Naples Christian Academy

We are proud of our dedicated faculty. Our faculty is truly inter-denominational, in that our 23 teachers represent a dozen local churches and bring diverse Christian experiences while maintaining an unwavering commitment to our statement of faith and primacy of Christ.

Our faculty also embodies academic excellence and life-long learning. All K-8 teachers are degreed educators and many have higher degrees, including masters and doctorate degrees. Four of our faculty members are currently pursuing higher degrees. All K-8 teachers are expected to be certified by the state and by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Two of our teachers have achieved the high honor of national certification through the National Board of Professional Teachers.

Molly Arthur recently taught Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at Lake Trafford Elementary, and has twelve years experience as an elementary and pre-kindergarten teacher in public and private schools in Florida. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a B.S. in education. In addition, she has received extensive training in early literacy and kindergarten readiness. She is certified by the State of Florida in Pre-K and primary education and in specific learning disabilities. She has two elementary age children.

Louan Bagley and her family has a long history with Naples Christian Academy. Her parents were involved in the early years of the Academy and Louan is a graduate of the Academy. Mrs. Bagley is a graduate of Georgia College, where she majored in education, and also has a master's degree in reading. Her husband Charlie is a pastor and the Bagleys have two daughters, one of whom is a middle school student at the Academy.

Trusha Barner
Director of Student and Parent Services and Director of Early Childhood Education

Trusha Barner brings over 20 years of experience in education to NCA’s administrative team. Trusha came to NCA in 2000 and holds several degrees in Early Childhood Education as well as a Director’s Credential through the state of Florida. Mrs. Barner is a member of the International Association of Christian Early Educators, the Child Development & Education Alliance and is involved with several task forces and coalitions throughout Florida. Trusha is an active member of New Hope Ministries, where she sings in the choir. She has one daughter who graduated from NCA and is currently a student at Community School of Naples.

Mrs. Barner has a passion for excellence in early education and is extremely proud of the wonderful team she is a part of at Naples Christian Academy.

Mr. Brockinton is a graduate of Asbury College in Kentucky, where he studied Spanish and history. He taught at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers prior to coming to Naples Christian Academy. Mr. Brockinton has been involved in mission programs and projects in Latin American countries throughout the Caribbean and South America. He and his wife Ashley own Paradise Productions, a photography and video production company. The Brockintons have a baby daughter and attend Summit Church.

Danielle Chaney, M.A.R.
P.E. teacher (PreK-8th grade) and 8th grade Bible teacher

Danielle graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in elementary education and Bible, and has a master's degree in theology from Trinity International University. She taught in the Collier County Public Schools (Pinecrest Elementary, Sabal Palm Elementary, Avalon Elementary) from 2004 to 2006 and prior to that taught at Santiago Christian Academy in the Dominican Republic. She and her husband Nate are involved in missions and attend Center Point Church.

Debra Cully has taught fourth grade at NCA for over 10 years. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and is a current candidate for a Masters in Reading K-12. Mrs. Cully is certified as an elementary teacher by the State of Florida and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). In addition, she has received national certification through the National Board of Professional Teachers. She was chosen ACSI-Florida Teacher of the Year in 2002. Outside the classroom she is a long time Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Director and member of her Church Board. Mrs. Cully also free lance writes for “Mailbox Magazine” in her spare time.

“My greatest accomplishments are raising three children, one to be a Minister of Youth, and classrooms of children to achieve their greatest potential in God.”

Ben Davison is in his 8th year of teaching at NCA. He currently teaches the advanced middle school math classes and life science. He has a B.S. in Cellular Biology with minors in Chemistry and Business. Mr. Davison is a certified in secondary biology and mathematics by the State of Florida and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). He is a current candidate for National Certification through the National Board of Professional Teachers. In addition to teaching, he has coached NCA’s Scholar Bowl Team and currently coaches girls’ and boys’ volleyball and basketball teams. He and his wife Amanda have two children; the oldest attends NCA’s preschool. The Davison family attends Naples First Church of the Nazarene.

“Despite being one of the smallest schools in the league, NCA continues to compete at the top. In the last five years, NCA has posted an 84-32 record in volleyball, won 4 league championships in basketball, and won the county private school track meet three times. However, the fact that I am proudest of is that over 80% of our students are involved in one of our five sports.”

Alex Fine was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She graduated with high distinction from Indiana University and has taken graduate courses in education at the University of Alabama. She also has received training in teaching pedagogy at the University de Anahuac in Mexico. She moved to the U.S. permanently in 2001. Mrs. Fine has taught music, preschool, and elementary in Venezuela and in Naples, recently teaching at Royal Palm Academy. Musically, she has performed in various music groups in Venezuela, England, and Florida and is a founding member of Uptown trio, a jazz and blues group that performs locally. She has always been involved in music, playing, singing, and conducting, and is currently also the keyboardist in two praise bands, "4th Vision" and "St. Agnes Praise Band."

