Meet the teachers and staff of The Potter's School. Each has been selected based on academic expertise, Christian character, and commitment to biblical standards of service and faith. Despite the diversity of backgrounds represented by these dedicated men and women, one common trait should commend itself to you: Though these individuals are all well qualified within their fields of expertise, they are not simply academics. They are teachers and mentors whose commitment to quality instruction, feedback and evaluation motivated them to equip themselves with academic and practical skills to better serve their students. Please feel free to email them (by clicking on their name) directly with questions about their backgrounds or their courses.

Amy Alfaro (SenoraAlfaro@pottersschool.org) - Amy received her bachelor's degrees in Spanish and Political Science from Guilford College, where she also played soccer for four years. During the summer of 1988 she interned with the YMCA in San José, Uruguay. After graduation, Amy taught junior and senior high Spanish, coached high school soccer, and earned her K-12 teaching certification for Spanish. During this time Amy also spent four summers serving in Honduras, where she met her husband Carlos. Amy is passionate about soccer, Spanish, and mission work and hopes to pass that on to her elementary-aged "mini-kickers" Alex, Allen and Hannah. Amy also enjoys reading, playing piano, scrapbooking, and being a stay-at-home mom. The Alfaros dream of someday relocating to Honduras to serve there.

Rachel Arney (MrsArney@pottersschool.org) - Rachel Arney graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with a degree in Chemistry, followed by a Masters of Arts in Teaching. She has taught various middle school through college-level math and science courses, including AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physical Science, AP Calculus, and college algebra. She thoroughly enjoys working with students of all ages, challenging them to excel in all areas.  Rachel and her husband are working at starting a church in Weatherford, OK where they live with their three young boys.  She enjoys traveling, sewing, reading, church activities, and spending time with her family.

Ghaida Azeez (MrsAzeez@pottersschool.org) - Ghaida Elaia Azeez is a native of the Middle East, most recently in Yemen. She studied to be a Chemistry teacher at Baghdad Educational University 1990-1994, and then studied theology at Jordan Educational University for a year. She participated in (as a student and teacher) discipleship and evangelism courses with YWAM in Jordan from 1995-1996. She participated in Islamic studies with YWAM in India for four months. She taught Arabic to foreigners at Kelsey School in Jordan from 1996-1997, and then in a private school in Egypt during 1998. She taught Arabic in Yemen from 1999-2008 to individuals and groups, including many foreign faith workers serving in the Middle East. Her passion is teaching Arabic as a second language, particulary in the context of supporting evangelism and discipleship with the people of her region.

Vanessa Bush (MrsBush@pottersschool.org) - In 1999, Vanessa Bush received her B.A. in English from the University of Florida, after which she immediately went on to acquire her Masters degree, also from the University of Florida, in secondary English education. Vanessa has been teaching high school English, reading, and SAT prep since graduation. Vanessa lives in Albuquerque, NM with her husband and two young sons. She and her husband are actively involved in church planting. She enjoys serving in children’s ministry and as the communications director for her church.  In her spare time, Vanessa loves to cook, bake desserts, watch Gator football, and spend time outdoors.

Geraldine Cheng-Lee (MrsCheng-Lee@pottersschool.org) - Geraldine Cheng-Lee is a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese who immigrated to the U.S. when she was sixteen years old. She spent the next seven summers traveling with her family to over 20 countries across 4 continents, exposed to multi-cultural settings while ministering to families and churches through song and testimonies. Geraldine graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Art Education and a MA in Teaching, specializing in the area of Bilingual Education - Mandarin. Since 1983, Geraldine has served as a youth leader, After-school Program Director, and Director of VBS in the largest Chinese church on the East Coast. She also taught in New York City Public Schools for 8 years and participated in curriculum development program for Two-Way Bilingual Education. Living in New Jersey, Geraldine embarked on yet another educational challenge and homeschooled her own three children. Prior to moving to California where Geraldine and her husband currently reside, they were involved in church plant ministry in the East Coast for twelve years. Geraldine is presently serving in a local church as the Children’s Ministry Developer & Consultant, responsible for developing the program and training teachers.

Mark Connor (MrConnor@pottersschool.org) - Mark P. Connor completed his undergraduate education at The United States Military Academy at West Point, majoring in Engineering Physics. He also received his commission as an officer in the Unites States Army. During the next four and a half years, Mr. Connor completed U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot training, and served with the 4th Aviation Task Force at Fort Carson, CO. While stationed in Colorado, Mr. Connor completed his Masters in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado. In the years since then, Mr. Connor has worked with numerous civilian employers in a range of job functions. Consistent throughout his career has been software development from integrated chip design to web design. Today, Mr. Connor is finishing his dissertation as a doctoral candidate in Electrical Engineering at The George Washington University. Mr. Connor also works full-time at Zeta Associates, Inc. in Fairfax, VA, as a software developer. When not working on his dissertation, or developing software, Mr. Connor leads a bible study at his workplace, and ministers to the children (and adults) at his church through puppets.

Lisa Cooper (MrsCooper@pottersschool.org) - Lisa holds a B.A. in Bible from American Christian School of Religion. She serves as senior literature advisor for Ex Libris, which reviews curriculum for homeschoolers across the nation.  She is also former director of publications for a large church, rounding out her experience as both a writer and editor. Lisa's passion for producing good writing skills has manifested itself in her first students-her sons. Both are excellent writers and one is pursuing a career in creative and professional writing.  As an instructor, Lisa focuses on encouraging students to reach for the next level in their writing.  Outside of the Bible, she enjoys reading Jane Austen and has developed a unit study based on Austen’s works. Having served an international missions program for several years, the Cooper family enjoys ministry travel together and continues to participate in service to mission programs around the world.  Lisa is the mother of two TPS graduates and wife of former TPS instructor, Dr. Alan Cooper, a senior pastor and church growth consultant. She lives in Midlothian, TX, with her family and Bruce, a West Highland white terrier.  Lisa has taught English 1 for TPS since 2004.

Christina Corrin (MsCorrin@pottersschool.org) - Christina Corrin was introduced to TPS in high school during the six years she and her family lived in Steinalben, Germany. As a home schooled student, she appreciated how TPS allowed her to learn from teachers who understood and loved their subjects while she stayed home or traveled around Europe with her family of five. After high school, Christina returned to the U. S. to pursue her passion for literature and good writing at Grove City College. With her Bachelor of Arts in English (and an expanded “to read” list ranging from Homer to Tolkien), Christina settled back with her family and dog Lolli in Mechanicsburg, PA. In addition to reading, Christina enjoys listening to and making music, writing letters, and talking with friends over tea. She hopes to pass on the passion for learning (about all sorts of things) that her TPS teachers shared with her.

Bill Crosby (MrCrosby@pottersschool.org) - Bill Crosby received his undergraduate education at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, graduating in 1988 with a BA in History and a BA in Political Science. While at DePauw, he was a Carson Fellow in the History department. After earning his law degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1991, Bill clerked for a U.S. Magistrate Judge for a year prior to joining the Greene County, Missouri Prosecutors office, where he remained until 1995. From 1995 until 2004, Bill founded and managed a law firm in Springfield, MO. He practiced in the areas of trial, criminal and constitutional law, workers compensation and personal injury law, until he retired from the active practice of law in 2004 after over 30 jury trials, hundreds of bench trials, and arguing before numerous state and federal trial and appellate courts. Bill is currently pursuing his Masters in History with an emphasis in Religious Studies at Missouri State University, focusing on the history of the Christian church and world religions. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children, all still living at home. Bill enjoys playing golf and tennis, gardening (master gardener), camping, and fishing, and is very active with his two sons in Boy Scouts of America, having held numerous positions at the local, district and council levels both as a youth (Eagle 1979) and adult.

