Tutors

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 Science, Educational Therapy, and After School Theater

 Hi, I’m Kelly Blackman and I am thrilled to be teaching at LWG!   I have a passion for excellence (not perfection), a drive to do better  than I did yesterday (and yes I expect the same from my students), and a  desire to learn more.  I hope you will come along with me on a science  adventure this year as we crack (we might hatch something too) into all  things living, explosive, and most certainly exciting!
I have a Masters in Teaching
BA in Behavioral Science
Background in sales (from perfume to physics textbooks)
Yes, I’m lethal.  I can understand human psychology, teach creatively, and make you want to come back tomorrow to learn more. 

 Missions and History

 Renee is a pastor's wife and homeschooling mother of two boys. Her boys are two of her greatest treasures. Renee established a support group for moms of children with special needs. She founded Zoe Life, a Bible based social communications group for children with special needs. She leads the women's ministry at her church. Her missionary adventures began 20 years ago. She has seen God do so many amazing things in Baltimore city, Ireland, Nicaragua, Cambodia, and India. Renee loves people and has a passion for sharing God’s word in an easy to understand way. Her deep desire is to help those with learning differences gain confidence and a “can do” attitude. Her greatest joy is to see children who love Jesus and want to tell the world about Him. 


 

Elementary Math and Writing  

Hello, my name is Catherine Bourke but students usually call me Ms. Kate. I’m a certified teacher in the state of Maryland with a master’s degree in reading curriculum and instruction with over 10 years of experience in the public and private sector I have taught in many different settings and feel that Learning with Grace is the perfect atmosphere to build a relationship with each student and each one of you. I am so blessed to have this opportunity!


 

Rhythmic Writing, Educational Therapy, Art, Music, and Drama

Sarah Donegan has been a home school mom for the past 15 years, 11 years of homeschooling a student with extreme learning struggles.  She has been a private piano teacher for the past 11 years.  Teaching kids has been a life long adventure from Sunday School, Children’s Church, camp speaker, and Vacation Bible school.  She has a BA from Pensacola Christian College in Youth Ministry, with a minor in Speech.  Four years of experience with working with her son through vision and educational therapy.  Currently, she is taking master course in special education and is Orton-Gillingham and NILD therapy certified. 

She is lifelong crafter, addicted to Chocolate, loves old movies, and enjoys reading missionary biographies.

High School Math

Lori has always had a love for learning mathematics and teaching it to others. She attended college at Loyola College in Baltimore, MD, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Following working several years in finance at T. Rowe Price, she went back to earn her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. She spent six years working in Finance for Marriott International before “retiring”,and focusing on her three children. For the past two years, Lori has homeschooled one of her three children, her son Luke who has learning challenges. One of her greatest joys has been watching him evolve from a student who was afraid of mathematics, to one who embraces the subject, has built a good strong foundation of mathematics, and even somewhat ENJOYS the subject. Lori’s passion is to get children to understand math, especially children who do not think they like math, or who are afraid of math. To break complex ideas down into learnable information, whatever that takes, is her goal for every student. She promises to make it fun, and hopefully pass on her passion for math to every student in her class. Lori has a long history of tutoring students, beginning in highschool, and continuing on through college, business school and throughout her working years. She has tutored students of all ages in math, and taught English as a second language. She lives with her husband, three children and three dogs in Crownsville. 

Music, Theater, Art, PE, and Finance

Diana Granger has been a musician for over thirty years. She started singing at the young age of three and began playing many brass instruments in elementary school and throughout middle school, high school and majored in French Horn while at the University of Akron. She has had training as a soloist, in both instrumental and choral. She found a love for theatre while in high school and joined a drama club during her time spent living in Germany. She has always enjoyed being a part of a choir, orchestra, and praise band and is currently working as a worship leader at her church. She also has a background in financial services, as she found being in customer service contributed to her love for people. She currently has a Minister’s license through the Church of the Nazarene and is working towards getting her district license. She and her husband Greg have been a homeschool family for ten years. She enjoys watching children learn something new and always hasa smile on her face. Some of her favorite activities include knitting, reading, and of course singing every time the opportunity  arises!

K-1 Math, Reading, and Art

Hi, I am Brie Hawkins a wife, homeschool mom, and baker.  Growing up with many friends that struggled with learning differences, I have always had a passion for God and helping others as well as reading and the arts.   I began helping in various ways with youth ministries starting in my teens. As an adult, I am still working with youth and teens at our church in many ways such as a Sunday school and Children's church teacher as well as acting as our church's Sunday school director.   Having also worked with adults with cognitive disorders and in the public school system with many children that have learning differences; I fell in love with teaching and helping others reach their goals with fun, encouragement, and hard work.   God has made us all with great potential. Helping others to grow and learn with an "I can" spirit is something the I feel called to do.

 History

Thelma James is a wife and mother of three who has been in Christian Education for over 20 years.  She is quite excited at the prospect of teaching history to your children in the following school year.  Thelma enjoyed homeschooling for some years until she went back to work in Christian schools. Her last twelve years of teaching was at Rockbridge Academy in Millersville from which all her children graduated; the youngest of whom just completed his sophomore year in college.  Thelma has always enjoyed teaching and considers her work a ministry; thus, after she retired from full time teaching two years ago, she continued to teach at Rockbridge as a substitute teacher and now also tutors in history at her church tutorial.  Thelma has a degree in Education and in Educational guidance and counseling.  She and her family live in Hanover, Maryland.