Staff and Board

Teachers at Ambleside are creative, thoughtful, engaged learners with broad interests and educational knowledge.

They realize that education is not merely an interest, but a passion.

— CHARLOTTE M. MASON —

Teachers at Ambleside are creative, thoughtful, engaged learners with broad interests and educational knowledge. They enjoy ideas, read regularly, and are passionate about faith and learning. They pursue relationship with Christ and are called to shepherd their students spiritually as well as academically. In addition to classroom observation and weekly training, all our teachers complete a week-long intensive training through Ambleside Schools International, with whom we enjoy a formal affiliation.

Administrative Staff

Mrs. Michelle Cullum

Head of School

Teachers

Mrs. Michelle Cullum

Teacher K/1

Mr. Randy Hernandez (Ayala)

Spanish teacher

Miss Peyton Petrescue

Teacher Assistant and Ambleside Afternoons

Board of Directors

Mr. Kyle Cullum

Board Chair

Mrs. Beth Anderson

Mr. John Hayes

Michelle Cullum

Head of School, Teacher K/1

BS Elementary Education- University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA Music Performance: Oboe- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Education-Professional Development - University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
mcullum@amblesidefaith.org

Mrs. Cullum serves as the Head of School and teacher for Ambleside. She brings over 25 years of teaching experience including but not limited to public school and homeschooling. Additionally, Mrs. Cullum has 10 years of administrative experience as an office manager for her husband’s business. She’s overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the Ambleside community seeing how God has equipped her for leading Ambleside in Pinellas County.

Homeschooling for 20 years, Mrs. Cullum’s four unique children have given her a passion for providing an atmosphere that sees the unique potential of each child. These years of homeschooling also ignited Mrs. Cullum’s love of learning especially around current events and classical books. Michelle’s husband of 23 years, Kyle, has also been a crucial wingman in the 20 years of homeschooling their four children: Prema (27), Isaac (21), Eli (19) and Kyrie (14). With family and friends, Mrs. Cullum enjoys walking and hiking in local, state, and national parks.

Michelle Cullum

Head of School, Teacher K/1

BS Elementary Education- University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA Music Performance: Oboe- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Education-Professional Development - University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
mcullum@amblesidefaith.org

Mrs. Cullum serves as the Head of School and teacher for Ambleside. She brings over 25 years of teaching experience including but not limited to public school and homeschooling. Additionally, Mrs. Cullum has 10 years of administrative experience as an office manager for her husband’s business. She’s overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the Ambleside community seeing how God has equipped her for leading Ambleside in Pinellas County.

Homeschooling for 20 years, Mrs. Cullum’s four unique children have given her a passion for providing an atmosphere that sees the unique potential of each child. These years of homeschooling also ignited Mrs. Cullum’s love of learning especially around current events and classical books. Michelle’s husband of 23 years, Kyle, has also been a crucial wingman in the 20 years of homeschooling their four children: Prema (27), Isaac (21), Eli (19) and Kyrie (14). With family and friends, Mrs. Cullum enjoys walking and hiking in local, state, and national parks.

Randy Hernandez-Jimenez

Spanish Teacher

I was born in Mexico City, I have lived in the United States since age four. My parents preserved my Spanish fluency by speaking Spanish at home while I spoke English elsewhere. This bilingual upbringing helped me excel in Spanish throughout school and receive several fluency awards. I have tutored languages for much of my adult life, primarily Spanish, while also studying Greek and Latin. I currently teach middle and high school students at a homeschool co-op in Tampa and have taught Spanish to learners of all ages, from my own children to adults. My goal is to help students move beyond memorizing grammar and vocabulary to developing genuine fluency and understanding.

I enjoy studying language acquisition and hope to become fluent in seven languages. Above all, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Church. I am a lifelong learner who enjoys reading and traveling while exploring the beauty of God’s created order.

Peyton Petrescue

Teaching assistant and Ambleside Afternoons

Ms. (Peyton) Petrescue has a passion for helping children learn through hands-on activities, creativity, and encouragement. Over the past several years, she has had the opportunity to work with students in a variety of settings, including teaching homeschool enrichment classes for students in 2nd through 8th grade, serving in Vacation Bible School for seven years, and teaching Sunday school for 1st and 2nd graders.

As a Classical Conversations homeschool graduate, she has experienced firsthand the value of a personalized, engaging education and enjoys creating lessons that inspire curiosity and a love of learning. Throughout her teaching experiences, she has developed and taught classes on topics ranging from science and STEM to survival skills, always striving to make learning interactive and memorable.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing volleyball with friends, playing the piano, organizing, creating fun activities, spending time outdoors, and fellowshipping with friends.

Kyle Cullum

Board Chair

Kyle is the owner and president of Florida Electrical Service, a commercial electrical contractor.  He has a BA in History from Asbury University.  While serving in missions, Kyle met Michelle in Kolkata, India, where they continued serving together before welcoming their children.  For 20 years Kyle and Michelle homeschooled their children.  Kyle also spent many years coaching youth baseball.  He enjoys reading and discussing books, building things, cheeseburgers, and disc golf.

Beth Anderson

Secretary

Beth retired after a 34-year career in education with Pinellas County schools. She has a B.S. in Biology from Florida Southern College and an M.A. in K-12 Reading Education from the University of South Florida. During her career, she taught middle school for 23 years and served as a literacy coach for three years, before becoming the Supervisor of Middle School Reading Education for nine years.

Beth and her husband,Darrin, have three adult children and three grandchildren. She enjoys volunteering at her church, boating and swimming with family and friends, and reading books that increase her knowledge and understanding of the Bible. She is excited to continue her passion for education by serving on the Ambleside Pinellas School Board.

John J. Hayes

Treasurer

John lived and worked in Michigan until his retirement in 2016. Thereupon he and his wife, MaryLou, relocated to Belleair, Florida.

After college graduation John secured his Certified Public Accounting license and practiced in a large regional CPA firm. He then embarked on a 40 year career as a multifamily housing developer in the Midwest. He and his wife, MaryLou, raised four sons who thrived in Christian education. Currently, two grandchildren attend Ambleside Colorado school where their Dad, Andrew, is Head of School.

John is active in Community Bible Study as Area Director on the Florida west coast. He also serves as Treasurer of his Homeowners Association.  John continues to see the educational benefits of a living education through Ambleside Schools as he watches the maturity and knowledge of his grandchildren grow through an Ambleside school education.