Lisa Crosby (MrsCrosby@pottersschool.org) - Lisa Crosby earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics Education at University of Missouri-Columbia and her Master of Science Degree in Mathematics at Southwest Missouri State University. She has a teaching certificate from the state of Missouri. She has years of experience as an educator, including nine years teaching high school mathematics, four years teaching college mathematics, and 10 years working with young Christians in youth groups, Logos Bible courses, and vacation Bible school. She is active in the local middle school Wyld Life Christian youth program which brings in over half of the public school kids to learn about Jesus each week.  Lisa and her husband, Bill, live with their three beautiful children in Rogersville, Missouri.  She absolutely loves teaching mathematics with TPS (since 2002) and enjoys reading a great book with a cup of English Toffee coffee, swimming, scrapbooking, cheering for her children, and of course, solving math problems. :-)

Traci DeBra (MrsDeBra@pottersschool.org) - Traci DeBra has a BA in Literature and Secondary Education. Over the past twelve years, she has instructed junior high and high school composition and literature classes in both the public and private sectors, published articles as a freelance writer in several adoption magazines such as Adoption Today, and provided private tutoring for students in need of extra writing assistance. Her passions are her Savior, her family, and teaching students to look for God's hand in their lives and the world around them. Traci is a homeschooling mother who lives in Ohio with her husband and their six children.

Ashley-Rose Dickey (Ashley-RoseD@pottersschool.org) - A former TPS student herself, and now a TPS Administrative Assistant, Ashley-Rose represents the English, Math, and Economics classes with pride. She could also do a decent commercial for the TPS Thailand trip, having been on two herself and having thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities they provided. As a military brat, she has had the opportunity to live both in the States and in Germany, giving her a false idea that she knows all about Europe and the wish that she had paid better attention to all those history lessons about castles. Ashley-Rose will be attending Grove City College in northeastern Pennsylvania in the fall of 2010 to pursue a degree in English with a minor in Theater. When she isn’t sorting through mounds of procrastinated homework, Ashley-Rose loves to read, craft jewelry, argue that a viola is indeed better than a violin, and educate her friends on proper fashion and make-up etiquette. 

Jenny Dolton (MrsDolton@pottersschool.org) - Jenny, a former homeschool and Potter's School student, received her bachelor's degree in Literary Studies from Washington State University in 2008 and her Master's of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington in 2010. Since 2003, she has worked with students aged six to sixty-five, covering subjects that include English, Math, American Sign Language, and Creative Writing. She has a passion for literature and libraries, and hopes to be able to introduce students to books that are simultaneously good for them and a joy to read. As a second generation Potter's School teacher, she is pleased to join her mother, Heidi, who also teaches English. In December of 2009, she married her husband, Peter, an officer in the United States Coast Guard. When she isn't busy researching, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband, serving with her church's community group, reading, baking, crocheting, and writing novels and short stories.

Martha Falk (SenoraFalk@pottersschool.org) - As a Rotary International foreign exchange student, Martha spent a year in Bolivia, South America learning Spanish through immersion. Returning from that adventure, she studied Spanish and biology, receiving bachelor’s degrees in both fields from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.  She has been employed by school districts to work with children in their bilingual programs and she has served in a Spanish speaking population counseling women and teaching nutrition classes.  Utilizing her experience and wanting to teach her children Spanish, she has written a Spanish curriculum for elementary age children.  Motivated by a love for learning and a strong desire to cultivate consistent Christian thought in young people, Martha also teaches a worldview class to homeschoolers in her area.   She and her husband have home schooled their four sons since 1992, three of whom currently attend private college.  As a family, they have served in children’s and youth ministry including Awana and are active in both Boy Scouts and Venturing.  The Falk’s reside in Placerville, CA, where they enjoy hiking and cycling in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Frank Forsyth (MrForsyth@pottersschool.org) - Frank graduated from the U. S. Air Force Academy in 1974 earning a BS in Economics while also completing initial flight and navigation training.  Upon graduation, Frank married his high school sweetheart, Joanie, and they served the country together through assignments to 10 bases during their 22 years in the Air Force.  Frank and his wife have two grown children, a daughter (Jenny) and a son (Timothy), who died in 2006 from a brain tumor.  When an inner-ear problem interrupted Frank’s pursuit of flying, he transferred into the air traffic control (ATC) field where he worked in control towers, approach controls, and ATC management.  While on active duty, Frank earned his MA in Business Management from Central Michigan University.  After retiring from active duty, Frank took the reins of the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Greenfield High School in Wisconsin, where he taught aerospace science, leadership education, and physical training for 12 years.  Frank earned his Wisconsin teaching certification in social studies through the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring students and looks forward to sharing his experience with students.  Frank and Joanie are active in their church in Racine, WI, where they serve in music, small-group Bible study, and finance.  They enjoy reading, hiking, walking, biking and their two wonderful grandchildren.  Frank also enjoys woodworking, rock climbing and rappelling, and competes in triathlons and runs of varying lengths.

Ruth Ann Frederick (MrsFrederick@pottersschool.org) - As a young child of five, her mother knelt and prayed with her as Ruth Ann realized that she was a sinner in need of a Savior.  Many years later, she and her husband served for six years as missionaries with New Tribes Mission's stateside training program.  Ruth Ann's husband taught Bible, while she worked in academic management and curriculum development and assisted him in his task of developing a program for mentoring and training teachers.  They worked with special needs college students studying God's Word through an academic mentor program they developed and managed.  While going through the missionary training, Ruth Ann and her husband developed an understanding of God's Word and found themselves living less and less in Romans 7 as frustrated Christians, and more and more in Romans 6 and 8 as equipped believers able to know God's truth and walk in it.  Together, they learned to study God's Word more effectively and developed a love for inductive Bible study.  The Fredericks have four beautiful children, two by birth and two by adoption.  It is Ruth Ann's joy to serve God from her home by ministering to the family He has given to her.  Ruth Ann holds a BS in English Education from Liberty University, and 20+ years of experience teaching English and developing curriculum in public and private schools, in the homeschool community, and online. Ruth Ann’s husband, Todd, also teaches at TPS (Study Skills).

Todd Frederick (MrFrederick@pottersschool.org) - Todd was about ten when he understood the Gospel and received Christ. After high school, he served five years in the U.S. Navy and married the incomparable Ruth Ann (Martin) Frederick. They began missionary training with New Tribes Mission in the mid-90’s and began serving at a small Bible college in Jackson, Michigan. It was in this environment that Todd completed a BA in Intercultural Ministries and began teaching undergraduate ministry candidates. After several years, circumstances required a return to his trade as an over-the-road truck driver until the Lord opened the doors to further education. He is currently enrolled full-time in Grand Rapids Theological Seminary at Cornerstone University and is scheduled to complete an M. Div. in the spring of 2012. At last count, Todd and Ruth Ann have four children, ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Having travelled the world and the United States, Todd is most comfortable at home with his nose in a book. Todd’s wife, Ruth Ann, also teaches at TPS (English 1 and English 2).

Ned Futoran (MrFutoran@pottersschool.org) - Ned retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Ned has been intimately involved in the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government for over 32 years, and has regularly interacted with the Legislative Branch on budget and language issues. Ned lost his wife to cancer and remarried Liz Stortz, who also lost her husband to cancer. They live in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the proud parent of homeschooled Tim and Kelly, both of whom were Potter's School students before they graduated. Ned graduated from Shelton College, and has also completed advanced correspondence seminary training. He loves teaching, reading and fitness, and is an Elder in his local church.

Janis Gaines (MsGaines@pottersschool.org) - Janis Gaines graduated with a BA in English and minors in Bible and History from Harding University. Over the past twenty years she has taught in a variety of academic settings, including public, private, and home school co-ops. She has been listed twice in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Originally from Atlanta, she now makes her residence in the mountains of north Georgia with her three children.

