Faculty
A Community of Professionals
United in Purpose
Scott Simpson, Head of School
I have been married to my amazing wife, Teresa, for 22 years and we have three sons: Andrew, Tyler, and Jake. Most of our time is spent at church, school, sports games, and band competitions. We’re all pretty competitive during family game nights and we love to travel and hike into God’s creation.
One of the defining moments of my career was the month before graduation, when I was offered a full-time teaching position at an incredible school and a full-time youth pastor position at a large church. I had spent the school year completing my education degree and my summers on mission trips or serving as a youth pastor, including one summer as an intern and one summer full-time for a church in between
pastors. God clearly opened my heart and took me to teaching, even though I was so excited and ready for the ministry.
I have no doubt that God did call me into ministry, but in a different form than church leadership. I do fully believe that my service in the public, magnet, and private schools have been for his glory, having a positive effect on students, teachers, and families throughout my time in teaching and educational leadership.
I served as a teacher and instructional coach for 11 years, teaching at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I was blessed to have a principal who saw leadership in me and directed me to administration. After teaching, I served as an assistant principal and principal for 11 years at Liberty Magnet, Osceola Magnet, and Treasure Coast Elementary.
God has given me a passion for educating students and a relentlessly competitive spirit to provide the best education on the entire Treasure Coast. One of the unique experiences of Vero Classical School is that we are committed to go beyond the development of a student’s mind. We are committed to a Christ-centered education that cultivates wonder, wisdom, and worship. Students will learn to pursue truth, goodness and beauty within the confines of human knowledge and skills, for we are called to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts and souls as well, not just our minds.
B.A. Social Science, Wheaton College
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History, Political Science, Anthropology Concentration, Bible & Theology minor
M.A. Teaching, Wheaton College
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Certification in Elementary K-6, Mathematics 5-9, Language Arts 5-9, Social Science 6-12, Science
6-12, ESOL K-12
Ed.S. Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University
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Educational Leadership (all levels)
Vero Classical School Faculty
Wendy Swearingen, Kindergarten
I am so excited to teach kindergarten at Vero Classical School. I have a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and I will begin my seventh year of teaching this fall.
I have been married to Nate for 20 years, and have two children, Banks who is 13,
and Ava who is 10. We love to watch our kids sports- football, basketball, and
lacrosse. I also enjoy the outdoors, relaxing at the beach and spending time with my
family.
Favorite Verse: Numbers 6: 24-26, The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Senaida Hart, First Grade
I feel excited and blessed to join the wonderful community of families and teachers at Vero Classical School. I find great joy in working with children and their families. My goals in education are to see students grow in the Lord, love others, and create lifelong learners. God made a wonderful world for us to enjoy and learn about together!
I’ve been a private English and reading tutor for many years and have taught in co-ops and private schools. I’ve delighted in being a Sunday School teacher for 20 years. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with a focus on Policy and Leadership. I am currently earning my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
I love living in Vero with my husband of 25 years. We have two adult children, a daughter and a son. My hobbies include spending time with my family and friends, spoiling my dog, reading, listening to podcasts, and volunteering in the community. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis is my favorite book.
My heart verse - Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Reeny Sempsrott, Teacher Aide
I am thankful to God for the opportunity to serve at Vero Classical School, and to be part of its beginnings. I am excited to learn and grow in the classical approach. I am passionate about helping children and families to know and love God by helping to create an environment of joy, curiosity, trust, and worder of God, his word, and his world. I have had the pleasure of serving in early education for the last 35 plus years by teaching both kindergarten and PK4, and directing for almost 15 years. It is here that I find my purpose and ministry. I have been married to my husband, Greg, for 37 years. We have 4 married children and 12 fabulous grandchildren, with another one on the way! Family and the beach are my happy places. I also enjoy running, working out, and eating good food!
I look forward to working with the leadership and staff, and to meeting the children and families at Vero Classical. It's going to be amazing!
Favorite Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and hi will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Makayla Ford, Second Grade
I am looking forward to teaching second grade at Vero Classical School. I grew up in Kentucky and moved to Florida to attend Reformation Bible College in Sanford. I graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Thought which included courses in theology, philosophy, history, Biblical studies, classical education, and literature. I served as a teaching assistant and tutor during my undergraduate studies. I have a deep appreciation and passion for Christian classical curriculum and long to see students’ develop a love for God’s truth, goodness, and beauty.
I enjoy long walks in nature, traveling, reading, and spending time with my church family.
Favorite Verse: The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Brian Smith, Third Grade
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to teach at Vero Classical School. In meeting the amazing administration and staff and in seeing the curriculum, I couldn’t be more blessed and excited to bring love and laughter to the students and to provide the faith, character, education, and skills that will lead them to success.
I am finishing my tenth year teaching third grade at Glendale Christian School, and I cannot continue without thanking my principal, fellow staff, students, and their families for the experience, wisdom, love, and memories I’ve received during my time there!
I was born and raised in Vero Beach. Fishing and camping with my family are what I love to do outside of teaching. I have been married to my wonderful wife, Sarah, for 12 years. We have three children ages 5, 6, and 9. When I look at them and at the students, I can’t help but teach and emulate the reference from the verse Matthew 19:26. “For with God, all things are possible!
Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Suzanne Wykes, Fourth Grade
Mrs. Wykes and her husband, Shamus, moved to Vero Beach the summer of 2021 from New York. She has over 25 years of teaching experience at both the grammar and middle school level. She and Shamus share three adult daughters and one beautiful granddaughter. She especially loves literature and is passionate about leading students to a deep love of reading and appreciation for stories. She is looking froward to the opportunity of teaching in a faith community, and is gifted in the area of curriculum development.
Wendy McLoughlin, Art & Drama
Education: Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts Degree concentrating in Painting and Ceramics, with a minor in Art History Graduated 1986 Cum Laude
Married to John (Jack) McLoughlin and between us we have six grown children and 5 grandchildren
In 1994 I started my own interior design business in upstate NY, after working a brief time for a project management company. For almost 20 years I enjoyed creating beautiful interior spaces for businesses and private homes including painting murals, fashioning lighting, floors, tile work and more. My husband and I sold our NY home (and business) in 2013 and moved to Florida with our youngest son.
In 2004 a neighbor asked if I would like to attend a Bible Study in her home. I attended that Bible study for 7 years and by the Grace of God became born again in 2011. My husband and youngest son were also born again and we were baptized along with 6 other Church members in our backyard. Now I teach Bible study in my home to ladies from my neighborhood and church in our home. I love serving our Lord especially through my art. It has been my passion and mission to share God’s word through my art for His glory. I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to do this through painting window murals at Chick-fil-A, the Buggy Bunch, and other small businesses in Vero Beach.
I am so excited to be able to minister to young people through the arts in visual and dramatic expression. I look forward to see where God takes us in this journey to glorify Him, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, through a Biblical worldview.
Daniel Pastor, Physical Education
I am extremely excited at the opportunity to work at Vero Classical School. I was born and raised in Vero Beach and would never want to live anywhere else. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Florida International University, and I am currently pursuing a General Contractor's license as well as a Personal Trainer's license from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I am very passionate about athletics and health in general because there is no limit to what one can accomplish with discipline and hard work. In athletics, one can always learn and improve with a healthy mindset and positive encouragement. I am very thankful for all the people who have encouraged me to be better because it has not only helped me with sports but also with my relationship with Christ. I love working with kids, and I look forward to helping them master their bodies and their attitudes through physical education class everyday!
Favorite Verse: That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
Joanne Knott, Music
I am excited to be a part of the beginning of this wonderful new school. My husband and I have been married 22 years, and have a daughter who just graduated high school and a son who is starting his junior year at IRCHS. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from San Diego State University. While in California I started my own music studio with 40 students and was a teacher with the Music Teachers Association of California. I was blessed to spend the majority of my elementary and high school years in Peru where my father was a missionary with the
Lutheran Church. It was an experience which has had a large impact on who I am today. Since we moved to Florida 19 years ago, I have developed many musical connections in Indian River County. I have had the honor to play with colleagues in two “Monster Piano Concerts” at Christ By the Sea. I was the accompanist for the Vero Beach Choral Society for 12 years and currently do a lot of accompanying for SRHS band and choir students and IRCHS choir events like MPA, VAPA, and solos and ensemble. My family and I are very blessed to be at our current church Calvary Chapel of Sebastian, and I volunteer in the children’s ministry, prayer ministry and also
at Carenet Pregnancy Center in Vero Beach.
One of my favorite verses is “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose” Rom. 8:28
Trista Milliman, Office Administration
I have spent the last couple of years babysitting and serving in my church's ministry. I love being able to organize and do tasks for others and see the blessing that it can be. I was born and raised in Vero Beach, and I enjoy playing beach volleyball and spending time with friends and family. I am excited to be a part of this journey with Vero Classical School; I am looking forward to see how the Lord will move this next school year and how I can be an example of the Lord to the children that I will be blessed to see each day.
Jamison Kelley, Classical Coordinator
Education has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Sociology. Upon graduating, I had the extreme fortune of being hired as a first grade teacher at Covenant Classical School of Naperville. This was my first exposure to Christian classical education, and I was completely blown away by all the students were able to learn, understand, and communicate. Since then, I have continued to love and study this methodology of teaching over the last decade which has only solidified my position that Christian classical education is the very best option for schooling. I have both grammar school and middle school teaching experience - and I loved each one.
It is my joy and honor to serve at Vero Classical School as the Classical Coordinator. I believe so deeply in educating the whole child - mind and soul. I am so excited that Vero Classical School exists, and I delight every day in the work being done here by the most incredible team of teachers to the benefit of the most wonderful student body and their families. My husband, Michael, and I are the founders of Vero Classical School, and our three sons all attend in 4th, 3rd, and Kindergarten. I'm so grateful that God has blessed the start of this school, and I cannot wait to see all He does in the future.
It's hard for me to choose a favorite verse of the bible because my favorite aspect of scripture is that from start to finish God is proving over and over again that He is who He says He is, and He will always accomplish what He says He will accomplish.