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Megan received her BS in Physics from the University of Dallas in Irving, TX and her MS in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. She served as Kolbe’s Math and Science Advisor until helping to get the Online Academy off the ground in 2013. She now serves as Kolbe’s Senior Director of Online Learning. Megan and her husband now live near Atlanta, Georgia, and have four children.
Nicole received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Composition and a Master of Science degree in Online K-12 Education through Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has worked both in the classroom and online with students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. Writing has always been her passion; however, she is even more passionate about helping young students learn to read, write, and love grammar! She thrives when providing support to elementary teachers in the classroom or when teaching preschoolers how to grow in fine motor and pre-reading skills. She has taught for Kolbe for the past 5 years in the English and Literature department, and now serves as the Director of Online Elementary Learning. Nicole and her husband live in Orange County, California, and have three daughters.
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Tony is a happily married husband to Kate and proud father of two daughters. He holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Iowa and a master's degree in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University. After graduating from college, Tony spent six years on and off active duty while a member of the Air National Guard and then pursued a career in education. His professional experiences include classroom teaching at the junior high and high school levels and assessment and program evaluation work in higher education. He began at Kolbe as an academic advisor and taught middle school history during the 2021-22 school year before stepping into this role in April of 2022. Tony resides in the Chicagoland area and in his leisure time enjoys spending time adventuring with his family in the outdoors, gardening, cooking, and his Catholic men's book club.
Karen was born and raised in Georgia and received her B.A. in Special Education from Elon University in 2006 and her M.A. from Georgia State University in Special Education in 2011. She spent 8 years as a special education teacher working in public schools in the Atlanta area before she decided to embark on homeschooling with her own children. She now resides in Roswell, GA with her husband and 4 children. Karen is excited to be a part of Kolbe academy and to help families navigate homeschooling with their children.
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Mrs. Powers holds a BS from the University of Georgia in Mathematics Education. While there, she received the Hooten Award which is bestowed upon the student that the faculty feels best demonstrates exceptional promise from that graduating class. She taught in the public school system for seven years, serving as a lead teacher in Geometry and AP Computer Science. Kelly was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2003. She loves that teaching for Kolbe allows for her to focus on the three most important things in her life: her faith, her wonderful husband and two children, and her never ending desire to see math “click” for a student. Mrs. Powers loves dark chocolate, math songs, dressing up in themed attire, and making people laugh.
Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where she earned degrees in biology and Catholic theology. She and her husband homeschool their children and, as a military family, move to a new state every few years. They enjoy connecting with Kolbe families along the way! Elizabeth hopes to inspire in her students awe of the marvelous complexity of God’s creation.
Brendan Murphy is a homeschooling husband and father of five living in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania. He has a B.A. in English and Theology from The University of Scranton (Magna Cum Laude) and an M.A. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, where he had the great pleasure of studying under Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. Brendan has 21 years of experience teaching theology at the parish, diocesan, and collegiate levels. In addition to teaching for Kolbe and his own children, Brendan is currently the Director of Religious Education at Christ the King Parish in Archbald, PA. Brendan is also a children’s illustrator whose work has appeared in Cricket Magazine and The Bulletin. When he is not teaching or spending time with his family, Brendan can be found working on his next art project, playing the banjo, fly fishing, managing his bee hives, and rooting for the New York Mets.
Dan lives with his wife and two young children in St. Petersburg, FL. After studying Biology at the University of Central Florida and working at SeaWorld Orlando, he entered the seminary to discern the priesthood for a total of five years. Dan subsequently received a B.A. in Philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and an M.A. in Theology from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL. He has worked as a Director of Youth Ministry at a parish in St. Louis, MO, and worked in Campus Ministry and taught Theology at an all boys Catholic school in Tampa, FL. In his free time, Dan enjoys frequenting coffee shops, listening to folk music, reading, running, and enjoying quality time with his wife and family.
Brittany Doucette earned master's degrees in Catechetics (MA, Franciscan University of Steubenville) and Theology (MTS, Saint Meinrad), as well as a Certificate in Youth Ministry and Master Catechist Certification. She also holds state teaching licenses in English/ESOL/Reading and a graduate Certificate in Classical Learning (University of Dallas). Mrs. Doucette is a proud Navy officer’s wife and mother to four children. She has lived in ten states thus far, presently stationed in North Carolina. Along the way, she has been active in Catholic education in many roles and a variety of settings, including parishes, schools, and online. She enjoys teaching in Kolbe's unique learning environment with its wonderful community!
Kate graduated Aquinas College in Nashville, TN, as a state certified teacher with five years of theological formation from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Shortly afterward, she moved to PA, where she earned her Masters degree in Curriculum and expanded her teaching certificate areas to include middle school and high school English, Mathematics, and Science. After five years in the classroom, Kate designed mathematics and theology curriculum in the Catholic Schools Office at the Diocese of Erie before accepting ministry as the director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Erie. Kate loves a good cup of coffee, vestment design, and a tasty trip to her family beehives, but her most significant joy is quality time with Jesus, her husband and her two boys.
Luann graduated with her Bachelors in Social Science Secondary Education and History from University of South Florida. In 2014, she went on to complete her Masters in Education in Reading K-12 at St. Leo University. For the last 17 years, she has taught a variety of subjects at the Middle and High School level focused mainly on Theology and History. Luann and her husband live near sunny Tampa, FL with their 3 children.
Adam lives with his wife and seven children in Newport, NH. They have been a homeschooling family for the past five years and their two oldest children attend Kolbe Academy. He has been involved in Catholic ministry (youth, children, adults) for the past 21. For the past six years, he has served as the Director of Faith Life at St. Patrick Parish in the Diocese of Manchester. Adam has completed his Master's Degree in Theology at St. Joseph’s College of Maine and holds a BA in English from Keene State College. When he is not studying, teaching, or involved in ministry, you can find him hiking a mountain, going on adventures with his family, or singing randomly in the middle of a store. He looks forward to serving the Kolbe families and asks that you pray for him and wants you to know that he is praying always for his students.
