Guidance Counselor / Chaplain

Dr. David Banks has a Ph.D. in Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family. He is a Certified Professional Trainer, Speaker and Coach with John Maxwell. Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Professional Coach, and Certified Marriage Coach. Dr. David Banks has expertise in Relationships, Leadership Development, Motivation and Purpose. He has worked in the field of personal growth, professional development and relationship development for over twenty years. Dr. David Banks is passionate about premarital couples and married couples who wish to enhance their marriage, people dealing with finding their purpose and in need of motivation and guidance, as well as students of all ages who would like assistance with finding direction in their lives. He and his lovely bride, Sylvia, have been married for thirty-two years and they have three beautiful kids. It is a delight to welcome Dr. David Banks as a part of Michaels Homeschool Academy. Welcome to our staff!

Applied Psychology, Economics, and Health

Elementary Through High School Art

Mrs. Michelle Crumley graduated from Bryan College in 2000 majoring in Communication Arts with minors in Bible, Writing, and Linguistics. After college, she worked at Precept Ministries drawing maps and classroom designs in CorelDraw for off-site training seminars. Mrs. Michelle Crumley and her husband, Lee, have twin sons whom she homeschooled for 8 years. She taught at a local homeschool community for 4 years teaching core subjects with Science experiments and Fine Arts appreciation components. Her desire is to make classroom learning fun and memorable. Mrs. Michelle Crumley loves children and has worked in the children’s ministry at her church for the last 10 years. She comes from an artistic family and is a jack of many trades. Her experiences include sketching, painting, chalk art, card making, digital design, yearbook production, and watercolor. Michelle is excited about teaching students art history, art techniques, resources, and skills to further their talents to glorify God. She believes that art is more than just images, and that style, color, design and technique can express history, culture, and values. She finds diversity, wonder and beauty in art displaying the infinite creativity of God. We warmly welcome Mrs. Michelle Crumley to our wonderful team of educators.

Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology

Mrs. Mary Fish is a mother of seven children and has 11 grandchildren. She has been homeschooling for 20 years and has taught at Michaels Homeschool Academy in the past as well as many other homeschool groups and co-ops. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish. In 2013, Mrs. Mary Fish graduated with her Associates Degree in Nursing from Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. She specially enjoyed working in Labor and Delivery. Currently, she is working as the Lab Nurse at the Kennedy Clinic in Ooltewah. Mrs. Fish holds many leadership positions at her church and is passionate about Health and Science as it shows God's amazing, detailed handiwork in every page of a science textbook. She enjoys walking, traveling, spending time with family and baseball games. Welcome, Mrs. Mary Fish!

Pre-Algebra and 7th Grade Mathematics

Mr. Wayne Ford has a Master of Science degree in Physical Education in Teaching with a specialization in Exercise Physiology from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Wayne Ford has 18 years of experience teaching Anatomy & Physiology lecture classes and mathematics at Miller-Motte College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During his employment at Miller-Motte College, he received various above average evaluations and received the 2006 "Teacher of the Year" award, "Instructor of the Term" summer 2012, and "Instructor of the Term" 4th Quarter 2016. Mr. Wayne Ford also has 2 1/2 years experience teaching exercise physiology laboratory classes at Chattanooga State Technical College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Other experiences include being an Occupational Performance Specialist providing body mechanics training to various industries as well as an Exercise Physiologist and Occupational Performance Specialist performing functional capacity evaluations to assess injured individual's ability to physiologically function with a variety of work-related functions. Mr. Wayne Ford thrives in a challenging position and is eager to use his teaching skills and experiences at Michaels Homeschool Academy. Welcome to our staff!

Carrie Howell

Middle School Science and Physical Science

Consumer Mathematics, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, and 2nd through12th Grade ASL

Mrs. Mary Loggins graduated with a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. She worked on a math certification and tutored students of all academic abilities in Geometry, Algebra 2, Statistics, Trigonometry, and Calculus at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Loggins spent 32 years in Georgia, working for 4 counties and 7 different schools as an Educational Interpreter and Lead Interpreter. She grew up in Atlanta and learned American Sign Language while working at IRS. She also taught ASL at DeKalb College in Atlanta and Columbia College in Columbia, MO. Mrs. Loggins is excited to be a part of our faculty at Michaels Homeschool Academy. She is eager to work with her students and encourage them to find ways to enjoy learning. We welcome Mrs. Mary Loggins to our team of educators!

Elementary Phonics (K5-2nd Grade) and Elementary (3rd-5th grade) Through High SchooI IEW English, Public Speaking, and Life Skills

Mrs. Kristy Long graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also received an Associate of Arts degree from Chattanooga State Community College in 2010. Mrs. Kristy Long’s work experiences include being an ELA Teacher/Tutor at East Ridge Middle School, an Interim Teacher at Loftis Middle School, and a Preschool Teacher at Northside Learning Center. She has been successful in creating a plan for ESL students to develop phonological awareness of the language in order to read fluently as well as creating a classroom environment where students feel valued, respected, and encouraged. Mrs. Long creates lesson plans and study guides to ensure the students’ successes and achievements. She also works with group scaffolding to help with students’ collaborative learning. We warmly welcome Mrs. Kristy Long to our wonderful team of educators and look forward to working with her for many years.

