Meet Our Team

Bishop Thomas Odom, his wife Wendy, and their family were appointed as the Lead Pastor of Ocoee Church of God in September 2008. He has served as the chief administrator of Light Christian Academy since the school’s formation. Pastor Thomas also serves as the Region Bishop for the Churches of God in this area. In May of 2018, he was also appointed as executive director of Church of God Association of Christian Schools. In addition to his ministerial ordination, Pastor Thomas has a Bachelors of Science from Lee University. Pastor Thomas can be reached via email at admin@myLCAC.com.

Wendy Odom, Co-administrator

Mrs. Wendy Odom serves with her husband Thomas Odom as a co-administrator of Light Christian Academy. Mrs. Wendy has been actively involved in the ministry of Light Christian Academy since the school’s inception. In addition to being a pastor’s wife and a co-administrator, Mrs. Wendy serves as the director of the school’s preschool department, Lil’ Lights Preschool. She holds a Florida Childcare and Education Program Director Credential with a VPK endorsement and a Florida Childcare Professional Credential. Mrs. Wendy can be reached via email at admin@myLCAC.com.

Mrs. Kristi Faircloth joined the staff of Ocoee Church of God in 2016 as the church’s executive assistant, and in 2018 she became the ministry’s office manager, where she managed the daily function of the school office. At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Mrs. Kristi moved into the role of vice principal at the school’s new South Campus location. Currently she is the vice principal serving 6th-12th grades. Mrs. Kristi is an ordained minister in the Church of God and holds a Masters of Business Administration degree awarded by Florida Metropolitan University. Mrs. Kristi and her husband, Pastor Ricky, are the lead pastors of Park Avenue Worship Center in Apopka. Mrs. Kristi can be reached via email at kfaircloth@myLCAC.com.

Tanya Mercer, Vice Principal 1st-5th Grades

Mrs. Tanya Mercer is an experienced teacher who has worked with early elementary students for more than ten years. She first joined the LCA team as a Kindergarten teacher then moved up a grade in 2017 when the school chose to implement the Abeka curriculum for the first grade class. During the 2021-2022 school year, she taught 3rd grade class as the school implemented the Abeka curriculum in that grade as well. At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Mrs. Tanya moved into her new role as vice principal of 1st-5th grades. Mrs. Tanya emphasizes the value of hard work and persistence in addition to encouraging creativity with all of her students. Mrs. Tanya holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools and is currently pursuing a degree at Valencia College. Mrs. Tanya can be reached by email at tmercer@myLCAC.com.

Pastor Bryce Miller joined the LCA staff in 2022 as Dean of Students at the South Campus location. He is an Ordained Bishop through the Church of God and has previously worked in Youth Ministry for ten years. He and his family faithfully serve at the Sorrento Church of God where they attend. Pastor Bryce has a heart for ministry and desires to see souls saved into the Kingdom. He can be reached via email at bmiller@mylcac.com.

Mandy Almanza, Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Mandy Almanza was a part of the LCA faculty when the school first opened in 2009. After teaching for a year, she returned home to her family, then rejoined the LCA staff as Aftercare Coordinator during the 2013-2014 school year. In 2017-2018 she stepped into the position of 2nd grade supervisor and in the 2021-2022 school year she took on the position of kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Mandy has completed ACE Administrator Training and ACE Supervisor Training and has a temporary teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Mrs. Mandy can be reached by email at malmanza@myLCAC.com.

Mrs. Alison joined LCA at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. She studied Elementary Education at the University of Central Florida, where she is now pursuing degree in business. Her goal is to open multiple businesses across the state of Florida. She has a passion for teaching and says she knew she wanted to be a teacher since the age of four. Prior to teaching at LCA, Mrs. Alison was a nanny and a VPK teacher for many years. She holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Mrs. Alison can be reached by email at abeumer@mylcac.com.

Mrs. Gina Cole joined LCA faculty as a Kindergarten teacher in 2017. She works with her students to develop a solid foundation in phonics, reading, mathematics, and other subjects and is often willing to look for out-of-the-box solutions to help students understand challenging concepts. Mrs. Gina holds an Associates of Science degree in Crime Scene Investigation from Valencia College. She also was awarded a temporary teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools and is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in psychology. Mrs. Gina can be reached by email at gcole@myLCAC.com.

Mrs. Brea joined the LCA team in January of 2023 after moving to the area from Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University in 2008 with an associates degree in General Studies and is currently pursuing her bachelors degree. Mrs. Brea draws her experience from many years of homeschooling her own children and the 10 years she spent as a social worker/case manager working with young children, families, and disabled adults. Mrs. Brea has expressed her gratitude to the Lord and His divine direction that led her to LCA and considers it a privilege to work with LCA staff and students. Mrs. Brea can be reached by email at bcraig@mylcac.com.

Mrs. Tina is an experienced elementary teacher who joined LCA’s team in August 2021. Mrs. Tina has been teaching elementary students since August of 1992. She has 15 years of experience with the ACE curriculum, and 14 years of experience with Abeka curriculum. She has also worked in various areas of children’s ministry at her local church. Mrs. Tina can be reached by email at thendrickson@mylcac.com .

Mrs. Miriam joined LCA as a 2nd grade supervisor in 2022. She has a genuine passion for education and teaching children God’s Word. In addition to teaching at LCA, she teaches Children’s Ministry and Sunday School and leads youth at her local church. Mrs. Miriam is currently enrolled in college pursuing her degree in education, and she holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Some of her hobbies are shopping, decorating, and reading. Mrs. Miriam can be reached by email at mmasson@mylcac.com.