Nicholas Senz is a husband and father, and Pastoral Associate at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fishers, IN. He received a B.A. in Communication Studies (Journalism track) from the University of Portland, and an M.A. in Philosophy and M.A. in Theology from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA. Nicholas served as a Master Catechist in California. He has taught faith formation and catechist training courses in parishes across the country, and has taught philosophy and religion at the community college level. He has also been published in several Catholic websites and periodicals, including Aleteia, Catholic Digest, Catholic Herald (UK), Catholic World Report, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. Nicholas lives in Indiana with his wife and three children.
Chelsea Plesko is excited to join the Kolbe family this year and share her passion for literature and writing with the Kolbe community. She has spent the last 12 years working at both Catholic schools and parishes serving youth from grades PreK-high school, but her favorite students are middle schoolers. She loves helping her students discover their favorite part of literature and writing whether it's a great novel, funny poem, or sentence diagramming. When she isn't teaching at Kolbe, she's spending time with her husband and new daughter in her home in Southwest Florida either outside near the water or inside trying a new recipe.
Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts from Hillsdale College in History with a minor in Classical Education, and a Masters in Theology from The Augustine Institute. After graduation she moved to Indiana to teach at a Classical Catholic school where she gained classroom experience teaching excited fourth, fifth, and eighth graders with an integrated approach to the subjects and catechesis. She loves to research history and science to help her students and community better see the extent that God is present in our lives. Sarah is married and enjoys reading, cooking, and working on her homestead in Indiana with her husband.
Chelsea Campbell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education from California State University, Fullerton. She participated as an instructional coach for a blended learning teaching fellowship through the Diocese of Orange, and hopes to continue working toward a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in the future. This will be her eighth year teaching. Chelsea has a passion for Catholic education and looks forward to helping students grow in their faith and challenging them in mind and spirit! In her free time, she works as a teacher at her parish's homeschool co-op. Chelsea lives in Tennessee with her husband and three children, and can usually be found enjoying nature!
In addition to helping develop the curriculum, Jordan teaches history, literature, and English for Kolbe Academy. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Dallas. He and his wife Mara live in the redwood-forest region of northern California.
Annie Knepper has been teaching English at the high school level for over a decade and has been enjoying the wonders of a good book for much longer. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and her teaching certification at the College of William and Mary before going on to earn a Master of Arts in English at the University of Virginia. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three daughters, and one mischievous puggle.
Mrs. Delp spent over ten years teaching English, social studies, and writing in Catholic schools. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Penn State and her Masters in Education from La Salle University. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters where they have created their own suburban backyard homestead. In her free time, Mrs. Delp enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, kayaking, board games, and playing darts.
Rachel holds a B.A. in English and Theology with a minor in Spanish, Summa Cum Laude, from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Following four years of teaching at Catholic hybrid school, she is happy to join Kolbe Academy as an English teacher. She lives in Duluth, GA with her husband and two sons.
Kim Crawford is a lifelong book person. As well as being a voracious reader, she has been a bookseller, a copy editor at a small publishing house, and a high school English teacher. Kim graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Secondary English Education and taught high school English in brick-and-mortar schools in North Carolina and Virginia. She has also instructed through the prestigious Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). At Kolbe, she loves the melding of serious literature study with the beauty of the Catholic faith and really enjoys instilling that same love in her students! When not reading or teaching, Kim may be found playing board games, traveling, and participating in geeky sff things. Mrs. Crawford lives near Atlanta, GA with her husband and six children and is ready to talk about books with anybody, anytime and anywhere.
Beth Dobrozsi is a veteran homeschool parent graduating three of her four children through Kolbe Academy. She has over twenty years of experience teaching English, Latin, literature, and composition in homeschool co-ops, hybrid schools and a K-12 classical academy, both in traditional classroom settings as well as online. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with her B.B.A. and Xavier University with her M.H.H.A. After an initial career in health administration and teaching at the post-secondary level, she decided to homeschool her oldest, who is now a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and switched gears to begin teaching middle and high school students. She recently relocated to Hillsdale, Michigan, from Cincinnati when her husband joined the chemistry department at Hillsdale College and is enjoying small town life again. In her free time, she can either be found curled up in a comfy chair with her dog reading a classic or out on the tandem bike cycling with her husband.
Dr. Carl Hasler received his MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has taught philosophy at the college/university level for 30+ years. He has taught in post-secondary education for 20+ years including at Collin College, University of Texas at Dallas, and several compuses in the Dallas County Community College District. Over the years, Dr. Hasler has tried to focus his teaching on the ideas of such Catholic luminaries as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure as well as more contemporary Catholic thinkers as G. K. Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc, Josef Pieper, Fr. James Schall, S. J., and Dr. Peter Kreeft. Dr. Hasler lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and two grandsons.
Mrs. Hayes received her B.S. in Secondary English Education from Kennesaw State University and has taught multiple grades over the years above and beyond her degree focus in charter schools and in the homeschool community. In 2014, she was trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of reading instruction for dyslexic learners, and has tutored many children ranging in age from 7 to 14 in Orton Gillingham. Helping students become proficient in reading has become a passion of hers, alongside her continued goal of nurturing a love of reading and an appreciation for classic literature. She and her husband have seven children. When Mrs. Hayes isn’t homeschooling or teaching, she enjoys reading, sewing, tinkering with graphic design, and slowly renovating her home in Virginia.
Neva Hernandez earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature at Christendom College and her J.D. at Ave Maria School of Law. She has homeschooled for thirteen years and previously taught middle school composition and literature, as well as high school history, economics, and test prep a Catholic hybrid school in Austin, TX. Neva has also scored standardized tests for over a decade. Currently, she teaches religious education and serves as the Vice Coordinator for the American Heritage Girls troop at her local parish. Neva has been a devourer of books ever since she read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe straight through twice as a child. She currently lives in Columbia, MO with her husband Rudy and their three children Edmund, Peter, and Lucy.