Cheryl Garmong (MrsGarmong@pottersschool.org) - Cheryl graduated magna cum laude from Aquinas University, Philippines in 1982 with a BS Zoology and earned a Masters in Education with distinction from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2001.  During her husband’s 1992 to 1996 work assignment in Indonesia, Cheryl taught middle school, subbed for all subjects, and served on the school board for Makassar International School.  After returning stateside, she taught English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Ed for the local public school.  After teaching fifth grade in a public school from 2001 to 2003,  Cheryl felt God calling her to Christian education and began teaching elementary students in Maryland from 2003 to 2007.  In 2007, Cheryl and her husband, Jeff, moved to South Dakota where Cheryl taught General and Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology to Grades 7 to 12 at a Christian private school until 2010.  Presently, Cheryl holds a five-year teaching certificate with science endorsements and shares her love for science by starting the Academics Club and coaching Quiz Bowl/Science Bowl teams.  She loves meeting people of many cultures and is fluent in English, Tagalog, Libogueno, and knows some Spanish and Bahasa Indonesia.  She enjoys mission trips, volunteering at church, driving country roads with her husband Jeff, reading, listening to audio books and Christian music, and performing and volunteering for the Area Community Theatre.  Jeff and Cheryl have a grown son who lives in West Virginia.

Janna Gilbert (AsstDirector@pottersschool.org) - Janna Gilbert, a graduate of Texas A&M university, is a certified secondary mathematics teacher with over two decades of experience teaching in a variety of public, private, and cooperative settings. She is currently the director of Harvester Teaching Services, a local homeschool cooperative organization that provides rigorous core courses for elementary through high school, and serves over a hundred students in Bible classes every year. Janna oversees staffing and curriculum for The Potter’s School, as well as conducting group seminars and providing individual consulting on family discipleship and home education topics.

Jeff Gilbert (MrGilbert@pottersschool.org) - Jeff Gilbert graduated from Cornell University and spent over two decades as a naval officer training young adults for sacrificial service. Following his seagoing career as a nuclear submarine officer, he spent four years working with members and staff of the U.S. Congress. Jeff and his wife, Janna, are the directors of The Potter's School and provide plenary sessions and seminars on family discipleship and home education at conferences throughout the world. The Gilberts have two children, a daughter who graduated from Baylor University and is now married, and a son attending Towson University. They homeschooled their children through numerous military relocations and deployments, and have conducted and supported home education in a variety of settings. In addition to directing the services and ministries of The Potter's School, the Gilberts serve on the staff of their local church as Director of Family Ministries, where they help prepare teens and families to sacrificially serve God in the local community and abroad. They appreciate the value of home education for raising Godly children in a biblical covenant family.

Linda Gilliam (FrauGilliam@pottersschool.org) - Linda grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BA in German and History in 1997 and a MA in German in 2003. She studied German in immersion courses both in the U.S. and Germany, and has over a decade of teaching experience in various settings, including K–12 schools, a Christian university, as an adjunct instructor of German at Libscomb University in Nashville, and as part of the “Friends Speak” program using the Bible to teach English as a second language.  While teaching at Knoxville Christian School she established a 5th – 10th grade German program. Linda is married to a retired U.S. Air Force officer who is currently the Dean of Engineering at Lipscomb University.  She has made a home for her husband and four children in California, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, and England, and is the proud Grammie of six wonderful grandchildren.

Samuel Gray (MrGray@pottersschool.org) - Samuel Gray has a B.S. in Mathematics from Towson University and currently serves as Pastor of Music and Worship at his church in Carmichael, CA. He and his wife, Sarah, are homeschooling their oldest of three children. In addition to spending time with his growing family and with the youth at his church, Samuel enjoys playing the piano, guitar, soccer and basketball. He also enjoys studying apologetics in his free time.

Guney Gul (MrGul@pottersschool.org) - Guney Gul was born of a Muslim family in Istanbul, Turkey, and raised as a Muslim. During the teenage years, he moved with his family to Netherlands. At age 17, he moved to the U.S., and in 1988 he became Christian and continued his education in Lake City, Florida. In 1996 he began purchasing air time and broadcasting to conduct Christian radio programs in Turkey, while continuing his education at Liberty Theology Seminary. He is currently conducting his radio programs from Georgia, in the United States. Guney is married to Rita (a Syriac Christian), and they have one beautiful daughter named Mary Joy.

Susan Habacivch (MrsHabacivch@pottersschool.org) - Susan Habacivch earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Washington University and a BA in French from Regis College.  Upon graduation, she worked several years for DuPont de Nemours, Inc., until she had her first child in 1991.  Susan began homeschooling her four children in 2003, and shares her love of chemistry and math by tutoring and teaching at her local co-op.  She also serves on the board of Encore! Home School Productions, a drama group which offers home-schooled students theatrical opportunities to perform musicals each spring.  She and her husband are active in their local church, routinely hosting small groups in their home and teaching Sunday school.  In her spare time, Susan enjoys camping in western Pennsylvania with family and friends and arranging flowers.    

David Hammer (MrHammer@pottersschool.org) - David Hammer holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and has earned an M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy and ABD status on a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Miami. He has taught and developed jazz curricula at the Interlochen National Music Camp and Center for the Arts, New World School of the Arts (Miami), and the University of Miami. He holds teaching certification for Music K-12 in Florida, where he teaches elementary music. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano at Florida Atlantic University. David spent nearly two years performing in the U.S., Japan, and Europe with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and has performed as artist/clinician at International Association of Jazz Educators conferences and with a variety of artists including Red Rodney, Jamey Aebersold, Dick Hyman, Marian McPartland, and David Baker. He performs regularly in jazz ensembles and big bands throughout the south Florida area. In addition to serving as an elder at his church, he is actively involved in the Music Ministry (playing keyboard and leading the praise/worship band) and the Children's Ministry. David and his wife, Susan, reside in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where they home educate their daughters.

Shaunna Howat (MrsHowat@pottersschool.org) - Shaunna Howat has extensive experience teaching writing, rhetoric, logic and apologetics in Christian schools and a home school extension program, where she has designed curriculum and trained other teachers. She is a freelance writer/editor and syndicated columnist whose columns on family, education and other Christian life issues appear in newspapers across the nation. As part of a discipling ministry called the Amy Foundation, Shaunna edits Pen & Sword, a quarterly publication for Christian writers who desire to disciple the nation through the secular press. Shaunna earned her degree in English Literature and Mass Communication from the University of Denver. Shaunna serves as Academic Coordinator for The Potter's School, and is the primary architect of the classical curriculum in TPS. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their three children.

Tyler Howat (MrHowat@pottersschool.org) - Tyler Howat graduated from Miami University in 2008 with degrees in English-Literature and History. He currently teaches Ancient Composition and Literature, 8th grade Composition and Literature, as well as Rhetoric, at a local home school extension program in the greater Cincinnati area.

Myron Kauk (DrKauk@pottersschool.org) - Myron Kauk earned the Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Talbot Seminary and a Ph.D. in Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and a home schooling father of nine children. He has taught biblical languages and literature at the college and seminary level. He is an adult Bible study leader in his local church and has taught Greek, Hebrew, and Apologetics to high school students in his local home school community.

Deborah Kindel (MrsKindel@pottersschool.org) - Deborah Kindel grew up in Germany, France and England, and was exposed to literature in all three languages. She earned a B.A. in English, with a fifth year in education and child development, from Connecticut College, as well as a M.A. from the University of Connecticut. She has taught at both the college and high school levels, helped to design a culturally diverse university writing course, and assisted with development of a multi-disciplinary high school writing portfolio program. She recently left her job as an editor with a daily newspaper after nine years. She and her husband are active in Officers Christian Fellowship and their church. They have three adult daughters.

