Teacher Spotlight: Denise Tonn

Denise Tonn’s life has been a life of travel. During her time in college, those travels brought her on a mission trip that inspired her to be a teacher. As a child, she wanted to live in Alaska and drive for dog sled teams. Her childhood had her moving all around the US, including time in Clearwater, Florida as a middle schooler. She liked Clearwater so much that she moved back to the area as an adult, which eventually led her to her current role as a science teacher at NTCA. 

Even though she has made a home in Tampa Bay, Tonn still loves to travel. Her favorite place she’s visited is a village in the interior of Guyana, where she had the opportunity to live for a year. College brought her two a couple different states, with her earning a BS in Biology from Southern Adventist University in TN and an MS in Biology from Walla Walla University in WA. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys exploring new places, going kayaking and spending time with her family.

In her 16 years of teaching, Tonn has had the opportunity to participate in professional development programs around engagement strategies, student-centered learning and project-based learning. She incorporates all the lessons she’s learned by using different combinations of techniques every day. This career allows Tonn to continually learn and find new ways to engage students, something she does with a passion. 

“I see each of my students as a child of God who has immeasurable value in His sight,” Tonn said. “How could I do any less than my best for them?”

During her early years of teaching, Tonn drastically changed her teaching techniques whenever she learned new methods and wanted to try them out. She now has a strong sense of what works well, and she is much better at tailoring her instruction to the strengths and needs of the students she has each year.

If you ask Tonn, the best part of being a teacher is seeing the progress students make throughout the year. It’s not as much about the “aha” moments for her as the gradual changes that take place. She loves being part of the journey as students begin to take on more responsibility, experience small successes, form better habits and gain confidence in their abilities. It also brings her joy when they enjoy the subject matter. As a science teacher, she hopes that students will walk away with an appreciation of science as a relevant part of their lives. 

“I hope my students develop a sense of wonder and deep appreciation for God’s creation in the natural world,” Tonn said. “I hope they leave knowing that science is not some esoteric realm that’s the property of people in lab coats, but that science belongs to all of us. “

After taking her classes, Tonn wants students to be able to approach questions using the scientific method to find answers in their everyday life. Former students will sometimes tell her about how they experienced connections between things they learned in her class and what they’re learning in university classes or work life. Watching these students embrace education after high school brings her great joy. 

“Because isn’t the goal of every teacher to grow students who will be lifelong learners even after they don’t have a teacher anymore?” 

Get to Know Denise Tonn

Do you have any pets? One cat and two big dogs
What is your favorite Bible verse or passage? The Christmas story in Luke
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would you choose? Jane Goodall, Rosalind Franklin, and Wangari Maathai
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do? Buy my mom a house
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Super speed 

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.

Understanding the Growing Popularity of Esports

This generation is more online than any generation before. Children spend much of their time tuned into devices, whether they’re playing video games or tuning into streams of their favorite gamers or celebrities. It should be no surprise that competitive video gaming, known as eSports, has taken this generation by storm. So, why is eSports so popular?

Online Streaming

Before the pandemic, Esports was already making its way into the mainstream. However, when people needed to isolate themselves, this genre of sports exploded. The world of conventional sports screeched to a halt, but Esports players had a unique ability to move their games remote. Since all the gaming was done online, this was an easy pivot to make. Live streaming events had always been part of Esports, so the infrastructure was all there to make Esports successful at a time when other sports struggled.  

Ease of Access

Nearly anyone can play a video game. Becoming a superstar athlete involves rigorous training, an early start in life and, most importantly, innate physical ability. Gamers can come from any walk of life and anywhere around the world. While competitive gamers work hard at their craft, the starting point is as simple as picking up a controller or using a computer keyboard. 

The accessibility of Esports extends to its fans. Anyone with an internet connection can watch Esports, while watching other sports games may require cable or a television setup. Like any sport, Esports fans have the option of traveling to see their favorite teams in person. And with the high production value of Esports shows, there’s plenty of motivation to make the trip if you’re a fan.

Turning Hobbies into Careers

“When you do what you love, you don’t work a day in your life.” This is a huge part of the appeal of competitive gaming. While it’s just as involved as any other sport, especially as you move up the ranks, competitive gaming can be a great springboard for turning a hobby into a career. What starts out as playing games can become much more without high startup costs and at just about any point in life. 

A Growing Genre

Esports has been around for decades but has only recently become a household term. As fast internet becomes available to more people and as gaming genres expand, more and more people feel welcome in the gaming community. Esports tournaments range from team competitions to individually ranked games. With so many ways to play and so many games to choose from, it’s no wonder Esports keeps growing as time goes on. 

School Esports Teams

One way that Esports has become more accessible to more people is through Esports programs at schools. Many colleges now offer Esports programs, and some private schools, like North Tampa Christian Academy, offer them to younger players. There are many ways to get involved in Esports, no matter your age, ability level or background. 

We encourage our students to pursue what they love, whether it’s competitive gaming or playing sports on the field. 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.

Spreading Love with Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day is coming soon! Children will pass out valentines to all their friends and classmates, and couples will exchange flowers and candy. It’s the perfect time to remember the importance of love in our lives. The holiday also presents an opportunity for making adorable heart-shaped crafts with your child. Here are a few Valentine’s Day crafts that we love.

Bird Feeder Hearts

Crafting projects often end up stashed away and eventually thrown away, despite your best intentions. What if you could make an adorable craft that could be put to use? These bird feeder hearts can do just that, making them more sustainable and fun than the average craft. They’re easy to make, especially with the help of older children. 