Michelle discovered the joy of Catholic home education in 2002 and has been homeschooling using a hybrid of Classical and Montessori pedagogies ever since. She even helped found a school in Northern California using this approach that now encompasses K-12th grade. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Humanities from Eastern New Mexico University and is nationally certified in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children from birth through age 12. She is also a recognized CGS Formation Leader for adults. During their travels for her husband’s military career, she has taught in various faith formation and homeschool co-op settings. As parents to five sons, Michelle and Edison are proud members of the “All-Boy” Club, which includes such member benefits as a Chesterton- and Tolkien-flavored faith life, fierce hugs, unlimited energy, bugs and reptiles, adventure, books, and self-sacrificing loyalty. Passionate about authentic, challenging Catholic education that forms the whole person, Michelle is thrilled to bring her zeal and experience to Kolbe this year. St. Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!
Grace Berg is a formerly homeschooled, Catholic wife with a passion for literature and writing. She graduated with her B.S. in Communications from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and also holds an Associate's degree in Social and Behavioral Science. She is an experienced catechist and teacher thanks to several years of service in parish religious education programs. In her free time, Mrs. Berg enjoys knitting, crocheting, baking, party planning, and swing dancing. Some of her favorite books include, A Story of a Soul, The Screwtape Letters, and Little Women. She is an avid reader and writer, and loves the transporting and uplifting qualities of good literature. Mrs. Berg grew up in Southern California but is currently in the process of moving to Northwest Arkansas with her husband, in-laws, siblings-in-law, two dogs, two parakeets, a leopard gecko and various aquatic animals.
Greg is a retired educator after serving 40+ years in higher education, 39 teaching and 25 in administration. He and his wife, Teresa, have been married 41 years and have raised three wonderful, faith-filled children, including Weston, a Kolbe faculty member, and two daughters. They have provided Greg and Teresa with six granddaughters and a seventh on the way. Greg and Teresa reside in Rolla, MO. Greg earned his Ph.D. in English Language and Linguistics, with a minor in American Literature, from the University of Missouri. He has taught over sixty different courses across the English and literature curricula, as well as into the Departments of Education, Business, and Social Sciences. He has taught online for 25 years. His publications include literary criticism, creative non-fiction, and poetry. He has turned to writing more in his retirement years, yet he remains teaching for the joy of helping young people discover a love for literature and develop their skills as writers.
Brittany Doucette earned master's degrees in Catechetics (MA, Franciscan University of Steubenville) and Theology (MTS, Saint Meinrad), as well as a Certificate in Youth Ministry and Master Catechist Certification. She also holds state teaching licenses in English/ESOL/Reading and a graduate Certificate in Classical Learning (University of Dallas). Mrs. Doucette is a proud Navy officer’s wife and mother to four children. She has lived in ten states thus far, presently stationed in North Carolina. Along the way, she has been active in Catholic education in many roles and a variety of settings, including parishes, schools, and online. She enjoys teaching in Kolbe's unique learning environment with its wonderful community!
Meghan graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Medieval History. She began teaching for Kolbe Academy in 2014, right after she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. After four years, Meghan and her husband welcomed their first child in 2018, and moved to West Virginia, where they are enjoying experiencing all four seasons. They have 3 big dogs, and in her free time Meghan enjoys hiking with them, baking, doing puzzles, and all things Star Trek. Meghan is passionate about reading and writing and loves sharing her eclectic literary interests that range from Medieval epics to Victorian poetry and from Tolkien to T.S. Eliot with anyone who will listen.
Edwin Wilkinson graduated from Shippensburg University with an MA in Applied History. He also received a BA in Education with a teaching certificate in social studies for 7th-12th grades. After graduating, Edwin spent his time substitute teaching and volunteering at the local historical society as an educator. During the summers, he assists in designing and running summer camps for the historical society for a wide range of students. In his spare time, Edwin enjoys reading and writing about his patron saints, Saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint Joan of Arc. He had the opportunity to visit the National Shrine of St. Therese and is hoping to make a pilgrimage to France in the near future. He currently lives in south-central Pennsylvania in the Blue Mountains region.
Therese Prudlo attended Christendom College where she received her B.A. in History and cemented her passion for studying all things historical. After college she worked as an assistant librarian until she and her husband started their family. She and her husband love the classical method of education and chose to educate their children in it with a heavy emphasis on studying all subjects through the lens of their favorite subject: History. While homeschooling 2 of her 3 children, she has made time over the years to run a few Art History classes for local homeschool groups, as well as providing guest lectures for her husband, a college History Professor, on Art and Architecture to his students. She also coordinates a study abroad trip with her husband to take students to Rome, Italy, in order to experience first-hand the development of western culture and how it influences us today. As her husband’s first and final editor on all of his professional publications, she also helps him in his research as an ancient and medieval historian. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking (especially for friends and family), singing, planning trips with her husband and kids, volunteering at her local Catholic Charities food pantry, following the Boston Red Sox, and taking long walks in the woods around her house. Therese recently relocated to Tulsa, OK with her husband and three kids.
Dr. Carl Hasler received his MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has taught philosophy at the college/university level for 30+ years. He has taught in post-secondary education for 20+ years including at Collin College, University of Texas at Dallas, and several compuses in the Dallas County Community College District. Over the years, Dr. Hasler has tried to focus his teaching on the ideas of such Catholic luminaries as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure as well as more contemporary Catholic thinkers as G. K. Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc, Josef Pieper, Fr. James Schall, S. J., and Dr. Peter Kreeft. Dr. Hasler lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, daughter, and two grandsons.
Meghan graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Medieval History. She began teaching for Kolbe Academy in 2014, right after she married her best friend and high school sweetheart. After four years, Meghan and her husband welcomed their first child in 2018, and moved to West Virginia, where they are enjoying experiencing all four seasons. They have 3 big dogs, and in her free time Meghan enjoys hiking with them, baking, doing puzzles, and all things Star Trek. Meghan is passionate about reading and writing and loves sharing her eclectic literary interests that range from Medieval epics to Victorian poetry and from Tolkien to T.S. Eliot with anyone who will listen.