Vernice Koemmpel (MrsK@pottersschool.org) - A graduate of the University of Washington, Vernice Koemmpel taught high school math for eight years in the public school system, and holds a current Washington State Teaching Certificate. Based on her own personal experiences with individualized instruction in high school math, she desires to assist home educated students in the exploration and understanding of mathematics. She started teaching with The Potter's School in 1998, and she has found it very rewarding working with students from all over the United States as well as with students overseas. She enjoys sharing her love of math and having her students say, "Now I get it!" Vernice is married with three children and enjoys working with teens and parents at church, volunteers with local youth music groups, and loves attending athletic events.

Pam Kunkel (MrsKunkel@pottersschool.org) - Pam Kunkel is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education.  She is certified by the State of Illinois to teach art togrades K-12 and her past teaching experience ranges from after-school art programs for local public schools, to teaching high school, to private lessons, to teaching art for local home school groups.  She is passionate about art, and continues to expand her own portfolio in painting and fiber arts, while teaching others to love art.  Beloved by students, Mrs. Kunkel strives to encourage her students to understand and develop their creative side and realize that everyone can learn to be expressive and successful through a variety of art forms.  Pam resides in Champaign, Illinois with her husband and two sons where she enjoys distance running when her busy schedule allows, and recently completed her first marathon.

Danielle Kuznetsov (MrsKuznetsov@pottersschool.org) - Danielle graduated from the University of Connecticut as a dual major with a BA in Spanish and Slavic and Eastern European Studies. During her time college career, Danielle lived in Spain and Russia, where she met her husband, Alexei. Together they have four children and have been homeschooling since 1995. Her children say that she likes to clean and work in her spare time, but it’s not true!  Danielle enjoy watching movies, traveling, and just spending time together with her family.  She currently resides  in Moscow, Russia.

Lattany Lamons (administrator@pottersschool.org) - Homeschooled from "day one", Lattany took many classes with The Potter's School during her middle and high school years. She graduated in 2006, and was chosen by her peers and teachers to give the student commencement address. During her final year of high school, Lattany began pursuing her certification as a R.N. and a degree in pediatric nursing, but has temporarily postponed these pursuits to put more focus towards her work as full-time administrator for The Potter's School. Lattany has a particular burden for reaching the lost with the Gospel and counts it one of the greatest privileges of her ministry with The Potter's School to lead and participate in numerous overseas ministry and service trips. Since her first excursion to Thailand in 2004, Lattany has spent time in Indonesia, Mexico, Honduras, Bulgaria, Laos, and China. In her spare time, Lattany enjoys playing and teaching piano, playing soccer, reading, and drinking coffee.

Mandy Leaming (MrsLeaming@pottersschool.org) - Mandy graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN with a BA in Secondary English Education and a BS in Bible.  After graduation, she taught 7th grade English for 4 years in West Des Moines, Iowa.  In 2006, Mandy married Joey and then moved to Montego Bay, Jamaica in 2007 to participate in discipleship training as students and teachers with YWAM for a year.  They traveled to China twice that year with YWAM.  In 2008, Mandy and her husband returned to Des Moines, Iowa and had their first child, Greta, in December.  Mandy enjoys watching movies, reading, and discussing books with friends, and playing cards.

Michael Lehmann (MrLehmann@pottersschool.org) - Michael Lehmann earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University, a J.D. from Columbia University Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University Law School. He has been an attorney in private practice in New York City since 1987. As someone pursuing a vocation of advocacy and argument, Mr. Lehmann is passionate about developing logical argument skills in young people. Michael and his wife are members of a local church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where he has served in a wide variety of ministries including the board of elders, Missions Committee, Youth Group and Sunday School. They have four children, two of whom currently attend TPS.

Bob Lemon (MrLemon@pottersschool.org) - Bob Lemon graduated in 1987 from Trinity Christian College with a B.A. in Education. He has taught science and history courses at both the junior and senior high school levels. Since 1993 he has been employed at Mitchell Christian School, where he serves as the junior high science and history teacher as well as the elementary school principal. Bob graduated high school from Dalat School in Penang, Malaysia, and he still enjoys meeting and corresponding with people from different cultures. When not teaching, Bob spends time with his family, hunts pheasants and fishes for trout. In the fall, Bob also keeps himself busy coaching the varsity boy's soccer team. Bob and his wife, Jill, reside in Mitchell, South Dakota with their three children, Kayla, Scott, and Aaron.

Daniel Lewicki (DrLewicki@pottersschool.org) - Daniel Lewicki has been teaching science since 1969, first at the middle school level and then at the college level. He has a B.S. in Chemistry from City College of the City University of New York and an M.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University at Albany. As a Professor of Chemistry & Education at the Sage Colleges in Albany and Troy, New York, he teaches courses in chemistry and math/science education. He has also found many ways to utilize his knowledge, skills and devotion to teaching to play an active role to support his wife, Maureen, in the home schooling of their two children, Elizabeth and David. In addition, he helps other families in the Hudson-Valley Chapter of Loving Education At Home with their home schooling. He and Maureen are currently serving as Hudson Valley-LEAH Chapter Leaders. He has made presentations at many local and national conferences addressing issues relating to curriculum and instruction in science education. He is also a member a local church, where he has served as an Elder and on the Board of Christian Education. In his leisure time, he enjoys running, mountain climbing, playing tennis, and collecting stamps.

Jenna Lorence (MissLorence@pottersschool.org) - Jenna Lorence graduated from Patrick Henry College with a degree in Government, focusing her studies on American politics and policy. Jenna has over ten years of debate and forensic experience. In 2006, she was a national finalist in NCFCA team policy debate, and a finalist in NCFCA impromptu speaking. During her time at PHC, she placed in multiple inter and intramural debate competitions. Also a competitor in the American Moot Court Association, Jenna was the Western Regional Champion in 2008, as well as the Eastern Regional Champion in 2009. In 2010, Jenna and her partner were the AMCA National champions. Currently, Jenna lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her family. A TPS alumna, Jenna is looking forward to working with TPS to help students realize the excitement and rewards of speech and debate.

Bob Madison (MrMadison@pottersschool.org) - Bob was born and raised in Piqua, Ohio. After graduating from high school, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served more than ten years. While in the Marines, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Diana (Di), and they had their first son, Scott, in May 1978. As a Marine, Bob also earned an Associates Degree in math from Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC, and a Bachelors degree in math from the University of North Carolina. as a Marine. Bob left the Corps in May 1978 and, after a year in graduate school at Ohio State, Bob returned to the military and earned his commission in the Air Force, where he and his wife had their second child, Andrew, in November 1982. After retiring from the Air Force in 1989, the Madison family settled in West Lafayette, IN, where Bob attended Purdue University and earned his Masters in Education, with an emphasis in Educational Computing and Instructional Design. Bob taught in the Computer Science Department at Purdue University for 12 years. He enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, Alana (Dec, 2005) Aiden (June, 2008), and Arianny (Apr, 2010). Bob began teaching with The Potter's School in 2004, and loves working with the TPS staff, families, and most all, the students. His goal is to meet 100 of his former, current, and future Potter students. His current count is 47!

Leonard Mailand (MrMailand@pottersschool.org) - For over twenty-five years, Leonard Mailand has worked in the field of education at the college and secondary level as an administrator, teacher, and coach. He has taught classes in Bible, apologetics, logic, history, government, economics, introductory Greek, and comparative worldviews. His other contributions have included curriculum development and teacher training. Mr. Mailand is also a guest lecturer at the Student Statesmanship Institute in Lansing, Michigan, where he speaks on comparative worldviews and biblical leadership. Mr. Mailand earned his M.Ed. at Seattle Pacific University. In 2001 he founded a young men’s academic/leadership academy. He and his wife Brenda have four children. Their two oldest sons proudly serve in the U.S. military. Mr. Mailand and his wife live with their two youngest in Grand Ledge, Michigan, with their dogs, cats, goats, chickens, and other critters as they become available.

