Instructors
Get To Know Our Teachers
April is a certified Eco Educator through the University of Florida IFAS Extension, and she earned her educator certification from the state of Florida. She is certified to teach from Project Learning Tree curriculum as well as Project Wild and Project Wet. She has also been endorsed as an Eco Educator by Pinellas County 4-H Youth Development, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. She spent over 10 years teaching high school English in the public school system after receiving Bachelors Degrees in Literature and Philosophy from the University of South Florida and Florida State University. Her experience there included basic English classes to 9th through 12th graders as well as Critical Thinking Skills, Drama, Creative Writing and coaching various academic and sports extra-curriculars. She ran the newspaper journalism class at various high schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and was recruited by two schools to re-build those programs from possible elimination. Her focus in the last 6 years has been on Eco Education. WanderKids, a homeschool club created and facilitated by April and her daughter, has existed for 6 years utilizing these amazing resources and sharing the importance of environmental awareness with our youngest advocates in hopes to truly make a difference.
Andre Jones was born on December 3, 1979 in Clearwater, Florida. He was raised in a musical family and the youngest of four: one brother and two sisters and a proud father of three beautiful girls. Andre attended Pinellas County Schools and was active in athletics throughout. At East Lake High School, Andre was a great talent on the Football team until he graduated in 1998. Andre has 20 years experience working for childcare and now the Founder of The Vision Center, an after school program for youth ages 9-17yrs. As a Recreation Counselor, Coach and Mentor he daily touches the lives of the youth and young adults. The Vision Center is driven towards impacting the lives of youth and young adults through mentoring, education, recreation and spiritual development. Additionally, Andre is involved in the community. He is active in a number of volunteer capacities and is always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. He is a DJ as well! DJ Dre rocks the crowd and motivates his audience to have a good time. Andre Jones is a Gospel Recording Artist, Composer and Musician. He, willingly, shares his gifts with others and serves as a keyboardist for a number of choirs/groups.
Brielle Hernández is an independent young artist from Largo Florida. She is experienced in many different mediums such as oils, watercolor, graphite, colored pencils, alcohol based markers, digital and fiber arts. Brielle has been part of the home school community since she began her education. She has participated in many different programs and competitions like "Fashion at the Dali" and "The Florida state fair" and has won several awards in the process. She has also been a teachers assistant at the Morean Arts Center for two years working with children and young teens. Life and its many intricate details come to life in the world of art.
Damon is the owner of Wild World Experiential Education and is fortunate to have been teaching outdoor education and traditional skills for more than 25 years in the Tampa Bay Area and has taught classes for 100's of homeschool families. Through the years he has managed educational programs for institutions such as Lowry Park Zoo, HCC: Institute of Florida Studies, MOSI, Great Explorations, Sunline Nature Cruises, and Pathfinder Outdoor Education. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time learning and teaching about nature, whether it be hiking in the backcountry, participating in wildlife research studies, or honing his bushcrafting skills.
In addition to being a home-schooling parent of three kids for 10 years now, I have been working with children in some form or another for nearly 3 decades. I have my Masters in School Psychology and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with focus on children, adolescents, and families. In earning these degrees and in my professional life I've worked with young people in schools, intense milieu clinical settings, and everywhere in between! As a home-schooling parent I've taught many, many classes and was president of the board at our former co-op before moving to sunny Florida and joining the LOL community. I'm very excited to be a part of this community and have the opportunity to get to know everyone better by teaching some of our kids.
Hello LOL family! After multiple cross-country moves, I'm excited to put down roots and invest in the homeschooling community that my children and I are loving so much. Though I'm a Coast Guard veteran and have degrees in both Marine Environmental Science and Business, my passions are engaging with the natural world (gardening, beekeeping, snorkeling, etc.) and cultivating human connection through play and teamwork. With six years as a camp counselor and practically lifelong participation in team athletics, I look forward to getting us outside playing, moving, and making memories!
Haley Tedio
Hi! I’m Haley Tedio. I’ve been participating at LOL for 4 years. This will be my second semester teaching Highland dance. I’m a 13-year-old who has spent 6 years learning and perfecting her dancing. I love going to competitions and performing at local Scottish games. I hope to spread the love of Highland Dancing to our co-op.
I grew up in the burbs of Philadelphia and moved to Florida as a photographer in 2015. I have a deep interest in all the different ways of life and especially art! My husband and I have also traveled all over Mexico to visit so many pyramids, ruins and museums that I have lost count! We didn’t stop there and have lived and visited other countries in Central America as well. We also took many cross country trips to visit Native American sites and I just can’t stop wanting to learn. I’m doing my best to accurately represent all cultures so we can expand our knowledge and understanding of these cultures together!
My name is Jacquelyn Vincent. I am a wife and mom of three awesome kiddos! I currently homeschool my three kiddos but also substitute teach part-time as well at the charter school my children used to attend. I have been substitute teaching for five years and am currently a student in the College of Education at St Petersburg College majoring in Special Education K-12. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 16 years but we have been together 21 years. In my spare time I love to read! As a family we spend a lot of time at Disney World and our big fans of anything Disney! I love teaching and am so excited to teach for our little homeschool community!
My name is Jenn and my passion is all things science! Many moons ago, I recieved a bachelor of science with a minor in American Sign Language, from USF. After having my son, I became a stay at home mom, and began my homeschool teaching journey. I initially taught a group of 10 kids, for two and a half years, before they started kindergarten and we joined LOL. I am excited to meet all of you and to share my love of science and learning.
