Our Teachers

Diana Andrews studied art at the Columbus College of Art and Design and has taught in Private schools as well as at several homeschooling co-ops and artist studios since 2005.  Her work is regularly displayed throughout Licking and Franklin Counties. She is a mother to 3 adult sons. Diana has taught at ELCC since 2012 and offers instruction in a wide variety of mediums.  Diana shares "I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t want to create. Escaping the business of the day and expressing the variety and creativity of God’s handiwork is such an awesome privilege and a joy to me. I hope to express a story in my paintings that might bring back a moment in your life you cherish."  D.Andrews@excellenceinlearning.org 

Angie Daye and her husband, who have been married since 2003, live in Somerset and have 5  children together, and 4 bonus children ages 3- 25, and several amazing grand children. They have been homeschooling their children since 2012. Angie holds a Bachelor's degree in business management, and has been a virtual assistant, and dabbled in e-commerce over the years. Angie has worked in education most of her working years.. She began working in an early education center in 2001, where she worked for 10 years as a teacher of varied ages, hooked on phonics teacher, administrator, bookkeeper, staff trainer, health and safety coordinator and more. After their third child was born, it was important for Angie to stay home and raise their children and homeschool. Angie has also taught ESL virtually for several years, to children of all ages, up through adults. She has also coached younger and upper elementary basketball and volleyball locally for a few seasons. Although she loves teaching in any situation, her heart is at home with her family. She continues to have a passion for education, and puts that to use with her children, through schooling at home, fun adventures, and homesteading as a family. Angie enjoys gardening, tending to her homestead, adventures with her family, and good coffee. Angie has been at ELCC since 2022, and will be teaching preschool classes and Digital Design with Canva this fall. She is looking forward to planning fun learning activities with the preschoolers, and helping them learn by play! 

Juliet DePriest holds degrees from Muskingum University and Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently an adjunct professor with Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been teaching for over twenty years and has a wide range of experience including serving as a youth pastor and teaching language arts at a Christian school. Juliet has increasingly felt led to become a part of the homeschool movement and is hoping to teach Bible, essay and research writing, and critical thinking skills at ELCC. She is also available as a tutor in English for grades 7-12. Juliet is married to Charley who serves as the lead mental health therapist at COTC/OSU-N. When not teaching and counseling, Juliet and Charley enjoy travelling, hiking, and spoiling their 16-pound shorkie-tzu Winston who has his own backpack and stroller for their adventures! They attend Cornerstone Church in Heath.

Samantha Donaldson- Physical Science 6th-8th- Bio Pending

Amy Fraunfelter and her husband Jeff have three children, Hunter (high school), Gabriella (high school) and Trapper (elementary).  They have homeschooled from the beginning and believe that this has been a greatest blessing in their lives.  Amy previously worked for a finance company.  Jeff has been with the Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center since 2008. Amy has been attending ELCC since 2015 and teaching kindergarten since 2016.  She served as our event coordinator from 2018 - 2021.  She says "I try to fill spots where I am needed and called, so don't be surprised when you see me pushing a broom."  Amy teaches Kindergarten and Lego WeDo classes.a.fraunfelter@excellenceinlearning.org

Hunter Fraunfelter is an ELCC Alumnus who graduated in 2023. Hunter started with K12 in Kindergarten and moved to traditional homeschooling in the 3rd grade. He later joined ELCC in 2014. He works as a Service Associate, meanwhile taking college courses through the Guild Program. He majors in Software Development with an aspiration for Computer Science. He runs the Beyblade Club during the recess period, a club that he had started when he was still a student. Hunter teaches Computer Science, Mindstorms, and Gym Class.

Hadassah Furniss lives in Columbus with her husband and their 5 children, whose ages range from preschool to Jr. High school. Hadassah has worked as a medical assistant and has taken classes for elementary education; however, with the arrival of her children she found her true passion which is being a mother. Hadassah invests her spare time back into her family and the community by coaching sports for her children. The Furnisses have always homeschooled their children and have been members of ELCC since Fall of 2022. Hadassah teaches ASL Fun and is a member of the Yearbook Team. 

