ABOUT YOUR BOARD

The PPEA Board Members are volunteers who are dedicated to serving the homeschool community. They invest a great deal of time each and every month to support not only PPEA members, but also all homeschooling parents in and around Pinellas County.

 Board Member Bios 

  

Mary Arnold- Chairwoman

Married the man of her dreams back in 1988 and together they have 4 amazing and incredible sons, (7-17) whom they love and adore! Mary has homeschooled her boys since 1998 and loves it more now than when she first began!  She is passionate about Jesus, homeschooling, parenting and encouraging others to walk in their Strength's!  Her greatest hope and desire is that her children will grow up to be passionate about their Lord and their LIFE!  She and her family attend Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg where she currently serves in CHOSEN Homeschool Co-op!  Come visit her blog at www.homeschoolblogger.com/MamaMary/   

"Mary, Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

  

Cindy DiMarco- Co-Chairwoman

Cindy and her husband, Charles, have been married since 1997. Cindy is a native of Pinellas County.  After graduating from Keswick Christian High School, she received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Liberty University and her M.Ed. from Columbia Bible College.  The DiMarco clan consists of two sons, CJ (2000) and Colin (2004) and they have been homeschooled from the beginning of their education.  With what little time is left after homeschooling, Cindy enjoys reading, cooking, hospitality and encouraging other homeschooling moms, particularly those just beginning.  Her deepest heart’s desire is to continue to grow in love with the Lord every day and pass that on to her children.

   

 Melisa Diaz- Secretary

Melisa got married to Ernesto April 4th 1992. They moved to Florida in March of 2008. They have one daughter, Fancy (1993), and one son, Aslan (2002). Melisa met Jesus in 1998 and knows that God created her to be Ernesto’s helpmate, her children’s mom and to serve women. Melisa is a homemaker and both of her children are homeschooled. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 2001 and is currently enrolled at the Institute for Nouthetic Studies. She enjoys spending time alone with Jesus, encouraging women, and playing at the beach. She feels honored to be part of this influential group.

The LORD has shown me what is good and what does He require of me: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. Micah 6:8

   

Scott Loden- Treasurer

Scott is married to his beautiful bride Nicole. They have been married since 1995. Together they have four children, Caleb(99), Aubrey(02), Michael(04), and Emma(07).  He will become our treasurer starting July 1st 2009 and is well qualified for this position as a C.P.A. and partner in his own accounting firm. He brings experience, a love for homeschooling and homeschoolers and a passion for Jesus! 

  

Dawn Geers- Membership Director/Field Trip Coordinator

Dawn has been married to her best friend Mark since May 1994 and they have two sons - Ian (1995) and Noah (1999).  She moved here from Minnesota in 2001 and that is the same year she felt the Lord called her to homeschool.  She is proud of her children and all their accomplishments and grateful to the Lord she is able to homeschool.

   

Korey Provard- Family Activity Director/Field Trip Coordinator

Korey came to know the Lord when she was 16 years old. She is married to a wonderful husband with three children. Her eldest son is attending UCF getting his degree in political science. Korey is homeschooling her two younger children. Korey works as a pediatric nurse at All Childrens hospital. She helps lead the "Homegrown Kids" park group in St Petersburg. She also teaches at Chosen Co-op in Pinellas County.  Korey and her family attend Calvary Chapel in St Petersburg.

  

Christa Mullins- Newsletter Editor

Christa and her husband, Sonnie, have been married since 1993. Together they have 5 children: Sam ('95), Sophie ('98), Josie (01), Gracie ('04) and Ruthie ('09). They have officially homeschooled since 2001. Prior to motherhood Christa was a graphic designer with Extra! Extra! Graphics, a local printing business. Christa is so happy to be able to use the gifts the Lord has given her to serve the local homeschool community. Her husband also serves the homeschool community by testing and evaluating homeschool students. 

