the opportunity to assist the school Chaplain, staff and students. These experiences helped prepare him for his work at NTCA, which he believes God has called him to do.

Pastor Cesar sees education as a form of transformation. Being part of a school with so many talented and gifted students and teachers, he expects nothing less than to see extraordinary outcomes. This school has allowed him to become part of each student’s spiritual journey, which he finds to be the most rewarding part of his job. 

In the short time Pastor Cesar has been at NTCA, he has already formed amazing and warm friendships. His wife Laura will soon be joining him at the school as a music teacher, expanding his network even more. When the two aren’t working together at school, they’re at home with their wonderful one-year-old daughter Olivia. 

Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, Pastor Cesar already knew he wanted to be a pastor. He went on to major in Pastoral Theology at UNASP in São Paulo, an Adventist university, and he earned his master’s in Divinity Studies from Andrews University. He’s finishing his doctorate in ministry with an emphasis on millennials and Gen Z from Andrews University. Pastor Cesar knew all along what he wanted to do, but his family wasn’t as sure.

“I had never thought about anything else besides being a pastor,” Pastor Cesar said. “My dad wanted me to be an engineer!”

Aside from his educational achievements, Pastor Cesar is an accomplished pastor. During his years as a youth pastor at the Dallas Brazillian Church, they were recognized as the fastest growing church in the North America division. While growing in his career, Pastor Cesar has traveled around the world. Out of all the places he’s visited, Jerusalem was his favorite. Someday, he would like to visit Iceland.

When Pastor Cesar has time to himself, he enjoys reading a good book while drinking his favorite Starbucks drink. His favorite book is The Prodigal God by Tim Keller, a pastor who wanted to use the story of the prodigal son to spread the message of Jesus’s love and the hope and salvation he provides. In his years of ministry, Pastor Cesar has discovered that faith and prayer can change lives.

“My past experience has only proven one very important thing: that prayer is the only certain method that can improve, enhance, heal, and completely change everything,” Pastor Cesar said.

If students take away one thing from attending NTCA, Pastor Cesar hopes that it is that they are loved and wanted by God, and that nothing can separate them from His love. 

Get to Know Cesar Grassiotto

What’s your favorite movie? Jerry Meguire

What’s your favorite TV show? The Office

Which Bible verse is your favorite? Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Rice and beans with eggplant

If you could have any superpower, what would you choose? The power to read minds!

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.

Planning the Perfect Vegetarian Summer Picnic

Nothing makes a trip to the park great quite like blankets and homemade food. Summer picnics help create some of the best family memories. Putting a picnic together doesn’t have to be difficult. You just need to make sure you have everything you need to have homemade lunch in the great outdoors. Here’s our guide to planning the perfect vegetarian picnic for your family.

Packing for a Picnic

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a picnic and forget something you need. While food and drinks make picnics fun, you need more than that to keep your family safe and comfortable. Here are a few items we recommend bringing with you to your picnic:

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Cooler

• Ice

• Water 

• Blankets, pillows, etc., to sit on

• Foil or plastic wrap to cover food 

• Plates and utensils

What Food to Bring

When you’re planning a picnic, food is the most important part. You may be tempted to pack all your child’s favorite foods. However, you need to consider a few factors. The food you prepare needs to hold up until you reach your destination. It needs to travel well and taste good if it reaches room temperature. Finger foods are a safe bet, as they’re easy to transport and popular with people of all ages. You should also pack water, as well as drinks that have salt, sugar and electrolytes so everyone can stay hydrated and replenish nutrients used up by doing outdoor activities.

Planning the Day

One great thing about picnics is that they can be fun for any number of people. If you’re thinking “the more, the merrier,” send a fun invite to family and friends. Try to plan the picnic far enough in advance for food preparation but also close enough to anticipate the weather. Try getting to the park late in the morning to avoid spending all your time in the heat of the day. Pick a shady spot, or (if your family’s not the picnic- blanket-and-pillows type) see if you can reserve a shaded canopy in advance. 

Recipes

Homemade food is what makes picnics so special. Here are a couple vegetarian recipes that you can bring to a picnic and may find yourself craving later on:

Strawberry Fruit Leather 

Ingredients

• 4 ½ cups hulled strawberries

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Line two 12 x 17-inch baking sheets.

