15 Aug Welcome New Faculty & Staff!
As a Christ-centered, biblically-based college preparatory school, academics and spiritual formation are at the very core of our mission. We carry out this mission in a safe environment in a community of covenant families. Academics, spiritual formation, safety, and community/culture are areas we never stop developing and enhancing as they are integral in developing students into individuals who reflect the qualities listed in our Portrait of a Graduate. They are also—and have been—the top four most important and highly ranked features by our families in our annual surveys.
With this in mind, please join us in welcoming new faculty and staff for the 2024–2025 school year. We are excited to add to our team of professionals to continue the work of Westminster Academy in students’ lives both academically and spiritually.
We are very excited about this cadre of faculty, including the following three key additions:
Dr. Wade Tapp joins us in the new role of Academic Dean. As Academic Dean, Dr. Tapp will work alongside the academic team of Dr. Farrar, Mrs. Mary Lou Capan, and Mrs. Rebekah Leonard to further enhance academic excellence at all grade levels. He brings more than 15 years of experience in educational leadership. He most recently served as the Associate Head of School and Head of Upper School at Asheville Christian Academy in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
Dr. Tapp holds a Doctor of Education in K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy Development from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Covenant College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science with a minor in Secondary Education from Covenant College. His expertise lies in fostering a faith-centered learning environment that supports both the academic and spiritual development of students.
Dr. Trahern LaFavor now serves as our Upper School Assistant Principal. Dr. LaFavor will be working with our upper school team to develop a Christ-centered culture in the lives of our students in grades 7–12. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Florida. He is also a licensed marriage and family therapist in Florida.
Prior to joining WA, Dr. LaFavor supervised an Award Winning Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Team in Sunrise, Florida, where he worked with abused and neglected children at Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO). Dr. LaFavor is an ordained minister and works extensively in the South Florida faith-based community.
Mrs. Brigitte Castro joins our guidance department as a High School Guidance Counselor. She holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Christian Counseling from South Florida Bible College & Seminary. Mrs. Castro is a South Florida native with Hispanic roots in the beautiful country of Colombia.
We would like to extend a warm WA welcome to our new faculty members:
- Kwame D. Alston—8th Grade Bible Teacher, Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary
- Circe Barrios—High School History Teacher, Master of Education from the University of Florida
- Linda Benedict—Upper School Broadcasting, Bachelor of Arts in Film & Video from Florida Atlantic University
- Ariana Coules—1st Grade Teacher, Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Cedarville University
- Kimberly Ellsworth—6th Grade Teacher, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from The California State University
- Macey Gordy—3rd Grade Teacher, Bachelor of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of Florida
- Alexa Johnston—2nd Grade Teacher, Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University
- Chantel Jones—6th Prep, 7th and 8th Grade Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts from Florida Atlantic University
- Lilly Kooper—7th Grade Bible Teacher, Master of Divinity from Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Dean Kooper—Upper School Bible, Master of Divinity from Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Jacob Beaudoin—Upper School Math, Bachelor of Science in Education from Broward College
- Benjamin Langley—PREP Teacher, Master of Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University
- Heather Moraitis—Upper School Government, Master of Education from the University of Florida
- Jacqueline Welch—Upper School Spanish, Bachelor of Arts from Florida Atlantic University