Julie Smith

Email: julie@smithnow.com

469 450-8452

It is my honor and privilege to serve the THEO family this coming year, and I cannot wait to dive into the Spanish language alongside a new group of learners (which will include my own daughter!). Pinch me!

I began my love of the Spanish language and people as a freshman in high school, when our family hosted a foreign exchange student for the summer. I could not believe how much I learned just from her, and I worked hard in my Spanish classes in order to continue to keep in touch with her. Alas, things did not move along for my language acquisition as quickly in class as it had over that summer, and we lost touch. I wondered even at 15 years old why I had learned more from another teenager than I had from my class, and when I began studying language theory in college the light bulb came on! What I had received from Paola was so natural that we didn’t even know it was happening. It was so similar to how babies learn their first language, and it all made so much sense. I knew this was how I would teach Spanish, and I’ve been blessed to use this method with hundreds of students over the last 25+ years. By Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS), language comes alive! Students find themselves immersed in language that they understand, can produce, and want to keep learning more.

My goal for every student in my class, at every level, is to leave with the ability to use what they have learned in the real world, and to continue to build on the language skills they acquired when they were with me. It’s my job to make learning fun, accessible, and unforgettable. Join me!

Teaching Experience:

Clark Middle School, Princeton, TX

ACT Academy (K-12), McKinney, TX

Collin College, McKinney, TX

Lucas Christian Academy, Lucas, TX

Private tutoring

Homeschool Classes

Spanish for Medical Professionals

Spanish for Ministry

Related Experience:

Medical Translation

Court Translation

Volunteer work and translation in Perú with Joni and Friends

Educational Background:

Curso de Humanidades, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campeche, México, 1993

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Austin College 1994

Master of Arts in Teaching, Austin College 1995

18 hours post-graduate work in Spanish Literature, Austin College 1995

Continuing Education courses in Spanish Poetry, Conversation, and Literature, Southern Methodist University 1996-1998

Email: amandaredding.com

I’ve had a diverse and exciting experience in education so far, and I am thrilled to continue the journey as a teacher at THEO.

As a student, I’ve attended private and public schools, as well as having been homeschooled from 3rd-8th grade. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in Library Science from UNT (which was largely obtained through online work, way back in 2012 before online classes were as prolific as they are now).

As a teacher, I’ve taught in public school and homeschool co-ops, worked as a private tutor, and homeschooled my own children from pre-k through eighth grade. We’ve even enjoyed roadschooling alongside remote work for a few years! I am blessed to have seen so much during my twenty years in education, and I’m ready to continue that work with THEO.

My husband, Kelly, and I have been married for 21 years, and have two children who are in high school (Rachel) and middle school (Travis). We are still homeschooling and plan to go all the way to graduation. We love playing games, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying stories together through books, tv, and movies.

My mission aligns perfectly with THEO – empowering parents to continue to choose home education, so that students succeed and families thrive.

b2s2pierce@aol.com

Education:

Baylor University – 2 years
Bachelor of Science – Texas A&M University

Experience:

5 years teaching High School Chemistry
3 years teaching General & Physical Science
17 years of homeschooling

Personal:

God gave me a passion for teaching at an early age. I love the interaction of ideas and trying to expand and spark excitement for science.
My first experience was when I started working for a hospital as an Assistant Director of Health Sciences, where I was the liaison between the hospital and local corporations. I would give monthly seminars about health issues for employees and their families. However, after having my first child, I felt God calling me to homeschool, so I put my career on hold and poured my passion into my children.
What a gift and blessing it has been throughout the years and now reaping the benefits of having two children knowing the Lord and having two grandchildren to pass down that heritage.

Therese Ogle is our Psychology 2301 Collin College Professor who can be reached at togle@collin.edu

My husband and I have been married for 27 years. We have been blessed with 4 children  – the oldest married in April of 2017, our second is currently attending Collin with hopes of majoring in nursing or biology at a university yet to be decided, our third graduated with THEO in May of 2018, and our “baby” is a high school senior. I was one of those moms who didn’t think homeschooling was for me…God had other plans.  We began our homeschooling journey when our oldest was moving from elementary school to middle school and have now been homeschooling over 11 years.  In my “free” time, I enjoy knitting, reading, watching hockey, and COFFEE!

Education

• B.A. in Psychology with honors, Centenary College of Louisiana, 1987
• B.A. in Sociology, Centenary College of Louisiana, 1987
• M.A. in Psychology, McNeese State University, 1992
• Certification in Special Education, McNeese State University, 1993
• Licensed Psychological Associate, 1994
• Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, 1995

Experience

• August, 1988 – June, 1989: Lake Arthur High School, special education instructor
• August, 1990 – May 1991: Brentwood Elementary School, music education instructor
• August, 1991 – May, 1993: Welsh Elementary School, special education instructor
• August, 1992 – May, 1993: McNeese State University, associate professor of psychology
• July, 1993 – August, 1999: Garland Independent School District, school psychologist
• June, 2006 – May 2020: Homeschooling
• July, 2017 – present: Collin College, associate professor of psychology

Path to Teaching:

I began teaching in private preschools during my high school and college years as I pursued my degree and dream of becoming a professional educator. I taught grades 4, 5 and 6 for ten years in a public-school setting, and I hold teaching certificates in Texas and Virginia. I felt led to stay home once I became a mom to my two sensational sons.

