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Thursday FACILITATORS

Miguel Benitez

Intro to Ethics DE (Tuesday, Thursday)
Miguel Benitez earned his Ph.D. in Humanities and his M.A. in Christian Apologetics. He is an Assistant Professor of Humanities at State College of Florida. He contributed a chapter to the book Disney and Apologetics: Exploring the Moral Power and Theological Significance of Disney Stories. Miguel and his wife Daniela homeschool their two children, Alex and Gabi.
 
 

Ryan Bergamo

3-5 Science (Botany)
 
Ryan Bergamo is a wife and mother of three girls. She earned her Chemistry degree from the University of South Florida and has a passion for learning, which she loves sharing with others.
 
Having traveled and lived around the world, Ryan has spent the majority of her time in Bradenton, Florida. She believes that the deeper you delve into science, the stronger your connection to God becomes.
 
 

RaeAnna Biehl

MS Biology

Some describe RaeAnna Biehl as funny, others as unique, but her kids call her crazy. She really is one of a kind. She clicks with everyone, but especially with kids because of how innocent they are. And who doesn’t want to have a conversation about why Cookie Monster is the best monster?

RaeAnna is actually very intelligent but also super creative. Her oldest, who is currently homeschooled, is in 6th grade. Her other two will be homeschooled as well when they’re older.

RaeAnna has been really into biology since high school when she took biology honors and followed it up with A.P. biology. She really knows her stuff!

She believes that parents should have the say in their child’s education. As a Christian who has read the Bible cover to cover, she can’t be fooled with false teachings and refuses to teach it to the next generation.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Psalm 22:6

 

Heather Burdick

3-5 Literature

Literature 8

Heather Burdick is a 26-year veteran teacher who moved to Parrish with her husband Clark in April 2024. Her teaching spans grades 2-5 with 12 years taught in New York, seven in Maryland and seven in California. The school she worked at in NY was a Title 1 school, Maryland was a public dual language school, and in California, she taught at both Chinese and French International private schools. Heather and Clark have a 32 year-old son, Kegan, who lives in northern NY, working remotely as a manager of writers and actor/actresses. Heather loves teaching, especially Literature and Math. In her free time, she enjoys travel, reading, crafting, golfing, swimming, boating, and going to the beach. 

Email Heather

Bonnet Charles

MS Photography 
HS Photography 

Bonnet Charles is incredibly passionate about teaching and educating students, be it in a small group setting or hosting basic videography and photography classes. Since 2010, he has had the honor of witnessing over 300 couples say “I do,” and not once has a bride expressed regret over investing in their wedding video. He is a father of two amazing children, and when he’s not filming or capturing weddings, he’s playing hide and seek with them.

 
 

Joanne Davis

HS Biology

 
Joanne Davis is a homeschooling mom and dentist. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Biology, then went on to earn her DMD at Medical College of Georgia. She and her husband both practice general dentistry at their office in Bradenton, Davis Family Dentistry.  Homeschooling has been a blessing to their family for the past eight years, and Joanne looks forward to continuing the journey by sharing the wonders of life, designed by our Creator, with students.
 
 

Jody Hagaman

K-3 Countries & Cultures

MS Geography
Jody Hagaman is mom to three homeschool grads, ages 37 (law school grad), 30 (police academy grad), and 26 (business owner), and also a homeschooling grandmother to her fourth-grade granddaughter. She has been homeschooling for more than 20 years. Jody co-hosted a syndicated parenting radio show, was a syndicated columnist, travels and speaks nationwide at homeschool conventions, and writes curriculum.
 
 

Soon Sim Hakes

K-3 Art 

Soon Sim Hakes grew up in Malaysia and came to the U.S. to attend college. Since Malaysia is a multicultural country, she is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering.

Sim has been with Learning and Families for the past nine years. She has three girls, ages 8, 11, and 14, and has been homeschooling all of them since they were in Kindergarten. She is passionate about homeschooling and especially loves the flexibility and freedom it offers.

