Our Team

Our Story

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cape Cod Christian Academy, a nonprofit University-Model® school, was formed to meet the need of families seeking a different educational option for their children, especially after students had been forced to suddenly shift to remote learning. Through the remote-learning process, many parents recognized the benefits of homeschooling, including being able to: have more time for imparting their faith and values, provide a safe environment, and cater the curriculum to the child's interests and needs. Homeschooling allows flexibility and creativity. Parents can tailor their child's education to meet the child's individual needs, but planning a curriculum can be daunting. Cape Cod Christian Academy supports parents by providing the curriculum, lesson planning, and teaching support that parents need to be confident in their choice to be an integral part of their child(ren)'s education. Cape Cod Christian Academy began accepting its first students in the summer of 2020, and it received its 501(c)(3) determination on September 8, 2020. Cape Cod Christian Academy officially became a private school in August of 2023, and is under the oversight of a board of directors.

Dr. Tracy L. Waters-Founder & Head of School

Dr. Waters taught at the elementary and middle school levels for over 15 years before she transitioned into school administration. She earned her bachelor's degree in science and information technology, her master's degree in education, and her doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on curriculum. Her dissertation focus was on changes in teaching practices with the Next Generation Science Standards. She is a SEPT alumna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is certified as both a K-8 teacher and a K-12 administrator.

Educational disparity is a concern close to Dr. Waters' heart. She moved to Central America to do short-term mission work and teach English and computer skills in economically-challenged regions, and ended up living in Costa Rica for over six years. During that time, she also learned Spanish, taught English and science in a private school, and became the Academic Director of a K-12 International Baccalaureate school. 

An Alabama native, Dr. Waters spent summers on the Cape since 2014, and did her 500-hour school administration internship through Nauset Public Schools. She moved to the Cape full time in 2019, and founded Cape Cod Christian Academy in 2020. When she is not teaching, she loves reading, being outdoors, traveling with her husband, Buster, and visiting with their children and grandchildren. 

Halley Greene- Operations and Grants Manager

Mrs. Greene has her bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a minor in Psychology. She has worked with children in various capacities for more than 17 years – mentoring, teaching, and facilitating programs. She has written curricula and learning materials for various non-profits. After six years working in international development, her extensive non-profit experience came together with her writing acumen in the role of grant writer. Mrs. Greene was an interim children’s ministry director and has been homeschooling since 2020. She enjoys reading in a hammock, exploring new places, discovering nature with her boys, and walking along the beach at sunset.

Mrs. Lauren Thonus- Teacher (Kindergarten)

Mrs. Thonus has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UMass Boston, where she focused on child and adolescent development. She is also a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society. She has homeschooled since 2020, teaching her children in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th grades. She has two children, a son in 4th grade at Cape Cod Christian Academy and a daughter in 10th grade at Trinity Christian Academy.  

Mrs. Thonus is the president of the Lower Cape Figure Skating Association Executive Board, volunteers with the Friends of Chatham Waterways, and was the childcare coordinator at her church. She is a horseback riding instructor and has taught students of all ages to learn natural communication with horses. She has ridden all her life and has won awards in Dressage, including a national Silver Medal. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Thonus enjoys spending time with her family, especially while camping or at the beach. You can also find her at the skating rink and taking care of her two horses, Fenway and McFly, in her backyard.

Mrs. Rachel Sullivan- Teacher (1st Grade)

Mrs. Sullivan knew in high school that she wanted to be a teacher. She chose the four-year education pathway at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, then studied elementary education at Wheelock College. 

Mrs. Sullivan is a mom of two boys. She has always loved being outdoors and keeping active. Mrs. Sullivan is also a photographer. With her strong attention to detail and creativity, she also assists with our marketing. 

Mrs. Sarah Bridgwood-Teacher (2nd Grade)

Mrs. Bridgwood has her bachelor’s degree in history from Gordon College. She has her Massachusetts teaching certification in social science, along with her Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement. Mrs. Bridgwood worked as a substitute teacher for public and private schools before she became a classroom teacher for a private school for 5 years. Mrs. Bridgwood has been with Cape Cod Christian Academy since 2020. 