Hi! I'm Kai, and I have been attending LOL since 2020. I am a sophomore in high school. I love reading, mythology, and playing games. I can't wait to see you in book club!
Hi, my name is Kelley Pitcher. I found a love for all things dirt, mud, and clay at a very young age, and have enjoyed being dirty ever since! I went to The Maine College of Art for a short time focusing on ceramics. After that I apprenticed for Wiltjer Pottery in Maine. I have worked with clay off and on for over 15 yrs., holding small workshops for children at a small private school, and selling my own pottery. I love sharing my passion! Playing with clay seems to put a smile on everyone's face!
I have wo children and we have been happily participating at LOL since 2015. My educational background is in psychology, and prior to beginning our homeschool journey I worked in education.
I was born and raised in Italy, where I graduated from Turin University. In 2000, I relocated to the United States and later became a U.S. citizen.
My students range in age from 6 years old to 90 years old. I particularly enjoy teaching young students because I can incorporate play into the learning process, making it fun and engaging as they pick up a new language.
Leslie graduated from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio with a Bachelors of Music Education with a certification in Pre K- 12. She has served in all types of public and private schools in Pinellas County for over 15 years. She has taught private lessons at the Calvary Baptist Musical Art School, in her home and worked with the Tampa Bay Children's Choir. Leslie was also the music director for multiple theaters including Saint Pete City Theatre, Gulfport Backdoor Theatre and Saint Petersburg Catholic High School. I am a former school board member with over 25 years of performance and teaching experience and I am very excited for the opportunity to work with your children. The LOL community is truly my favorite part of homeschooling.
Hi! I'm Lillian. I'm a freshman in high school and I have been teaching for just shy of a year. My interests and hobbies include virtual reality, rhythm games, poker, and anything tech related. I can't wait to see everyone in class!.
My name is LillyGrace Lane. I have entered multiple art pieces including both watercolor and pastel at Sterling Studios Art Gallery as well as won first place for my miniature sculpture at the Florida State Fair. I have also participated in many Beach Art Studio shows. I have studied character design for three years and have studied under various artists in various mediums for eight years.
Margaret has worked in the Florida public school system for the past ten years teaching general music, chorus, show choir and piano. In 2015 she graduated from the University of Miami Frost School of Music (Go 'Canes!) with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She has an extensive background in the performing arts which she has been cultivating since the age of five! She's thrilled to have recently launched her own business teaching private vocal, piano and acting lessons. Check out her booking website!https://calendly.com/musicwithmargaret. Since 2021 Margaret has been the Music Director at St Pete MAD (Music, Acting and Dance), where she works on seven productions per year and directs the Broadway Bound performance troupe. In her free time she loves to work out, cook and spend time with friends and family.
Max has been working and playing for many years with Heroic Health Group. She is ready to work with youth in the area that have interests in mock combat and D&D. She has been a member of Pinellas County 4-H Youth Development clubs for 13 years and is a graduating senior in the program.
Sara Norine is a professional artist and teacher with over 20 years experience. Her supportive studio environment allows each artist to find their own voice while encouraging them to use more advanced processes and techniques. Art is a form of personal expression and practice leads to articulate expression of each human’s own experience and personal style. As a homeschool parent, her commitment to each student is long term. Sara is committed to bringing new techniques and inspiration each semester. www.saranorine.com
Sara Ratza is a Clinical Western Herbalist, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, and Author. With a degree in studio art and over three decades of working with children, Sara has a background in teaching in the public school setting for all age groups as well as years in summer camps including locally at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. With a minor in art history, Sara has had the pleasure of teaching AP Art History at the high school level. After her son was born in 2010, she left the public school system to homeschool which lead her to the field of holistic health. The study of Chinese Medicine lead to her certification as a Clinical Western Herbalist with food as medicine as her expertise. With her creative spirit to intertwine her interests, she found joy in studying cacao as medicine and opened her award-winning chocolate shop Ratza Chocolate. With a passion for all plants and the natural environment, Sara has taught about herbalism at the Florida Herbal Conference, Traditions School of Herbal Medicine, and her local herbal collective “The Sage Society”. Sara travels nationally to herbal conferences and has studied with some of the world’s best herbal educators. With her knowledge of foraging, Sara is currently receiving bushskills and survival skills certification through “DVI Bushcraft and Survival” in which she collaborates in teaching. In her spare time, Sara works with acrylics on canvas painting nature inspired themes, as well as uses natural elements to make handmade grapevine wreaths, botanical printing, botanical fabric printing and dying, and cyanotype printing. She has experience in almost every aspect of art, but being in nature with her family is what brings her the most happiness.
Hello LOL!! I am a Theatre educator of 5 years, teaching at several homeschool co-ops and currently assisting at CPPAC in Largo, FL. I'm a professional actress in the Tampa Bay area, as well as Pre-Professional opera singer! I can't wait to work with you all
Hello! My name is Timotey, but my students call me Coach Tim. I have been chess instructor since 2007. I have two teacher's degrees, first I got qualification for Elementary School teacher and then I received my bachelor of Arts in Teaching History. I love playing and teaching chess!Three of my students are National Champions and Florida State Champions. I am US Certified District Chess Coach-Level 2 and US Certified Local Tournament Director. I am President of Saint Petersburg Chess Club and Chess Club Joy. I am one of Directors of Florida Chess Association and Regional Vice President for West Florida. Right now I am full time chess Instructor with more than 20 students. I have been doing for the last two years group chess classes every Sunday. I teach online chess lessons as well. I love working with children from all ages!