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.
High School
Stephen Zedler
High School Director
BS Pre-Law, John Brown University, MTA, University of Tulsa szedler@amblesideocala.comMr. Zedler has worked in and around education for almost 20 years, teaching in a variety of settings. He was an Ambleside teacher for 5 years before going to work for a company that develops and provides tutoring in literacy and language programs. He is excited to be back at Ambleside to work with the high school students and staff in this brand-new program. Mr. Zedler's areas of interest include history, theology, and philosophy, and on the lighter side, superheroes and adventure stories. He loves spending time with his family in both indoor and outdoor activities.
Courtney Works
High School Counselor
BS Psychology, University of Florida cworks@amblesideocala.comMrs. Works is married with both children attending Ambleside. Before starting a family she was actively involved in theater, both on stage and behind the scenes. Although she enjoyed performing, she decided she did not want it to be her life’s work. She changed her major and received her Bachelors of Science for Psychology from the University of Florida. She enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her family. She can still be seen performing, whether she is on stage or not.
Josh Dease
Eleventh and Twelfth Grade Humanities Teacher
BA Religion, University of Florida, MA History, Southern New Hampshire University jdease@amblesideocala.comMr. Dease received his BA in Religion from the University of Florida and his MA in History from Southern New Hampshire University where he focused on American history and the development of the African American Church. He and his amazing wife, Ashley, have two incredible children, Jules and Davy, who keep them happy and tired. He is passionate about history, theology, literature, and art. He has been involved in church ministry in various capacities since 2006 and has been teaching since 2015.
Lanier Lewis
High School Biology Teacher
BS, Food Science, MS Food Science, University of Florida llewis@amblesideocala.comMrs. Lewis stayed at UF for graduate school, researching the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of guava fruit for her thesis project, and earned her Master’s Degree in 2005. Upon graduation, she worked as a food scientist for 6 years before leaving the food industry to start a family. She then happily stayed home with her two children for the next 6 years. She is passionate about science, education, and the Ambleside philosophy and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading, outdoor activities, cooking, and baking in her free time.
Dax Romine
Physics & Geometry Teacher
A carpenter by trade, Mr. Romine brings a natural love and appreciation for the language of mathematics and science to his classes. Originally from Ohio, he spent almost the first ten years of his time in Ocala building equestrian barns and custom homes before transitioning out of the industry. Mr. Romine is passionate about Jesus, and helping people close the gap between religion and relationship. He pastors a little church, Live Oak Christian Fellowship, and loves to spend time tinkering with motorcycles or broken things in need of repair.
Carol Sedan
Spanish Teacher
csedan@amblesideocala.comI studied elementary education in my native country, Chile, the place where I was born and raised. I‘ve been actively involved in Christian Children’s Ministries for more than 15 years, currently serving as an instructor for a teenager’s Pathfinder Club. I had the opportunity to teach a foreign language in community outreach programs. I have a passion for education and from the moment I learned about Ambleside’s educational philosophy, I was driven to be a part of its wonderful community. I knew this was the school my three girls should attend. Listening to classical music, singing, spending time in nature, swimming, hiking, or kayaking with my family, are also my favorite free time activities.
In anything I can find beauty, I will find myself there. Thus, I find myself educating for education is to seek beauty inside the soul of men.
John Allsopp
Middle and High School Drama Teacher, Ninth Grade Literature
BA Communication Studies, Florida State University jallsopp@amblesideocala.comA native Ocalan, John has been a working actor in Los Angeles, California for the last thirty years and has accumulated over twenty five film and television credits. He appeared in more than twenty national commercials and performed in over sixty stage productions during his time there. He has been the proud member of an award winning Christian theatre company in the heart of Hollywood for most of those years, serving on their board of directors, production committee and public relations committee as well as performing on stage in musicals, classics, contemporary plays and world premiere new works. He is happy to be back home again with his dog, Blue, and cat, Ernest T. Bass, and is thrilled to be working at Ambleside.
Probhita Shew
Tenth Grade Humanities
BA, Christian CounselingProbhita has had the cherished privilege of growing up in a loving family with parents who unreservedly believed and exemplified Jesus Christ. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. Two years later she married Adam, a Theology major from her graduating class. They served in missions for over 20 wonderful years in India, during which time she homeschooled their two children. It was her desire for a better education system that led Probhita to Charlotte Mason, and eventually, Ambleside Schools International. This encounter transformed not just her homeschool endeavors, but her family and community at large. Probhita recently completed her Masters Teacher Training program with ASI and is delighted to be part of the AS community. Besides being besotted with the English Language, Probhita loves meeting people and forging relationships, inspired by the belief that life is so much more enjoyable when we welcome others into our sphere.