Elementary History

Mrs. Sheri Patrick has an Associate Degree in Child Development from Fullerton College in Fullerton, California and a Bachelors Degree in Child Development from California State University, Fullerton, California. She has had the opportunity to use her knowledge and skills as a teacher and as an assistant teacher in various preschools. Mrs. Sheri Patrick volunteers at the VBS and elementary school Sunday School classes at the church she attends.  She works as a floater teacher in a local school and in a kid's club at a nearby business. Mrs. Sheri Patrick is a homeschool mother of one child who gives her great joy. She is compassionate, patient, and loves working with children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading the Bible, writing, and sharing encouraging thoughts and prayers with her friends and family. She also enjoys working out, doing Zumba/cardio dance classes, going to the zoo, bowling, worship concerts, and fellowship with friends. We are excited to work with Mrs. Sheri Patrick and warmly welcome her to our staff.

Elementary Though High School Spanish

Mrs. Eunice Ramirez graduated with a Bachelor degree in Early Child Education from the University of Autonoma de Bucaramanga in Santander, Colombia. She also has a master's degree in Family Teraphy from the Universidad de Montemorelos in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Her experiences include teaching Spanish at Colegio Adventista Libertad as well as at Colegio San Sebastian Gimnasio Campestre in Santander, Columbia. Mrs. Eunice Ramirez has 10 years of experience working with children in the early childhood education setting. She is passionate about working with young children and helping them to learn and grow. Her teaching style is interactive and hands-on while striving to create a fun and engaging learning environment. Mrs. Eunice Ramirez has strong skills in communication, classroom management, and ClassScape knowledge. We welcome Mrs. Eunice Ramirez to our wonderful team of educators.

Critical Thinking, Career Exploration, and 6th Grade Mathematics

Mrs. Tara Rosato received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Biological Science degree from Binghamton University, State University of New York in Beinghamton, New York. She is dependable, consistent, and dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to. Her experiences include being a Research Contractor for the Office of the Director in the Influenza Division and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was responsible for overseeing a major laboratory and office relocation project. Mrs. Tara Rosato also worked at ICON Development Solutions in Whitesboro, New York, as an Immunologist/Scientist 2, where she performed Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay analysis on biological samples from pre-clinical and early-phase clinical studies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. She also worked as an Analytical Chemist in PharmAssist, Inc. Analytical Laboratory in South New Berlin, New York, where she traveled to community-wide locations to sample water to analyze for microbiological an organic carbon content. Mrs. Tara Rosato has great qualifications and we are glad she has chosen to be a part of our wonderful staff. Welcome to Michaels Homeschool Academy!

Middle School History/Geography, High School US History, World History & Geography, Government, and Personal Finance

Mrs. Katie Shanks received an Associate's degree in History with a focus on missions studies from Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, North Carolina. Her studies has enriched her approach to teaching, particularly in fostering a love for history among her students. Mrs. Shanks is a 9-year veteran of homeschooling with a passion for education and family. She is the mother of six wonderful children, and her journey in homeschooling began when she decided to leave her training career in pharmacy in 2009 to focus on educating her kids at home. She has the heart to love and educate her students to help them succeed and encourage them in their own unique learning styles. Mrs. Shanks is excited to be joining Michaels Homeschool Academy.  We warmly welcome Mrs. Katherine Shanks to our team of educators.

Drama/Theater

Mrs. Kimberly Tisdale is a veteran homeschool mother of three (graduated) children and has taught in the Chattanooga homeschool community for almost 20 years. She graduated from Central Methodist University in Missouri with a B.A. in Theater and minors in English and Music. Her acting credits include principal roles in Agnes of God, Two by Two, Medea, The Cherry Orchard and Nunsense, among others. Her theater experience in Chattanooga includes over 13 years as customer and backstage costume mistress at Ballet Tennessee and Chattanooga Ballet and held the same position with Scenic City Opera for a season. Over the last 15 years, Mrs. Kim Tisdale has directed over 30 plays and drama events with the Salvation Army, Collegedale's Parks and Recreation department, and other local educational and homeschool organizations. From 2012 - 2017, she coached students in the National Shakespeare Competition to achieve first runner-up and top-three status at the district level, competing with students from more than 15 counties. Throughout her career, Mrs. Tisdale has witnessed how God can change lives through performance experience. She believes that theater is one of God's greatest gifts and is excited to share all aspects of creative theater through the dramatic arts with her young actors and their families.

Elementary Sciences

Mrs. Andrea Underwood is a homemaker and homeschool teacher to her two wonderful children since 2022. Her experiences include being a Technology Assistant at Cane Bay Elementary School in Summerville, South Carolina, where she assisted children in grades K-4 with leaning how to use their Chromebooks, how to type, starting to code, STEM and internet safety. Her other experiences include volunteering in an Elementary Special Education assisting teachers with classroom tasks as well as helping children with learning basic life skills such as using zippers, buttoning/unbuttoning, and using silverware. Mrs. Andrea Underwood is very kind, reliable, patient, and has a heart for children. She thrives with multi-tasking and in problem solving. Mrs. Andrea Underwood is a great addition to our team of educators. We welcome her skills and experiences with open arms. Welcome, Mrs. Andrea Underwood!

Typing, Middle School Web Design, Elementary/Middle School Robotics, Elementary/Middle School Knitting/Crocheting, and Poetry

Mrs. Michelle Young majored in music and minored in art at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and was able to combine her love of math and art into a textile project that is based around the Magic Square, her favorite mathematical function. Her first experience in computer programming started in High School where she learned BASIC in math class. In the early 2000's she learned HTML, and became a professional website creator. She has also maintained various sites, including the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild. Later, she began teaching basic computer skills to children and taught for Computer Tots in various Chattanooga schools (including Montessori). She has been teaching both individually, and in a classroom setting for more than ten years. Mrs. Young enjoys combining left and right brain aspects into projects for her students.