Introducing Wesleyan’s First “Student Support Team”

The mission of Wesleyan Christian Academy is “to partner with families by providing a biblically-based college preparatory education so that students will be equipped to serve Christ and influence the world.” 

Each year, Wesleyan’s leadership assesses how the school is applying our mission throughout each department and division. We also explore what may be needed to better support our families and students in today’s dynamic culture. To that end, we are immensely grateful to announce the launch of Wesleyan’s first Student Support Team (SST)

As adults, we know that childhood and adolescence can be a wonderful time. However, it can also be a challenging season for our young men and women. Further, the current cultural climate has created a unique atmosphere in which our children are growing, maturing and developing their identities and worldviews. 

Thankfully, the Lord is not surprised. In fact, he has created your children for this exact moment. 

Recognizing that the blessing of a college-preparatory, Christian education is best received when a student’s emotional, social and spiritual well-being is intact, Wesleyan’s leadership stepped forward to determine how we could assist our families in navigating what can be challenging years. In response, the Student Support Team was created with the goal of bolstering our students’ well-being. We are pleased to introduce to you the members of Wesleyan’s new “Student Support Team” (SST):

Deon Parker, Spiritual Life Director / Chaplain (Co-Leader)
Now in his third year as Wesleyan’s Chaplain, Pastor Parker has served in ministry for 19 years both in the church and in para-church organizations after graduating from Piedmont Baptist College (now Carolina University) with a B.A. in Bible and concentration in Youth Ministry. He and his wife are the parents of five children, and the grandparents of one, with a granddaughter due any day! 

Leah Totel, Upper School Counselor (Co-Leader)
A Wesleyan alumna and former teacher, Mrs. Totel and her husband have four daughters and have fostered ten (10) children. She has a B.S. in Education, specializing in Therapeutic Counseling for children and teenagers, and is trained in Biblical Counseling through the American Association of Christian Counselors. 

Jaime Cebollero, Assistant Principal 
Fondly known as “Mr. C” by Wesleyan students, Jaime Cebollero has served in education for 20 years, 15 of which have been at Wesleyan. Prior to his time in education, Mr. Cebollero served in the U.S. Navy for six years. He and his wife, Donna Cebollero (WCA 4th grade teacher) have served faithfully at Wesleyan for many years and have an adult son who they love to visit!  

Adrienne Hurley, Assistant Principal
Since completing her Masters in Education and School Counseling, Ms. Hurley has served in education for more than a decade. She most recently served as the Lead School Counselor at Andrews High School in High Point before joining Wesleyan’s Administration this summer. Ms. Hurley and her two children have lived in the Triad for six years. 

Shannon Moore, Lead School Nurse
A native of the Triad, Nurse Moore is beginning her sixth year as Wesleyan’s Lead School Nurse. Over the years, she has developed close relationships with “her students”, ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade. She graduated from North Carolina State University and has served in pediatrics for 12 years. Nurse Moore and her husband are parents to two boys. 

Kendra Randazzo, Elementary / Middle School Counselor
Mrs. Randazzo and her husband have lived in the Triad for 20 years and have three children. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Guilford College and a Masters in School Counseling from West Alabama University. After teaching for five years, she chose to move into school counseling and has been serving in that capacity for 12 years in both the Greensboro and High Point communities. This will be her third year at Wesleyan. 

Each of these professionals are uniquely gifted, educated, and experienced to help support specific emotional, social and spiritual needs from a sound biblical perspective. As a result, they understand that partnering with you, our parents, is one of the most effective ways to support your child and your family. It is our hope that as a parent, you begin to see these individuals as an extra eye, an extra hand, or an extra ear, committed to partnering with you in your child’s development. 

Beginning this Thursday, August 26, the Student Support Team (SST) will release a weekly Trojan Parent Podcast, delivered by one of the team members addressing various cultural or parenting topics. These podcasts will be accessible via our website and in the Wesleyan Christian Academy-NC app in the News & Podcasts section.  In the coming weeks, you can expect to hear more about upcoming Trojan Parent Seminars which will expand on relevant parenting or cultural topics from a biblical perspective. 

Another priority of the SST is to be present in the lives of our students both on and off-campus. On campus, that may look like being in the cafeteria to give a high five, to listen to a story, or to reach out to someone who is having a hard time. Off-campus, that may involve attending baptisms, athletic games and performances or making hospital visits.

Dr. David Ray, Head of School shared, “Ultimately, as affirmed in our mission, our desire is to come alongside our students and provide a supportive partnership to Wesleyan families with the common goal of equipping and growing our kids emotionally, academically and in all other domains.“