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CEDAR
Classical Educational Days at Riverside
Instructors
Mrs. Cristy Ayala
Position
Spanish I
Spanish II
Education
B.I.S. in Environmental Chemistry George Mason University
Experience
Cristy has tutored the exact sciences and Spanish since she was a freshman in college. The past 10 years, she has tutored middle and high school students in the private sector. Homeschool Co-ops in the area describe Cristy as a dynamic tutor because of her class-engaging activities to enhance learning. Cristy also works as a Substitute Teacher in private schools from Boca Raton to Pompano Beach “for fun,” as she likes to describe it. Cristy graduated from George Mason University in Virginia, but her high school years were spent in Bolivia where she graduated from high school, top of her class, as a fully bilingual student.
Background and Interests
Cristy enjoys teaching. The past twelve years, aside from tutoring middle and high school students, her concentration has been homeschooling her two boys. Her older son, currently a junior in college, describes his mom as “tough with a touch of fun.” With the help of CEDAR, Cristy is homeschooling her younger son who is a freshman in high school. In her free time, she enjoys a delicious, iced coffee while walking the greens of a golf course along her younger son who plays competitive golf.
Professor John Baker
Position
Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry Dual Enrollment
College Algebra Dual Enrollment
Education
B.S. in Mathematics from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida
Florida state certified teacher
Experience
Professor Baker has been teaching Geometry, Honors Geometry, and Integrated Math II at Westminster Academy for 29 years. He has also taught Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, and PreCalculus Algebra as an adjunct professor at Broward College for over 15 years.
Background and Interests
John has been a coach of the Boys Varsity Tennis team and JV Boys Basketball team as well as an assistant to the Varsity Football team and the Varsity Track team at Westminster Academy. He has been married to Nancy (a piano teacher at Pine Crest school) for 19 years. John's two daughters, Amanda and Emily, both graduated from Westminster Academy and are both currently students at the University of Florida. John and his family attend Coral Ridge Presbyterian church where John has been a member for 29 years and has served as an assistant in the high school youth group and as a timpanist for the Brass Ensemble Worship Team.
Position
General Psychology Dual Enrollment
Education
B.S. in Communication, University of Florida; M.S. in Counseling from Barry University; M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Knox Theological Seminary
Experience
Prof. Beaupied is a therapist at Spanish River Counseling Center at their Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton offices. He completed his graduate internship at 4Kids of South Florida and the Dr. Maureen Duffy Family Enrichment Center at Barry University. He is an adjunct professor of psychology at Broward College and a teacher at Westminster Academy.
Background and Interests
Married for over 25 years to Marcy, with two children, Brandon and Lina. He attends Rio Vista Community Church.
Professor Jason Beaupied
Mrs. Marcy Beaupied
Position
2D Design and Composition
Drawing I
Education
B.S. in Elementary Education, with k-12 Specialization in Art, and ESOL endorsement; Florida Atlantic University
Experience
K-8th Art Teacher, Bethany Christian School; High School Art Teacher, Westminster Academy; Art Coordinator for Summersational, a preK-5th summer camp;
Founded and taught Project Artwork, Marcy’s own private company providing after-school art enrichment classes for the past 17 years;
Private instruction; Summer studio camps at her home studio.
Background and InterestsMarcy has taught art in various capacities and settings for almost 20 years. In 2009, she started Project Artwork, an after-school art class for students who wanted extra art instruction. She has worked with every age group from pre-k to adult, but has a special love for middle and high school students. Marcy believes everyone has a desire to create because we’re made in the image of our Creator God. It is her joy to come alongside students and give them the encouragement and skills needed to follow their individual creativity. Prior to becoming an art educator, Marcy worked as an interior design assistant, and for many years as a floral designer, developing her skills in three-dimensional design. Marcy has been a lifelong artist and maker herself. She has a home art studio in Fort Lauderdale and is currently making artwork in wooden mosaic, pyrography, painting, and batik. Marcy has also been involved with worship ministry as a singer and musician at Rio Vista Community Church where she and her husband Jason (also a CEDAR instructor) have been members for over 20 years. She is the mother of two children, Brandon and Evelina, both of whom she has homeschooled on and off over the years.
Mr. Brian Brookins
Position
Survey of the Bible
Evangelism & Apologetics Dual Enrollment
Worldview
Education
B.A. in History
M.A. in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological
Completed course work for a Doctor of Ministry from Knox Seminary in Fort Lauderdale
Experience
He serves as the Lead Pastor at CEDAR's host church and has spent his entire ministry, 3 decades, at Riverside.