  

Dee Trope- Website Administrator

Dee and her husband, John have been married since 1993. They have three beautiful children, Matthew (1998), Rebekah (2000) and Joshua (2001). All three of her children have always been homeschooled. She attended Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma where she earned a B.A. Degree in Journalism.She is getting first hand experience in homeschooling a special needs child as her youngest has been diagnosed as having both ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. Dee and her family attend Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg, where she is active in the children's ministry. Her greatest heart's desire is to know the Lord better and better and to serve Him by serving others. She would love to be known as an "encourager". Her interests include reading, crochet, sewing and writing. Check out her blog at: www.homeschoolblogger.com/earthenvessel/

   

Lynn Sowers- Support Group Co-Leader

Lynn has been married to a wonderful man, Joseph, since 1987 and they have been homeschooling since 1990. She has five daughters, Jaquelyn ('90), Jessica ('93), Jennifer ('95), Sarah ('97) and Katheryn ('04).  She has a deep love and respect for her Lord, Jesus Christ and tries to honor Him by helping her husband and concentrating on her children's spiritual growth above all the many diversions of life. She has a heart for trying to create a God-centered learning environment in her home and is always in process. She has a deep concern for protecting and nurturing the heart of the homeschooling movement both locally and nationally.

   

Brandy Strouse- Forum Moderator/Used Book Sale Director

Brandy has been married to her highschool sweetheart, Jay, since 1993. They have three blessings from God, Troy ('99), Saralyn ('07) and Luke ('08). Brandy has been homeschooling since 2003. She spent 10 years in the child care profession prior to God calling her to homeschool her own children. In the past she has held the honor of being the Mid County Support Group Leader for 2 1/2 years. She has been our Used Book Sale Coordinator since 2005 and she is our loyal Moderator for the Forum and Classifieds. Brandy enjoys growing in her walk with the Lord daily, reading, scrapbooking and spending time w/ her family. In addition to homeschooling and holding a board position, Brandy works part time every weekday afternoon. Her family homeschool motto verse is Proverbs 22:6.

  

Linda Wooldridge- Orientation Facilitator

Linda has been married to her “amazing, wonderful, fantastic” husband since 1979.  They have two great kids: DJ (1986), a 2005 homeschool graduate who is an English Lit major at USF; and Cindy (1993), a delightful teenager. Linda does not aspire to “craft achievements” (OK, she’ll admit it—she’s craft-impaired). God seems to always direct her path toward teaching children.  She can usually be found planning the next Girl Scout event, teaching Sunday School, directing VBS or leading a homeschool orientation.  She is really looking forward to learning about robotics with her Girl Scout troop in 2007, as the troop prepares to compete in the First Lego Robotics League. In fact, that’s her favorite part of homeschooling: all the cool things she’s learning in “School—The Sequel”! Phillipians 4:13.

   

Neoka Apple- Graduation Ceremony Director/
Dual-enrollment College Liaison

Neoka and her husband, Dennis, married in 1979, have homeschooled their three children since 1988. From 1990-2007, Neoka facilitated the St. Petersburg support group and acted as graduation coordinator/consultant for both local (1997, 2001-2007, 2010) and state graduations (FPEA, 2001-2007). She currently teaches part-time at St. Petersburg College (SPC) and is the homeschool liaison contact for dual-enrollment for public schools and SPC. She is a PhD candidate at Barry University/SPC/UPC in Higher Education and Leadership focusing on the homeschool student in the college setting. With their children in seminary, medical school, and college, Dennis, as a school psychologist, continues in his private practice to serve as a tester for the homeschool group (since 1990) while Neoka focuses on dual-enrollment. Children and homeschooling are important ingredients in their lives with God serving as their foundation and focus.

   

Monica Guerra- Public Relations/Information Director

Monica is married to her best friend and high school sweetheart. They have 4 great kids; Mikael (1993), Seth (1995), Zachary (1998), and Alexa (2001). She has been homeschooling for eight years. Her family moved to St. Petersburg 4 years ago from Miami. They attend Calvary Chapel where her husband teaches karate and is very involved in scouts. She love crafts, baking, decorating and of course homeschooling. She is enjoying serving our PPEA members through the PPEA Lending Library and is very excited to join the Board as your Public Relations Chair. Visit her on the web: http://gforceacademy.wordpress.com

   

Sonja Snyder- Administrative Assistant for all special events

Sonja and her husband Richard have been married since 2000. They have 2 beautiful children, Sabrina 2001 and Michael 2002. Richard is also a stepfather and Scoutmaster to Wesley 1994. Sonja attended S.P.V.T. (1986) for Dental Assisting in which she worked for 12 years. After marrying and having children the Lord spoke to them about homeschooling through the church they attend--Suncoast Community--where there is a large homeschooling population. She has been homeschooling for 3 years. Sonja is also gaining first hand experience in educating an Autistic child, Michael. She is currently complimenting school board efforts with outside resources. Sonja is also an assistent teacher in a Sunday School Classroom. Her freetime includes reading, cooking, rollerblading and scrapbooking.