3. Blend ingredients together, straining seeds if desired.

4. Divide mixture between 2 pans, spreading evenly with a spatula.

5. Bake for 3 hours, rotating pan halfway through. 

6. Transfer to a cutting board, slicing into desired sizes.

7. Wrap with parchment paper and store in an airtight container.

Hummus with Veggies 

Ingredients

• One 14-oz can of cooked chickpeas (retain the liquid)

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp tahini

• 1 crushed garlic clove

• (For dipping) sliced vegetables like carrots, cucumber, peppers, celery, sugar snap peas

Directions

1. Put everything except the olive oil in a blender, blitz until smooth. Drizzle oil a little at a time while blending until all ingredients are combined.

2. If hummus is too thick, add in some of the chickpea liquid. 

3. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until picnic day. It can stay in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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.

Teacher Spotlight: Michelle Tillman

In her 11 years as an educator, 2nd grade teacher Michelle Tillman’s main goal has always been to inspire children to become excited about learning.

“I was an active participant in the learning process, and I try daily to transfer that approach to my students,” Ms. Tillman said.

Learning has been a passion of Ms. Tillman’s for most of her life. When she was growing up on the island of Trinidad and Tribago, Ms. Tillman first dreamed of being a linguist. In her high school years, she shifted gears, deciding she wanted to become a teacher. She graduated from the University of the South Caribbean and Nova Southeastern University specializing in business management and reading education. 

Education has proven to be a natural fit for Ms. Tillman, who often thinks of others before herself. Of all the superpowers Ms. Tillman could have, she would only want one — to help people see their value. She incorporates this philosophy into her teaching, always making sure her students know she values them.

Thinking of others is so ingrained in Ms. Tillman’s nature that if she won the lottery, her first thought would be to help those in need. Here’s what she said she’d do if she was a lucky lottery winner:

“Nothing. Stop and think,” Ms. Tillman said. “Then drill wells for people who desperately need clean water.”

When she has some time away from the classroom, Ms. Tillman enjoys traveling and going to the beach. Paris is her favorite place she’s been. While taking trips helps Ms. Tillman relax and find inspiration, her true passion lies in her work. 

Teaching at NTCA, Ms. Tillman finds that helping students understand concepts and get excited about learning is the most rewarding part of what she does. By engaging students with hands-on activities and collaboration, she helps students become their best selves. She enjoys teaching in a Christian environment, which allows her to encourage students to excel on an academic and spiritual level.

“They can learn anything, and they are created in the image of God,” Ms. Tillman said.

Get to Know Michelle Tillman

What’s your favorite book? In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton

What's your favorite movie? The Ultimate Gift and Seabiscuit

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would you choose? Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Indra Nooyi

What is your favorite Bible verse? Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Fruit: Blueberries/pineapple/bananas/mango/black mission figs.

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.

5 Great Books for First-Time Readers

Children have the easiest time relating to books that take them on fun adventures while teaching simple lessons. When a child starts reading for the first time, it’s important to find books that keep them engaged. Illustrated books provide the best context for those who are just learning to read by fully immersing them in the story. Here are five books we recommend for first-time readers:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 

The classic children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle follows the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through a week’s worth of food before becoming a butterfly. With colorful illustrations, pop-ups and holes, this book can hold any new reader’s attention. From this book, children can learn about days of the week and life cycles of different creatures. This creature-driven book is often cited as one of the best children’s books of all time. Since being published in 1969, this book has sold more than 40 million copies and inspired generations of children.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss 

“I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam I Am.” Like many of Dr. Seuss’s works, Green Eggs and Ham charms audiences of all ages while teaching children a lesson. The unnamed main character resists Sam I Am’s attempts to get him to try a new dish, green eggs and ham. The story rhymes throughout, which can help new readers sound out the words and adds to its sense of humor. Like the rhyming narrative, the illustrations are bright-colored, whimsical and surreal. At the end of the book, the main character tries the food he refused to eat and enjoys it, just like many young picky eaters.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 

Children with adventurous spirits can see themselves in Where the Wild Things Are. A young boy named Max wreaks havoc around the house while dressed in a wolf costume, and his mother sends him to bed without dinner. When he enters his bedroom, it’s mysteriously turned into a jungle environment. Max sails to an island inhabited by beasts. After intimidating them and becoming their king, he runs around with them causing ruckus. He starts feeling lonely and makes his way back to his real-life room, where a hot dinner awaits him. With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming lesson, children and parents alike enjoy this story. 