Miss Natasha is an alumna of Light Christian Academy. During her senior year, she worked in the 4th & 5th Grade Learning Center as a part-time monitor, gaining important experience and training. She worked as a full-time monitor during the 2020-2021 school year, and moved into the position of a supervisor beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Miss Natasha holds an Associate’s degree from Valencia College and a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. ​Miss Natasha can be reached by email at nmercer@myLCAC.com.

Alanna Moffit, 5th Grade Supervisor

Miss Alanna joined LCA in January 2022. She is active in her church and has a love of sharing God’s Word with others. She brings to her classroom her passion for ministry and seeks to share the love of God with her students. Miss Alanna is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and she holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. She can be reached by email at amoffit@myLCAC.com.

Caitlin Perkins, 1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Caitlin joined LCA in August 2022. She has over 13 years of experience working with children, including working in a pre-K setting. Once she had her son she knew she wanted to give him a Christian education. She always knew that she would serve God by working with children, and she says that she considers it a blessing to teach first grade at Light Christian Academy. She holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Mrs. Caitlin can be reached by email at cperkins@mylcac.com.

Mr. Kalvin joined the team at Light Christian Academy in August 2022. Before joining LCA, Mr. Kalvin worked at an OCPS ESE behavioral school. He is a graduate of West Orange High School, where he excelled in athletics. He attended ASA College in Brooklyn, New York, on a scholarship. He also has a huge heart for the youth and leading them to Christ. He holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Mr. Kalvin can be reached by email at krymer@mylcac.com.

Miss Aarika Wilson graduated from Central Christian Academy, an ACE-based Christian school, in May 2019. She has a heart and passion for ministry, and brought that passion to LCA in the fall of 2019. Since joining the LCA team she has taught at both the 3rd and 4th grade levels, and will be serving as a 2nd grade teacher beginning the 2022-2023 school year. Miss Aarika is excited about helping her students learn and succeed in all they do. She has completed ACE Supervisor’s Training, holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools, and is currently pursuing a degree from Lee University. Miss Aarika can be reached by email at awilson@mylcac.com.

Mrs. Jaiden joined the LCA team at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, and she loves working with her 6th grade class! She and her husband currently serve as the youth pastors of Sorrento Church of God, and she holds a teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools. Ministry is her passion and working for God is her heart. Mrs. Jaiden can be reached at jbowers@mylcac.com.

Mrs. Cassey joined LCA’s staff at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Her roles include greeting students in the morning, helping ensure safe drop off and pick up, preparing food, and keeping the cafeteria clean. Mrs. Cassey is a life-long resident of Ocoee, and she and her husband Jamie have a daughter who attends LCA.

Nickie Jarvis, Morning Care/Food Service Coordinator

Mrs. Nickie Jarvis joined LCA’s cafeteria staff in 2017. She works to make sure that student snacks and lunches are prepped and to keep our cafeteria clean. She also serves as our morning care coordinator, greeting students and providing direction during student drop-off.

Perla Leal, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Perla joined the LCA team in September 2021. She, her husband, and their daughters have been part of Luz del Cielo (Church at Whistling Pines) for over 10 years. She loves to help wherever she can, and her goal as administrative assistant is to create an efficient, stress-free office environment, help anyone that seeks assistance, and also help our Spanish-speaking families. Mrs. Perla can be reached by email a pleal@mylcac.com.

Thelma Robinson, Bus Driver

Mrs. Robinson joined the LCA team in the 2021-2022 school year. She works hard as one of our bus drivers to ensure students are transported safely in both mornings and afternoons. She has three grown children with five grown grandchildren and two great grandchildren.​​

Ashley Rivera-Arroyo, Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Ashley is from Puerto Rico, where she was a student at Interamericana University of Puerto Rico. She graduated with honors with an Associates degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management. She also has begun a Master’s degree in Creative Writing in Spanish, which is her favorite hobby. Mrs. Ashley is a Christian who loves God above all else and believes that she serves Him as she helps others. She is an asset to the LCA team! Mrs. Ashley can be reached at ariveraarroyo@mylcac.com ariveraarroyo@mylcac.com.

Cherith Odom, Supervisor

Miss Cherith Odom is an alumna of Light Christian Academy. After graduation, she completed a 4-month ministry internship program that included two months of training in the USA then two months of missionary work in Nicaragua. After completing her missionary training, Miss Cherith joined the faculty of LCA in December of 2017. Miss Cherith has completed ACE Supervisor Training, has a temporary teaching certificate from Church of God Association of Christian Schools, and is currently enrolled at Lee University to pursue a degree in education. Miss Cherith can be reached by email at codom@myLCAC.com.

Rhonda Odom, Supervisor

Mrs. Rhonda joined the Light Christian Academy team as the Union Campus Supervisor when the campus opened in Fall 2021. She has previously spent many years in early childcare education and elementary education, including teaching at Christian private schools in nearby Bradford county. When she is not working for Light Christian Academy, you can often find her volunteering at her church. Mrs. Rhonda can be reached by email at rodom@mylcac.com.

Titus Odom, Assistant Supervisor

Mr. Titus Odom is an alumni of Light Christian Academy. After graduation, he moved to the North Florida area, where he serves as the Student Pastor of the Lake City Church of God. He is licensed in the Church of God at the exhorter level and is currently in the Ministerial Internship Program for the Church of God to become an ordained minister. Mr. Titus can be reached by email at todom2@mylcac.com.