Kelly is the Head of School at Rafiki Classical Academy. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and earned two master’s degrees—one in Educational Leadership from Covenant College and another in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary.
After teaching in both a public school and a private classical Christian school in Tampa, Florida, Kelly moved to Africa to serve as a missionary with the Rafiki Foundation. She spent 11 years teaching and leading Rafiki Schools in Rwanda and Uganda. Kelly returned to Florida in 2022 to help launch Rafiki Classical Academy with the Rafiki Foundation and has served as Head of School since the Academy’s opening in 2023.
Kelly is a member of Saint Andrew’s Chapel and enjoys serving in the children’s department at church. In her spare time, she can be found playing with her nephews, enjoying time in creation, and working her way through a classic—Moby Dick and The Odyssey are currently on her nightstand.
Our Head of School
Our Team
Mrs. Reachal Kaiser
Reachal Kaiser serves our pre-kindergarten class, bringing a deep love for young children and a strong foundation in Christian classical education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Flagler College. She has a passion for nurturing the hearts and minds of her students in a Christ-centered environment. As a mother of four and a devoted wife, Reachal brings both expertise and compassion to her role in the classroom. Three of her children are students at RCA. She is actively involved in her church home, LifePointe Church, where she and her family serve faithfully. Her love for Christian classical education is rooted in a desire to see children grow not only academically but also in wisdom, virtue, and a love for our Lord. When Reachal is not in the classroom, she enjoys cheering on her kids from the sidelines in their extracurricular activities, traveling with her family, and getting lost in a good book. Her joyful spirit, along with her commitment to what is true, good, and beautiful, makes her a valued member of our school.
Pre-K
Mrs. Frances Severn
Kindergarten
Frances Severn teaches kindergarten for Rafiki Classical Academy in Eustis, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Education. She holds a state of Florida teaching certificate for Prek3 through 3rd grade and received her Master of Arts degree in Montessori Education. Frances has been part of short-term mission trips to Mexico and Honduras, while also volunteering overseas, teaching in Chile and Colombia. Through God’s provision, spending time in these areas has molded her and instilled a passion for teaching and helping others. She currently resides with her husband and three children on a small farm in Lake County, Florida. Frances and her family attend Lakeside Covenant Church.
Mrs. Dorothy Kinkopf
First Grade
Dorothy Kinkopf teaches first grade at Rafiki Classical Academy. She is a native Floridian who was born and raised in Orlando. Dorothy graduated from Gardner-Webb College in 1984 with an Associate Degree of Nursing. She and her husband, Dan, were married in 1985 and have two grown sons whom she homeschooled from kindergarten to graduation. God opened the door for her to teach with Classical Conversations in Sanford and Winter Garden for two years. This experience planted a seed in her heart to become a full-time teacher. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, Orlando campus, she worked as a bookkeeper with Volusia County schools. She graduated magna cum laude in 2016 with a degree in general studies, minoring in Psychology and Sociology. After obtaining her teaching certificate, Dorothy taught 4th and 2nd grade with Volusia County schools for six years. She has been teaching at Rafiki Classical Academy since 2023 and receives great joy in teaching 1st grade students to read independently. Her primary goal as a teacher is to support the long-term flourishing of young people. For the past 24 years, Dorothy and her husband have attended Saint Andrews Chapel in Sanford, where she volunteers in the bookstore and nursery, as well as co-leads a ladies’ Bible study in her home.
Ms. Alexandra Orta
Second Grade
Alexandra Orta was saved by Christ as a young girl and remains eternally grateful for His grace. Since that time, her faith and desire to live for Him have only deepened. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, and together they attend First Baptist Church of Umatilla. Alexandra enjoys serving at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday nights at church, and she and her girls also delight in preparing meals for families in need whenever opportunities arise. Growing up, Alexandra was blessed to be homeschooled by her mother alongside her four siblings. Her mother's dedication to weaving godly principles and love into every teachable moment inspired Alexandra to one day become an educator herself. As her own daughters have grown, her desire for them to learn in a Christ-centered environment has only strengthened. Alexandra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education with a minor in Deaf Studies from the University of Central Florida. Several years later, she completed the requirements to add ages three through 3rd grade to her professional teaching certificate. In her search for a private school education for her daughters, Alexandra discovered Rafiki Classical Academy. The more she learned about the Academy, the more convinced she became that not only did she want her daughters to attend but she also hoped to work there herself. She is excited to join Rafiki Classical Academy as a 2nd grade teacher! Alexandra looks forward to following in her mother's footsteps, dedicating her time and energy to using each teachable moment to glorify God.
