Leadership

Will Cohen, Associate Head of School

Mr. Will Cohen was born and raised in Orlando and has been serving at The First Academy since June 2012. During his tenure, he has served in several leadership roles, including three years as Assistant Director of Athletics and Assistant Baseball Coach, ten years as Director of Athletics, and two years as Assistant Head of School for Campus Operations. He currently serves as Associate Head of School.

A proud TFA alumnus, Mr. Cohen attended The First Academy for seven years and graduated with the Class of 2008. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville.

In 2025, Mr. Cohen married his wife, Mary Brittan, who teaches fourth grade at The First Academy. Having experienced TFA as both a student and a staff member, Mr. Cohen is deeply grateful for the immeasurable impact the school’s teachers, coaches, and administrators have had on his life. He considers it a privilege to now partner with faculty, staff, and families to support a safe, thriving campus and ensure the school’s day-to-day operations run smoothly.

Mr. Cohen believes that TFA’s students, families, faculty, and staff are what make The First Academy an exceptional Christ-centered school, and he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has played such a significant role in his own life.

Patrick Barrett, Chief Operating Officer

Brian Rose, Chief Development Officer

Born and raised in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Mr. Brian Rose attended Hobe Sound Bible College and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Social Studies. He went on to earn a Master of Education Administration from Columbia International University. He began his educational career in 1985 at Jupiter Christian School in south Florida then served 5 years at the Whitefield Academy in Louisville, KY.

In July 2005, Mr. Rose became Assistant Head of School at The First Academy. Married to his wife, Debra, since 1984; they are proud parents of two TFA Alumni – Michael (2011) and Lyndee (2013).

Matt McGee is an alumnus of The First Academy, Class of 2002. After graduating from TFA, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from The University of Central Florida. Matt then went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served at The First Academy as Director of Institutional Advancement and then as Assistant Head of School for Advancement & Spiritual Formation from 2013-2016. For the last seven years, Matt and his wife, Jennifer, have served churches through an international non-profit in several countries throughout Asia. Upon returning to Florida in 2022, Matt felt called to return to TFA to utilize his expertise in advancing gospel ministry and education. Matt and Jennifer have been married for ten years and have 3 students at TFA: Anna, Judson, and Elijah.

Jennifer Jackson, Assistant Head of School for Academics & Parent Relations

Mrs. Jennifer Jackson serves as an Assistant Head of School at The First Academy, bringing decades of dedicated experience in both public and independent education to her leadership role. Since joining the TFA community, she has served in several key capacities—including Learning-i.e. Coordinator and a long-standing tenure as Lower School Principal—while remaining actively involved in leading the school’s ongoing accreditation processes.

Prior to her time at TFA, Mrs. Jackson spent over a decade in Florida public schools across Alachua and Orange counties, serving as a special education teacher, elementary educator, curriculum resource teacher, and reading coach. She draws deeply from this diverse background to support TFA’s faculty, students, and families, and prioritizes being regularly present in the classrooms to inform her leadership.

Mrs. Jackson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Furman University and a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Georgia. She holds specialized endorsements in Gifted Education, Reading, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). A former TFA faculty recipient of the Christian Educator of the Year award, Mrs. Jackson firmly believes that every student can thrive in a loving environment grounded in high expectations, shared Christian values, and a strong partnership between school, church, and home.

Mrs. Jackson and her husband, Jay, are the proud parents of two daughters, both of whom attended The First Academy from Kindergarten through graduation.

TJ Ross, Assistant Head of School for School Growth & Engagement

TJ Ross has served at The First Academy since June 2023 and was named Assistant Head of School for School Growth & Engagement in 2026. He leads the school’s Admissions, Marketing, Communications, and Production teams, shaping the way prospective families first encounter TFA and guiding them through the enrollment journey. He sees admissions as a ministry of its own: the front door to a community where students are known, challenged, and pointed toward Christ.

Before coming to TFA, TJ spent nine years at The Christ School in Orlando, first as a middle school math teacher and later as Director of Middle School. He began his career teaching middle school math and history at Washington Christian Academy in Maryland and served six years in the Army National Guard.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Gordon College, and is a Commissioned Colson Fellow.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Asher and Riley, and the family attends Orlando Grace Church.

Jacob Gill, Assistant Head of School for Extended Education & Student Development

Mr. Gill is entering his third year at The First Academy. In his first two years, Mr. Gill served in the TFA Athletics Department as the Associate Director of Athletics and as the Defensive Coordinator for TFA Football. Mr. Gill is entering his first year as Associate Head of School for Extended Education and Student Development. In this role he will oversee all aspects of TFA’s Hybrid Home + School and the Distinct Ability Learning divisions. Mr. Gill will also partner with the TFA Day school regarding the overall process of Student Development and Spiritual Formation.