Kathryn is a California native and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys kayaking, hiking, and fishing with her family. She holds a B.A. from Biola University, an M.A. from CSUDH, and a California Social Sciences Teaching Credential. She co-founded TORCH of Monterey Bay, a Catholic education ministry, while homeschooling her own children (K-12). Her classroom experience includes homeschool, parochial, and private school settings (6-12). Kathryn enjoys volunteering at her local museum, where she leads living history field trips for local children, as a costumed docent, in a one room schoolhouse. Kathryn and her husband Joseph are converts to the Catholic faith (2001) and active members of their parish in Yreka, CA. Kathryn also helps out in the parish office and as a catechist.
Neva Hernandez earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature at Christendom College and her J.D. at Ave Maria School of Law. She has homeschooled for thirteen years and previously taught middle school composition and literature, as well as high school history, economics, and test prep a Catholic hybrid school in Austin, TX. Neva has also scored standardized tests for over a decade. Currently, she teaches religious education and serves as the Vice Coordinator for the American Heritage Girls troop at her local parish. Neva has been a devourer of books ever since she read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe straight through twice as a child. She currently lives in Columbia, MO with her husband Rudy and their three children Edmund, Peter, and Lucy.
In addition to helping develop the curriculum, Jordan teaches history, literature, and English for Kolbe Academy. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Dallas. He and his wife Mara live in the redwood-forest region of northern California.
Olivia earned a BA in History from Ave Maria University with minors in medieval studies and philosophy. As a student, Olivia worked at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City where she was born and raised. Olivia taught middle school history, literature, and English Grammar and writing for two years at a classical academy in Naples, FL. Olivia’s favorite author is C.S. Lewis, and she is particularly fond of his work Perelandra, the second book in the Space Trilogy. When not teaching or reading, Olivia enjoys baking, going on walks, knitting, and drinking coffee. Olivia now lives with her husband and family in North Carolina.
Olivia Knuffke graduated in May 2021 from Dominican University of California with a Masters in Humanities with a Music Concentration. She previously obtained her undergraduate degree from Thomas Aquinas College, where she served as the principal cellist of the Thomas Aquinas College Orchestra. She is a trained Suzuki method cello teacher and maintains a private teaching studio in Irving, Texas. Some of her favorite composers are: Antonio Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, and Camille Saint-Saëns. When not teaching or performing, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying new recipes, and traveling.
Michelle earned her BS in Integrated Social Studies with endorsement for grades 7-12 from the University of Dayton and her Masters Degree in Education with a Reading Endorsement for grades K-12 from Notre Dame College. Michelle has taught 8th grade US History and religion at a Catholic school in Charlotte, North Carolina and 7th and 8th grade ELA, reading, and religion at a Catholic school in Cleveland, Ohio. Michelle lives in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and their three young daughters. She loves photography, baking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
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Janel received her degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Then she joined the Peace Corps where she worked as a math and science teacher in East Africa. She was surprised by how much she loved teaching. When she came back to the states, she worked as an aerospace engineer for 7 years. When she became a mom, she chose to stay home. The teaching bug stayed with her and as soon as her boys were old enough, she began looking for opportunities to teach or tutor. She has been involved in education for almost 20 years now and she continues to be amazed and humbled by how much she learns from her students. She lives for those a-ha moments when something clicks! She is an Air Force wife, certified personal trainer, and nutrition coach. Her hobbies include aeroponic gardening, reading, playing board games and walking her dog, Duke.
Janet graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Civil Engineering. Several years into her career as a consulting engineer, she realized how much she missed working with children, so she decided to pursue a career in education. She attended West Chester University, where she earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Elementary Education. Janet taught in elementary school for several years before her children were born. She has since worked as a middle school and high school math tutor for 15 years and has also provided support to engineering firms during that time. She enjoys sharing her engineering experiences with her math students, providing real world examples of math applications. She experienced the joy of homeschooling her two children for eight years and is excited to support Kolbe families on their homeschooling journey! Janet lives in New Jersey and enjoys reading and exploring the outdoors with her husband and their two children.
Amanda earned her degree in mathematics with a minor in economics from Youngstown State University. After graduating she spent 2 years doing data collection and entry for a firm that provided analytics on publicly traded companies. Teaching is her true passion and so she jumped at the opportunity to teach math online in 2011. Ever since she has enjoyed working with students to help them see the beauty and design in mathematics. Her favorite teaching moments are seeing the light bulbs go off when concepts click for students. In recent years she has also experienced the joys of homeschooling her own children. Amanda resides in central Maryland with her husband and four daughters, and enjoys reading, coffee, dark chocolate, as well as organizing and color coding everything she possibly can (much to the chagrin of her less-than-type-A family).
Margaret is a wife to John and Kolbe mom to five busy boys. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Gonzaga University. She has taught college level mathematics both in-person and online since 2010. She has been homeschooling her boys since 2013. She began teaching for Kolbe during the 2022-2023 school year. Margaret resides in Idaho with her beautiful family and horses. Riding her horses is her favorite hobby whenever she gets some "me" time.
Katie graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Secondary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. After teaching middle school math for for 10 years in the public school system and her parish school, she spent two years teaching math at a local Catholic high school. She and her husband are now expecting their first child in the fall and live near Kansas City, KS.
Mrs. Powers holds a BS from the University of Georgia in Mathematics Education. While there, she received the Hooten Award which is bestowed upon the student that the faculty feels best demonstrates exceptional promise from that graduating class. She taught in the public school system for seven years, serving as a lead teacher in Geometry and AP Computer Science. Kelly was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2003. She loves that teaching for Kolbe allows for her to focus on the three most important things in her life: her faith, her wonderful husband and two children, and her never ending desire to see math “click” for a student. Mrs. Powers loves dark chocolate, math songs, dressing up in themed attire, and making people laugh.