Mrs. Makayla Brower
Makayla Brower teaches second grade at Rafiki Classical Academy. She previously taught second grade at a Classical Christian School in Vero Beach, FL. Makayla graduated from Reformation Bible College with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Thought. Her love for Classical Christian education grew as she took courses on Classical Christian education during her time at RBC, which formed her knowledge of its philosophy and sound pedagogy. Makayla’s love for teaching is manifest in her longing to show students how all things cohere and have meaning in Christ, the fountain of truth. She enjoys leading her students in an education that forms their souls to this end. Makayla and her husband are members of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
Third Grade
Mrs. Brooke King
Fourth Grade
Bio Coming Soon!
Ms. Kiley Bronke
Fifth & Sixth Grade Humanities
Kiley Bronke teaches the art of language, history, and writing and rhetoric to the 5th and 6th grade students at Rafiki Classical Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Olivet Nazarene University. During her time there, she went on her first mission trip to West Africa. She was then introduced to the Rafiki Foundation the summer before her senior year of college. Kiley volunteered and was then offered a job working at the Rafiki Home Office before joining the field as a long-term Rafiki missionary in 2020. She spent almost four years serving as a missionary in Ghana; teaching high school, junior high, and elementary art of language classes while training teachers in classical teaching methods. Kiley lives with her sister and brother-in-law, her nieces and nephew, and the many beloved animals that make up their family farm. When not teaching at RCA, she can be found reading classics with her oldest niece, running with her dog, or attending Bible studies and worship at Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Kenna Duarte
Fifth & Sixth Grade Math, Science, & Latin
Kenna Duarte teaches 5th and 6th grade math, science, and Latin at Rafiki Classical Academy. Kenna was born and raised in Florida. She attended Mount Dora Christian Academy from pre-school through 12th grade and went on to Southeastern University in Lakeland, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Med. For the past 15 years, she and her husband have homeschooled their now teenage children with a classical Christian curriculum. She tutored and directed elementary and middle school aged students for four years with Classical Conversations before starting at Rafiki in 2024.
Kenna is an active member of her church, helping with nursery all the way up to the youth group, and is involved in small group Bible studies with the church. Some of the things she enjoys are spending time with family, playing games, pickleball, working out, and continuing to learn. She is excited about teaching from a Biblical worldview at the Rafiki Classical Academy and using the classical curriculum that Rafiki offers.
Educational Assistant | Fifth & Sixth Grade Bible
Mr. Matthew Pearson
Matthew Pearson is an Educational Assistant at Rafiki Classical Academy and teaches RCA’s 5th and 6th grade Bible class. Matthew was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and is a proud fifth-generation Tampa Floridian. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a minor in Philosophy. Matthew is currently an M.Div. student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and is pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). He is a communicant member at Christ Central Presbyterian Church in Tampa and an associate member at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Orlando.
Matthew has a passion for leading others to a greater knowledge of God, His Word, and His world. He has taught children’s Sunday school classes from 2nd through 12th grade and has served as pulpit supply on numerous Sunday mornings. He is married to Alyssa Pearson, a student at Reformation Bible College and a devoted wife, lover of classical education, and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew enjoys cooking, weightlifting, going on walks, studying the Scriptures, and reading English Reformed theological works from the seventeenth century.