Verdi by Janell Cannon 

In the book Verdi, a young yellow python doesn’t want to grow up. Verdi enjoys being yellow with black stripes, slithering quickly across the rainforest floor and jumping across the sky. All the green snakes seem lazy and boring, and Verdi doesn’t want to be like them. When he sees the first sign of green on his body, he tries to get rid of it, but he eventually turns green and realizes that he can still be himself. The illustrations in this book not only help tell Verdi’s story but also give a glimpse into rainforest environments with other animals that live there. Even children who fear snakes can relate to Verdi’s struggle of finding who they are. 

Corduroy by Don Freeman 

Corduroy tells the story of a small teddy bear who lives on a department store shelf. Corduroy spends his days sitting around waiting for a child’s friendship. A little girl named Lisa wants to buy him, but her mother doesn’t want to spend the money. She points out that the bear is missing a button. Once the store closes, Corduroy goes on an adventure to find his missing button. Lisa returns to the store with the money from her piggy bank, buys Corduroy, and sews a button on him after bringing him home. It turns out that both Lisa and Corduroy were looking for a friend. This story provides many life lessons, like saving money and not judging by appearances. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a private school in Wesley Chapel, 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.

Teacher Spotlight: Monique Rothe

Monique Rothe on a field trip with her class.

Monique Rothe, NTCA’s upper school humanities teacher, discovered her love of educating others when she started teaching horseback riding lessons at the age of 11.

Growing up in Gray, TN, Ms. Rothe spent every possible minute of her childhood on farms with horses. Her family always had pets, a tradition she carries on with her two cats — Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry — and two goats — Huckleberry and Jedidiah. Along with the love of animals, her love of teaching started early on. 

A former English teacher of Ms. Rothe’s named Mrs. Greer inspired a love of literature that helped Ms. Rothe decide she wanted to become an English teacher herself. She learned that “literature and writing are LIFE,” a message she passes on to her classes. Ms. Rothe tells new students that they will learn two things: what they think and how to say it well. Over time, she has learned that this simple explanation helps students understand and apply their lessons.

“The biggest influencer is years,” Ms. Rothe said. “When one has taught for a while, it gets easier to see what really matters.”

Monique Rothe in the classroom

Ms. Rothe’s teaching career started in 1992 after she graduated from Southern College of Seventh-Day Adventists (now SAU) as an English and secondary education major. At NTCA, she enjoys working in an atmosphere that respects traditions but always looks for new ways to innovate. Her favorite part of teaching at the academy is the moment when a concept clicks for a student. 

“The best part of my job is seeing students ‘get’ something— anything,” Ms. Rothe said. “When a student suddenly understands or sees the significance or makes a connection, I am high for days.”

Aside from caring for animals and helping students, Ms. Rothe enjoys reading and watching movies. Some of her many favorite movies are The Princess Bride, Pretty Woman, Ever After, Die Hard and all 10 Avengers movies. She enjoys watching TV shows like Parks and Recreation and Firefly. As far as books go, she loves several of them but finds that one book in particular is worth a special mention.

“I love many, many books and keep going back to them for comfort and inspiration,” Ms. Rothe said. “I do think To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest books ever written.”

Monique Rothe with students on spirit week.

Inspiration comes from many places for Ms. Rothe. If she could have dinner with any three people, she would choose author Sir Terry Pratchett, Jonah and Sojourner Truth. She also has a solid plan for winning the lottery. First, she would pay tithe, then she would give chunks of money to family, friends and strangers. She only needs enough to pay off her house, get the boys through college and have a nest egg for retirement. 

“I really mean this,” Ms. Rothe said. “I pray my sinful, selfish nature would not conquer me on this. And I pray God will let me find out soon.”  

Ms. Rothe’s faith also informs her teaching philosophy. If her students take away anything from her classes, she hopes they know that God is real and loves them; she loves them; there is no substitute for taking time to think deeply, and, of course, “Literature and writing are LIFE!”

Monique Rothe, Upper School Humanities Teacher

Get to Know Monique Rathe

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I know everyone who knows me thinks I will say chocolate. But actually, it would be potatoes because they are very versatile, and I would not get bored.

What’s your favorite place that you have traveled to, or a place you would like to visit? It’s a tie so far. I love Paris— walking along the Seine, eating a crepe, looking at the Eiffel Tower... I love the whole schmaltzy touristy thing. I also love Edinburgh, Scotland, which felt like home the minute I arrived.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Flying. No question. I have had recurring dreams of flying all my life. I love to be in the air.

What did you want to be when you were little? An astronaut, always an astronaut. 

What’s your favorite Bible verse? The two I go by every day are 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.

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.