Amy K Coffee earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Mathematics and her Master of Teaching (M.T.) in Secondary Mathematics at the University of Virginia. After graduation, she joined the United States Peace Corps and spent two years teaching secondary school mathematics at St. Mary’s Secondary School for Girls in Zomba, Malawi. Over the next nine years she taught at private schools in her native South Florida and her new home of Atlanta, Georgia. She has taught Algebra II, Precalculus and Calculus, and truly enjoys helping her students build their mathematical skills. When her first child was born, she decided to take some time off from teaching and focused on activities with her church and children, with some very occasional tutoring. She is excited to join the Kolbe community and be back in the classroom. She lives in Georgia with her husband, daughter, and son. She enjoys cooking, supporting kids’ sports, Bible study, playing board games, and reading.
Alicia graduated summa cum laude from Marshall University with a double major in Economics and Finance. She received her M.S. in Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics from Ohio State University. Alicia has taught algebra and graphing intensive courses of microeconomics. Exploring practical applications of mathematical concepts is a passion she enjoys sharing with her students. Alicia also has experience as a middle school and high school mathematics tutor. Recently, Alicia has worked with real-world applications of math as a researcher in the field of energy economics. She is excited to join the Kolbe Online Academy and share her love of math and God with her students. Alicia married her husband in 2011 and lives in Virginia with their two children.
Reba Lyon graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in honors mathematics and theology. Since then, she has been teaching various levels of math at Catholic, classical schools. Her passion is helping students find the joy and beauty in mathematics by developing problem-solving skills and confidence. She is happily married to another Catholic, classical school teacher. Together, they homeschool their three energetic kids. In her free time, Reba loves solving crossword puzzles, making new soup recipes, and crocheting accessories.
Lisa Goodrich is a Catholic homeschooling mother of 5. And now that 4 of her children have moved on to college and beyond, she is excited to apply her skills helping other Catholic homeschooling families. In addition to homeschooling, Lisa also has an adult teaching credential with 7 years of experience in the classroom. Lisa recently re-entered the work force as an online middle school math and science tutor for the Archdiocese of Denver. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UCLA and lives in Southern California. Lisa enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, gardening and spending time with her husband and “kids” but her proudest achievement are her children and the beautiful people they have become.
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Ms. Kania earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and a Master's degree in Mathematics from Aurora University. She started her teaching career with ten years in the public school system, most recently teaching 8th grade math and language arts in the Chicago suburbs. For as long as she can rememember, Ms. Kania has been involved in local and national pro-life activities, participating in and organizing various events to promote and fundraise for the pro-life cause. At home, she enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening, but she would much rather be outdoors, where she enjoys hiking, running, biking, or swimming. She resides with her family in the Chicago area.
Alexandra graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education. She spent her last semester of college student teaching in South Africa where she gained a deeper understanding of the language of mathematics and the unique challenges of minority students. Alexandra currently lives in Augusta, GA, where she is the proud wife of a US Air Force Sergeant and together they have four children. Alexandra taught 7th and 8th grade mathematics before leaving to stay home with her children. In her free time, she loves to watch baseball, spend time outdoors, and travel. Alexandra is thrilled to return to teaching where she can combine two things she is passionate about: her Catholic faith and teaching children!
Sara Dean received her BS in Chemistry from Duke University and her PhD in Biochemistry from Stanford University. She lives in California with her husband and 5 children. She has homeschooled her own children in addition to teaching CCD classes for her parish and helping to run a STEM science camp. She is passionate about sharing the wonders of the natural world with students and hopes to spark their curiosity about God’s creation. Every summer, she spends as much time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada as possible. During the other seasons, she settles for hills around the Bay Area for hiking and camping.
Julie Ochoa is a Catholic wife and mother of 4 who graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a M.S. and B.S in Meteorology, and a minor in math. She has worked in forecast operations in Hawaii and was focused on tropical cyclone forecasting and research. Following many moves as a military family, Julie branched into curriculum development for Earth Sciences and gained a new passion for education. As a homeschool parent herself with Kolbe, she enjoys sharing science and the Catholic faith with students. In her free time, you can find her on the beach searching for shark teeth with her family in Coastal North Carolina, where they are enjoying putting down roots following her husband’s retirement from the Marine Corps.
Christine Goss earned a B.S. in Biology from Boston College. She spent several years working in developmental, cell and molecular biology laboratories at Boston College, Washington University School of Medicine, and Florida International University. She also worked for two years as a college-level human biology laboratory instructor. In the midst of her scientific endeavors, Christine lived for a year in London, England, at St. Patrick’s Evangelization School where she spent her time in prayer, formation and outreach. She now lives in her hometown of St. Louis with her husband and three children. She is excited to return to Kolbe and to share her love of God’s creation with her students!
Clare Kavanaugh received her BS in Biology from Fontbonne University. She has had several years of experience in tutoring and teaching both math and science including several years at a Catholic, classical school. Having been homeschooled for both middle school and high school, she has a special fondness for and familiarity with the homeschool community. In her free time, she likes to take long walks along the shores of Lake Michigan and appreciate the beauty and goodness of God’s creation.
Kelly Beller is excited to become a member of the Kolbe family this year and share her passion for our faith and science. She has spent the past three years in Catholic school education teaching both middle and high school students in theology, math, and the sciences. She received her BS in Neuroscience and a Graduate Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences. When she isn’t teaching, she’s spending her time traveling to our nation’s parks or inside working on her puzzles.
Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where she earned degrees in biology and Catholic theology. She and her husband homeschool their children and, as a military family, move to a new state every few years. They enjoy connecting with Kolbe families along the way! Elizabeth hopes to inspire in her students awe of the marvelous complexity of God’s creation.