Lori Martin (MrsMartin@pottersschool.org) - Lori Martin attended the University of Oklahoma for several years and played on the Women’s basketball team. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma with a BS in Mathematics and minor in Chemistry. Lori received her Masters in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1999. She taught at the high school level for over 10 years and was a head high school girls basketball coach for 5 years. She has taught mathematics from Algebra to AP Calculus in the high school classroom. While teaching in the public school system, Lori was recognized as the Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2003. She is also National Board Certified (2003). Since 2004 Lori has been teaching various subjects at a Veritas Classical Academy. Lori and her family live in Norman, OK, where they also serve in the College Department of their church. Lori’s hobbies are OU football (and other sports), reading, swimming, playing basketball, and cooking.

Kristy Massie (MrsMassie@pottersschool.org) - Kristy, who was homeschooled herself, holds a B.S. in education for grades K-8 from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she also minored in Bible, English, and Psychology. She taught in a traditional classroom for seven years, teaching seventh grade for five of those seven, and achieving National Board Certification in 2006. She has a strong passion for reading, writing, and critical thinking, and tries to inspire that passion in her students. When not teaching or studying, she spends time reading the classics, particularly the works of Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, Archie, and their children.

Lori McKeeman (MsMcKeeman@pottersschool.org) - Lori earned her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and is currently working on her Master’s degree in health and exercise science. She has been working with youth since 1974 in a variety of capacities, from developing classes for at-risk teens while in college; teaching science, health, and English classes in home school co-ops; leading and teaching 4-H projects; developing home school athletics; and developing a youth street ministry. She has taught international, developmental, and nursing students for a state college in Indiana, where she holds an adjunct instructor certification. Lori has been home schooling since 1985, and her oldest son was of the first home educated students nominated to the USAF Academy. She is the mother of five, the mother-in-law of two and the very proud grandmother of four gorgeous grandsons. Lori loves long walks on the beach, playing basketball, watching football, baseball, anything outdoors, the Navy Blue Angels, music, and the ballet.

Melinda Meuser (MrsMeuser@pottersschool.org) - Melinda Meuser graduated with a B.A in English with an emphasis in writing and a minor in biblical studies from Biola University. She was homeschooled from birth through high school, during which she developed a love for writing and literature. She grew up in Los Angeles but now lives in the Boise, Idaho, area where she loves to explore the surrounding mountains and run an Awana club at her church. Melinda also makes time to knit, read, write, travel, rock climb, and enjoy other outdoor activities in the long Idaho summer evenings with her husband Garret and their daughter Nora (May 2010).

Maury Middleton (MrMiddleton@pottersschool.org) - Maury was born in Hampton, Virginia where he accepted Christ as his Savior in his senior year of high school.  He received a BS in Industrial Arts from Virginia Tech and an MS in Technology Education from Old Dominion University.  Maury's over 20 years of teaching include 15 years of homeschooling, 11 years in public education, 7 years in Christian schools, and 8 years as an Associate CADD Professor in the Math, Engineering and Technologies Department at Thomas Nelson Community College. In 2002 Maury was selected to join Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and in 2005 he received the Technology in Education Award from the Virginia Community College System.  Maury and his wife Pam homeschooled their daughters beginning in 1988. Maury and his family spent 14 years serving overseas as missionaries in over 20 different countries and now reside in Thailand.  In his spare time, Maury enjoys giving lectures and holding debates about various creation science topics.

Mallory Musser (MrsMusser@pottersschool.org) - Having nurtured her love for literature and honed her writing skills as a TPS student in high school, Mallory graduated from Grove City College with a BA in English and French. In May 2010, Mallory will graduate from Penn State with an MA in English.  The highlight of Mallory’s time at Penn State has been teaching freshman composition each semester: she takes great joy in interacting with students and helping them to become stronger writers. She has also spent much time at the University Writing Center, tutoring individual students who need extra help with writing.  In addition, Mallory is one of fifteen annual recipients of the Lilly Graduate Fellowship, which provides spiritual, intellectual, and financial support to Christian graduate students.  In July 2010, Mallory will marry Joel Musser and move with him to an as-yet-undecided location. Mallory’s favorite leisure activities are reading (preferably with a cup of coffee in hand), singing, and going on picnics.

Justin Myrick (DrMyrick@pottersschool.org) - Dr. Justin Myrick has thirty years of undergraduate and graduate teaching experience in engineering, including twenty seven years at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he also served as director of Georgia Tech's Health Systems Research Center. Justin presently lives in Cookeville, TN with his wife, Melissa, and their two home schooled children. Justin holds the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in engineering from the University of Alabama, New York University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia respectively. He began his career as an engineer with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT. Melissa, a nurse practitioner, was a nurse in Belize for six years. For fifteen years, Justin was the volunteer stateside manager of PREDISAN, a medical team in Eastern Honduras, and continues to be active with the project. Justin's teaching interests are science and math. He has previously taught physics, electronics, and ham radio to boys ages 7 through 15 at a summer science camp. Justin is a Radio Amateur Extra Class (W3EJ) and is active with a church-based Boy Scout Troop in Cookeville as well as a district scouting leader.

Naomi Neuman (MrsNeuman@pottersschool.org) - Naomi, a "graduate" of The Potter’s School herself, received her B.A. in English Secondary Education from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. She grew up as a "third culture kid" in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she spent her school-aged years with her parents and four younger siblings. Naomi now lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband Jeremy. Naomi’s long-time love-affair with literature encompasses both her vocation and avocation, as she thoroughly enjoys reading (particularly C.S. Lewis, the Inklings, Shakespeare, and Brit Lit in general) and writing (especially poetry) in her free time. She also likes to scrapbook, play volleyball, and try new recipes when she can. As one of Dr. Bridwell’s former literature students, Naomi was personally selected by Dr. Bridwell to teach the classes DrB designed.

Brent Nichols (MrNichols@pottersschool.org) - Brent Nichols holds a masters degree from Western Oregon University and is state certified in secondary social studies and technology education. After teaching in public schools for over ten years, he taught children of evangelical missionaries in Latin America and Europe. His musical abilities have added a fun enhancement to his social studies courses. He and his wife have three children whom they have homeschooled for several years.

James Nickel (MrNickel@pottersschool.org) - James Nickel, B.A. (Mathematics), B.Th., B.Miss., M.A. (Education), taught high school mathematics and other subjects (history, science, economics) in Christian schools in Hawaii (the late 1970s), Australia (the 1980s), and Wenatchee, Washington (since 2005), where he currently resides with his wife Lila (his three adult children are all pursuing their vocations). He also has nearly 30 years of experience in Information Technology in the areas of science, business, and education, holding positions from programmer to systems analyst. In the 1970s, as a mathematical analyst, James worked for the United States Navy designing test software for the F14 A Tomcat and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile at Pt. Mugu Air Station in California. He has always had a fascination with numbers starting with keeping baseball statistics in the 1960s. James is the author of Mathematics: Is God Silent? (Ross House Books) and is currently engaged in constructing three worldview-based mathematics textbooks. He loves mentoring young people along with researching and writing especially in the areas of mathematics and science, but his interests also include theology, history, government, economics, education, and law. James is a Senior Fellow of Mathematics and Education at the Center for Cultural Leadership. For more information, refer to his web site: www.biblicalchristianworldview.net

Krista Nunez (MrsNunez@pottersschool.org) - Krista Nunez graduated from Clermont Northeastern in 1994, Miami University with a degree in Secondary Education, English in 1998, and Indiana Wesleyan University with a Masters in Education in 2007. Krista has taught English in the public high school setting for eight years near Milford, Ohio. Before teaching stateside, Krista spent two years with Campus Crusade for Christ in the Balkans and Oxford, Ohio area to win, train, and equip student leaders to grow and share their faith. Krista also invested two years in Funehiki, Japan teaching English as a second language within three public junior high schools as an evangelistic ministry through the only Christian church in the city. Some of Krista’s hobbies include reading, cooking and entertaining, camping with her family, and bowling on the church league. Her devoted husband, Steve, her daughter, and soon-to-arrive son bring Krista much joy.

