Instructors
Mrs. Tami Armstrong
My name is Tami M. Armstrong and I graduated from Asbury College with a B.S. in Social Studies Education with a Middle School Endorsement in English and Social Studies. I have been an educator for the past 8 years in Private Christian Schools before my husband, Bryan and I prayerfully considered homeschooling our daughter, Theta for the 2022-2023 school year.
I am enthusiastically looking forward to teaching classes through CHESS. I strive to be a positive light of Christ’s love to my future students. My goal this year at CHESS is for my students to enjoy the material taught and their ability to grow in knowledge of the subject through dedication and hard work on their part as well as my own.
Bryan and I have been married for 12 years and we have one daughter, Theta who is 9 years old. We have a Yellow Lab named Floyd who is 2 years old. My family enjoys being outside and discovering God’s creation.
Mrs. Rachel Buggy
Rachel Buggy is mom to Jack and Remy. This will be our 4th year homeschooling and 3rd year at CHESS. I've been a stay at home during the week since Jack was born. I work at our familys 90 year old diner every weekend. My time between is spent with family, watching Jack's ice hockey games, and rehabbing old houses with my husband Mike. I am honored and excited to be teaching at CHESS.
Mrs. Stacie Cole
Hi! My name is Stacie Cole, and I am a Homeschool Mom and a Speech Language Pathologist. I graduated from Clarion and Bloomsburg Universities and have a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology/Communication Sciences and Disorders. I have worked in a school district with all ages, in long term care, and rehabilitation settings.
I live in Manheim with my husband Rodney, our 2 sons Gabriel and Elias, our dog Scooter, our turtle Mr. T, and Chameleon the fish. Both of my boys attended preschool but have been homeschooled since kindergarten. We began attending CHESS in 2023 and have found it to be a blessing. I am excited to be a part of the amazing teaching staff at CHESS!
Miss Kayla Firestone
My name is Kayla Firestone and I am a single mother of two wonderful kids; my son, Jayden nd my daughter, Ellie. Together, we have 2 dogs (Loki, a Golden Retriever and Drax, a Great Dane), 3 cats (Figaro, Nebula, and Quill), and our newest member, Charlie the hamster! We are hoping to expand our family with some feathered friends in the near future! I attended Millersville University, but due to a major life event had to leave after 3 years, though I am looking forward to continuing my education in pursuit of a degree in Psychology when the time is right. I am currently in my 5th year as a school bus driver. I've worked closely with children for around 10 years as a Martial Arts Instructor and a den leader for Cub Scouts while my son was involved. I am, also, a Certified Personal Trainer with just about 7 years experience in teaching group fitness (currently pursuing additional certifications in both Nutrition and Strength & Conditioning). I am very much looking forward to helping students build strength, confidence, and develop self-defense skills through Martial Arts and exercise.
Mrs. Anne Flinchbaugh-Richey
Anne Flinchbaugh Richey graduated from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science(now Jefferson University)with a Bachelors of Science degree in Interior Design. She has worked at architecture and interior design firms prior to deciding to homeschool her 3 children. For the past 9 years Anne has enjoyed teaching at homeschool co-ops, designing and painting theatrical sets for homeschool productions and running a container gardening business. She attends Central Manor Church of God, likes to travel with her family, and collects cats and chickens
Mrs. Bev Graybill
Bev Graybill has taught at CHESS more years than she can count and is back for a second year after a 6-year hiatus. She attended Millersville University, earning a B.S. in Special Education, a M.S. in Elementary Education, and a Reading Certificate. She has served as a home school evaluator in Pennsylvania since 1989 and has spent more than 20 years teaching at several home school co-ops including CHESS and several Christian schools. She and her husband Jim are the parents of four grown children (three of which graduated from homeschooling) and "grandparents" to a pet pig!
Mr. Jason Jolda
Jason Jolda attended The Columbus College of Art and Design where he received his BFA in Illustration. He furthered his education at The Savannah College of Art and Design receiving his MFA in Visual Communication. From there he began his career as a Drawing Instructor at several colleges over the years. He has been a professional Artist for over 20 years. His contracted work spans the markets of advertising agencies, design studios, and children’s books. Most recently, his art has expanded to portrait art, andstarted his own business “Picture Perfect Portraits”. Whether he’s working on a business logo, designing and fabricating props, or illustrating a personalized portrait, everything he does is done with passion and love.
Mr. Garritt Kooiker
I’m Garritt, a passionate individual with a diverse background in the arts and skilled trades field. My journey began by earning a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree from the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
For over a decade I honed my creative skills and developed a keen eye for aesthetics working professionally in the printmaking industry. After attending technical school, where I earned a degree in welding, I moved into the custom sign and metal fabrication realm.