Pamela Blakeslee holds Bachelor and PhD degrees in physics. After teaching physics and physical science courses at the post-secondary level for 10 years, she began to homeschool her three children in 2007. During this time, she hosted science labs in her home for local homeschooling families. Her youngest is now in high school at Kolbe. It is a privilege to guide students studying science and to convey to them that Faith and Reason are eminently compatible. She currently resides on Arizona with her husband and children.
Katie Bradley holds a BS in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Auburn University and an MS in Education from Jacksonville State University. She is a state certified teacher, volunteers as the DRE in her parish, and taught in the local public school. Before homeschooling her own children, Katie worked with children and adults through the Extension Service and 4-H. Katie and her husband, along with their 5 children, reside in Alabama, where they run a small family farm with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and horses. In her free time Katie enjoys riding horses, reading, and watching college sports. Katie can't wait to share her love and excitement for science with her Kolbe students.
Wil is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, where he received his B.S. in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and a B.A degree in European History. During a break before beginning medical school, Wil discovered a love of teaching which, 17 years later, he has never escaped. He currently is Science Department Chair and teaches Biology, AP Biology, and chemistry at a small rural high-school in California’s Central Valley. Wil and his wife, Michelle, are home-schooling parents to 9 children, ages 1-16, and he is very excited to teach for Kolbe. Wil believes strongly that the purpose of science is to further reveal God’s truth and the beauty of creation.
Lauren Rudy earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Natural Sciences from Xavier University. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with her M.Ed. through the Alliance for Catholic Education. During her career, Lauren has served Catholic schools in various roles including teacher of Chemistry and Spanish, Spirit and Student Activities Coordinator, and School Principal. She is passionate about Catholic education and working with high school students to foster their love of lifelong learning. Lauren and her husband live in Pittsburgh, PA, with their young daughter.
Leslie Spencer is a University of Dallas grad who has taught for many years, including several years teaching math, physics and chemistry at Kolbe Academy day school in Napa, California. She has also, as a homeschooling mom, run homeschooling science co-ops and FIRST Lego robotics teams. Leslie helped launch Kolbe’s online science program in 2013 and helped to pilot the online hands-on lab program.
Ann Still received her BA and MA in Education from the University of Florida. She taught middle school science for ten years in Catholic schools both in in the Archdiocese of Palm Beach, FL and the Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA. She is currently a certified K-8 teacher in the state of Georgia. One of her priorities in teaching was the integration of technology into the curriculum, so she very much looks forward to teaching in a technology-based program with Kolbe Academy. Ann and her husband Shawn live in a suburb of Atlanta, GA with their three children.
Ellen received her BA from Eckerd College International Relations & Global Affairs and Spanish, and her MA in teaching from Balmont University. She studied Spanish in Peru and Sapin during and after college. She is the mother of two boys, and with her husband, the family loves to go camping and find beautiful swimming holes in their free time. She also loves to learn about different liturgical traditions of Spanish speaking countries. She has previously taught Spanish virtually and also in person in Nashville TN, where she lives.
Chris was born and raised in Exeter, New Hampshire. After graduating from The American University, he entered the U.S. Army as an officer in the military intelligence corps. He served in New York and Maryland with deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo. At Mass in Bosnia, he met his French wife to be, Annie. Shortly after their marriage, Chris and Annie adopted their son from Bulgaria. Selected by the United States Military Academy to teach French, Chris then attended the University of Maine for an M.A. in French Literature followed by three highly rewarding years of teaching cadets. During his time at West Point, he was selected to join the Africa Foreign Area Officer program for diplomatic-military functions. Rwanda, Chad, and the Central African Republic colored close to six years of his time on the African continent. After 27 years, Chris retired in April 2022, from U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany, as the Senior Africa Foreign Area Officer. He has since been studying theology with Holy Apostles College and Seminary.
Rachel holds a B.A. in English and Theology with a minor in Spanish, Summa Cum Laude, from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Following four years of teaching at a Catholic hybrid school, she is happy to join Kolbe Academy as an English teacher. She lives in Duluth, GA, with her husband and two sons.
Daniela graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in Mathematics, History, and Anthropology. She is currently working towards her Master's degree in Instructional Design and Education Technology. Moving to the US from Bolivia as a child, she has always been interested in languages and cultures. She and her family live in Oklahoma City.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with minors in Latin and History from Mount St. Mary’s University, a Master of Arts in School Counseling from The College of New Jersey, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Neumann University. She has taught Latin and Theology at the elementary and secondary levels. Dr. Parker currently resides in Washington, D.C. and enjoys Philadelphia sports and traveling with her family.
Jenni Mammola holds a B.A. in French and Journalism from Baylor University and an M.A. in French from San Francisco State University. Jenni first fell in love with the French language in junior high, and then knew it was her calling to pursue a lifelong study of the language and culture when she attended the Baylor in Paris study abroad program while an undergrad. From there, she spent time working in French immersion schools in the San Francisco Bay area while pursuing her Master’s degree. Since then, she has been blessed with many years of teaching French to high school and middle school students. Jenni lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and four children.
Jordan teaches both Latin and Greek and serves as the foreign languages’ advisor for Kolbe Academy. He has a Ph.D. in History and Literature of Ancient Christianity from Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany. He and his wife live in New Hampshire with their five children.
Suzanne Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Latin from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts in Classical Languages from Texas Tech University. She has taught Latin, Classical Mythology, and Latin and Greek Etymology at the college, secondary, and elementary levels. Her favorite classical authors include Cicero, Caesar, Virgil, and Homer. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Brown has coached track and field at the high school level. Personal interests include photography, cooking, reading, gardening, and SEC football. Mrs. Brown currently resides just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and seven children.
Sandra holds an M.A. in Spanish from Simmons College and has taught extensively in both classroom and online settings at the high school and community college levels. Her professional interests include Spanish proficiency assessment and curriculum design. She has professional training and certification in evaluating proficiency levels in Spanish. She has also developed curricula for high school and college-level Spanish programs. Outside of academia, her diversions include cooking, gardening, an assortment of crafting pursuits and family games. She and her husband are happily married and are enjoying the dear years of their parenting adventure.
