Staff
Hannahlee GoedelmanDirectorhas been the Ministry Director of Anastasia Baptist Academy since 2007. She has over 15 years of experience in teaching and leadership. She has her Associate’s degree in Child Development and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Education. Hannahlee believes that this is not merely a job, but a gift that God has blessed her with. She loves the ministry and the relationships with families. Hannahlee is passionate about the importance of being a vital part of children’s early development, when it is most important to build a solid foundation in their lives.
“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”
{Colossians 3:23-25, The Message}
Mary HelhoskiAssistant DirectorMary is the Assistant Director at ABA. For the past ten years Mary has enjoyed teaching VPK and one year olds. She enjoys bringing music, art, science, reading and laughter into her classroom. Mary believes every child has a special gift and it brings her great joy to see those gifts grow.
Mary graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She spends most of her time stand up paddle boarding on Salt Run, traveling with her children, and tap dancing!
“Be kind to one another.” {Ephesians 4:32}
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Krista SlavenLead Teacher
Sheila MasonAssistant Teacherhas worked in childcare for 8 years in Ohio and Florida. She began working at ABA in 2010. Not only has she completed her 45 hours of certification in FL, but Sheila has also been a Sunday superintendent and taught Sunday school since she was in her teenage years. Sheila has always loved children and has two lovely adult daughters of her own. She considers the students in her classroom like her very own children.
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” {Proverbs 22:6}
Amber ElderCo-Lead TeacherAmber has worked at ABA in various roles since 2011 including VPK Assistant Teacher, Summer Camp leader, and substituting. She currently serves as a Co-Lead Teacher in our Two Year Old Program. Amber has always known that she wanted to be a teacher and graduated from Flagler College. Amber believes that instilling the values and skills that children need at an early age helps them be successful in the future.
“I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.” {Proverbs 4:11-12}
Susan StaufferLead Teacherbegan working at ABA in 2010. She has completed her FL state requirements for child care and is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has several years of experience teaching elementary education in private Christian schools in Florida and New York. Susan is active in children’s ministry here at Anastasia Baptist Church, serving in ABC Studios and Kids Praise music ministry.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” {Jeremiah 29:13}
Cindy LongLead Teacherjoined the ABA family in July 2014. Cindy has worked with children in a few capacities over the last 15 years, including as the children’s ministry director at her former church for a few years before she entered the classroom as a preschool teacher. She loves teaching three year olds! Cindy and her husband of 26 years have two wonderful children. In Cindy’s spare time, she enjoys sewing and reading.
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Shelby WestAssistant Teacher
Vanessa DoughtyLead Teachertaught three-year-olds at ABA from 2009 to 2014 and taught first grade for 5 years prior to her time here at Anastasia Baptist. She grew up in Jacksonville and earned a degree in Elementary Education from UNF. Vanessa has lived in St. Augustine for the last 11 years and is fortunate to share her life with a wonderful husband, three great kids, an excitable little dog, and a very self important cat. After taking two years to be at home with her children, Vanessa returned in 2016 as a Lead Teacher in our three-year-old program and feels right back at home!
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Julie BrownAssistant Teacher
Mimi MoxonLead Teacheris one of our Lead Teachers in VPK but began working here as an assistant teacher in the VPK program in 2009. She recently received her CDA certificate. Mimi has taught 3-year-old Sunday school and Children’s Choir at Anastasia Baptist Church for many years. She has been happily married for 15 years and has 3 children, ages 13, 11, and 6. Mimi has lived in St. Augustine for 36 years and has been a member of ABC for 16 years. Her passion is loving and teaching preschool children. They are truly a special gift from God and she feels blessed to work with them every day.
“Clothe yourselves in compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience.” {Colossians 3:12}
Marcia BotuAssistant Teacherbegan working at ABA in August 2015 as an afternoon float in the Discovery Cove building and as a substitute teacher. In January 2015 she became an assistant in our VPK program in the mornings and still floats in the afternoons. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in Ohio. Marcia was a stay-at-home mom for many years before working as a substitute teacher for the St. Johns County School District. She is also a Sunday School teacher at her church. Marcia loves interacting with children of all ages and feels blessed to be working at ABA.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” {Philippians 4:13}
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Becky WhiteLead Teacher
Becky has been teaching children for over nineteen years. Her four year degree is in Behavioral Science and she has a background in social services. Her experience in the classroom includes Pre-K all the way up to first grade. Becky has been blessed to have worked in several private Christian schools, both in southwest Florida and in the northeast. It gives her great joy to see kids learning and growing and developing the skills God gave them.
Becky has two wonderful boys and a very active dog that keeps her on her toes! In her free time, she enjoys bicycle riding, walking, going to the beach and on occasion, skateboarding! Being outside and active is her great passion.
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. {Nahum 1:7}
Elaine WilsonAssistant TeacherElaine Wilson has worked in childcare for over 25 years. Most of this time she was the lead teacher in a Pre-K class, beginning in South Florida, then in two centers in Atlanta, Georgia, until her family moved to St. Augustine in 2004. Since moving here, Elaine has been mainly working in the three-year-old program and now in the Pre-K program at Anastasia Baptist Academy. Elaine has her C.D.A. certification.
Children are very special little people, and Elaine loves to watch them learn, grow, and respond to new concepts. They are a joy to work with and to teach. In a Christian Center also, teachers have an amazing privilege to teach them about the Lord Jesus and His love for them, and she is grateful for this opportunity.“Jesus …said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” {Luke 18:16}
Marshan RiceKitchen Resourcebegan working at ABA as an assistant teacher in the VPK program in 2007. She now serves as our Kitchen Resource person. She has obtained her 40 hour certificate and continues to take at least 10 hours of classes each year. Marshan loves listening to children and hearing their imaginations at work. She also enjoys seeing their faces light up when they are praised for learning something new. Marshan is incredibly creative and is also our creative director in regards to our bulletin boards. Marshan loves to find new snack ideas to provide for and care well for our children!
Vickie WetheringtonKitchen ResourceVickie Wetherington, known at ABC as Ms. Vickie, has worked in some capacity of education since 1985. She held the position of Media Center Paraprofessional for five years, at two different schools, Annie R. Morgan Elementary in Jacksonville, FL and White Oak Elementary in Newman, GA. Ms. Vickie taught preschool (PK3 and PK4) for a total of three and a half years at two different church preschool programs in GA. She then went on to be the Preschool/Elementary Secretarial Assistant at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, GA for fifteen years, retiring from there in June of 2015. She has been married to her husband, Ken, for thirty-five years, and have one daughter together. They were married and originally lived in Jacksonville until 1988 when they moved to Georgia with her husband’s job at Ford Motor Company. They relocated after retirement back to Florida and settled in St. Augustine, which is a dream come true for them. Her current position in our Three Year Old program at ABA is one she loves; being around and working with kids is not a only joy to her but it keeps a person young at heart!