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.
Principals
Jill Romine
Principal
BA Journalism, Ohio State University jromine@amblesideocala.comMrs. Romine discovered Ambleside while investigating educational options for her young children, and was delighted to make the connection between L'Abri, Francis and Edith Schaeffer's family, and the work of Charlotte Mason. In reading For the Children's Sake, by Susan Schaeffer, Mr. & Mrs. Romine connected deeply with the philosophy, and they enrolled their son in the first stand-alone Kindergarten class at Ambleside. She began working in the classroom that year and continued served in various capacities, including teacher and admin, prior to becoming principal in 2011. Ages ago, she graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism and is continuously inspired by the living ideas she encounters every day on campus. She enjoys watching God at work in the lives of the community and considers her position a "good and perfect gift from above." (James 1:17)
Esther Olwagen
Dean of Students
BS, Biblical Counseling, Lancaster College, MS, Biblical Counseling, Carin University eolwagen@amblesideocala.comMrs. Olwagen earned her BS in Christian Counseling from Lancaster Bible College and a MS in Christian Counseling from Carin University (previously Philadelphia Biblical College). She arrived at Ambleside as a parent when her son Josh entered Kindergarten in 2009. She has since become the Vice Principal, Dean of Students, Director of Enrollment, SEL instructor, toilet plunger, boo boo fixer, and most recently, COVID contact person. Her passions are Live Oak Christian Fellowship, women's ministry, her Moving Forward grief group, Ambleside, and her family.