Our teachers, staff, and board members have a passion for life, learning, children, the Kingdom of God, family, books, nature, music, relationships, truth, and beauty.
The Board
Tyler Emmons
Board Chairperson
BA History, University of FloridaTyler is the practice manager at Sabal Direct Primary Care. While at the University of Florida he completed a six-week program on Elizabethan England at the University of Cambridge. He serves on the board of HUGs Charities. He and his wife CJ have two boys, Elijah and Samuel. They have been a part of Ambleside since 2014. He also enjoys golf, cooking, baking, and Gator basketball. He is also the founder of Spackler Cup.
Jaqui de Meric
Board Member
Alan Garri
Board Member
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, Licenced Professional Engineer by the State of FloridaAlan is a licensed engineer working at Kimley-Horn, Inc. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. While in college he met his wife and they began their adventure shortly thereafter. Alan has 15 years of engineering experience in areas mainly focused on hydrology and hydraulics.
He remains active in the non-profit community through his service on various boards including the advisory board for Taylor College, the Florida Engineering Society, and Grace Church. Alan and his family have been involved in Ambleside for 8 years and he and his wife taught algebra and art respectively for 2 years. In his downtime, he enjoys spending time with family, freshwater fishing, skeet shooting, and a variety of other outdoor activities.
Reverend Dr. Rhella Murdaugh
Board Member
Reverend Doctor Rhella P. Murdaugh earned and received a Doctoral Degree in Evangelism, Mission, and Church Growth at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. In January of 2002, she accepted God’s call into ministry at Greater Allen Chapel AME Church in Melbourne, Florida and on September 14, 2007 she became the first ordained female in the history of their church. She is the Pastor of Mount Zion AME Church, Ocala, Florida, a member of the Central Conference Board of Examiners, Daytona Beach District Director of Evangelism, Central Conference Women in Ministry Assistant Coordinator, Past Daytona Beach District Christian Education Director, Past President of Iota Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Brevard County, Chaplain of Eta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ocala, Florida, former Youth Director for Brevard County Chapter of Links, Inc., and a member of the City of Ocala Downtown Advisory Board. She is the proud mother of Crystal Murdaugh-Tilley and Deidra Murdaugh and one beautiful granddaughter, “Little Rhella.”
Valarie Lacefield
Board Member
BA Education of the Speech & Hearing Handicapped, MS Speech & Language Pathology SUNY-Fredonia vlace@amblesideocala.com
Ken Ausley
Founder, Board Member Emeritus
BA History, Florida State UniversityMr. Ausley is a principle and the CEO of Ausley Construction Company, LLC. He graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. After graduation, he worked for twelve years with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) serving as a director in Tampa/St. Petersburg and the San Francisco Bay Area. He remains active in the non-profit community through his service on various boards. These include the Children’s Advocacy Center/Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, the City of Ocala’s 2035 Vision Leadership Group, the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership and The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County.
Shari Ausley
Spanish DOI, Founder, Board Member Emeritus
BA International Business, San Diego State UniversityIn 1994 Mrs. Ausley received her degree in International Business from San Diego State University. Her studies included 6 months studying at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. She also studied one semester in Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico. After college, she worked for seven years with Campus Crusade for Christ during which time she met her husband, Ken. They relocated from San Francisco to Ken's hometown of Ocala in 2002. They have three children. Mrs. Ausley's interests range from reading, swimming and paddle boarding to house and garden projects that often disappoint.