Kara Gary has taught multiple grades at NCA for over 7 years. She currently teaches Social Studies and Bible in Grades 6, 7 and 8. She has a B.S. in Recreation and is a current candidate for a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Prior to teaching Mrs. Gary worked as a youth & children's ministry director. She is active in a local group Bible study and has participated in several overseas mission trips. She coordinates the annual 8th Grade international mission trip.

“NCA is the best kept secret in Naples' education. NCA’s incredible faculty, as well as its Biblically integrated curriculum, illustrates well the 'Christian' in NCA.”

Bob Gulley has been on staff at NCA for four years. He moved to Naples from the Chicago area, where he owned a successful chiropractic practice for many years. He attended Jacksonville University, Elmhurst College, and the National University of Health Sciences. He and his wife Gloria have three adult children, two of whom recently graduated from Calvin College.

Gloria Gulley has taught music at NCA for over five years. She was accepted into the Julliard School of Music’s Pre-College Program at the age of 12. Mrs. Gulley has a Bachelors of Music from University of Miami, a master's degree in Music from Wheaton College and is a registered Music Therapist. She teaches music to students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 in an environment rich with instrumental experience. She is active on the music and worship leadership team at Summit Church.

“Music holds the power to educate, heal and become a lifetime friend. We want our students to learn the 'language of music' and to enjoy it in all areas of their lives.”

Dawn Hall is a graduate of the University of Maine and has a master's degree in education. She taught fourth grade for eight years in Maine and was certified as an elementary teacher prior to moving to Naples. She was a substitute teacher at the Academy prior to taking a full-time position as the third grade teacher. She and her family attend Center Point Church.

Kathy Hartley has been on the faculty team at Naples Christian Academy teaching early elementary and preschool for more than 15 years.

Barb McWilliams has been on the Academy faculty since 1998. She has a degree in art education from Rowan University and has studied Bible, church history, and pastoral counseling at Princeton Theological Seminary. She and her husband, John, are missionary staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ, Russia, traveling to Moscow and nearby areas to train pastors and lead mission trips to minister to the people of Russia. In addition, they travel throughout the U.S. and Central America for Campus Crusade. Barb helped implement and oversees NCA's mission program. "Ms. Mick" is certified by the State of Florida, the State of New Jersey, and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) as a K-12 art educator. John and Barb attend First Presbyterian Church of Naples and they have three grown children; their oldest son attended Naples Christian Academy.

Renee Moore has been teaching at Naples Christian Academy since 2000. She graduated from Manchester College with a degree in elementary education. She has two children who attend the Academy.

Patricia Murphy believes that the second best gift she can give her students, beyond introducing them to Christ and His salvation, is to instill a love of reading. Mrs. Murphy has been guiding students to love literature since starting her work at the Academy since 2004. She attended Old Dominion University and George Washington University and has taught in Virginia, as well as at Saint Ann School and Seacrest Country Day School in Naples.

Gina Naples is a graduate of Florida State University in child development and elementary education. She has professional educator's certification from the State of Florida in elementary education and primary education with an ESOL endorsement. Mrs. Naples taught in the Collier County Public Schools (Highlands Elementary, Golden Gate Elementary, Calusa Park Elementary) from 1992 to 2006. She has two daughters who are both graduates of the Academy.

Susan Nelson has been working in the NCA library for five years. She recently completed a master’s degree in information and library science at the University of South Florida. Her daughter Joanna is a graduate of NCA.

Louise Snyder arrived at NCA this year with over 14 years in multi-age elementary education experience in the Collier County school system. She has a B.A. in Social Work/Psychology, is a Florida State certified teacher and has received national certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Snyder has experience as a team leader, School Advisory Council member and secretary, and mentor teacher and trainer. She served on Collier County’s Kindergarten Curriculum Writing Committee and Kindergarten Focus Group. Outside the classroom she is active in her church’s youth programs, Sunday School and Children’s Church.

“It is my observation that a private Christian education can build the 'whole child' up in unique ways; children learn to think biblically, they become discriminating learners, they gain compassion . . . they serve our Lord. What could be better?"

Jennifer Summers, M.Ed.
Director of Middle School Curriculum and 7th/8th grade language arts teacher

Jennifer Summers has been at Naples Christian Academy since 1993. She has taught middle school English and language arts for many years and has served in various administrative capacities including Dean of Students. She currently serves as Director of Middle School Curriculum and Instruction and teaches 7th and 8th grade language arts. She has a B.A. degree in English and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Covenant College. She is certified in English by the State of Florida, in educational leadership by the State of Georgia, and as a secondary teacher and all-levels principal by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Her husband is a middle school teacher in the Lee County Public Schools. They have one three-year old son. The Summers family attends Naples Christian Church.