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First of all… THIS IS GODS PLAN!
(This ‘about us’ is a little lengthly… but good! So please… read on :))
I never imagined homeschooling our kids. That was a big “NO” in every conversation. Two weeks before the 2020-21 school year started, we received an email from their school going over the new “guidelines” for the year…. Masks, temp checks, no recess, no art class, no group projects, no eating together for lunch, plexiglass…. I started crying while reading it. I put my phone down, looked at Ryan, & said, “I’m homeschooling”. He said, “okay”. And that was the first step of this journey…. #GodsPlan
#TheProgrammingIsReal
I got mad. I dug in. I read a ton of books such as, Dumbing Us Down By: John Taylor Gatto. I got even more mad. I prayed for direction. God worked on my heart. The seed that He had planted grew.... And then again, I walked up to my (oh so supportive) husband and said, “We’re gonna open a school”. And yet again, he said, “okay”.
And here we are!
We are SO EXCITED about this plan God has for us… and for you! We are raising the next generation of Leaders with passion & purpose! Leaders that will change the world!
Our Lead Coach!
Mrs. April Waddell
April is married to her high school sweetheart, Mark, of 24 years and they have two biological adult children, two adopted children and a brand new daughter-in-law! She is a strong advocate for foster care, adoption, special needs and against injustice.
April holds a Dual Major Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Western Governors University and an Associate of Arts in American Sign Language Interpreting from SCC. She is TCE Certified (Teaching Children Effectively with the Gospel). She is a lifelong learner and is excited to start this next mission/chapter God has lead her to.
April has over 15 years experience in the classroom, as an interpreter and tutor. She also has over 20 years experience in youth and children’s ministry. She has extensive experience in homeschooling her own children, largely due to the fact that she believes the educational system is broken and unmet needs are egregious. She has always been comfortable walking outside the bounds of the societal norm and taking on new challenges.
She believes that learning should be fun, interactive and enable children to pursue their unique God-given gifts. And she’s ready to touch the lives of more children by providing just that.
Nita Leary, Nutrition & Cooking Coach
Nita (founder of The Whole You, LLC) is married (34 years) with 3 adult kids. She lived in PA most of her life except for 13 years of which she lived in Portugal (before moving to Greenville in 2021). Nita is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and also holds an Associates Degree in Business Management and Early Childhood Development Cert. She is passionate about educating others in the importance of healthy nutrition and being in balance with your whole being for a total wellness of our mind, body and soul. She believes that through the right dietary and lifestyle choices, we can heal and maintain our bodies to optimum care, the way God intended us to, and by teaching children how to make healthy dietary and lifestyle choices is the beginning to the rest of their healthy future.
Jessica Brush, Art Coach
Jessica, a local chalk pastel artist, always enjoyed drawing as a child. Her late Aunt Teresa was the artist in the family. She was known for painting rocks in the Smokey Mountains. Jessica enjoyed learning on how to paint animals on rocks from her Aunt. Throughout High School, she took art. Her favorite project was her self portrait. She also took art lessons at The Art Haven where she discovered her love for chalk pastels! “Their so messy & fun to use!” You’ll see Jessica around town, Face Painting with Jessica’s Brush & Instructing Paint Ur Pet & other art classes! She is excited to use her God given talent to instruct & create art with the students at LCA!!
CRYSTAL THIESFELD, SPANISH COACH
Crystal was born & raised in Minnesota and relocated to Greenville in 2021. She grew up traveling to lots of different countries on mission trips and at 18 years old, moved to Mexico as a full time missionary. Her love for the Latino culture grew there & she became fluent in Spanish after 3 years. She is married to her husband of 9 years. They have 3 beautiful children. She is so excited for her adventure at LCA!
JESSE STEEN, ART COACH
Jesse has wanted to be a creator for as long as she can remember. Following her dads footsteps, she collects & practices with many different mediums including markers, watercolor, and digital. Jesse is currently working on an Applied Ministry major with a concentration in education at Liberty. Formerly an education major, she spent time in the public school and was not impressed. She was seeking something outside of the "normal" and was thrilled to join us at LCA.
AMELIA MCCALL, SEWING COACH
Amelia is a mom of 5, entrepreneur and can probably be found sewing if she isn’t changing a diaper or working on her business. She grew up in upstate South Carolina and was homeschooled from fifth grade through high school. She loves Jesus, her family and traveling. She always knew she wanted education for her children to look different , and is thankful that LCA is doing things different in all the right ways.
LOIS MUNKACSY, READING COACH
Lois is a Daughter of God, a mother, grandmother, and a Patriot. She was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to Florida when she got married. During her time there, she graduated from the University of South Florida with a BSW degree in Social Work. She worked with adults, teens, and families. She now works as a Read Right tutor helping children understand reading better. She loves helping kids become excited to read & excited to be a part of LCA.