Angela Gabriel- Jr High School Anatomy (6th-8th)- Bio Pending

Casey Green is a homeschooling mom of five, so she understands the challenges homeschooling parents face at every level. She has been teaching at ELCC since 2019. She is also a Senior Member of Civil Air Patrol, Licking County Composite Squadron. She functions as the Aerospace Education Officer for her local squadron, located at Everett Park in Newark. Casey is passionate about enriching children’s education and providing tools to educators and homeschooling parents to spark an interest in children’s minds regarding science.  Casey also owns her own photography business, Pixelated Photography, located in Newark, Ohio.  casey@excellenceinlearning.org 

Leigha Hickman is a homeschool mother of three elementary aged kids who she has been teaching from the beginning of her oldest's education in 2018. Prior to moving back to Licking County in 2021, she was a Camp Financial Director, Homestead Director, and Homeschool Program Coordinator for a Christian camp in West Virginia. She has her degree in Business from Ohio Dominican University and had a career in finance for several years before deciding to stay home full-time with her children, and work part-time in student ministry. She is currently a part of her church's student leadership team. Even though she is usually involved with children through service projects, work, and ministry, she loves serving and building relationships with the whole family! 

Shannon Hughes and her husband David have resided in Newark since 2011. She has homeschooled their four children since 2019 and joined ELCC in 2020. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s of arts from The Ohio State University majoring in psychology and minoring in the environment and natural resources. She also has an associate's degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force.  She coaches sports, coordinates religious education programs at her church and teaches Irish Dance, Adventure Book Club, and Memorize the Faith at ELCC. 

Cortney Jackson studied Art History and Religion at Georgetown College where she earned her Bachelor's degree.  After finishing her BA she moved to London, England, earning duel Masters degrees in Art History and Visual Culture at Richmond the American International University. She enjoyed working at an art gallery in Chelsea before heading to Estonia as a full time missionary. Upon completing her missionary service she moved back to Ohio and married her husband Taylor. They currently reside in Zanesville with their three biological children. They also are licensed foster parents. Cortney enjoys reading, lifting weights and going on cruises in her free time. She is excited to teach art and share her passion with more kids!

Tondi King is a second-generation homeschool mom of two elementary-age children. After graduating from a homeschooled high school, she spent a few years tutoring her younger siblings before heading off to college. Upon completing her Freshman year at MVNU with honors, she chose to take a job working as a first-grade teacher at Jarabaco Christian School in the Dominican Republic. After a year of enjoying and learning from Latin American culture she returned to Ohio to continue her working towards her college degree. She was just 3-courses away from both an Associate's Degree in Spanish and a Bachelor's Degree in English when she met and married her husband in 2011. She spent the next decade immersing herself in child development research while running her own type B. license child care. Now, Tondi prioritizes homeschooling her children; however, she still finds time to pursue her current passion of writing and publishing homeschool curriculum.

Shannen Lee is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She holds a BA in HR and Business Management. She is a homeschool mom of 2 and has been part of ELCC since 2020. Shannen lives with her husband and their two children on their farm in Newark.  She enjoys gardening, farming, volleyball, finding old vintage pieces, and spending time with her family. Shannen and her husband are the active youth leaders at their church. Shannen is looking forward to coaching the Junior High/Middle School Volleyball team this year. 

Kayce Long is a homeschooling mama who has attended ELCC since 2021 and 20 year veteran dance instructor at Millennium Academy of Irish Dance. 

Melissa McAllister and her husband, Jonathon, have three adventurous, age diverse, children.  They moved from Pennsylvania in 2016, back to his family farm here in Ohio. She holds a bachelor degree in Accounting with a minor in math and has 12 years of accounting experience. This is her first year of teaching and is excited to help the kids explore all the possibilities of building with Legos. She is looking forward to the year and what God has in store for her and her family.