Sherry OHearn (MrsOHearn@pottersschool.org) - Sherry graduated from Texas A&M University in 1983 with a degree in Accounting. After graduation, Sherry began her business career as an account manager with an employee benefits software firm. Soon after, she joined an engineering firm as the assistant controller. After marrying, Sherry began working as a Senior Accountant and Comptroller with Trammell Crow Company, a world leader in Real Estate management and development. She retired from Trammell Crow Company to care for their young children. Sherry has home schooled their two children, Kaitlin and Matthew, since 1994. Sherry loves spending time with her family, studying God’s Word, swimming, creating greeting cards, scrap booking, mentoring young moms, and ministering to moms with chronically ill children.

Joel Poortenga (SrPoortenga@pottersschool.org) - Joel grew up in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and received his B.A. in English and Education from Trinity Christian College, in Palos Heights, IL.  While he has worked many jobs, from chimney sweeping to ice-cream making to underwater goldmining, teaching is what he loves.  Joel spent four months living in Sevilla, Spain, where he studied and practiced Spanish.  He has taught in public, secular-private, and Christian schools, and is now thrilled to support homeschooling families through The Potter's School.  Joel's interests are music, literature, art, skiing, and woodworking.  Joel, his wife, Katie, and their 3 young children currently live in Hendersonville, NC, where they enjoy reading together, taking walks, working in the garden, and serving Christ’s church.

Erich Pratt (MrPratt@pottersschool.org) - Erich Pratt graduated from Regent University in 1988 with an MA in Public Policy. Since then, he has worked as a lobbyist and communications director in the nation’s capital. Erich has appeared on numerous national radio and TV programs—such as NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC, CNN and Fox Cable News—and his columns have appeared in newspapers—including USA Today—across the country. Pratt enjoys teaching civil government to high school students and was selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He authored the text Constitutional Recipe for Freedom, used in TPS government courses and other homeschool programs. Erich and his wife, Stacy, have ten children and live in northern Virginia.

Stephanie Rathbun (MissRathbun@pottersschool.org) - Stephanie Rathbun received her B.A. cum laude in English, Music, and Classical Studies from Hanover College in southern Indiana.  The "grammar maven" of her graduating class, Stephanie has served in numerous teaching and tutoring capacities since she was 16 years old, working with children of all grade levels, as well as with college-level ESL students.  Stephanie is the oldest of seven children, all of whom are or were homeschooled, and is herself a TPS alumna.  A firm believer in classical education with a biblical worldview, Ms. Rathbun considers herself, more than anything else, a professional learner.  In her free time, Stephanie writes, sings and composes music, reads odd articles and odder fiction, cooks, and deconstructs video games.  In her mind, every life experience is fodder for creative reflection on the human condition and God's glory.  She resides with her family and her cat on sixteen acres of quiet backwoods in Pekin, Indiana.

Kathryn Richards (MrsR@pottersschool.org) - A business school graduate with a Legal Secretarial degree, Kathryn Richards is also an experienced writer and teacher. In addition to homeschooling her own three children from Kindergarten through High School, she has developed educational curriculum and taught Preschool at a local school. Subsequent to her own children's graduation she continued tutoring homeschooled students. Kathryn assisted Dr. Bridwell in developing the current Journey Through Narnia course and thoroughly enjoys teaching the class. She has taught at The Potter's School since 2001. In her spare time, she loves to quilt, read, spend time with her husband, and play with their grandchildren.

Lizzie Richmond (LizzieR@pottersschool.org) - A former TPS student, Lizzie Richmond graduated from high school in 2009 only to come happily back in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant. In 2007, she began learning about nouthetic counseling and is currently pursuing her certification through the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. Lizzie lives in Huntsville, Alabama, with her husband, Justin, and cat, Benedict. Her interests include counseling, gardening, cooking, making her apartment into a home, and practicing hospitality.

Lindsey Rosie (MrsRosie@pottersschool.org) - Lindsey Rosie graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College at Baylor University where she studied environmental health with a toxicology emphasis, Russian, and great texts. Growing up as a "Navy brat" meant Lindsey moved 12 times before starting college. During college, Lindsey continued this gypsy lifestyle by spending a semester studying in Russia and six months in Thailand helping a family home school their children and working with tsunami relief. Lindsey and her husband, David, met on a trip to Honduras with TPS and became friends because of their shared love of reading, science, and missions. David worked as a paramedic for four years and is currently in medical school. Lindsey’s home school education gave her a love of learning and her seven years of classes with TPS solidly prepared her for college and beyond. It is her goal to pass that lifelong pursuit of learning on to students.

Tonya Rosie (MrsTRosie@pottersschool.org) - Tonya Rosie graduated from Malone University in 2005 with a B.A. in Integrated Social Studies and an Ohio teaching license for grades 7-12. After college, she taught World History, US History, U.S. Government, and Economics at Lake Center Christian School in Hartville, OH. Tonya married her husband, Donnie, in 2008 and joined him on staff at Miracle Mountain Ranch, a summer camp and discipleship school in northwest Pennsylvania. At Miracle Mountain Ranch, Tonya works as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director, teaches several classes for the discipleship school, and serves with the programming staff during summer camps. When not working on teaching, Tonya is pursuing her Masters of Education Degree in Middle and Secondary School Instruction, with a Social Studies focus. Tonya has a great love of history and enjoys sharing that love with others. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, the outdoors, and reading. Tonya and her husband will welcome their first child in December 2010.

Don Rucker (MrRucker@pottersschool.org) - Don Rucker earned his Bachelors degree in Accounting and Master of Arts in Teaching Business from the University of Louisville. He spent 10 years in the grocery business working his way from bag boy to assistant manager of a large grocery chain. The Lord then called Don to teach at his alma mater, Portland Christian High School, where he taught business classes for six years. He was then promoted to assistant principal for one year and head administrator for another five years. During these years Don supervised many extracurricular endeavors, including organizing camping expeditions, leading groups on tours of the American West, and leading service trips to Honduras. Don was also instrumental in establishing an on-going program to encourage students to serve the Lord overseas. In 1995 two doctor friends invited Don to manage a new medical practice they were starting. After seven years managing this family practice Don moved to managing a fifteen-doctor emergency medicine practice for another five years. In 2007, God opened the door for Don to join a Christian-owned energy management and engineering firm as the financial manager. Don will be returning to full time teaching for the 2009 – 2010 school year.  He currently lives in Georgetown, Indiana, with his wife, Rebecca, and his three homeschooled children.

Brenda Runkle (MrsRunkle@pottersschool.org) - Brenda Runkle received her Bachelors degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1963 and her Masters degree in Education Administration from Central State University in 1984. She taught Geography, World History, and Government at the middle school level for 18 years, and began writing her geography books at the urging of John Saxon, her mentor and colleague. She has also been a Teacher Consultant with Oklahoma Alliance for Geography Educators through the National Geographic Society. In 1998 she opened Runkle Publishers, specializing in curriculum for the homeschool market. Brenda stresses that knowledge of geography increases our understanding of both history and current events. Brenda is the mother of four and the grandmother of three.