Growing up, Sim enjoyed art and being creative. When she was in middle school, one of her works of art was turned into a school mural. She enjoys teaching the K – 3 Art!

 

Vivian Halbedel

Walkers 
Vivian Halbedel grew up in Brazil and moved to the United States when she was 16 years old. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish and English fluently. She just moved from Massachusetts in August 2024, and now, she lives in North Port with her husband of 15 years, and her two sons, Dylan (13) and Tyler (11).
 
Vivian has been homeschooling her kids since they were in Kindergarten. She loves to teach kids about the bible and how great our God is. Her favorite things to do are to go to the beach, grow her garden, and travel.

Andrea Healey

Pre-K
 
Andrea Healey is a homeschool mom to 3 children. Ages 21, 18 and 10. She has been married to her high school sweetheart Chad for 28 years. She serves on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for Learning and Families. She enjoys cooking, gardening, baking and spending time with family and friends.
 

Andrea Hoffman

K-3 Science (Botany) 
Andrea Hoffman graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K-6. She has taught Preschool, 3rd grade, and 5th grade. She has also taught multiple online courses for children of all ages.
 
Andrea and her husband have three children who they have happily homeschooled for many years. She loves being able to teach other children and make learning fun and exciting.
 
The Hoffman Family has been a part of LAF for a year and a half after moving to the Bradenton area from St. Cloud, FL. LAF has been a huge blessing to her family after moving to a new place.
 

Andy Hoffman

MS American History
 
Andy Hoffman and his wife Andrea have been married for 15 years and have three children. He has served in various teaching and pastoral roles since 2009.
 
Andy holds an M.A. in Christian Education and Biblical Counseling as well as a D.Min in Christian Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
 
He thinks in song lyrics and movie quotes and loves great conversation and coffee. He has a heart to make disciples of Christ, no matter their age.
 
Andy Hoffman

Heather Kelley

Literature 6
Literature 7
Florida History
Heather Kelley is honored to be a home educator and has delighted in facilitating Literature 6 at LAF for the past three years. One of her greatest joys is uncovering the message of the gospel woven throughout the themes of each book, helping students see how truth and beauty are reflected in great stories. This year, Heather is thrilled to extend her passion for literature to both her sixth-grade students and her new group of seventh-grade literature scholars.
She is also thrilled to add Florida History to her repertoire of course offerings!
 
Heather Kelley has lived in Palmetto, Florida for a little over four years. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee with a double major of Youth Ministry and Social Services. She has been married to her best friend for almost twenty-three years and has two children, ages 12 and 17. In her spare time she enjoys playing board games, eating ice cream and spending quality time with family.
 

Leslie O’Brien

Physics
Leslie O’Brien is mom of two high-school age boys whom she has been homeschooling since they were in preschool. She has a B.A. in physics and M.A. in International Affairs.
 
Leslie is excited to be facilitating HS Physics at LAF for the 25-26 school year. She has good memories of her college physics professors demonstrating physics concepts for the class and hopes that the students in her class will come away with similar memories and an increased understanding of beauty and strength of the forces of nature.
 

Diane Olson

Intro to Handbell Ringing
Diane Olson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Bob Jones University in Elementary Education and did graduate studies at Madonna University in Music Education. After 40+ years of teaching in Christian schools in multiple states, she retired from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton. Diane has been ringing and teaching handbells for 25 years in school and church settings. Diane is a former homeschool mom and teaches private piano lessons in her home studio where she resides in Bradenton with her husband, Gareth.

Ella Pena

3-5 Art
The Art of Sketchbooking
Ella Pena is a live illustrator, exhibiting painter, and educator born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She came to Sarasota to study at Ringling College of Art and Design where she majored in Illustration with dual minors in Graphic Design and Creative Writing. Ella’s work encompasses a diverse range of styles, from monochromatic portraits with dramatic lighting to whimsical pen and ink drawings inspired by early 20th-century children’s book illustrations. In addition to her artistic practices, Ella is committed to fostering young artistic talent, having taught art to students since 2013. Her portfolio can be found on her website at www.ellapena.com.