Background and Interests
Brian is a native Floridian, except for a few childhood years spent in the Washington D.C. area. Brian's passion is to grow in gospel-shaped, theologically-driven, Christ-centered, biblically-saturated ministry. Brian and Beth have enjoyed 30 years of marriage. They were initially blessed with 4 children (Daniel, SarahAnne, Jacob and David), but knew their family was not yet complete. In 2005 they adopted Joshua and Caleb from Accra, Ghana in West Africa.
Mrs. Stephanie Brunk
Position
Investigative Science
General Science
Physical Science
Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
Dual Enrollment Biology
Education
B.S. in Science University of North Florida
M.S. in Science Clemson University
Experience
Stephanie taught middle and high school science for eight years at Harvest Community School in Jacksonville, Florida. She served as the Science Department Head at Harvest overseeing all middle and high school science teachers as well as designing the science curriculum flow from K-4 through 12th grade. She taught Biology, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physical Science, Marine Biology and Dual Enrollment Biology through Florida State College in Jacksonville during her years of teaching. Stephanie home schools her two children along with teaching at CEDAR.
Background and Interests
Stephanie loves teaching middle and high school students. Showing the students how perfectly God created everything from the tiniest living organism to the solar system and beyond through science is her passion. She believes the more you learn about science, the more you will be in awe of how great our God is. Stephanie and her husband Gary have two children Joshua and Ashlyn who both attend classes at CEDAR.
Mrs. Andrea Gardner
Position
English I Honors
English II Honors
Speech
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree from Tennessee Temple University in secondary education with an English proficiency and minors in speech and Bible, also graduated from The King’s Academy
Experience
Florida teacher certified for English 6-12 and available for homeschool evaluation, taught at Berean Christian School, homeschooled all three of her children from age three to twelfth grade, instructor at CEDAR and HEED for a combination of eighteen years
Background and Interests
Pastor’s wife, widowed at age thirty six, Neighborhood Bible Club leader for twenty-two years, teaches ladies’ Sunday school class, leads kids choir and ensemble, two of her children are professors at Pensacola Christian College in the areas of speech and science.
Interests: Singing sacred music, performing, writing, coaching in speech
Mr. Johnny Falzone
Position
Survey of the Bible
Education
Johnny holds an associate’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and is currently earning a bachelor’s degree in ministry from Liberty Bible College & Seminary. He received his ministry license in January 2018.
Experience
Johnny Falzone is the Youth Director at Riverside Church in North Lauderdale and works with a team of student ministry volunteers to help all middle and high school students know and grow in Christ. Johnny also serves as support to the Riverside staff in the areas of facility management and A/V tech support since 2013. Johnny has given experience in helping lead and grow student ministries both as a volunteer and vocationally. He has previously worked with United Christian Youth Camps in Prescott, Arizona and Victory Life Church in Plantation, Florida with responsibilities of teaching at weekly youth services, volunteer coordinating, event planning, and administrative support.
Background and Interests
Johnny and his wife Carli were married in 2016 and have a young son born in 2021.
Mrs. Edith Irizarry
Position
CEDAR4 (All day curriculum for 4th graders)
Education
B.S. in Elementary Ed. from Florida A&M University
Experience
Edith taught for the Broward County Public School System and also substituted at Calvary Christian Academy. She was a teacher’s assistant for math at CEDAR. Her greatest experience comes from home educating her two children for 13 years.
Background and Interests
Edith Irizarry was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New York, and moved to Florida in 1990. Edith has been happily married to David for 26 years and has two children. Jovani attends FAU where he is pursing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her youngest, Natalia, attends CEDAR and plays soccer for the South Florida HEAT. The Irizarrys have called Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale their home church for the last 21 years. Edith has served in the children’s ministry for 16 years. As a family they enjoy vacationing in the mountains, fossil hunting, and watching movies.
Professor Walt Jominy
Position
Macro and Micro Economics, Dual Enrollment
Education
MBA Nova Southeastern University
BAS Ohio State University
Experience
Adjunct Professor of Economics: Palm Beach Atlantic University, Broward College, Teacher: Westminster Academy, Ruling Elder North Creek Presbyterian Church
Background and Interests
Endurance athlete (Ironman, Marathoner and Ultra runner)
Professor Kurt Lehmann
Position
Worldview
Education
B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of South Florida
M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of South Florida
Experience
During his studies at USF, Kurt worked as a research assistant at the nationally recognized Center for Urban Transportation Research. For the past three years, Kurt has worked professionally as an analyst/planner for a Cambridge Systematics, a transportation planning and engineering consultancy firm. Kurt has coauthored research published in the Transportation Research Record and has been privileged to present numerous times at Transportation Research Board annual meetings.