When Mrs. Bridgwood is not in the classroom, she loves traveling, decorating, music, and her growing number of grandchildren!

Mrs. Melanie Antone- Teacher (3rd Grade)

Mrs. Antone earned her bachelor's degree in community service from Providence College in Rhode Island. As part of her studies, she was able to study psychology abroad at the Danish Institute of Scandinavia in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mrs. Antone earned her master's degree in elementary education from American International College, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She has her Massachusetts teaching license in elementary education, and has taught in both private and public schools on the Cape since 2018. Mrs. Antone is now pursuing her doctorate in psychology with a focus on mental health counseling. 

Mrs. Rachel Thackston Dodge- Teacher (4th Grade)

Mrs. Dodge has her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Bridgewater State University, along with her Massachusetts licensure in elementary education for grades 1-6. She taught in the Barnstable Public School system for over fifteen years. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Dodge also wrote curriculum for Grade 6 Social Studies, served as a mentor, and was given the award of “exemplar” teacher by her supervisor in 2016.

Mrs. Dodge is an active member of her church, where she teaches Sunday School to grades K-2. When not in the classroom, Mrs. Dodge enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with her grandchildren. 

Mrs. Rheanna Hastings- Teacher (Middle School)

Mrs. Hastings has her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from The College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota. Her main coursework was in biology and psychology. After earning her teacher's license, she was a substitute teacher in the Minnesota public schools for five years before homeschooling her own children. As a homeschooling parent, she taught grades 5-8. 

Mrs. Hastings founded the Parent Community Coalition of Cape Cod and is very involved in her church and community. When she's not in the classroom, Mrs. Hastings enjoys spending time with her husband and five children, volunteering, scrapbooking, reading, and sailing. 

Mrs. Cathy Graham (7th-8th Math)

Mrs. Cathy was a volunteer math teacher for grades 3 & 4 last year, and she has officially joined our teaching staff this year. Mrs. Cathy has her master's degree in educational technology, and her Massachusetts teaching license in middle school math, which she has taught for around 25 years. 

Mrs. Cathy is an active member of her church, where she is the Sunday School coordinator

Ms. Molly Hayman- Art

Ms. Molly Hayman graduated college with a degree in Fine Art from Northern VA Community College.  She then moved to Montreal, Canada to further her studies in Fashion Design at College LaSalle, where she studied graphic design.  After graduating, she landed a job doing graphic design for a small business. This opened the door for her to be able to work freelance graphic design for an array of different local businesses needing print and/or marketing materials. She enjoys using her skills for missions, and made an annual calendar to help raise funds for an African mission trip each year. Miss Molly has also designed some marketing materials for Cape Cod Christian Academy. Miss Molly has been passionate about art and performing arts since a very young age, and continues to understand the value of creativity in our daily lives.

Señora G. Raquel Fierro-MacVeigh- Spanish

Señora Raquel is a native Spanish speaker, and also speaks Portuguese at a professional working level. She studied early childhood education at Cape Cod Community College, and has a bachelor's degree in education from Bridgewater State University and a bachelor's degree in radiology from Universidad Central de Ecuador. Señora Raquel was an English language learner (ELL) instructor for the D-Y district for 3 years, then transitioned into being a Spanish interpreter/liaison for Barnstable public schools for 10 years. She is a certified and licensed medical interpreter and translator, and has her MA license in foreign language (Spanish). 

Señora Raquel enjoys spending time with her children and grandson. 

Madame Janet Edmonson- Music 

Madame Edmonson has her bachelor's degree in French and Education from Fredonia State in New York, and her master's degree in French from Middlebury College in Vermont. She has also taught piano lessons and choir for many years, and has taught French in both private and public schools in New York, Florida, and on the Cape. Madame Edmonson earned her Massachusetts teaching license in foreign language (Pre-K-12). 

When not in the classroom, Madame Edmonson enjoys playing the piano and organ, knitting, and gardening. She is also an active member of her church.