Elizabeth is a graduate of Ave Maria University, summa cum laude, where she studied Classics and Early Christian Literature. She attained her M.A., summa cum laude, in Latin and Greek at the University of Arizona in 2015. She has taught and tutored all levels of Latin from grammar school through college. Originally from California, she now resides in Wyoming with her husband and children. She lived in Munich, Germany for the first couple years of her marriage and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. Through her Latin studies, she met her husband, Henry, who is a professor at Wyoming Catholic College. She enjoys speaking Latin with her children, hiking, swimming, and performing Irish music. She hopes her students will not only be able to read Latin, the beautiful language of antiquity and the universal Church, but also to acquire an active command of the language.
Ashley Hoffman graduated with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2012. Ashley lives in Texas with her husband and 5 children. She enjoys family game nights, time spent with family and friends, prayer, attending Mass, and being a part of her parish’s rich community. Her family’s chosen motto is a quote from St. Clare of Assisi that says, "Love God, Serve God, Everything is in that.” Being a part of Kolbe Academy allows her family to fulfill their motto even more fully! She feels incredibly blessed to be at Kolbe Academy where she gets to help young Catholics grow in the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Church.
Faith Harrell is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and she continues to live there with her family. She is a homeschool graduate and is thrilled to continue to be a part of the homeschool community through Kolbe Academy. Faith felt a call to work with children in high school and began volunteering with her parish’s children’s ministry and other local non-profits. In 2023, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Studies. While earning her degree, she worked at a preschool and as a babysitter until she was offered a position combining her love of horses and education as a horseback-riding instructor. Faith has been an avid equestrian since childhood and still competes and coaches when her schedule allows. She can often be found snuggling with her two dogs and two horses. In addition, she is the proud aunt to two adorable nieces and spends as much time with them as she can! Whether teaching in the riding arena or classroom, Faith believes that individualized education is the best approach. She strives to celebrate each child for what makes him or her a unique member of the Body of Christ.
Elizabeth Schwartz graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida. Much of her teaching career has been teaching first grade in the classroom and virtually. She also has worked with K-8 students as a Reading Resource teacher. She has a passion for helping students build a lifelong learning foundation. Her Catholic faith is of the utmost importance to her, and she is grateful to allow her faith to permeate and inform all her lessons in every subject at Kolbe Academy. Elizabeth lives in southern Maryland with her husband and two children.
Kimberly Wolf earned both her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Master of Arts in English from the University of Memphis. She holds teaching licenses in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language, as well as certificates in both Teacher of English as a Second Language (TESOL) and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Kimberly has been an elementary classroom teacher in both Catholic and public schools, worked in a non-profit educational setting, and taught English online. Kimberly lives in Alpharetta, GA with her husband and their three children.
Christina Davin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education from St. Joseph's College with a Specialty of Concentration in Early, Elementary and Adolescent Psychology. She has experience teaching children in grades pre-k through 5th in person and online. Christina is very passionate about teaching the whole child - academically, spiritually and social and emotionally. She encourages her students to find their love and joy for learning and life. She is especially grateful to be teaching at Kolbe Academy where she can incorporate her faith into all that she does. Christina lives on Long Island, New York with her husband and 2 children. She loves spending time with her family at the beach, gardening, reading, creating projects and listening to music and dancing.
Eileen Duryea earned her B.A. in Psychology at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and then continued her education and attended Griffith University in Queensland, Gold Coast, Australia and studied Masters of Primary Teaching. Eileen has followed her passion and has taught and coached with kids from pre-k to 7th grade. Eileen now resides in North Carolina (until the military moves her) with her husband, Jake, who is a Religious Affairs Airman in the Air Force, and their 5 children. In Eileen's free time you will find her volunteering at her church as a catechist or on the parish council board. She also loves to run local races and do triathlons. Eileen is excited to be working for Kolbe Academy and to help her students grow academically as well as in their faith.
Marissa Piñón graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Professional Education and Elementary/Middle School Mathematics. As a former student of Kolbe Academy and current professional educator, Marissa has had the unique privilege of experiencing home education through the lens of both a student and teacher. In February of 2021, she began her work as a private homeschool coach and tutor. She has also worked with students of all ages in public, private, and virtual school settings. Marissa firmly believes that parents are their child’s primary educator and she strives to foster a learning environment that honors this truth. She considers it an immense blessing to join the Kolbe Academy family! Marissa is a Michigan native and resides in the Kalamazoo area with her family. She loves making music, baking, reading the Word of God, and going for long walks with her family throughout the Mitten State.
Sandra Vance graduated from Texas Tech in 2005 with a degree in Electronic Communications. She married her college sweetheart, James, and they are currently raising four children in Texas. She spent several years working with students in the classroom and the community before pursuing her Masters in Teaching from Liberty University. She worked in the public school setting as a third and fourth grade teacher before joining Kolbe.
Jessica Dabelich earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Education from California State University, East Bay. She holds her multiple subject teaching credential in the state of California. Jessica has been teaching elementary aged children since 2007 in the San Francisco Bay Area. This summer she moved from the SF Bay Area to Idaho, alongside her husband, 4 children, and 3 Australian Shepherds. In her free time Jessica enjoys traveling, baking and participating in church activities with her family. Jessica is excited to join Kolbe Academy, where she can combine her love of teaching with her Catholic faith.
Mara Matteoli graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in English and concentrations in Spanish and Drama. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Humanities with a concentration in Classical Education from the University of Dallas and has been working in classical schools for several years. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, writing poetry, and playing the violin. Mara lives in northern California with her husband and family.
Anna Havens attended Texas A&M University and earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English in 2004. She also holds her Catechist Certification. After graduation, Anna began her teaching career in Catholic schools; she has been fortunate to work in different Catholic schools in different states teaching various grades, while her husband was in the Army. Over the past few years, Anna has fallen in love with online/homeschool learning and is very excited to be teaching in the new K-5 Online Program! Anna resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband and three daughters.