John Schwaiger (DrSchwaiger@pottersschool.org) - Dr. John Schwaiger is president of Careerformation, Inc., a college and career information and counseling organization. Dr. Schwaiger earned his PH.D in Counseling, MBA in Marketing and BS is Communication and is the author of the In Search of a Good Fit planning series. He has developed the Career Planning, College Preparation, Developing Your God-Given Uniqueness, Team Development & Management seminars which have been conducted for the past 28 years in national and international schools, churches, and other organizations. Dr. Schwaiger has developed and taught Career Guidance and College Preparation courses online for 10 years. For the past 20 years, he has conducted a series of biblically-based workshops on career guidance and college preparation at ACSI’s Regional Conferences in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. Dr. Schwaiger lives in Goshen, MA with his wife, Connie, and son, Jonathan. His fame comes from being born in Salzburg, Austria, the famous “Sound of Music City.”

Lelah Selby (MrsSelby@pottersschool.org) - Lelah grew up in McMinnville, Oregon where she still resides. She received her bachelor's degree from Oregon State University, with a major in Crop Science and a minor in Chemistry. Before having her first child, Lelah was the Operations Manager for E&S Farms for three years. The Selby family has been homeschooling since 1994. They are active in their local homeschool co-op, where Lelah teaches Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Lelah also teaches the preschoolers in their home church. She loves taking care of and traveling with her family, gardening, historical fiction, and chasing her Dachshund and Corgi.

Nancy Shearon (MissShearon@pottersschool.org) - Nancy graduated in 1985 from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Spanish and a minor in English. She taught junior high and senior high Spanish in a public school in Troy, Missouri, for nine years. Then the Lord led her to move to Mitchell, South Dakota, where after a two year sabbatical from teaching, she began teaching English and Spanish at Mitchell Christian School (MCS). She has taught Grade 9-12 English for thirteen years. Some may call her crazy, but she loves working with teenagers and takes her ministry of teaching at a Christian school very seriously. In her eyes, teaching and ministry are one and she is excited to see a young person mature spiritually, emotionally and mentally. After thirteen years at MCS and fifteen years in South Dakota, the Lord is calling her to Southeast Missouri to be with her dad to keep him company in his retirement years. She considers herself blessed to be able to continue teaching English and working with teens at the Potter’s School. Outside school Nancy enjoys reading, sewing and playing with her dogs.

Cheryl Smith (MrsCPSmith@pottersschool.org) - Cheryl Smith holds a B.S. in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Delaware. She has worked in orthopedics, neurology, oncology and cardiology at Presbyterian/St Lukes Medical Center in Colorado, and specialized in pediatric head and spinal cord injury at the Alfred I. Dupont Institute in Delaware. She has worked in both acute care and rehabilitation. Cheryl and her husband are the blessed parents of twin daughters, who they homeschooled from first grade through high school. During those homeschooling years, Cheryl also participated as a board member and teacher in several home school groups. Her favorite activities include leading women's Bible studies, sailing, and wreck diving as a scuba instructor.

Loretta Smith (MrsSmith@pottersschool.org) - Loretta graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies and a Masters of Education from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She is currently working on a doctorate degree in Education and plans to complete this degree in 2010. Over the years, Loretta has taught effective writing skills to homeschool cooperative learning classes, private school students, and through private tutoring sessions at her home. She and her husband, Raymond, have two homeschooled sons, Anthony and Andrew, whom are affectionately known as the “AA Boys”. The Smiths enjoy traveling and sharing God’s Word.

Dave Spotts (MrSpotts@pottersschool.org) - Dave Spotts holds a M.A. in Classics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Since completion of that degree in 1995, he has taught Latin, Greek, and English vocabulary to students from third grade to adult. Dave taught for six years at a classical Christian school in West Virginia before shifting his emphasis to college students at Marshall University and to his students at The Potter's School in 2001.  Dave, his wife, Martha, and daughter Hannah are involved in a conservative Lutheran congregation while Dave considers further theological education toward pastoral ministry.  The whole family is committed to providing Christ's people with help and hope through biblical (nouthetic) counseling. The Spotts family has two children, one a homeschool graduate and one still homeschooled.

Martha Spotts (MrsSpotts@pottersschool.org) - Martha Spotts is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she received a Bachelor of Music (Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education (Magna Cum Laude). She holds a current teaching certificate for K-12 instrumental music from the state of Missouri.  A member of The Potter’s School faculty since 2002, Martha has also taught music for grades 1-8 at a classical Christian school, where she developed a music history curriculum for grammar-level students, and has taught private flute and piano lessons for more years than she can count! She has also led numerous children's choirs. She is married to Dave Spotts, a member of The Potter's School faculty, and has two children—Lizzie, a homeschool graduate, and Hannah, who adores her TPS classes.

Barbara Starosciak (MadameS@pottersschool.org) - Barbara Starosciak graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in French. She completed an MA in Teaching of French from Eastern Michigan University. She taught for eight years at Timothy Christian School in New Jersey, where she was promoted to Middle School Supervisor. Throughout those eight years she also developed a French program for grades 8 through 12. She traveled to France several times for study and service work. When her own children were of elementary school age, she homeschooled them and taught them conversational French. Barbara organized and taught several French classes for homeschoolers in her area of Michigan. She has been teaching for The Potter's School since the Year 2000. Barbara has developed a comprehensive French program on-line and has a passion to make foreign language interesting and relevant to her students.

Mark Stevens (MrStevens@pottersschool.org) - Mark holds a B.A. in Business and Economics earned in 1983 from Bridgewater college, an MEd. from George Mason earned in 1994, and an M.A. in History from George Mason earned in 2007. He has worked in all areas of United States History, but his primary research interests lie in U.S. Civil War, Slavery, World War II, and the history of the Holocaust. This all started some 41 years ago when he found himself to be a History fanatic. Mark has worked as a missionary to the public schools (public school teacher), since 1994, where he has honed his people skills working with a wide range of students. Mark has served a Civil War re-enacting group as a regimental chaplain for approximately six years. This combines two of his main loves, Jesus Christ and Civil War history, allowing him many unique opportunities for ministry in the Lord’s name. Mark believes that by studying man’s past through the lens of God’s Word we can recognize that History is the unfolding of His Story. Mark and his wife, Leslie-Ann, reside in Manassas, Virginia, where they have been home educating their daughters for over 10 years.

Diana Thomas (MrsThomas@pottersschool.org) - Diana has taught at TPS since 2002 and has written the curriculum for Writers Workshop and English 2. Her background originally is in music with Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in cello performance from Cincinnati College-Conservatory and Cleveland Institute of Music, respectively. After earning her Masters in Education from Portland State University in 1994, Diana taught writing and biology in Oregon and Virginia until 1998 when she became a full-time mother. Since then, Diana has been teaching writing and conducting writing seminars in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her seminar Teaching the Art of Writing became the basis of the Writers Workshop program at TPS. These travel and teaching experiences have deepened her passion for serving home school families and overseas faith workers in support of their ministries. Diana and her husband, Lyle, homeschool their three children—daughter, Lydia, and sons, Kerith and Simon. On staff with Church Resource Ministries, the Thomases live in St. Petersburg, Russia serving and training church leadership and working in orphan ministry.

Lanie Timko (MrsTimko@pottersschool.org) - Lanie received her B.A. in Literature and Communications from Grove City College in 1997. Immediately following college, Lanie taught English and coached soccer until the arrival of her first child in 2001. The courses she taught included Lab 10, Honors 10, Academic 10, American Literature 11, and SAT preparation courses. Since leaving public education, Lanie has been working with homeschool families as a literature and writing tutor. In 2007, six weeks before the birth of her third child, Lanie completed her M.A. in Community Counseling and earned her National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) credential. Currently, Lanie homeschools her oldest children and is enjoying the challenges and rewards of the journey. Lanie adores her children, husband, and Jesus. When she finds herself with down time she is either out running, worshipping Jesus, reading, writing, or some combination of all of these.

