Director

Our Director, Michael Phillips, earned his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Biblical Studies and Theology from Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also studied religion and philosophy at Carson-Newman College and theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Passionate about education, Mr. Phillips has served on staff at several churches across the country in the areas of youth and education. 

In addition to his work as our Director, Mr. Phillips is the Headmaster and Humanities teacher at Smith Preparatory Academy. He is also the Director of a high adventure summer camp called VentureScape Outdoors, where campers "develop Christian character and leadership through team building exercises and extreme outdoor activities."

Michaels' wife, Melissa, who was homeschooled herself, is now busy teaching the next generation: their four children, Elise, Hunter, Ansley, and Caedmon.


Administrator

Our Administrator, Sarah Sacasas is a graduate of Geneva College in western Pennsylvania. At Geneva, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Christian Ministries. After moving to Central Florida, she worked as a Financial Aid Officer at Universal Technical Institute and Concorde Career College. In this capacity, she met regularly with students and parents to provide financial counseling while ensuring that they were in compliance with federal and state laws. She was known for her attention to detail, ethical responsibility, and sincere concern for students.

Sarah has also served her local church as an administrative assistant, a Sunday school teacher, and mentor to middle and high school girls. She is currently the teacher’s aide in the 1st/2nd grade class at Smith Preparatory Academy.

Her husband of five years, Michael Sacasas, is the Literature instructor and Academic Dean at Smith Preparatory Academy. They are both thrilled to be helping home educators provide an excellent and faithful education to their children.


Administrator Emeritus

Our Administrator Emeritus, Lisa Jermain, has been involved in the education field for many years. Her experience includes teaching at Kings Avenue Christian School in the Tampa area, administrating an on-going fund-raising program called Scrip for private schools in both Tampa and Orlando, and teaching and leadership roles with local homeschool support groups. Over the past several years, Lisa has had several roles at Smith Preparatory Academy, and is now the Administrator there.  

A homeschool parent for nine years, Lisa believes passionately in the God-given right for parents to direct the education of their children based on the individual child’s needs. Consequently, she has utilized many methods of schooling with her own children through the years including unit studies, on-line programs, traditional and non-traditional private schools, co-ops, tutoring, classical schooling, and dual enrollment.

Lisa has been married to her husband, Larry, for 29 years. Her daughter, Kaitlin, graduated Cum Laude from UCF in May 2011 and is happily married to Aaron. Alex, Lisa’s son, is on the Dean's List at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The family is completed by an obnoxious, but lovable, 13 year old long-haired miniature dachshund affectionately known as "the little old lady."