OUR STORY

KAIROS is the qualitative time of life. The Greeks considered it the most appropriate for something new. The concept has its origins in the practice of Greek archery, representing the moment when the archer finds the perfect opening to shoot his arrow and hit his target. The word kairos comes from a Greek term translated as the “right time” or “opportune moment” to do something. Kairos plays a prominent role in Christian theology, the term appearing in philosopher Paul Tillich’s 1936 Interpretation of History, where he discusses kairos as “God’s time." At Kairos Academy we believe that God has brought together our diverse team for this "appointed time”. We know that our work at Kairos Academy is ordained and we strive to offer the best education possible.

MEET THE TEAM

Lead Pastor & Founder Kairos Academy

Kirk Carey

Kirk Carey is the Founder of Kairos Academy and the Lead Pastor at Abundant Life Ministries (ALM). Kirk is passionate about seeing the next generation raised up to lead godly lives in our world. Before stepping into a Lead Pastor role at ALM, he led an organization called Camp Sonshine International (CSI). CSI is in Silver Spring MD and serves over 1200 children daily in a wide range of programs. CSI also hosts short terms missions in various countries, runs after school programs, and youth development programs. Kirk felt called by God to help disciple children and families so they can learn how to honor God, love each other, and love their communities. Kirk holds a MBA and various other certifications in training and leadership development. Kirk believes God has called him and his family to stand in the gap for children, create fun, safe, and nurturing environments for them, and to disciple people into their God-given calling.

Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher & Co-Founder

Sabrina Carey

Sabrina Carey is the Co-Founder of Kairos Academy. She also serves as the Director of Camp Sonshine Florida, Marketing Director at Abundant Life Ministries (ALM) and serves as part of the Instructional Staff and Development team at Kairos Academy. Sabrina is a mother of four who is passionate not only about helping guide and raise up her own children into the calling God has for them but ALL children. Prior to transitioning to ALM, Sabrina served as an Educator and Behavior Specialist in Pinellas County Schools. She also worked as an ESE Teacher working with students with autism. Sabrina holds a BS in K-12 ESE and a MA in Instructional Technology, in addition to several other educational endorsements and certifications. Sabrina has been recognized by the county for her dedication and innovative work with the special education population. Sabrina believes that the God has brought her, along with Pastor Kirk and their family here to create a fun, engaging, safe, and loving environment for all students.

Director & Founding Partner

Loraine Materasso

Loraine Materasso has more than 20 years of educational experience in various educational institutions including private school, public school, hybrid school and homeschool. She holds a BS Ed. in K-12 ESE, and K-6 Elementary Education in addition to several other endorsements. Loraine is highly experienced in all aspects of education including serving as a classroom teacher, working as a Technology Specialist for PCS, leading a team of elementary teachers, as well as serving as a school administrator, and a successful business owner. With her own children being homeschooled for more than 12 years, Loraine has extensive knowledge in education from kindergarten through 12th grade. Loraine knows that the Lord led her to Kairos Academy, and that her unique combination of experience and passion will provide an exceptional learning experience for ALL students.

Administrative Assistant

Mykayla Oudshoff

Miss Oudshoff has dedicated most of her life to working in the children's ministry at Abundant Life Ministries. She currently serves as a Camp Leader at Camp Sonshine during the summer, where she continues to inspire and impact the lives of children. As an assistant to the director, she feels honored to serve alongside such passionate dedicated individuals.

2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

Jenny Barr

Jenny Barr has more than 25 years of educational experience in various educational
environments including public school, hybrid school, and homeschool. She holds a B.A. in
Elementary Education, as well a Master of Education from the University of Florida. She is
currently a Florida certified teacher in ESE K-12, Elementary 1-6, and holds a reading
endorsement. Prior to working at Kairos Academy, Jenny has worked as a Pinellas County Schools first grade teacher with a Reading Recovery intervention specialty, K-3 Literacy Coach, reading tutor intervention teacher, online teacher, and a homeschool teacher to her two sons. Recently she has also started a Christian online community for homeschool moms to support
them in their efforts to educate their children. Jenny has a passion for teaching children about
Jesus and helping them develop their God-given gifts and talents into the men and women they
are called to be.

4th/5th Grade Teacher

Patty Pereira

Mrs. Patty Pereira has dedicated over 25 years to teaching and ministering to children, holding a BA Degree in Deaf Communication and a Pastoral Degree. Her experience includes roles as a Children’s Pastor, teacher at Christian Schools, and homeschooling her own sons. She has also taught Sign Language, English, and Cooking classes in various Coop’s, and serves as the Girl’s Ministry Representative for Penn Florida. Her passion lies in guiding her students to do their best and seek God’s direction in their lives.

6th/7th Grade Teacher

Erin Tripp

Erin Tripp is a middle school teacher at Kairos Academy. She is passionate about teaching kids about God by studying the world he created. She has a BS degree in Biology and before teaching at Kairos, she was a software developer. She was homeschooled from 4th grade to graduation and has stayed involved in the homeschool community teaching in co-ops and tutoring small groups of homeschool students. She was drawn to Kairos by their philosophy to teach the whole child strives to balance teaching life skills along with academics.

8th/9th Grade Teacher

Brandy Venezia

Brandy Venezia is honored to join Kairos Academy this fall. She comes with several years of experience as a classroom teacher and has homeschooled her own children. She has taught grades ranging from third to twelfth; finding unique things that she loves about each age. Instructing Bible, math, literature, apologetics, and sciences from a biblical worldview are some of her favorites. Early in her walk with Jesus, the Lord made his calling for her clear and she began teaching children in the church, building AWANA programs by training and overseeing volunteers to serve together. Her passion for the Lord as her redeemer and best friend, along with her calling to work with children, fuels a drive for the next generation to know, love, and serve Jesus. This desire motivates how she manages a classroom and prioritizes relationships with parents and students. Ms. Venezia’s sweet spot is loving children through hard times, answering the hard questions, and making the classroom a place where children and teens want to be. She has one son and five beautiful daughters, four of whom will attend Kairos with her. Her belief is that discipleship starts at home and her priority is that all children she is blessed to work with see Christ in her, get to hear the good news of the cross, and the heart of the Father- “even so it is not the will of the Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish; He desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, having life and life more abundantly.” (Matthew 18:14, 1 Timothy 2:4, John 10:10).

10th/11th Grade Teacher

Sara Carlberg

Mrs. Carlberg has held the positions of teacher assistant in the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th grades, 6th grade primary teacher and most recently with Kairos Academy, the 7th/8th grade primary teacher. Prior to that she homeschooled her 3 children for 9 years. Her educational background is actually in nursing, but I have always loved teaching. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and the International School of Theology in Manila, Philippines, where her and her husband were full time missionaries for 17 years. Aside from teaching children, she also enjoys teaching women to study the Word of God and apply it to their lives. When she is not in the classroom, you will find her on the Pinellas Trail with her husband as she enjoys bike riding or I may be at The Trop cheering on the Rays! All the credit on my journey to Kairos goes to God in how He guided my steps and my simple obedience in following Him. We may plan our steps, but it has been my experience that God steps in and gives us something so much better.

JOIN OUR CULTURE

Kairos Academy Community Covenant

As part of the Kairos Academy team, we come into covenant with one another in order to fulfill our God-
given mission. Modeling Jesus’ community with His disciples, we commit to creating that same environment as we work together, knowing that our unity and care for each other are basic to who we are and how effectively we serve. We covenant to live out the following values, in our personal and corporate with those we serve: Truth-Telling, Confidentiality, Excellence , Transparent Accountability & Conflict Transformation.
If you agree to the above values, please apply using the link below.

JOIN US