Caroline and her husband, Nigel, have been happily married now for 19 years.  Together they have 3 wonderful children, Samantha ('97), Matthew ('99) and Daniel ('05).  They are originally from England and moved to America back in 1990. They both feel truly blessed to be able to live in such a great country. Prior to motherhood, Caroline worked as a secretary for many years with an accounting firm here in Clearwater, FL. They started their homeschooling journey in 2005 and are excited to embark on their 5th year! They attend Indian Rocks Baptist Church where they serve regularly in the Children's Ministry. She also enjoys teaching at CHoSEN Co-op in Pinellas County. Her interests include scrapbooking, gardening and encouraging other homeschooling mums, particularly those just beginning. She feels truly honored and blessed to be part of this wonderful group.

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.

 

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 Children's hospital. She helps lead the "Homegrown Kids" park group in St. Petersburg. She is a teacher at Paideia Academy in St. Petersburg and she also teaches at Chosen Co-op in Pinellas County. Korey and her family attend Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg.

Betty McNelis

Newsletter Editor

Betty is a homeschooling, homesteading, writer mom to three children, Matthew (’88), Colleen (’93) and Jared (’99), one dog, and eight chickens. She and her husband, Tom, married in 1993, moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 1999, and began homeschooling in 2001. She received her Bachelors degree in English from USF in 2010. Along with growing her own groceries, Betty writes urban homesteading, travel, and science articles for the internet part-time. The McNelis family are all do-it-yourselfers and always have a building, sewing, or cooking project in the works. Learn more about Betty, about her family, and about their love of the Lord by visiting her blog, Whatever!, at www.homeschoolblogger.com/floridasunsets . “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

Dee Trope
Public Relations and 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: http://dee-lightfulcreations.blogspot.com/

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/ High School Activities Director

Linda has been married to her “amazing, wonderful, fantastic” husband since 1979.  They have two great kids: DJ (1986), a 2005 homeschool graduate & 2009 USF graduate; 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.   She can usually be found planning the next high school event, teaching at CHoSEN co-op, directing VBS or leading a homeschool orientation.   In fact, that’s her favorite part of homeschooling: all the cool things she’s learning in “School—The Sequel”! Phillipians 4:13.

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.

Dr. 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 just received her PhD 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.

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