Loretta Tullius received her bachelor’s degree in Theater from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master of Science degree in Education from The University of Montana. She had the privilege of using both degrees to bring theater to K-12 classrooms around the Midwest for two years before working in education as an RtI instructor. In 2019, she and her husband made the decision to homeschool their children through Kolbe Academy. The experience proved to be fruitful as they grew closer together as Catholic family. An adventurer at heart, Loretta loves trying new things, especially if it is her husband’s gourmet cooking. Mary Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Maureen Rowles graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is certified for K-12 Education in California and early childhood through 4th grade Education in Texas. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade in the Texas public schools for 7 years before moving into Classical Catholic education in 2013. After moving with her husband and family to be near Kolbe headquarters, Maureen worked for Kolbe Academy’s Day school as the 3rd and 4th grade teacher for 4 years. She and her husband have 5 children and reside in Napa, CA.
Dolores graduated from the University of Dallas in Texas with a degree in Drama and a concentration in Business. She has worked across the country at major regional theaters in various producing and educational roles. Theaters include Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Goodspeed Musicals. Since 2016 she has spearheaded The Theater Initiative (@theInitiativeTheater): a collaboration of artists from New York to California aimed at spreading truth and joy through Dramatic Arts. They have produced fifteen productions in both professional and academic settings. Dolores is passionate about arts education, and is overjoyed to be teaching the first Dramatic Arts course for Kolbe Academy Online School this year.
Jennifer Todesco earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Baylor University in Elementary Education and a Master degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. She also holds a California Reading Certificate. Jenny worked for a Catholic school for thirteen years teaching various grade levels. She then went on to work with homeschooling families in California. Jenny is married and has three young children and is active in her home parish. She is excited to join the Kolbe Academy family and sharing her love for the Catholic faith.
Emily Thibodeaux earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2016. Her teaching endorsements are in reading and science. Emily has been a teacher in public, Catholic, and virtual school settings with experience teaching all elementary grade levels. Emily has volunteered in Catholic religious education programs at her local parish working with students of various ages. Emily was homeschooled from first grade through high school. This experience has given her the unique perspective of being able to see the benefits of a classical home education as both a student and now as a teacher. Emily considers it an incredible joy and blessing to be an educator with Kolbe Academy where she combines her love for Catholicism with her love for classical education
Erica Hansbrough earned a Master’s degree in Teaching (MAT, Mount St. Mary’s University) and holds a teaching certification for pre-k-12th grades in the state of Maryland). She completed Bachelor’s degrees in Communications Studies and Fine Arts along with a minor in Spanish at Mount St. Mary’s University. Mrs. Hansbrough has taught at public, private, homeschool cooperative, and online schools. She has taught various subjects, including art, English, science, theology, theater, world cultures, and more. Erica has previous experience with an online Special Education program, tutoring individual students especially in writing development as well as teaching live classes with adapted approaches. Erica served as the Dean of the Upper School and teacher of the Senior Thesis class at a local homeschool coop. She lives in Maryland with her husband, Joseph, and four children, Grace, Joshua, Maximilian, and Bennett. Her free time is spent mostly enjoying her family, and for fun, she usually finds a way to be singing one way or another. She is grateful and excited that God has led her to Kolbe Academy and provided this opportunity to participate in the formation of another wonderful group of students!
Jean is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Zack, and together they are raising their four boys in Texas. She has a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Special Education from Texas A&M University-College Station. Jean has used her degree to teach in the public school classroom, to tutor students of various ages and abilities, and to successfully homeschool her own children. Increasing math confidence in her students and getting them excited about math is a passion of hers. She lives by the motto, “If you think you can, you will!” When she’s not teaching, she enjoys hiking with her family, jogging, and reading.
Rebecca Razuri graduated from a Catholic online high school in 2010 before earning a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics from The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She worked in Oil and Gas companies as an Engineering Technician for three years before discovering her love of teaching. After completing her alternative teachers certification, she taught high school Geometry for 6 years at a charter school in Houston, the last two of those years also writing curriculum and tests for the district. She left in-person teaching after giving birth to her first child and joined Kolbe soon after. She still resides in Houston with her husband and son, and in her free time loves working on all sorts of crafting projects, but especially loves to crochet and cross stitch.
Kristi received a B.A. in Early Childhood Special Education and Early Childhood Education from Lindenwood University and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Capella University. She has worked both in the classroom and online with students ranging from preschool to 7th grade. She resides in Missouri with her husband and three boys. Kristi currently homeschools her own children and is very excited for what the future might bring. She is happy to be a part of Kolbe academy and to help students reach for the stars.
Diana is a retired teacher from Alabama and has taught in Special Education in Alabama public schools for 25 years. She received her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana and her Masters in Special Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. She currently is living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband, Russ, and has been married for 38 years. She converted to Catholicism in 2007 and is so excited about working for Kolbe Academy.
Ashley Hoffman graduated with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2012. Ashley lives in Texas with her husband and 5 children. She enjoys family game nights, time spent with family and friends, prayer, attending Mass, and being a part of her parish’s rich community. Her family’s chosen motto is a quote from St. Clare of Assisi that says, "Love God, Serve God, Everything is in that.” Being a part of Kolbe Academy allows her family to fulfill their motto even more fully! She feels incredibly blessed to be at Kolbe Academy where she gets to help young Catholics grow in the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Church.
Emmanuelle was raised in Oklahoma. She is happily married to Todd, and they are currently raising five children in Florida. She received her BS in Education from the University of Oklahoma. She spent several years in the public schools teaching as a resource room teacher in Texas, Oklahoma, and Washington state. She has provided tutoring support outside of the classroom and has spent the last 7 years homeschooling her own children. She is excited about joining the Kolbe community as a teacher and is looking forward to helping support students in the classroom.
