Royal Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Abbie Nestler-Teremoto
Mrs.Abbie Nestler-Teremoto | Middle School English Teacher
When you step into Mrs. Abbie Nestler-Teremoto’s classroom, you’ll feel it instantly—a warmth, a joy, an unmistakable passion for both language and the Lord. Now in her fourth year at The First Academy, Abbie brings a vibrant blend of global experience, academic excellence, and a deeply personal faith journey that shapes the way she teaches every day.
A Journey Shaped by Curiosity and Calling
Born and raised in Bradenton, Florida, Abbie grew up attending public school at Lakewood Ranch High School before heading to Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in History and French. Her love of language and culture eventually led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Nova Southeastern University.
After college, her path took turns she never could have scripted. She moved back home to Bradenton, working in a restaurant while volunteering as an English tutor for adults from the Czech Republic. That experience opened the door to a remarkable opportunity—a four-month position as a governess in Teplice, Czech Republic. Living abroad, she immersed herself in the family’s culture, traveled through Prague, Germany, and France, and discovered her passion for teaching English.
When she returned to the U.S., she began teaching ESOL (English As A Second Language) at Barry University in Miami, where she met her husband, Renato. Years later, with a growing family, the couple moved to Orlando to plant roots and provide a solid educational foundation for their children. Abbie taught English at Dr. Phillips High School for six years before God redirected her footsteps once again.
Finding Her Place at TFA
“I had been praying for God to use me somewhere else,” Mrs. Nestler-Teremoto remembers. “The public school system was emotionally draining. I knew He was using me, but I prayed, ‘God, can You please use me somewhere else?’”
She had heard about TFA through friends and had even applied years earlier, but the timing wasn’t right. Then, in the summer of 2022—during a season of deep prayer and discernment—TFA’s Human Resources team called. “It felt like God had opened a door I had been knocking on for years.” Since joining the Middle School team, Abbie says her life has been transformed in ways she never expected. faith and purpose.
A Catalyst for Spiritual Renewal
Though she grew up in church, Abbie’s early years were filled with instability. “There were things that made me not seek God,” she shares. But through adulthood, she rededicated her life— and TFA became a catalyst for further spiritual renewal. “Being here has reignited a love for God that I can’t really put into words. There’s something so beautiful about starting class with prayer and worshipping alongside my students in chapel.”
Knowing that her daughter Gabriela walks the same halls and experiences the same Christ-centered environment has made TFA feel even more like home.
Teaching With Purpose
For Mrs. Nestler-Teremoto, the joy of teaching at TFA goes far beyond grammar lessons and essay writing. “The best part of teaching here is showing my students that living for Jesus is the key to life. I hope they see Christ in me. It’s John 3:30—‘He must increase, I must decrease.’”
Middle School can be a season full of pressure and comparison, but she reminds her students that “loving Jesus is cool” and that their identity rests in Him, not in what others think. She also sees relationships as a cornerstone of student success, saying that “I cultivate authentic relationships with my students—jokes, shared interests, anything that builds trust. When students are comfortable, that’s when they learn best.”
A Community That Truly Cares
Mrs. Nestler-Teremoto speaks often about the closeness of the Middle School team and the way TFA staff embrace one another through every season. That support became deeply personal in 2023 when she faced a sudden medical emergency, was airlifted to the hospital, and required immediate surgery. Her team stepped in without hesitation, with meals, flowers, gift cards, childcare support, daily check-ins, and prayers.
“Even in the midst of fear and recovery, my husband was able to care for me and our children because TFA cared for us. They didn’t just support me—they supported my whole family.” She recalls walking back into school after her recovery, “The day I returned, Dr. Whitaker came into my room just to see how I was. I’ll never forget that. Those are the things that make TFA different.”
Family & Life Beyond the Classroom
Abbie and her husband, Renato—who is originally from Brazil—have been married since January 2015. They share two children, Gabriela, a 4th grader at TFA, and Aidan, her stepson, a college student at UCF, and one very beloved French Bulldog named Daisy. When she’s not teaching, you can almost certainly find Abbie running. She completed her first half-marathon last year and is already training for the next one in March.
Living Out the Living Curriculum Influencer Characteristics
Of TFA’s Living Curriculum Influencer characteristics, Abbie is most drawn to being a Relationship Builder. She says, “As a teacher, I focus on the relationships I cultivate. When students feel known, they grow—not just academically, but spiritually.”
Ready for your child to be known, supported, and pointed to Christ during these formative Middle School years? Schedule your tour today to learn more!