Lyndsay Mueller and her husband live in Heath with their 3 children who range from preschool to Jr. High School ages. They have always homeschooled their children and have done so in 3 states. Homeschooling is a passion and way of life for the Mueller Family.  Lyndsay holds a BA in Religious Studies with a Certificate in Conflict Transformation and Management from Defiance College. She does a little bit of everything and enjoys trying new hobbies and helping people.  Lyndsay has been a member of ELCC since Spring of 2022 and teaches Cursive and Fine Motor Fun, Yearbook Club, and is our ELCC Upper Elementary basketball coach. She also serves the co-op as our Yearbook Coordinator and Co-op Director. 

Sigrid Neilsen lives in Newark with her husband and 3 small children. She has homeschooled since their oldest was in kindergarten.  She attended college and was very involved in the biology program before she left to serve in the military. She is retired from the United States Army where she served as a Combat Medic. Sigrid is now an amateur mycologist and forager. She has published field guides as well as taught classes at Dawes. Sigrid has been at ELCC since 2021 and currently teaches our High School Biology class. 

Marie Nichols shares, "The Lord allowed me to attend Christian schools from elementary grades through college. It was at the schools where I learned to play different instruments and eventually learned to teach music. My main performing instruments are piano and trumpet, but I do teach most all of the band and orchestra instruments. I graduated from Bob Jones University in 1986 with a Bachelors degree in Music Education and then graduated from Bob Jones University in 1990 with a Masters in Music Education. This is my 13th year of teaching at Licking County Christian Academy and I am excited about expanding my teaching to your co-op." Marie has taught music at ELCC since 2016 as well as Choir, Orchestra, Strings, and private lessons. m.nichols@excellenceinlearning.org 

Lora Parks and her husband Aaron are parents of 5 kids. They have been homeschooling since 2012 and a member of ELCC since 2014.  Through her years at co-op Lora has served as a coordinator, a board member, a doyenne. She is our Board President and will be teaching our High School Science Department this year.  She enjoys reading, the ocean, gardening, canning and sewing. Lora is also our ELCC Librarian, Concessions Coordinator for ELCC Athletics, and she volunteers as a costume seamstress with the Central Ohio Youth Ballet.   

Pat Patterson lives in Newark and has lived there since his high school years. He is married with three wonderful children who have all attended ELCC since 2020. He has played guitar for 12 years. Pat started off playing for two years as part of a small youth praise team. Then, as his skills developed, he joined a full-time praise team and was the main lead guitarist for 6 years. Pat is passionate about playing and creating, and is very excited to share his love and knowledge for music with our ELCC students.

Sondra Rathe is a mom to three children whose ages are between 3 months old and 9 years old. She has been married to her husband since 2011. She joined ELCC in 2022 during her first year of homeschooling. Before committing to teach tiny people, she attended college and holds a BA in Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice. She loves reading, a good cup of coffee, baking and playing Sims or Minecraft in her spare time. While attending  ELCC, she found a passion for teaching and now teaches our Time Travelers class as well as preschool Story and Craft class. Sondra also serves as our Events Coordinator.  

Gina Robichaux lives in Newark with her husband and their two daughters. They started homeschooling and joined ELCC in the fall of 2022. Gina is a Girl Scout leader, and enjoys time with family, taking road trips, and camping. She also owns and operates UE Services, her company that provides sewer cleaning and video services. Her educational background includes an A.S. in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Accounting. Gina is teaching two classes, Homesteading and Astronomy, is our Assistant Cheer coach, and is also serving ELCC as our Treasurer.

