OUR TEACHERS

Ashley Neal – Piano Instruction

Ashley Neal is a Homeschool Graduate with an Associate’s Degree from John Tyler Community College; she has had the privilege of teaching piano for the past five years. Ashley was taught to play at a young age by her mother, and continued lessons through high school with a teacher outside the home. She began offering lessons to families at her church at the age of 18, and over the years she has taught up to 21 students and developed a real passion for both teaching and music. Ashley enjoys teaching classical, worship, contemporary, and popular piano literature, and she loves working with students’ individual interests to promote a love for playing. She also enjoys helping to homeschool her younger siblings, writing worship music, and playing and singing on the worship team at her local church. Most of all, Ashley desires that her lessons would honor the Savior by giving homeschoolers the opportunity to learn and appreciate the value of music in living to worship Him.

Lee Ann Arnett – Middle and High School US History; Government & Economics

Lee Ann is a fourteen-year veteran of homeschooling and a mother of five ranging from age 30-15. (Could she be as old as the history she teaches?)  Lee Ann has a love for history and all the little events that make life important. She is passionate about students understanding the importance of learning our past and what a difference each of us can make in the future. Having a working understanding of history, to her, is more important than memorizing names and dates. This same understanding is equally important in knowing how and why our government works the way it does and knowing that economics isn’t all numbers and symbols. Lee Ann believes the more extensive the knowledge and the points of view available to the student while learning, will help build and strengthen their character, giving them the tools, confidence, and integrity to make choices that will be important not only to themselves, but also to our nation as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Judy Carboni – Physics

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Judy has resided in Virginia since 1977. A graduate of Old Dominion University’s Engineering School in Mechanical Technology, Judy had a 24-year career at Philip Morris, serving in technical and management positions in the areas of Engineering, Research and Development and Quality. She retired in 2002 as Vice-President, Quality Systems. Judy is leading an active life in retirement serving in her church and community. In her role as Physics teacher, Judy particularly enjoys helping students connect the scientific and mathematical concepts they are learning to real life applications. Some of Judy’s passions include deepening her testimony through study, prayer & service, music, friendships, dogs, travel, learning & personal growth, and nature. Judy has a grown daughter, Megan, who resides in New York City. They enjoy frequent visits together.

Lisa Kessel – Geometry, Algebra II

Lisa graduated Cum Laude, class of 2010, from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Mathematics and minors in Statistics, Actuarial Science, and Psychology. She is a member of Pi Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society and was also a recipient of the T.W. Hatcher Mathematics Scholarship for excellence in Mathematics.  She has tutored students in various math concepts ranging from elementary through college levels.  She currently works as a data analyst and is very excited to share her love of mathematics with her students.

Janice Goldstein – Spanish I, II, & III

A longtime resident of Powhatan, Janice homeschooled her three children until they graduated from high school. She has taught Spanish to homeschoolers for eight years in Powhatan, Goochland and Chesterfield. An R.N. with a B.A. in Psychology and graduate work in education at VCU, she studied Spanish in high school, college and in Spain.

Sharon Kessel – Biology; Sewing I and II; Home Economics

Sharon Kessel is a sixteen year veteran homeschooling mom of three children. Now living in Powhatan with her husband and youngest child, she attended college at the City College of Baltimore and the University of Detroit. She practiced as a licensed dental hygienist in Pennsylvania and Virginia for ten years before turning to education. With a sewing background that began at age 12, she has sewn for family and friends for many years and enjoys sharing her love of creative design with her students. She has taught biology for nine years, believing in learning by utilizing a very hands-on approach to understanding new concepts.  Teaching science from a Creationist’s perspective is a true passion and joy, to realize God as Creator and the design that He has put into every aspect of our created world

Jennifer Krug – Physical Science; Chemistry

Jennifer Krug graduated with a BS in Chemistry from JMU in 1995.  She
worked as a chemist for six years before becoming a stay at home mom. The companies she worked for include Wampler-Longacre, Merck, Whitehall-Robins, and Carpenter Company. For the past eight years, she has been tutoring math and science from her home. In 2009 she began teaching chemistry and physical science at Southside, Chesterfield Christian Academy, and from her home Her tutoring experience has shown her that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but more so about building confidence in students so they take pride in what they do.

Liz Needham –  General Science; Pre-Algebra

Liz has a B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education. Married for 23 years, she has been homeschooling their four children (ages 13-20) for sixteen years and has lived in Powhatan for the past six. Prior to having children, she taught grades 3, 6, 7, and 8 in both public and private schools in New York City. “I love working with children and enjoy teaching science using a hands-on approach. I am very enthusiastic about teaching at the co-op and look forward to helping students gain appreciation for God’s magnificent creation.”

Abigail Pegram – Middle and High School Writing and Literature

Abigail is a homeschool graduate with experience teaching students ages 6-17. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked as a tutor/teacher since age 15, while apprenticing with her family’s homeschool ministry. For the past five years, she has offered classes through Southside in language arts and history. Her heartfelt desire is to offer academic instruction to supplement home education and support parents in their God-given responsibility. While aiding  students in the development of an organized, engaging writing style,

Abigail seeks to facilitate understanding and appreciation for literature.

Chelsie Porterfield – Algebra I; Middle School Math

My name is Chelsie Porterfield and this will be my fourth year teaching at Southside Homeschool Cooperative. I have a daughter, Grace, who will be turning four in September. Right now, I am taking

Early Childhood Education classes at John Tyler Community College. I have always enjoyed math and I am excited about sharing this with my students in the fall.