Dr. Randall Van Meggelen
Music Director
Randall Van Meggelen teaches music at Rafiki Classical Academy in Eustis. Randall also teaches after-school piano at RCA, and he is the music director at New Hope Presbyterian Church. Randall has served as music director in several Reformed and Presbyterian churches in Florida for over 30 years. He has taught music and Bible in Christian elementary and high schools in Toronto, Panama City, and central Florida. He has also taught piano lessons for almost 40 years. Randall graduated from Covenant College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sociology. He also earned a Master of Church Music from Concordia University, Wisconsin, and a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Randall was born in Toronto, Canada, to Dutch immigrants and was raised in a godly home that instilled a love for classical music and singing of psalms and hymns, which Randall also enjoys nurturing at the Rafiki Classical Academy.
Choir Director
Mrs. Tina Van Meggelen
Tina Van Meggelen is the choral director at Rafiki Classical Academy in Eustis. She is also the Children’s Ministry Director at New Hope Presbyterian Church. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Music from Covenant College. Tina married her college sweetheart, Randall Van Meggelen, in 1988. Tina has many years of experience singing, playing flute, and leading children’s choirs. She loves cultivating the joy and beauty of children singing praises to the Lord. In her free time, Tina enjoys gardening, cooking, crafts, and spending time whenever she can with her 18 grandchildren.
Mrs. Leanna Chapman
Art
Bio Coming Soon!
P.E.
Coach Denisse Bliss
Denisse Bliss (Coach Bliss) teaches Gymnastics (PE) at Rafiki Classical Academy. Born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, she moved to the United States after serving in the Army National Guard as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Specialist, serving for nine years. She received her bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Armstrong State University, now known as Georgia Southern University. At the beginning of her career, she worked as a microbiologist in a hospital setting and as an assistant professor at Armstrong for two years, then, moving to Florida, she continued her work as a microbiologist. Coach Bliss is married to Army veteran John J. Bliss IV and has two children, Samantha and Johanna. Coach Bliss's introduction to classical education happened over a decade ago, by word of mouth, when her oldest daughter's Christian school teacher told her of the new school in the area. She's spent two academic years in that environment and fell in love with it as a parent and as a volunteer, as she coached JV girls’ volleyball.
Coach Bliss now serves the community as a youth sports coach, teaching fundamentals to children for different sports. Coach Bliss enjoys her service at RCA, and one of her greatest joys is seeing the development and progress of the children she interacts with.
Ms. Sandra Lafferty
Administrative Assistant
Sandra Lafferty is the Administrative Assistant to the Head of School, Kelly Fore. She was born in Wilmington, DE, and raised in Fishkill, NY, in the Hudson River Valley, where she attended The First Dutch Reformed Church of Fishkill (built in 1731). Sandra’s love and desire to be in education began in third grade when she wished for all students to succeed. She attended Houghton College, where she studied Elementary Education and Business. Here she also met her husband. Sandra moved to Grand Island, NY, before moving to Providence, RI, where their daughter was born, raised, and graduated from a Christian school.
Over the years, Sandra has joyfully served the Lord and others in various roles, including as an Administrative Assistant to pastors and a substitute teacher at the Christian School her daughter attended. Her service extends further, with volunteering in many capacities at church, teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school, hosting missionaries, planning women’s church functions, and organizing meals for families in need.
In 2018, Sandra moved to Central Florida to be near her daughter’s family and became a member of St. Andrews Chapel. She worked in accounting for an HOA company and volunteered at Rafiki Foundation, Inc., before working at Rafiki Classical Academy, a great privilege and honor for her. An aspect of serving in classical education that has been especially rewarding for Sandra is seeing children thrive in a creative atmosphere that is peaceful, full of God’s love, and that points students through every subject to Christ. This all contributes to an environment for students to learn with excellence.
In her leisure time, Sandra enjoys pickleball, decorating, cooking, reading, hiking, and exploring the area.
In accordance with Section 1002.421(1)(h), Florida Statutes, all instructional personnel at Rafiki Classical Academy meet one of the following requirements:
o Bachelor’s Degree or higher in any subject
o Three or more years of K-12th grade teaching experience
o Special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in K-12th grade subjects