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.

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 highschool math teacher for Northstar Academy, substitute in high school co-ops, math tutor, and of course many years teaching my own children. I am very excited also to teach Health and Nutrition as I desire for students to be launched with through information about how God made them and honor the Lord with our bodies through Health. This will be my second year teaching at HOPE Co-op.

Fran Vaught is a homeschooling mother of six with a lifelong passion for art and creative expression. Born and raised in Canada, she has lived in Little Rock with her husband, David, for 8 years. Her artistic interests span a range of mediums, including sketching, watercolor, and mixed media, with a particular appreciation for composition and storytelling through visual art. Beyond teaching her children, she actively pursues her own artistic growth, drawing inspiration from nature, travel, and classical techniques. She enjoys studying the works of great artists, experimenting with different styles, and refining her ability to capture emotion and movement in her pieces. Passionate about the role of art in both education and personal development, she continues to cultivate her skills while fostering creativity in her home and community.

Tricia Goyer is a prolific author with over 90 books spanning novels, non-fiction, and children's literature, and a dedicated homeschooling mother of ten, bringing a unique blend of professional writing experience and personal insight into education. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to nurturing young minds are at the heart of her teaching. In her homeschooling efforts, Tricia integrates health coaching principles to foster a supportive environment that encourages not only academic and creative growth but also the development of healthy habits among her students. 

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.

Mr Daugherty graduated with honors with a BSE from UCA 1994.  In 2003 he was one of the first 3 teachers in Arkansas to become National Board of Professional Teachers certified.   He has been deeply involved with NASA, going through the astronaut application process in 2003.  He has taught chemistry as an adjunct at ASU Beebe for ten years. In addition, he has received numerous local, state and national teaching awards. Mr D, as he goes by, loves the classroom and the entire process of education.

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 12 years experience working in the IT field at FIS. As a father of 3 homeschooled boys (rising college freshman, rising Junior and rising 8th grader,) he understands the unique opportunity that homeschooling provides and hopes to bring a fun and engaging learning environment to the classroom.

William Baker graduates 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 will be travelling with the Harding Chorus and Chamber Singers in May 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. He is currently preparing his senior recital, a 40-minute memorized program scheduled for March.

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. 

 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.