Background and Interests
Kurt was born and raised in Florida, in the Tampa Bay area and moved to South Florida in 2018. Kurt loves studying the Bible and is fascinated with reconciling observational science/engineering, historical study, and a biblical framework of understanding to show the greatness of God's creation and story. Kurt watches and plays sports, hikes and camps, travels, and studies data modeling/analytics in his spare time. He is also a member of Riverside Church and volunteers with the student and children ministries with a passion for teaching youth about God's gospel.
Mr. John Maury
Position
Chemistry with Lab Honors
Honors Physics with Lab
Education
M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.
Fulfilled the academic requirements towards a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University
Experience
John has experience teaching/tutoring students at the high-school and undergraduate college levels in Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the US for over 10 years. He also worked as a graduate teaching assistant of college undergraduate and graduate courses for 7 years at North Carolina State University. These courses include Chemical Process Principles, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (undergraduate and advanced), and Fundamentals of Transport Phenomena. As a graduate research assistant, he performed computer simulations of polymeric and biological systems, co-authoring five scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. He currently works for Creation Studies Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At Creation Studies Institute, he assists with the academic programs, research projects, and he leads the Spanish-outreach efforts.
Background and Interests
John was born in Colombia and has been married to his wife Alesha since 2014. He has a passion to reach English and Spanish-speaking communities with God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ and the truth of God's creation.
Mrs. Aracely Maseda
Position
Literature/Language Arts
Education
BA in Education from FAU
Experience
Aracely has taught in the Broward County Public Schools System.
Background and Interests
Aracely Maseda is a native Floridian born in Cocoa Beach, Florida and raised in Tampa Bay, Florida. She has been married to Laz Maseda for over twenty eight years and has two daughters. Her eldest daughter Angelica graduated from Calvary Christian Academy and is currently enrolled in the BC Dental Program. Victoria is her youngest daughter and has been home educated at CEDAR for over five years. Aracely's home church is Riverside. She and her family have worshiped and served here for over twenty seven years.
Mrs. Daryl Middlebrooks
Position
Analytical Grammar PLUS Composition I
Analytical Grammar PLUS Composition II
Education
B.S. in Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee
Experience
Daryl has taught in the Broward County Schools for over five years
Background and Interests
Mrs. Daryl Middlebrooks grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and married a native Floridian, Todd, whom she has been happily married to for over twenty-five years. She has four children and began homeschooling when her first two sons were in first and second grades. Those two sons are college graduates now and her daughter is a freshman in college. She is currently home educating her youngest son who enjoys taking classes at CEDAR. She has been privileged to lead a women's Bible study in her home for many years.
Mrs. Laura Pittman
Position
Cedar5
World History
Education
BA in Elementary Education from Trinity International University
Experience
Laura completed her student teaching at Miami Country Day School and taught at Cushman School in Miami. She home educated her two children and taught in enrichment programs in Miami Shores and Biscayne Park. Over the past few years she has taught an Elementary block, Literature, American and World History and sciences for Equip Education and The Hub.
Background and Interests
Laura served 19 years in Children and Student Ministry in Miami. She also served with the North American Mission Board in Creative Arts and Evangelism. She loves camping and spending time with her family and friends playing games. She also enjoys the opportunities to story tell during Children’s programming at her church. Most recently she loves cheering on her children as they participate in HEAT sports programming.
Mrs. Shana Smith
Position
Fundamental Math
Pre-Algebra Honors
Algebra 1 Honors
Education
Bachelors Degree in Education from UCF
Certified Life Coach
Certified Florida Educator
Experience
Over the last 25 years, Shana has taught a multitude of grades in both
private and public school settings. A majority of that time was spent at
Parkway Christian School teaching middle school math, civics and theology.
The last three years she has tutored middle school math to several
homeschoolers.
Background and InterestsShana is a Native Floridian who truly appreciates Florida's beaches. She is
happily married to Aaron and they will be celebrating 25 years of marriage
this coming year. They are the proud parents of Katlyn, Kayla and Sophia.
Shana is also the proud "pawrents" of three dogs that are forever loved and
spoiled. When Shana has free time, she loves to travel and be with her
family whenever and wherever possible.
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