Brianna Tittel (MrsTittel@pottersschool.org) - Brianna Tittel, who was homeschooled herself, holds a B.A. in Secondary Education and has a deep passion for teaching. She spent three years interning with TPS in the junior high English department and has a love for language arts and young writers. Brianna is an avid fine art photographer with extensive experience in photo education. In addition to teaching photo workshops and giving private lessons, Brianna is well-versed in the business-side of the photo industry as well. She is very much in love with her husband, Mike, whom she married in 2008. They currently call Salt Lake City, Utah home and love hiking, traveling, road trips, anything active, great music and good food, and experiencing the life God has blessed them with together.

Nikki Troxell (MrsTroxell@pottersschool.org) - Nikki Troxell graduated in 1999 with a degree in English Education from Bartlesville Wesleyan College, now Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Since graduation she has taught junior and senior high school English grammar, composition, and literature in both public and private schools. She has been teaching with The Potter's School since 2001. Her hobbies include writing, running, walking, gardening and just about any other activity that takes her outside. She lives near Madison, South Dakota, with her husband, Jason, who works as an accountant at a local office. They have one child, Samantha, and enjoy spending time together as a family.

Adele Weeks (MrsWeeks@pottersschool.org) - Adele Weeks grew up the oldest of eight children, and acquired a love of chemistry early in her life from her father, who was a chemical engineer. He used to concoct everything from hair conditioner to fireworks out of his own personal store of chemicals at home, and to try them out on his family. Mrs. Weeks looks forward to similarly "infecting" her students with a love of and a desire to know more about the chemical basis of everyday life. In college, Mrs. Weeks majored in biology, minored in chemistry, and finished a program in medical technology. She worked for 17 years as a medical technologist, in several clinical chemistry laboratories before homeschooling her own sons through high school. Now, with her own homeschooling responsibilities completed, Mrs. Weeks holds a chemistry lab class for homeschoolers in her home, and gives a course in Intelligent Design to local homeschoolers. She also tutors students in math and chemistry. In her spare time, Mrs. Weeks likes to swim laps, to sew, and to read. She and her husband enjoy the outdoors and like to camp, hike, and bike ride.

Daniel Wiiki (MrWiiki@pottersschool.org) - Daniel graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1997 with a B.A. in International Ministries and served in church planting in Northern India.  Coming from a background of real estate and construction business, Daniel pursued a life of riches and pleasure as a young man, but the Lord brought him to the realization that his definitions of success were empty, that he was not as good as he believed, and that he needed to seek something beyond himself. In 1990, Daniel entrusted his life to Jesus and was baptized.  He now has a passion that all would know the freedom and joy of a relationship with Jesus.  Daniel has served in a variety of youth and adult ministries and international missions efforts, including eight years spent as an executive director for Habitat for Humanity, empowering volunteers to demonstrate the love of Christ to those in need.  Daniel and his wife, Sandra, serve the Lord and their local church in Michigan, where they have begun homeschooling their son, Samuel.

Chris Williams (MrWilliams@pottersschool.org) - Chris Williams graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a degree in Systems Engineering. He was a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy for 22-1/2 years where he served on six different submarines, including two assignments as the Commanding Officer, before retiring in 2007.  His other jobs included a 2-year tour in Yokosuka Japan, an assignment to the Navy staff in the Pentagon, and an assignment to the Naval War College where he earned his Master’s degree in Strategic Studies. Chris and his wife, Helen, were married shortly after his graduation from college and raised their family through numerous deployments and re-locations, seeking to use each assignment as an opportunity and call to disciple and minister to other families in the military.  They have three children (two attending Wheaton College and one still at home) which they have home-educated all through their school years.  Chris and his family reside in Chesapeake, Virginia where the family is actively involved in their church and Chris serves as the is the Pastor for Familiy Ministries, which includes leading a parent-run youth ministry. The Potter’s School hired Chris as the Ministries Coordinator in 2007.

Helen Williams (MrsWilliams@pottersschool.org) - Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Helen Williams has spent the past 21 years as a Navy wife and the last 12 of those years as a home school mom. While schooling her three children in a variety of locations all over the US and overseas, Helen has continued to develop a passion for geography and history that started during her earlier schooling. She has shared that passion with her own children since 1994 and others in a variety of cooperative settings at the family's different duty stations. Currently residing (perhaps for good) in Norfolk, VA, Helen is actively involved helping her husband lead their church youth group and working with a fine arts home school enrichment program. When she is not working with youth, she enjoys cooking, reading and going to the beach. As she looks to the coming school year, Helen hopes to help her students gain a greater appreciation of God at work around us through the study of one of her favorite subjects.

Rich Yonts (MrYonts@pottersschool.org) - Rich Yonts has been a professional software developer with a career of more than three decades in which he has designed, developed, and maintained small, medium, and large scale projects in many different languages. His passion for computing began in the ninth grade when he learned the Basic programming language long before touching a real computer.  He began his career with IBM and is currently working with Sony Entertainment supporting the PlayStation network. He studied for years at Northern California Bible College, where he also taught, while maintaining his career and starting a family. His wife, Kim, has homeschooled three children from kindergarten through high school and is pursuing her passion for photography and digital media.

Heather Yost (MrsYost@pottersschool.org) - Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education with emphasis on curriculum development and instruction.  Since 2000, she has taught at a junior high and a high school level, most recently teaching advanced literature and composition courses and remedial composition instruction.  An avid reader and writer herself, she enjoys taking time out for cooking, traveling, scrapbooking and watching baseball.  She lives in Northern California with her husband, Ryan, and one young son.  She is also an active AWANA leader and volunteers for two other committees at church.

Amy Young (DrYoung@pottersschool.org) - Amy Young graduated from Grove City College (1981) and the Ohio State University College of Medicine (1985), and completed her residency in pediatrics at OSU/Columbus Children’s Hospital (1988). Mrs. Young is American Board of Pediatrics certified, and practices general pediatrics in Warren, Ohio. While working part-time in a group practice, she homeschooled three children for the past eight years and two of her children attend Grove City College.  Amy's husband, Dave, is a Grover as well and teaches General Science in nearby Farrell, PA.  While at OSU, Amy learned through their independent study program, which helped her establish habits of life-long learning -- one of many ways God has prepared her for teaching, especially independent study homeschooled students.  As a family, the Youngs are active members of their church. School is fun, but life in the Body is better!

Kris Zehm (MrZehm@pottersschool.org) - Kristofor (Kris) Zehm graduated from West Point as an Armor lieutenant in 1990. Since his time in the Army, he has earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Colorado in 1998, and an American Institute of Architecture Seattle Honor award for design in 1999. He attended the Owner-President Program at Harvard University Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2004.  Kris has his own small design firm, is a sci-fi nerd, and is passionate about the creative process and helping other artists give glory to God. Kris is involved with several local and national charities in addition to serving his own church. He resides with his wife, son, and two daughters in Leavenworth, Washington.

Heidi Zylstra (MrsZylstra@pottersschool.org) - Heidi Zylstra received her teaching certificate from California State University, Long Beach, after which she taught in the Long Beach public schools. She began homeschooling when her oldest child reached kindergarten age in 1992, and continued homeschooling until her youngest graduated from high school in 2010. While homeschooling her own children, she has also taught a variety of English classes at TPS and locally. Heidi and her husband Rob live in Kitsap County, Washington. During her "spare" time she enjoys singing in choir, teaching women's Bible studies, working in her church library, and reading.