Tavanya was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and moved to St. Augustine to attend Flagler College. She graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Youth Ministry and has called St. Augustine home for the past 26 years.
After graduating from Flagler, Tavanya taught fifth grade at Osceola Elementary School in St. Johns County for five years. For the past 23 years, she has also served on staff at Good News Church in a variety of ministry roles, including Youth Ministry Assistant Director, Ministry Coordinator, and Preschool Director. She currently serves as the Kids Ministry Director, where she oversees ministry to children from birth through fifth grade and partners with parents and families as they seek to disciple their children. Her passion for children and families began early, including several years serving as a volunteer Young Life leader while in college. Tavanya and her husband, Tim, have also served together as small group leaders for college students and young families throughout the past decade.
Tavanya and Tim have four children, three daughters and a son, who all attend Veritas and have been part of the school since kindergarten. Their family joined Veritas during its second year, when their oldest child began kindergarten. Tavanya has served with the Veritas Parent Council since its beginning, helping lead teacher appreciation efforts, community events, and other opportunities to support the school, in addition to volunteering for field trips and school activities.
Having grown up in a Christian home and attended a Christian school herself, Tavanya is especially grateful for the opportunity to give her children a Christ-centered education. She and Tim consider raising their children to know, love, and follow Jesus their highest priority and are thankful for the Veritas community as it partners with families in that calling while providing an excellent education grounded in a biblical worldview.
In her spare time, Tavanya enjoys reading, hiking national parks, baking and playing board games with her family.