My sons had learning styles and challenges that needed environments and methods beyond what their public and private schools were providing.  God called me to begin homeschooling them towards the end of their elementary years, and it has been a blessing to see God use THEO to impact our entire family. I began teaching at THEO once my youngest was a senior.

At THEO, I strive for each student to embrace how he/she learns best and take ownership of that path, with parent and teacher support. I am privileged to work with students at THEO from our Friday Adventures kindergarteners all the way up to our seniors in Money Management God’s Way and Successful Student Strategies. I am also the director of our Friday Adventures program at THEO for our K-5^th graders.

My high school classes, Money Management God’s Way and Successful Student Strategies incorporate a variety of teaching methods selected to guide students to make mature choices in order to be intentional teens and later thriving adults. My junior high classes deep dive into World Literature, Study Skills, and Texas History at a level that moves students towards applying what they read, learn and discuss to their own lives. I also teach a US Geography class (for grades 3-6) one day and week, and I enjoy their enthusiasm and love for learning. I work with the parents and student to offer adjustments in the class, if needed, for success. Everyone is respected as an individual COG (Child of God), as they strive to learn to be THEO servant leaders for Christ.

THEO email: vicki.musall@theo.solutions or  fridayadventures@theo.solutions 

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Education: Stephen F. Austin State University
Master of Education Administration: University of North Texas

Information about Mrs. Musall’s THEO classes:

♦️Junior High World Literature

♦️Texas History

♦️Money Management

♦️Successful Student Strategies

Dr. McCourt teaches Collin College 1301 and 1302 i at THEO for our students.

New to the THEO Friday Adventures teaching staff in 2022!

My name is McKenna Masters, and I am a THEO student. I will be co-teaching the music and movement class at Friday Adventures. I love all things music and theatre, and I am thrilled to see what God is going to do in this class this year.

Alynda Long

alyndalong@gmail.com

I am the Director of Academic Adventures, Theo’s program for elementary-aged students. I also teach 3rd/4th grade Language Arts, 5th/6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, and Middle School Language Arts.

In 2025-26, I am adding two high school English classes: 20th Century World Literature and English/Literature, and two semester-long hybrid History and Literature classes: Ancient Greek Legends & Lores and Holocaust: History and Literature.

Education:

• BA in Literary Studies (minor in Holocaust Studies and Creative Writing), University of Texas at Dallas, Cum Laude
• MLS in Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University, Summa Cum Laude

Teaching Experience:

From public high school students to homeschooling my own children to teaching students at Theo, I have taught for twenty years. Sharing my love of education with students is one of my greatest joys. Whether in an elementary language arts or social studies class or high school English and History, I love working with students and having a front-row seat to their educational journey!

Personal:

I live in Collin County with my husband, Brian, and our two youngest daughters. I love Jesus, reading, playing games with my family, traveling, volunteering in several capacities, and, of course, teaching!  Also, coffee…lots of coffee!

Email: ambezua@gmail.com

Although I struggled with finding my calling in my early life, I knew for certain that I wanted to help others appreciate the world God has created and expand the opportunities available to them in the future.

From economics to pathobiology, my college studies gave me a deep appreciation for the sciences and a deep desire to study and understand the world. Working as a teaching assistant for my science professor, leading a team at a local Chick-fil-A, and instructing a Lego Robotics class at Tarrant County over the summers have given me valuable experience and a clear image of my calling.

As a teacher and as a Christian, I want to serve others and further His kingdom in any way I can, especially in supporting homeschooled families. By teaching at THEO, I put my skills, enthusiasm, and knowledge to use preparing students for whatever challenges await them in life.

Michael Hayes

Michael Hayes <hayesmic20@gmail.com>

• Father of 4 and added a ½, – Christian, – Married 30+ Years,  Retired

• Youth Minister for Teens and Teacher – HOME SCHOOL – Still active

• Worked in Technology for 30+ Years ( 4 Companies )

• • Started in Computer Science ( Programmer, Analysts, etc. )
  • Worked in Engineering ( Network Integration, Planning, and Engineering )
  • Moved into Engineering Executive Management ( CTO )
  • Ran Cyber Security Businesses ( CTO )
  • Ran a Robotics Business ( CTO & COO )
  • Teacher in STEM, Computer Science, Cyber Security and Robotics (CTE)
  • Worked with NASA Hunch for 7 years, with 10+ Regional and National Team awards, plus Student Provisional patents.

• Bachelor’s in Science ( Computer Science )
• Two Master’s Degrees ( Management and IT )  – Graduate
• Educational Specialist ( Information Technology ) – Post graduate