Prior to coming to TFA, Mr. Gill has served in two different private-Christian schools in Arkansas and Tennessee. In those posts he served as a classroom teacher, coach, Dean of Students, and Secondary Dean. Mr. Gill received his undergraduate degree in Education and Sports Management from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and played on the Pioneer Baseball team. Mr. Gill completed his graduate degree in 2021 with a degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. 

Mr. Gill is from Siloam Springs, AR. He and his wife, Kala, who also serves at TFA, have been married for 18 years and have three sons that all attend The First Academy; Colson (9th), Keegan (7th), and Cannon (3rd). Mr. Gill and his family are excited to continue their time serving the TFA community and partnering with students and families to make a Kingdom impact through Christ-centered education. 

Andy Chiles, Senior Director of Athletics & Business Development

Gissel Valois, Executive Officer of Administration

Gissel Valois has served at The First Academy since 2013 and currently serves as the Executive Officer of Administration. In this role, Mrs. Valois works closely with the Head of School and Associate Head of School to strengthen organizational effectiveness, support leadership priorities, and advance the mission and strategic initiatives of The First Academy.

Mrs. Valois provides leadership and support across a variety of schoolwide initiatives, with a focus on strengthening administrative operations, leadership alignment and collaboration, program excellence, and the overall student experience. She works across divisions and departments to identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen accountability, and help ensure that TFA’s people, programs, and practices consistently reflect the school’s commitment to Gospel-centered, world-class excellence.

In August 2021, Mrs. Valois led the implementation of The First Academy’s first comprehensive food service program in partnership with Flik Independent School Dining. She continues to oversee the school’s partnership with Flik, including campus catering and dining services, helping ensure an excellent experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Mrs. Valois earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Office Systems Management from Montclair State University. Prior to joining The First Academy, she worked as an Executive Administrator and Project Coordinator in the Margin & Risk Department at Merrill Lynch in New York.

Mrs. Valois and her husband, Juan, are blessed with two daughters. Their oldest daughter, Brianna, is a proud graduate of The First Academy, and their youngest daughter, Jianna, currently attends TFA. As both a school leader and TFA parent, Mrs. Valois considers it a privilege to serve the school community and contribute to its continued growth and pursuit of excellence.

Joe Fana, Lower School Principal

Joe Fana brings 26 years of dedicated service to The First Academy and currently serves as Lower School Principal, after previously working as a 4th grade teacher, Director of the Lower School Learning Center, and Middle School Assistant Principal.

Dedicated to fostering academic and spiritual growth, he supports teachers, students, and families while cultivating a Christ-centered environment for learning and character development. Joe holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision and is a doctoral candidate.

He and his wife, Rebekah, have been married for over 25 years. Their daughter, Libby (TFA Class of 2025), attends Florida State University.

Dr. Natalie Holter, Middle School Principal & Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Natalie Holter is a Central Florida native who has been working in education for the last 20 years. She joined The First Academy in 2011 as the 12th-grade English and AP Literature teacher. In this role, she inaugurated the Senior Thesis project, the capstone graduation project that asks students to find the intersection between God and seemingly secular topics. As a certified SAT/ACT expert, she also launched a number of test preparation initiatives to help students improve their scores. She was recognized as “Christian Teacher of the Year” in 2014.

In 2018 she transitioned to the Middle School, first as its Academic Dean and later as its Principal. In this capacity, she directs the daily operations of the division. Her primary focus is ensuring a strong academic foundation and healthy emotional/social development in order to lay the best groundwork possible for student success in high school. She also coordinates the Pathways program, focused on providing accommodations for students with learning differences. Her passion is building supportive relationships with her students and mentoring faculty to be the best teachers they can be.

Dr. Holter earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Yale University, her Master of Liberal Studies in Humanities from Rollins College, and her Doctorate in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida. She was also blessed to attend Oxford University for one summer on a scholarship she won to pursue a more in-depth study of English literature. She is the proud mom of two TFA graduates, one of whom has attended since Kindergarten and the other since pre-Kindergarten.

Joyce Kwak, Upper School Principal

Mrs. Kwak holds a degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College and is pursuing her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Before joining TFA in 2007, she served as an Admission Counselor at Rollins College in Winter Park.

Since 2007, Mrs. Kwak has served in the Upper School Guidance Department. Her dedication to developing and implementing a cohesive college preparation program for students and parents earned her the title of Director of College Guidance in 2016.

Mrs. Kwak has been married to her husband, Eugene, for over 18 years and is the mom of two wonderful TFA students- Evelyn and Ewan. The Kwak family is also very involved in Harvest Church of Winter Garden, where Mrs. Kwak serves as a House Church Leader and helps lead the Welcoming ministry.