After four years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Brandon Adams graduated from Providence University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a mathematics concentration, after which he was called to teach high school math on two remote Native American reservations for four years, an enriching and profound experience. He has since taught English at summer camps in the Czech Republic, participated in humanitarian work on two other reservations, started his own company, begun writing a book, and preached in India. A homeschooled student himself, Brandon has served as a youth leader and speaker at his churches for sixteen consecutive years and retains a staunch belief in the critical importance of preparing young people to compete and excel in the world.

 Harlen Bell is a home school father of five who caught his love of homeschooling from his wife.  He was an army officer for 12 years. He is a Special Agent of the FBI who retired in 2009.  He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and obtained a BA in History from Stetson University in Deland, Florida and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama.  He has taught American History, World History, Current Events and Civics at the Comm Central and HOPE Co-op home school cooperatives from 2011-2025.

Having graduated from Hendrix College in 1972, my teaching career began at Little Rock Central High in 1975, teaching math there for 5 years. During that time, I obtained a MEd degree in math education from the University of Arkansas.  I then taught at Hendrix College for two years that included one summer session with the Arkansas Governor’s School. In 1985, after a brief hiatus from teaching for coursework in computer studies at UCA, I joined the faculty at Pulaski Academy, where I served as Chairman of the Math Department. While there, I attended the University of Mississippi, pursuing a MS degree in pure mathematics. After a 15-year stint at PA, I took a leave from teaching and worked as a customer service rep for a local financial management firm for seven years.  However, the call to teach again beckoned, and I became one of the founders of the HOPE Co-op and have been teaching homeschool students for the last 18 years, courses spanning the math spectrum from third grade arithmetic through Calculus 2.  Many of these years of my teaching experience have also included math tutoring. 

I truly love teaching and enjoy my students.  One of my goals is to make the study of mathematics a pleasurable experience for my students. Many of my students have become successful with their chosen careers in the areas of education, law, medicine, accounting and public service.

I have one son and three grandchildren, all of whom have been or are currently my students.

Hunter Goff holds degrees in History and Classical studies from the University of Arkansas, a Masters of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has done doctoral work on Church History at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a passion for history, the bible, theology, and literature. He is the father of three and has been active in homeschooling his three children. He has been a pastor, an electrician, a small business owner, IT manager, and most importantly husband and father. He is a life long learner and researcher who desires to foster that love of learning and growth in others.

Cory Jones holds a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry with an emphasis on Preaching from Abilene Christian University. After almost two decades in ministry, he earned a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management from UALR, and founded Resilient Dispute Services where he currently mediates domestic and civil disputes across the state. 

In addition to his professional practice, Cory volunteers at the local jail, teaching a mindfulness program focused on emotional regulation, personal responsibility, and personal growth. He loves equipping people with tools to communicate effectively, resolve conflict constructively, and move forward with resilience. 

Cory and his wife, Christina, have been married since 2001 and live in Little Rock where they raise their 8 children and love on their 2 beautiful granddaughters. In his spare time you can catch Cory coaching basketball for the Little Rock Flames, watching baseball, or roaming the aisles at Costco.

Justin Lessel graduated with a BS/BA in Business Information Systems from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. He has over 15 years experience working in the IT field at FIS. As a father of 3 homeschooled boys (rising college junior, rising college freshman, and rising sophomore), he understands the unique opportunity that homeschooling provides and hopes to bring a fun and engaging learning environment to the classroom.

 Maria Mercedes Rodriguez graduated from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Art History. Master Degree in West Virginia University in Spanish as a Second Language, and PHD (ABD) in Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Contemporary Architecture. She is currently a senior instructor in Spanish at U.A. Little Rock, and has been teaching there for 22 years. Also she teaches Medical Spanish at UAMS for 4th year medical students. With her husband, Victor Haislop, she works as a translator for many different kinds of documents. They have 6 children between 22, and 9 years old, and the whole family travels to Spain every Summer.

