Teachers Corner


CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL ACADEMIC TEACHING

INTRODUCING the CHAT instructors:    Below you will find just a little information about each of the instructors for the Academic and Foreign language courses.

 

VICKI LEIST:   Vicki is the Director of CHAT and is a Florida Certified Teacher for Mathematics and Social Studies, with 32 years teaching experience in local public, private, and homeschool sectors.  She homeschooled for 14 years.  Vicki is also a homeschool  evaluator and private tutor for mathematics at all grade levels through college.  She previously served as the Florida Parent Educators Association District 3 Director and Alumni Director and is currently serving as the Treasurer for the FPEA Scholarship Foundation.  Vicki teaches the Middle and High School Mathematics courses for CHAT.

CAREN DAVIS : Caren is the Assistant Director of CHAT and the Living Waters Worship Center contact for CHAT.   Caren has taught with Vicki for 3 years and assisted her in creating our two day program.  She taught and coached middle and high school students at a local private school for 8 years prior to homeschooling her own children.  She previously worked for United Telephone Company as a lead dispatcher.  She also served as a Youth leader at her church. She continues to homeschool her  children, and teaches English, History, and Science classes for CHAT.

YVONNE MILLER:  Yvonne is a seasoned homeschool mom with 16 plus years teaching experience.  She has taught in homeschool Co-ops for 15 years, with more recent experience in  HEART homeschool support group and with CHAT last year. Her background is Music, but her teaching experience includes Geography, Art History, Chorus, Sewing, World History, American History, etc.   Yvonne will be teaching World Geography this year.

FREDDY VALENCIA:  Freddy taught Spanish for CHAT last year and will continue teaching Spanish again this year. Freddy attended Palm Beach State College.  He served in the Marine Corps and earned the rank of Sergeant. He also owned his own construction business  before being called into the ministry, where he currently serves as the Pastor of the Spanish services here at Living Waters Worship Center.

KATHY MANCIL :  Kathy is joining CHAT as a new teacher this year.  Kathy is a professional writer and homeschooling mom.  She has three children, 11, 15, and 18 and is the Activities Director  for HEART Homeschool support group.  For more than 10 years Kathy has been a regular contributor for a variety of local and national publications, including Family Times Magazine, The Ocala Star Banner, and Christian Home and School Magazine.  She is excited to be sharing her vast teaching and language arts experience with the students of CHAT.  To view samples of Kathy’s published work, visit www.kathymancil.com

HANNAH DUSHANE: Hannah is also joining CHAT as one of our new teachers this year.  Hannah is a homeschool graduate and has a B.A. in History from Thomas Edison State College.  She is currently COO of Dushane Management, Inc.  She leads the Drama Department at her church, and has worked with Lake County on the planning and organization of Lake Legislative Days.  She has also worked for Advance Capital Management.  Hannah has previously taught for HEART homeschool support group Co-op. Hannah will be teaching Government, Economics, American History and World History for CHAT this year.

DR. MICHAEL HUNKUS: Dr. Hunkus is joining CHAT for the second semester.  Dr. Hunkus attended Corinth Christian Academy in Kinsman, Ohio.  He earned a BA in Theology from the Baptist College of Florida.  He also attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with a Doctorate of Ministries of Applied Theology;  Ashwood University, Associated Schools of Miami.  Dr. Hunkus’ professional life includes: Corporate Administration from 1981 – 1993, Licensed to Pastoral Ministry at Stanton Memorial Baptist Church in Miami, Florida and was ordained to Pastoral Ministry in 1997.  He has served as Pastor, Teacher, and Administrator at Baptist churches, Colleges, and Southern Seminary.  His current work includes President and Pastor of Sonshine Mnistries, Inc.  Pastor Hunkus is also husband to one of our Assistants, Mrs. Candy Hunkus and father to four of our students.

KARA LEIST:  Kara is a homeschool graduate and currently attends the College of Central Florida. Kara has been a competitive gymnast and dancer for 15 years.   Most of her training was at Mary Ellen’s School of Dance and The Performing Arts Conservatory of Ocala.  Her latest dance experience was with the Patriot Dance Team at the College of Central Florida. Kara has been a dance teacher and choreographer for 8 years, including local theatre and musical productions.  She will be teaching 2 Dance classes for CHAT this year.

SHEILA RAMOS:  Sheila has a Bachelors Degree from St. Leo’s University.  She has taught early Childhood Education classes at the College of Central Florida, served as the coordinator for Art and Cultural programs at CF and Brick City Center for the Arts. Sheila has owned and operated The Artist Hub of Ocala since 2004.  She teaches Art at Montessori Prep School, Brick City Center, and Hobby Lobby; as well as works with Munroe Regional Medical Center and Ocala Regional Seniors.

Sheila will be teaching 3 Art Classes for CHAT his year.

TIFFANY SHARBONO:  Tiffany is joining CHAT for the second semester.  Tiffany has lived in Ocala for 28 years, and her education includes;  among public and private school, homeschooling as well!  She graduated from Flagler College with a teaching degree and she began teaching elementary school in Marion County.  When her second child was born, Tiffany became a stay at home mom.  She is very active in her church and is excited to offer Sign Language and Music this semester for us, and hopes to be a full time instructor in the future.