Instructors
Mr. Stuart Brockwell
Stuart Brockwell is the owner and lead technican of Surge Technologies, LLC., an IT firm operating in Birmingham. He is a former homeschool student and was taught by many of the teachers here at BHC. In 2015 he graduated Cum Laude at Samford University with a Bachelor's in Computer Science and a focus in Business.
Mrs. Bec Bugnar
I have a BA in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. I was a kindergarten teacher, and later, a children's ministry assistant before our 4 children were born. My family and I lived in Turkey for 7 years, before moving to Birmingham. The Brook Hills Co-op has been a huge blessing in our family's life for the past 4 years, and I thoroughly enjoy working with the Lower School staff and getting the opportunity to teach your children.
Mrs. Melissa Chappell
Hi! I am Melissa Chappell, and I love history! This will be my fourth year teaching Tapestry of Grace here at Brook Hills Co-op. I consider it a great privilege to partner with you in your child's education! I have been married to my husband, Alan, for 17years, and we have 3 children: Noah, 14, Caroline, 12, and Savannah, 10. We are members at The Church at Brook Hills and love fellowship with our church body. I enjoy cheering on the Auburn Tigers, sipping coffee with friends, and going on trips with my family!
Mrs. Courtney Childress
My name is Courtney Childress and I'm so happy to be a teacher at BHC this year! I am so grateful for how this co-op community has supported and encouraged my family in homeschooling and training my child in the way she should go. I've been married to my husband Ryan for almost ten years and we have three children--Haddie (6), John (4), and George (2). I met my husband in Birmingham after graduating from Samford University with a Master of Elementary Education. We were married here, and are glad to call Birmingham home again after living away in Texas and Malaysia for seven years. Prior to having children, I taught fourth and fifth grades at schools in Fort Worth, Texas and Vestavia Hills, Alabama. My favorite subject to teach was always science, so this year is particularly exciting for me! When I'm not in the co-op or homeschool classroom, you will most likely find me playing outside with my kids, gathering with our Christ Fellowship Church small group, hunting for antique furniture, or cooking up homemade tortillas in the kitchen.
Mrs. Julia Christenberry
My name is Julia Christenberry. I am a deaf person. I graduated from Gallaudet University 2020. I got my Bachelor's in Biology and a minor in Psychology. I have six deaf sisters and two hearing sisters in my family. Also, all of my siblings are adopted, as are many kids in my husband's family. I have previous experiences as an ASL tutor and an ASL teacher's assistant in my high school years. I really enjoy teaching ASL and helping people to understand Deaf culture and community as I serve God.
Mrs. Becca Davis
Becca Davis and her husband, Roger, have been married since 2002 and have four teenage children. After beginning their education in the public school setting, the Davis kids have been homeschooling since 2015. In the 2022-23 school year, Sterling (senior), Landry (junior), Kinsley (9th), and Murray (7th) will complete their 8th year at BHC. Becca has significant experience in advocating for children with learning challenges and welcomes conversations from parents about their student. For the past two years, Becca has been a grader for BHC literature classes. She has over 20 years of experience in youth ministry and currently serves on the Executive Leadership Team for GENERATE camps, a ministry of YM360 where her husband is president. Becca has a BA in Religion from Samford University and a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School.
Mrs. Tara Dovenbarger
My husband Dave and I are blessed with four children: David, Laurelyn, Dianna, and Daniel. We began our homeschool adventure 19 years ago. Our oldest two are now homeschool graduates and are thriving in college. Our son is in the School of Engineering at UAB, and our daughter is in UAB's School of Nursing. Our daughter, Dianna, has special needs and is thriving at Oak Mountain High School. Daniel, our youngest, enjoys the Brook Hills Co-op and is in the 8th grade. Currently, I teach at BHC, as well as tutor reading using the IMSE Orton-Gillingham approach. I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Speech and Hearing Science.
Mr. Dan Downey
Dan E. Downey has been a teacher of History, Literature, Economics, Government, and Russian language for more than twenty years both in the U.S., as well as overseas; at all levels of home education as well as private high schools and universities. He holds a B.A. from Auburn University and a M.A. from State University of New York.
Father of three (youngest graduated HS in 2019), husband to Heather Grayson Downey.
Companion sites to the current classes:
https://downeyeconomics.weebly.com/
https://downeywhii.weebly.com/
https://downeyushistoryii.weebly.com/
https://downeyrussia.weebly.com/
Mrs. Linda Haley
Having obtained my undergraduate degree at AU and my Masters at UAB, I taught 15 years in a traditional private Christian classroom before beginning my home schooling career. All four of my children graduated with a home school education. I have enjoyed teaching a variety of subjects and grade levels, but since 2003 have focused on middle school/high school literature and composition. Besides teaching classes and private tutoring, I enjoy helping students prepare for the PSAT/SAT and ACT, as well as complete college applications and scholarship essays. I love seeing students learn to analyze literature from a Biblical worldview and helping them learn to communicate their thoughts effectively. I have served several years in the children's area of the Brook Hills ESL ministry teaching Bible and English as a Second Language.
