Elementary Through Middle School History & Geography, Elementary Through High Spanish, Elementary ASL (K5 Through 1st Grade), Middle School Science, 6th & 7th Grade Mathematics, and High School Government, and Health

Mrs. Bearden graduated with a Bachelor of Science Education in Interdisciplinary Studies with content in English and History and with an Associate of Applied Degree in American Sign Language from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has 2+ years of experience in AP programs which encourages educators to review these principles with parents and students so they know what to expect in an AP course. She lived in Puerto Rico for 13 years and is fluent in Spanish. She also has 3+ years experience in team organization, 8+ years in Contact Center Environment, and 13+ years in reporting and data management. Mrs. Bearden is a team player and a problem solver. She considers herself to be very efficient and detail-oriented. She is ready and excited to be teaching at Michaels Homeschool Academy.

American Sign Language (2nd Through 12th Grade)

Mrs. Eimers is a veteran homeschooling mom of 5 beautiful children. She is currently finishing her 11th year of homeschooling. In 2000, Mrs. Bonita Eimers graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has over 13 years of experience working with the Deaf in various ministries, such as babysitting, volunteering in her church nursery, and teaching Sunday School to deaf adults and children alike. Her hobbies include gardening, baking, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Eimers is a beautiful woman of God with a gentle, patient, and loving character. She believes God has given her the gift of Sign Language and is excited to share this gift with others.

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 back, Mrs. Mary Fish!

Physical Education, Public Speaking, & Life Skills

Mrs. Goccia is an 11-year veteran homeschooling mom of 2 teenage boys. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Christian Women’s Ministry and an A.A. in Deaf Studies from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a veteran homeschool parent, she values and understands the importance of being a positive role model in the lives of all our children. Mrs. Goccia is so excited to be joining the Michaels Homeschool Academy staff and for the opportunity to work and share her gifts with students and parents. We warmly welcome Mrs. Melanie Goccia to our wonderful team of educators and look forward to working with her for many years.

Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Personal Finance, Economics

Mr. Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Junior High Education with concentrations in Math and Social Studies from University of Maine at Machias in Machias, Maine. He has a Masters in School Leadership from New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. His experiences include teaching elementary - high school mathematics at various schools in Maine. Mr. Frank has also substituted for the Hamilton County Department of Education and worked as a security guard at McCallie School in Tennessee. His love for math is quite evident in the way he connects with his students. He enjoys encouraging and mentoring his students and seeing them succeed.

Art

As a child, Mrs. Layne was homeschooled and she currently homeschools her two children. As a private art instructor, she entered her own pieces of work and won 1st Place using graphite pencil portrait and colored pencil portraits. She also won 2nd Place in the International Division using colored pencil portraits. Mrs. Layne has a strong creative background and patience to effectively teach her students. She is experienced in digital art, graphite portraits, calligraphy, multiple paint mediums, and much more. As an artist, Mrs. Layne enjoys educating students in a variety of mediums such as acrylics, watercolors, charcoal, pen and ink, and others. She is passionate about inspiring and guiding her students to develop their creativity and technique, as well as encouraging them to discover their own unique style by using a variety of media. With a great personality, positive character, and artistic skills, she will no doubt instill a love for art in her students. Mrs. Mary Layne focuses on teaching her students about the elements and principles of art, contour line studies, principles of design, color theory, composition techniques, and more to help them create their own masterpieces.

Elementary School Sciences and High School Consumer Math, Geometry, & Algebra 2

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!

Biology

Mr. Jerry Pirkle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Tennessee Technological University and with a Master of Science in Teaching from Middle Tennessee State University. He has taught biology at various universities and colleges. Among them are Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Pirkle’s teaching specializations are in General Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Microbiology, Genetics, Parasitology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Entomology, Cell Biology, and Biological Terminology. He also has an extensive professional experience in ministry in the states of Tennessee and Georgia. Mr. Pirkle is looking forward to encouraging and engaging his students through lectures and lab discussions, and increasing classroom interaction to build an inclusive learning environment. He has enjoyed traveling to do mission work, but feels that teaching and working with children is his ultimate calling. Mr. Pirkle has the heart to love and educate his students to help them succeed and encourage them in their own unique learning styles. We warmly welcome Mr. Jerry Pirkle to our team of educators!

Drama & English Grammar and Writing/Phonics

Mrs. Kim 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.

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

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.