With the help of my wife, Kristin, I decided to temporarily leave the workforce and stay home to raise our son. We are proud homeschool parents and we feel enriched each and every day.
Mrs. Randa Leckrone
Randa Leckrone is blessed to stay home with her 4 children while her husband, Eric, works as an engineer. She has a passion for the sciences and how they point to intellectual design by the Creator. Sharing the order and majesty displayed around us with teenagers is rewarding and fulfilling to her. She has taught at other co-ops in the area and enjoys teaching at CHESS.
Mrs. Krista Long
My name is Krista Long and my husband, Clint and I live in Hershey, PA with our 3 beautiful children; Evalina, Cade, and Crew. I went to school for nursing and worked in a local hospital system after college, but ultimately decided to make the switch to consulting in order to be home with my family. Now, I am a business owner, stay-at-home mom and cheerleading/ gymnastics coach. My husband and I always had it on our hearts to homeschool, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to juggle it all. The pandemic is what ultimately made us "pull the ripcord" and start homeschooling. Our only regret has been not starting homeschooling sooner. My hobbies include watching my children in their lengthy list of sports, going to the gym and traveling. My favorite subject was always English and I'm grateful to God and CHESS for the new and exciting opportunity to teach!
Mrs. Wendy McMillen
Wendy McMillen is a happy wife to Steve and blessed mother to Ava (age 20) and Sam (age 17). Their family spent a number of years at Dayspring Christian Academy, but began homeschooling when they bought their RV and decided they loved traveling too much to be tied down to a brick-and-mortar school. Wendy's love of learning and passion for Classical Christian education was kindled when she began working for Veritas Press over 20 years ago. Since then, she and her husband worked together to develop self-paced e-Learning materials for Christian families, and she's continued to teach and volunteer in numerous and various capacities. Wendy currently serves as the Director of Christian education for New Hope Christian Fellowship in Marietta, PA.
Mrs. Heidi Mitchell
Heidi Mitchell has a B.S. in Nursing from Cedarville University in OH. At Cedarville she met her husband Joel. They have been married for 22 years, have 4 children, and have lived on the West Shore since getting married. Before staying home to raise the children she worked as a nurse at Harrisburg Hospital. She has homeschooled her children from the beginning with CHESS being a great asset to the home school journey for the past 6 years. Heidi looks forward to inspiring young learners and watching to see where God takes them.
Mrs. Michele Myers
Michele Myers is the wife of Ken and a blessed stay-at-home Mom. She started her homeschooling adventure over 20 years ago with her oldest of nine children. She has taught classes at previous coops in addition to CHESS. She especially enjoys the elementary ages where hands on activities bring students learning to life.
Mrs. Cherith Shaffer
My name is Cherith Shaffer and I've been a homeschooling mom for 5 years now. I have a B.S in German with a Mechanical Engineering track from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. After getting out, I married my husband in 2012 and we have 3 daughters. I always knew I wanted to homeschool and I have been blessed to be able to do that from the beginning. I have been working part-time from home as a web designer for a small, woman-owned and veteran-owned business for 2 years now and enjoy the often challenging but flexible work it brings. I also went back to school and became a board-certified Ultrasound Technologist and worked in a hospital setting for a bit when my youngest was born.
I have always enjoyed languages and especially appreciate the beauty of the written word. I love running (especially half-marathons) and hiking. I volunteer as an admissions coordinator for the congressional district for West Point and I serve on Congressman Smucker's Service Academy Nomination board. I've also been volunteering as a fill-in sonographer for Align ministries, and I love the work they do. I help coach my daughters' youth field hockey teams in the fall and love to see them enjoying that sport.
Mrs. Cindy Telenko
Cindy Telenko, I have over 20 years of Art Education experience at all levels. I have my BFA in Communication Design from Kutztown University and my Art Teaching Certification (K-12) from Millersville University. I have been married for over 30 years and have four children, ages 30, 26, 19, and 17. I enjoy time with my family and my two adorable grandsons. I also have over 30 years of coaching field hockey as well. I love my two dogs, Cooper (beagle) and Ripken (basset hound). I reside in Elizabethtown and also am the Owner and Creative Director of Twister Easel, etc.
Mrs. Chris Wincovitch
Christine Wincovitch graduated with honors from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a French minor. She has served in children’s ministries for over 25 years by teaching Bible clubs, Sunday School, Jr Church, Youth group, and VBS. Besides the Bible, her favorite areas of study are literature, history, art, and french . Chris is homeschooling her three teens and has been homeschooling for 13 years.
Miss Emma Wincovitch
Emma Wincovitch is a homeschool senior who is dual-enrolled at Harrisburg Area Community College. She enjoys working with children and has voluteered for several years at CEF of Cumberland County summer day camps. She loves science and creative writing.