Jan Rohrbaugh is a wife, mother, and homeschool mom who has been teaching Sunday School since she was 16. She has a Bachelor of Christian Education and is only 1 class shy of a Deaf Studies Certificate. She currently serves on the ministry team at Truth Tabernacle teaching and ministering to a variety of age groups from toddler to adult classes. She is also a part of her church's praise and worship team and is involved with the organization and secretary-type work for her church. Jan loves all kinds of crafts from painting to wreath making to repurposing furniture. j.rohrbaugh@excellenceinlearning.org 

Dawn Seymour hails from the East Coast and transplanted to Johnstown, Ohio, in 2009. She studied at Pensacola Christian College - Criminal Justice and Communications, Business Admin through Kaplan University.  Her professional background is largely in the Green Industry (account management, design, and installation) and Corporate Restaurant management. Dawn and her husband, David, homeschool their daughter Hannah (Aera) at their hobby farm in Johnstown. They have an apiary, herb and wild craft gardens, give homeschool tours, offer a variety of experiences both on site and at host locations for baking, foraging and preparing wild foods, beekeeping, garden design and consultation. Their business is called Me and My Honey of Ohio. Dawn performs training, coaching, and consulting through her church, her community, and her professional capacities wherever the Lord directs. She is excited to join the teaching staff at ELCC and serve as the General Science teacher.

Marshal Sillin and his wife Hannah reside near Coshocton, Ohio.  Both Hannah and Marshal are homeschool graduates and Marshal attended ELCC from it's beginning in 2009 through his graduation.  He has been teaching at co-op since 2015 and has taught a variety of classes.  Marshal is passionate about encouraging students to realize their full potential in Christ through creativity and self motivated study.  Marshal owns and operates Marshal's Outdoors LLC (landscaping and tree care), and holds an Associates of Arts.  Marshal teaches PE, Speech and Debate, Dance, and also coaches Middle School Basketball and High School Volleyball. M.Sillin@excellenceinlearning.org 

Lindsay Simon- Human Body 3rd-5th- Bio Pending

Chrystina Tharp and her husband have been members of ELCC since 2021 and have been homeschooling their daughter since the beginning.  She is the director of the Little Arrows Play Cafe in Newark and a Girl Scouts Leader. Her family lost their second daughter, Olive, in 2020 and are choosing to live their lives through her memory and love to share their story. She loves all things adventure and science and has a passion for teaching in an engaging and hands-on way. Chrystina is teaching Science Experiments at co-op.

Lisa VanTilburg has been a member of ELCC since 2018 and a homeschooling mom for 11 years. She has been a teacher  in co-ops for most of those years. She has taught science, gym and cooking in past years, but her real love is history. She tries to bring history alive to her students and to help them love it as much as she does.  Lisa comes from a long line of teachers. Her great-grandmother taught in a one room schoolhouse, her grandmother was a well-loved 3rd grade teacher in the Hilliard School District and her mother is a professor at a college in Arizona. She is mom to 5 children, 3 are teenagers here at ELCC, 2 grandchildren and many, many, furred, feathered, and scaled kids. In her spare time, Lisa loves to bake and many of her creations are enjoyed in her history classes. 

Hannah Veeck is a homeschooling mom to 3 girls ranging from elementary to middle school. She has homeschooled since the beginning of their schooling journey, and has thoroughly enjoyed learning alongside them. Hannah has been married since 2007, and she and her family reside in Pataskala in a wonderful community that loves homeschoolers and encourages their adventures. Hannah and her family have been a part of co-op since 2020. Hannah is teaching preschool games and puzzles, and enjoys bringing fun energy to the class (as well as snacks!)

Bobbie Wagner graduated from Earlham College in 2004 with a double major in Spanish and English. She then spent a year in Madrid, Spain to earn her MA in Spanish from Middlebury College.  From 2008 to 2014, she taught Spanish at Columbus State Community College, where she met her husband, Scott. Since the birth of their son in 2014, Bobbie has been a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom. She is a member of St. Francis de Sales parish in Newark. In her spare time, she likes to read, spend time outdoors, knit, weave and spin. 

Betsy Wright is a wife to a 6th generation farmer and mom to half a dozen children. She likes hot cups of coffee, conversation, community, crafting, and alliterations! She also loves raising crops, cattle, and kids. Betsy teaches Preschool Warm Up, High School Cinema Studies, and K-2 Reading.

Mary Zink- Sewing- Bio pending