Andrew E. Seip

U.S. Government Dual Enrollment (Tuesday, Thursday)

Public Theology

Andrew Seip is Executive Pastor at Bethel Church Bradenton. In addition to serving the church and ministries of Bethel, he is a practicing attorney representing clients and promoting biblically-just reforms in law and government. Andrew is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law where he was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. He also holds a master’s degree in government and a graduate certificate in Mid-East politics from Regent University and a master’s in ministry from Southeastern University. Most importantly, he and his wife Catie have been married for thirteen years and have two elementary-aged children.

Samantha Sherfy

MS Botany
MS Civics
MS World History
 
Samantha is a dedicated wife and mother to one child, with another on the way. A proud graduate of LAF, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from the University of South Florida.
 
With years of experience teaching violin and music education to children of all ages across Florida, Samantha brings both skill and passion to the classroom.
 
She is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment where every child feels valued and inspired to grow. Teaching isn’t just a job for Samantha—it’s a calling, and she’s excited to continue sharing that love for learning with her students.
 
 

Jenni Stahlmann

HS Ancient History

Study Skills

Write a Play (Fall)

Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest Class (Fall) 

Jenni Stahlmann is the mom of seven children, ages 8 to 27, including one child on the autism spectrum, and one grandchild. The Stahlmann family has homeschooled since 2004 and has belonged to LAF since 2008. Their oldest five are LAF grads. One of her kiddos graduated Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music, and another two earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. Jenni’s fourth child Sam is the founder of the LAF Theatre Troupe. Jenni hosted a nationally syndicated parenting radio show and column. She currently writes curriculum and speaks at homeschool conventions.

Tetyana (Tanya) Taylor

IEW Writing: Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons
Pre-Algebra
Lost Tools of Writing
Philosophy (Fall)
Poetry (Spring)
 

Tanya Taylor is a Christian first, and also a wife, mother and educator who God has called to homeschooling her four children.

Mrs. Taylor’s teaching experience spans two countries and 20+ years. Trained as an English teacher initially, she has branched out and fell in love with learning in general.

Come, let us reason together as we search out the matters that God has concealed in His creation.

 

Kim Thomson

American Literature

British Literature

American History

Kim Thomson has been married for 45 years. She homeschooled their eight children through 12th grade — for about 30 years total.
 
In college, Kim majored in New Testament with an English minor. She has always enjoyed reading and the study of literature. The study of history has been a rich addition.
 
This is her seventh year teaching literature, and her third teaching history at Learning and Families and she is thankful for the opportunity to stay involved with the homeschooling community and to continue to share her love of learning with students.
 

Annie White

MS Art
 
Annie White has loved her full life with her husband of 23 years and as a mom to five unique homeschoolers for the past 17 years.
 
As a family involved in cross cultural business ventures, the homeschool/world-school lessons that have been lived together have been character -builders, fueling daily faith in God’s sovereignty.
 
Annie grew up in Idaho appreciating farm life and nature, indoor and outdoor sports, and travel adventures beyond her small town world. She enjoys beach time with her family, coffee with conversation, gardening, cooking, trying ethnic foods, reading, making useful things, and learning as she goes.
 
Annie is thankful for the opportunity to share her love for art and creativity with middle school students.
 
 

Rachel Winters

Self-Contained Kindergarten
HS Creative Writing
Rachel Winters has a bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University. She has been homeschooling for 13 years.
 
Rachel has a passion for raising the next generation to not only love learning, but also to love the Lord.
 

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Email: learningandfamiliesinfo@gmail.com
Phone: 941-961-4114
Mailing: Bethel Church
ATTN: Learning and Families
1805 30th Ave W.
Bradenton, FL 34205             

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