Mrs. Shannon Jennings
Shannon Jennings earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tennessee State University. Through her studies of science, she developed a passion to help students learn more about some of God's amazing creations (Psalm 104:24-25). Shannon is married to Bo, and has been a homeschool mom and teacher to her son Joshua for over twelve years. They are avid fans of the game of soccer. Shannon and her family are members of The Church at Brook Hills.
Mrs. Allison McCammon
Hi! My name is Allison McCammon. I am a wife to Allen and a mother to two elementary aged girls, Millie and Caroline. I graduated from The University of Mississippi in 2001 with a degree in English Education. I have 10 years of experience teaching English Language Arts to 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in both Mississippi and Alabama public schools. This will be my second year teaching this class at Brook Hills. I enjoy reading, cooking, and running.
Mrs. Lauren Meadows
Hello! I am so thankful to have this opportunity to serve again as a kindergarten teacher this upcoming school year at the Brookhills Co-Op. I am the wife to Bryan (19 years) and mom to Sam (11) and Lily Kate (7). I have a degree in early elementary education and special needs from Samford University. Before having children, I taught 1st and 3rd grade at Briarwood Christian School, and appreciate all that I learned during my time there. I have homeschooled Sam and Lily Kate for the past couple of years, and it has been such a blessing to our family. I always love days spent with children and look forward to Thursdays at the co-op. My hope and prayer is that these are treasured days that bring much joy and growth for all.
Mrs. April Palmer
April Palmer and her husband, Rusty, have been married for 17 years and have 3 girls; Millie -10th grade, Mattie - 8th grade, and Abbie - 4th grade. They have been active members of The Church at Brook Hills for 15 years.
April graduated from Auburn University in 1999, with a B.S. degree in Exercise Physiology. She has been homeschooling for 11 years and teaching science in homeschool co-ops for the past 5 years.
Mrs. Danielle Renstrom
Danielle moved from North Carolina to Birmingham in 2016, with her husband Daniel and 3 daughters, Bennett (15), Eden (13) and Mercy (12). Danielle has a BA in History from King University (Bristol, TN), and a Master’s degree in History from NC State University. Her past work experience includes tutoring NCSU’s football and basketball teams, working as a historical research assistant for a novelist, and serving as executive assistant in the Global office of her former church in Raleigh, NC. Danielle taught Tapestry of Grace in a homeschool co-op for 2 years in North Carolina before joining the Brook Hills Co-op in 2017. Danielle’s husband serves as the Worship Pastor at The Church at Brook Hills, and Danielle enjoys supporting his ministry and serving in various other ministries at the church. Danielle also coaches a travel club volleyball team, and has been known to stop in the middle of class to have sleepy students run around the parking lot or to oversee a push-up contest.
Laura Shepard
I had a 6th grade science teacher who taught in a unique style. Instead of using only worksheets and tests, our teacher let us learn through touching and hearing and smelling and doing (and then she would sneak in a worksheet when no one was looking)! Everyone learned so well and I thought, “What an awesome way to teach!” After graduating from The University of Montevallo with a degree in education, I worked as a teacher for 22 years at Shades Mountain Christian School, Master’s Academy, Chelsea Tutorials and 280 Tutorials. My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 30 years and have homeschooled our three children for 17 years. Hands-on learning is a great way to create interest. It is also a good way to get information to stick in your brain, so I try to incorporate it into my teaching as much as possible.
TBD
To Be Determined
Mrs. Bethany Travers
Bethany Travers has been teaching art classes since 2011, and has been with BHC since 2015. With her own personal illustration projects through Down in the Ham, Bethany completed Color the Ham in 2017, and Around the Ham in 2019. She has been working with children through various ministries and art classes for years and has a passion to guide children to love the arts and glorify the Lord in all they do. Besides art, she enjoys spending time with her husband, playing volleyball, and is a personal trainer.
Mrs. Sheryl Turner
I have been a home school mom and teacher for the past 20 years. My husband of 32 years, JT, and I have five children: Kaitlyn, Madison, Jett, Zeke, and Elly. With two college graduates, one in college, and two in high school, I enjoy working with students from all different learning styles! I am teaching math for BHC and consider myself a "numbers" person. I've always loved math and the way it is used in daily life consistently! I have a BS in Christian Education and a Masters of Education in Counseling.
Mrs. Dedy Werk
My name is Dedy Werk, and I am a homeschool mom of 8 children who range in age from 13 to 30 years old. My favorite subject is science and I enjoy teaching it very much. I have taught science in homeschool co-ops for approximately 13 years. I graduated from Auburn (war eagle!) with a strong emphasis in science, as I was entering Physical Therapy school. I received my Master's degree from UAB's Physical Therapy school and worked as a physical therapist before children and homeschooling began.