Recipe

• For the hearts

• ¾ cup of flour

• ½ cup of water

• 1 2.5 teaspoon envelope of unflavored gelatin

• 3 tablespoons of corn syrup

• 4 cups of birdseed

• Other items needed

• Heart-shaped cookie cutter

• Cooking spray

• Pieces of ribbon

• Gift tags 

Instructions

• Spray a spoon with cooking spray.

• Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. 

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

• Spray the inside of a heart-shaped cookie cutter, place it on the parchment paper, then fill it with birdseed, packing it down as you go.

• Spray a second spoon with cooking spray to pat down the heart, making sure it’s really packed in. 

• Make a hole near the top center using a chopstick or similar object

• Remove the cookie cutter, fixing up the edges, then let them sit overnight

• The next day, put a ribbon through the center of each heart, and tie the ends together

• Tie a gift tie to each ribbon 

Perler Bead Valentines

Who says Valentine’s cards need to be made from cardstock? Playing with perler beads will bring you right back to the days when you were making cards for your classmates. It will also show your child a fun, easy form of crafting. For this project, you will need to use an iron, so you may need to help a younger child.

Items needed

• Perler beads

• Perler bead pegboard

• Parchment paper

• Iron

• Small 2.75-inch glassine envelopes

• Washi tape

Instructions

• Arrange beads on a pegboard into a heart shape, and build a square around the heart. Make the overall size 12 pegs across to fit into a 2.75-inch envelope. 

• When the design is complete, lay parchment paper over the beads

• Set the heated iron on the parchment paper, holding for 10-15 seconds

• Allow plastic to cool

• Once it has cooled, remove the square from the pegboard, and place into an envelope. Seal the envelope with washi tape. 

Yarn Heart Art

A staple of crafting, yarn can be used in many ways to create works of art with a homemade feel. You can dive into crocheting or knitting with your child, create a design using a board with nails, or do this simple project. These pieces of 3D art make wonderful decorative gifts despite how simple they are to make.

Items needed

• Red yarn, preferably in multiple shades

• Flat wooden hearts, various sizes

• Small canvases, around 6” x 6”

Instructions

• Wrap the wooden hearts with yarn, forming the round shape as you wrap. Be careful to make sure it holds the heart shape. 

• If you are using multiple colors, be sure to alternate between the two colors when you’re wrapping. 

• Tuck in the loose thread.

• Hot glue the hearts to the canvas.

If your child loves to paint, consider having them paint the canvas, making sure it fully dries before sticking anything on it. A bright solid color like yellow or blue can make the red hearts pop and add another dimension to this simple project. 

Crafting for Valentine’s Day gives you a chance to spend quality time with your child and allows your child to spread love through homemade gifts. 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.

How to Talk to Your Child About Bullying

Talking to your child about bullying can be difficult. However, the difficult conversations are often the most important ones to have. Your child needs to know about bullying from an early age so they know what to do if it happens to them. Talking about it early on can also help you avoid a situation where your child becomes the bully. Here are a few recommendations we have for talking to your child about this tough subject. 

Start Broad

If you dive right into different types of bullying and how bullying may impact your child, you may end up scaring them more than helping. Start the conversation by bringing up bullying and asking what they know. Talk about different types of bullying, like cyberbullying and in-person bullying. Ask questions. See what they think, and see if there’s anything you can teach them before going into a deeper conversation. 

Listen to Your Child

Being bullied often makes children feel ashamed. There’s a strong chance that if your child is being bullied in school or online, they won’t tell you until the situation escalates. That’s one reason why it’s important to listen to your child intently when they tell you how they’re doing. Check up on them often to make sure they’re in a good place. If you notice signs of bullying, like withdrawing, sleeping less or constantly looking stressed, ask what’s going on. Letting your child know you’re there for them when they need you can make a big difference in their lives.

If They’re Being Bullied

When your child reveals to you that they’ve been bullied, a rush of thoughts may flood into your mind. However, you need to remain calm. Remember, your child has entrusted you with information that they may have been holding onto for a while. First, you need to reassure your child that this is not their fault. Children and adults are often shamed into feeling guilty for others’ bad behavior.

Ask for more details about the situation. Has this happened before? Do you feel unsafe? While you may be tempted to call the school immediately, you’ll want to ask your child first. If you talk to the school, they may have to as well, and they need to be ready for that. Finally, work on solutions with your child. See what your child can do to avoid these situations with the bully, and come up with an action plan for what to do if it happens again. 

If They Bully Others

The last thing you want to learn is that your child has bullied another child. As difficult as it may be, you need to approach the situation with an open mind. See if you can figure out the reasons why they decided to bully other children, and help them come up with better solutions for dealing with difficult feelings or situations. If you spend time processing this with your child and the bullying continues, consider sending your child to therapy. Your child may benefit from talking to a third party who is trained in areas like cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Look into School Programs

Some schools, like NTCA, have bullying prevention programs to address bullying that takes place on campus. If your child’s school has a bullying prevention program, they may have resources available for parents and children to help them deal with these situations. 

Bullying is a serious issue, especially when families don’t talk about it. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, we have a Bullying Prevention Program to address bullying from all sides. Our school allows students to 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.

Student Driver Safety Procedures

Beginning Wednesday, January 18, 2023 approved student drivers should follow the following procedures

• Park in the front parking lot near Building 1

• Check-in at the Welcome Desk, turning in your keys and signing the Daily Key Log.  Keys will be stored in a locked cabinet during the school day.

• Check-out at the Welcome Desk when leaving campus at dismissal, signing the Daily Key Log and receiving your keys.

• Student drivers who need to leave Campus before regular dismissal time, should have their parents set up an early dismissal request in Pikmykid and contact the office – office@northtampaca.com  Students who are finished with classes, and whose parents have not made arrangements for early dismissal will remain in study hall until regular dismissal time.