Tabitha Wildhirt is a passionate, book loving, music making, imaginative Sunshine girl! Having grown up in sunny California, Tabitha graduated from Concordia University Irvine with a degree in Theater Arts and Chemistry. As you can see, she is a true renaissance woman - deep diving into the wonders of the world God has created brings her the utmost joy. She has been teaching since 2007, both in a classroom and homeschooling her own children. On any given day, you might find Mrs. Tabitha cooking something spicy, working in the garden, playing piano or enjoying the great outdoors camping with her husband and five kids.

William Baker graduated from Harding with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance in May of 2025, after which he is launching a private piano studio in the fall. William has spent many years in various choirs, his first when he was only nine years old. He has since been a part of the ASU Beebe’s choir for one year, Harding’s Concert Choir for six semesters, in his second semester with Harding’s Chorus, and his third semester with Chamber Singers, Harding’s most prestigious vocal ensemble. He traveled with the Harding Chorus and Chamber Singers to perform across Italy. He also took college voice lessons for two semesters and is currently taking music literacy, a class on pedagogical techniques for teaching fundamental music skills of rhythm, reading, and pitch recognition. William has also received recognition for his accomplishments as a pianist, including being a two-time winner of the Queen Piano Award performance scholarship and securing paid accompanying gigs with the Searcy High School orchestra and a local private teacher. 

Debra Daugherty is a retired Science teacher with 18 years experience. She graduated with honors from Harding University with a BA in Science in 2003. Ms. Daugherty has earned a Masters of Science Education Degree in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction and is National Board Certified in Early Adolescent Science. Her husband is Dwight Daugherty. They have one daughter, a son-in-law and 2 grandchildren. 

Rachel Griess graduated from Arizona State University with a dual degree in Chemistry and Sociology. She started her career researching silver nanoparticles on a research team at ASU. Then she was hired at a drug analysis lab to be a GC/MS specialist. She is happily married to her husband of 18 years, and has homeschooled their three daughters for the past 4 years. She found her love for teaching in a co-op 3 years ago. She is excited to share her love of Chemistry to your children.

Christina Jones has her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and has been practicing for 20 years. She earned her bachelors degree in Biology from Abilene Christian University where she met her husband, Cory. They’ve been married for almost 25 years and have 8 kids. Together they have partnered in youth ministry, served as basketball coaches for the Little Rock Flames, and taught dozens of foster parent trainings. She loves to meet friends for coffee, snuggle her two granddaughters, cheer on her kids at all their sports, lounge in hammocks by the river with her husband, and sing along to her favorite singer, Ben Rector.

I’m a homeschool mom of two! I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism. I began my career in Michigan as a wilderness trip leader in camping ministry, where I met my husband. Later, I earned my cosmetology and instructor's licenses and became a cutting specialist and educator in the hair industry. I am a self-taught artist and life-long creative. I’m especially passionate about the stories behind the art, foundational techniques and instilling confidence in students. My gifts really lie in motivating students to explore, experiment, and develop their own set of artistic skills. Artistically speaking, I am a rule breaker and believe that if you “learn the rules like a pro, you can break them like an artist.” I look forward to having your students in class! Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Natalie Lively felt a calling into teaching in 2003. After graduating from LSU with a 4.0 as an Accountant and working at a big 5 firm as a CPA, God called me on the path to teaching in a distinct moment in church. I immediately followed, and I have been in secondary education ever since. I am licensed to teach secondary mathematics. I have worked at a private school in New Orleans, public school as a teacher support in Memphis, online high school math teacher for Northstar Academy, substitute in high school co-ops, math tutor, Hope Co-Op teacher and of course many years teaching my own children. 

In middle school, Hollis buried herself in classic novels like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, which captured her imagination with their deep themes. Now, she brings her own twist to timeless stories as a YA Fantasy author. Hollis Wakefield is a graduate of The Author Conservatory, where she spent three years intensely training in novel writing, marketing, and publishing. She launched a successful marketing business while still in high school, and currently manages marketing for multiple authors, teaches piano lessons, and mentors young writers. On the rare occasion she’s not writing or reading, she’s whisking herself to a bygone era on her piano or violin.