Dawn Bender, VPK Teacher Director/Owner

My name is Dawn Bender. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s in business administration. During my final year, I realized that I wanted to become a teacher. Subsequently, I went to Old Dominion University and received a master’s degree in early childhood education.

I began my career teaching kindergarten. S

My name is Dawn Bender. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s in business administration. During my final year, I realized that I wanted to become a teacher. Subsequently, I went to Old Dominion University and received a master’s degree in early childhood education.

I began my career teaching kindergarten. Since then, I have taught preschool through second grade, with most of my experience being in first grade. I have been teaching for a total of 25 years. After many years of observing students that came to my first-grade class frustrated and behind academically, my coworkers and I decided to open a preschool. One of our goals is to teach the foundational skills that students need to be successful in kindergarten. Another goal we have is to encourage lifelong learning by making learning fun.

I am married and have 4 children. My children are 21, 18, 14, and 10. They keep me very busy, but in my spare time, I enjoy exercising, arts and crafts, reading, and watching my kids play basketball.

My name is Christel Phelps.  I was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to Florida after graduating high school.  I received my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Saint Leo where I graduated Summa Cum Laude.

I have always loved school and when my twins were in Kindergarten, I decided to go back and get my education degree.

My c

My name is Christel Phelps.  I was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to Florida after graduating high school.  I received my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Saint Leo where I graduated Summa Cum Laude.

I have always loved school and when my twins were in Kindergarten, I decided to go back and get my education degree.

My children, Cody and Cassy, both graduated from college and have started their own lives as adults now.  We enjoy spending time together on vacations.  I've been married for 37 years.

I taught at a local elementary school for 13 years before the opportunity came to open a preschool with my two co-workers and friends.  It has been a learning experience being on the business side of education, but enjoyable.

My name is Jeanmaria Fisher.  I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. My husband and I have three daughters ages 16, 12, and 6.  

I have over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Throughout this time, I have worked in the preschool setting with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. I graduated with an Associate of Scienc

My name is Jeanmaria Fisher.  I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. My husband and I have three daughters ages 16, 12, and 6.  

I have over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Throughout this time, I have worked in the preschool setting with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. I graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Management from Hillsborough Community College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from State College of Florida.  

I have a passion for early education, and I believe that children learn best through play.  I am committed to providing an environment where children can develop the social-emotional skills needed to be successful.  Establishing positive relationships between school, home, and the community creates a strong foundation for children to flourish.  I look forward to working alongside you and your child throughout the school year. 

Hi! My name is Georgina but I go by Ms. Gina. I was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I moved to Tampa in 2016 with my family and have loved living here ever since.  

I have been a part of the Wesley Chapel Academy team since October 2020. I enjoy working in early childhood and childcare. I love being a

part of their early y

Hi! My name is Georgina but I go by Ms. Gina. I was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I moved to Tampa in 2016 with my family and have loved living here ever since.  

I have been a part of the Wesley Chapel Academy team since October 2020. I enjoy working in early childhood and childcare. I love being a

part of their early years and a part of building the foundation your children need to grow

as a whole.  

Hello! I joined the amazing staff here at WCA in 2021. I am originally from Alabama but have lived in Zephyrhills most of my life. I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. I graduated from USF in 2011 with a BS in Elementary Education and then taught 1st grade for 10 years. I wholeheartedly believe in the principles that WCA up

Hello! I joined the amazing staff here at WCA in 2021. I am originally from Alabama but have lived in Zephyrhills most of my life. I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. I graduated from USF in 2011 with a BS in Elementary Education and then taught 1st grade for 10 years. I wholeheartedly believe in the principles that WCA uphold to, and I look forward to teaching the foundational skills 4–5-year-olds need to succeed in kindergarten.

My name is Francesca Cruz. I was born and raised in Tampa, FL. My husband and I have two lovely children. My son, Roman is 10 years old, and my daughter Aurora, is 5 years old. I started working with children when I was 15 years old. I volunteered at RICH HOUSE, where I supervised and tutored children from low-income communities. I starte

My name is Francesca Cruz. I was born and raised in Tampa, FL. My husband and I have two lovely children. My son, Roman is 10 years old, and my daughter Aurora, is 5 years old. I started working with children when I was 15 years old. I volunteered at RICH HOUSE, where I supervised and tutored children from low-income communities. I started at Wesley Chapel Academy August 2021.   I look forward to making class a fun and exciting environment for the students.

Hi! My name is DanJae Donaldson, but I go by Ms. D. My first name is pronounced Dan-yay!  I was born in Chicago but was raised in Tampa and several parts of Indiana. Growing up, we moved a lot which helped me gain the ability to adapt well to different environments. I started in the education field when I was still in high school. My scho

Hi! My name is DanJae Donaldson, but I go by Ms. D. My first name is pronounced Dan-yay!  I was born in Chicago but was raised in Tampa and several parts of Indiana. Growing up, we moved a lot which helped me gain the ability to adapt well to different environments. I started in the education field when I was still in high school. My school offered a program that allowed me to be a teacher assistant to a 2nd and 3rd grade class. Once I graduated, I started my early childhood career. I graduated with an Early Childhood Associate in 2019, an Associate in Arts in 2024, and have obtained a Director's Credential. Since being in the early childhood field, I have experience being a lead teacher in the two's, three's, and VPK classrooms. 

Hello! My name is Camila Theron. I was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2018. After graduating high school, I began working at a daycare, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with both 3-year-olds and VPK classes. I’ve always loved working with children, and it’s a passion I’ve had since I was young. Interacting with 

Hello! My name is Camila Theron. I was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2018. After graduating high school, I began working at a daycare, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with both 3-year-olds and VPK classes. I’ve always loved working with children, and it’s a passion I’ve had since I was young. Interacting with and helping kids grow is something I truly enjoy and find rewarding!

My name is Nicole Myers and I am originally from Georgia. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Birmingham-Southern College. While in college, I completed an externship in Pediatric
Neuropsychology and volunteered tutoring at a local elementary school, which is how I discovered my love for working with kids in a
learning

My name is Nicole Myers and I am originally from Georgia. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Birmingham-Southern College. While in college, I completed an externship in Pediatric
Neuropsychology and volunteered tutoring at a local elementary school, which is how I discovered my love for working with kids in a
learning environment. As a preschool teacher, I appreciate and cherish the
unique opportunity to set children up for a lifetime of academic success by
ensuring that their first experiences in a classroom are positive ones.  I like to spend my spare time with my husband and two boys outdoors, on or near the water, snuggled up with a good book, or cheering on the Tennessee Volunteer football team in the fall.  I’m so excited to be a foundational part of your child’s educational journey, at Wesley Chapel Academy!”

Hello, my name is Ellen Varca. I am originally from New Jersey and moved to Florida ten years ago. My husband and I have five grown boys and three grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my grandchildren grow. 

      I have over seven years experience working with children ages two through five. I enjoy watching ch

Hello, my name is Ellen Varca. I am originally from New Jersey and moved to Florida ten years ago. My husband and I have five grown boys and three grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my grandchildren grow. 

      I have over seven years experience working with children ages two through five. I enjoy watching children grow and become more independent. I am ready to make a positive impact on the students educational journey at Wesley Chapel Academy.