Mr. Ryan Brown

Mr Ryan Brown came to TRACE with an English degree and nine years of teaching experience in Latin, Rhetoric, Humanties and Logic at Veritas here in Texarkana, AR. Classically educated himself, Mr. Brown believes in the Classical Christian model of education which he and his wife Katherine now pour into their own children at home. Mr. Brown is the associate pastor of Christ Community Church. 

Classes taught at TRACE: Humanities, Logic (2023-2024) Modern Humanities, Rhetoric/Speech (2024-2025)

Mrs. Shelly Brown

Mrs. Shelly Brown has been a follower of Jesus since 1972 and has been married to Dr. Eddie Brown since 1984.  She is the mother and grandmother of homeschooled children.  She formerly taught Elementary Art at Veritas Academy and has been the pianist for TRACE choirs since the beginning.  Shelly is a revered piano teacher in the Texarkana community and the pianist for Shiloh Baptist Church.  

Mrs. Alison Butler

Mrs. Alison Butler has her BS Elementary Education and her Texas Lifetime teaching certificate.  For 19 years, she taught in public schools grades K-8 specializing in Spanish, but teaching all subjects throughout self-contained.  Mrs. Butler is a joy to be near and loves to encourage others.  

Class taught at TRACE: Song School Latin (2024-2025)

Mrs. Kim Carrell

From Mexico City, Mexico, Mrs. Kimberly Carrell is a certified teacher and native speaker with experience teaching her own children, private school and public elementary, middle and high school students. In her own words, "I am a caring, fun, dedicated teacher whose goal is to serve the Lord in any way He leads. I have taught elementary bilingual students, ESL students from different countries such as China & South Korea. I have taught in a private school, public schools and a homeschool co-op."  

Mrs. Carrell's philosophy of education is rooted in a Biblical Christian worldview. "God has a special plan for His creation and as educators we have been entrusted with His creation. He has given us knowledge and understanding of this truth through the Bible. The Bible is the integrating hub around which all knowledge and all academic disciplines are connected, and provides the criterion by which all other subject matter is judged. The aim of Christian education is to assist mankind to know and understand God and His purposes that he might worship and glorify God through every part of his being."  How blessed we are to have her! 

Classes taught at TRACE: Spanish 1, Spanish 2 (2024-2025)

Ms. Debi Coleman

Ms. Debi Coleman holds her BS Elementary Education and her Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psy, Counseling, Early Chlldhood).  With over 38 years of teaching experience from PreK- high school in both public and private schools, Ms. Coleman is a lover of education and a great supporter of the homeschool community.  A teacher of any subject, she has been a huge blessing to us here at TRACE!  

Classes taught at TRACE: Song School Latin, General Science (2023-2024) Geography, Latin Primer A (2024-2025)

Mrs. Deedee Hayes

Mrs. Deedee Hayes has been homeschooling her four kids for the last 12 years. She has a BS in Mathematics from UALR and taught high school math a couple years before becoming a stay at home mom. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and reading. 

Mr. Ben House

Mr. Ben House is a teacher with over 40 years experience in the public and private sectors. As founder of Veritas Academy, Mr. House successfully directed the discipleship and education of many students. He is married to Mrs. Stephanie House. Mr. House is the author of Punic Wars and Culture Wars and co-author of Beyond the Horizon: An Appeal to Parents for Classical Christian Education. The Houses have four children and beloved dog Cali. 

Mrs. Stephanie House

Joining us during Christmas break 2024, Mrs. House is a blessed addition to TRACE!  With over 25 years teaching choir, general music, piano lessons, and other music disciplines, she has used her BS in Education and Minor in Music Education to share the love and appreciation of music into the hearts of many.  Mrs. House believes that the basic tenants of education are memorization, discussion and articulation and that all learning should be filtered through the lens of Scripture. 

Mrs. Diana Morriss

After teaching Latin for nineteen years at Veritas, Mrs. Diana Morriss has joined us at TRACE as our upper level Latin teacher. How blessed we are to have her expertise!  

Mr. Josh Morriss

Judge Josh Morriss (Ret.) has practiced law for just under 50 years spending over 20 of those years as a judge. He is also a lifelong student of the Word.  Mr. Morriss loves his country and loves teaching about our goverment, but he is passionate about teaching young people to know what they believe and be able to defend their beliefs before they take off into the world.  He has also developed an "Adulting" curriculum for a class called Practical Economics and Adulting Skills coming up in the spring of 2025 to help our students prepare for stepping out in other, more practical ways.  Mr. Morriss is husband to Mrs. Diana Morriss (our beloved upper Latin teacher), father to 3 beautiful daughters, grandfather to 11 grandchildren (four who are homeschooled), owner of the Silvermoon on Broad, founding member of Fellowship Bible Church, and a beloved member of our community who wears so many hats.  We are so very blessed to have him and Mrs. Morriss teaching with us at TRACE. 

Classes taught at TRACE: Advanced Government (2023-2024) Apologetics Bootcamp (Fall 2024) Practical Economics and Adulting (Spring 2025)

Mr. Morriss also serves as the Chair of the TRACE Board of Directors.

Mr. Isaac Munson

Mr. Isaac Munson is a student of the Word and a servant to his Savior, Jesus Christ. He is husband to a Kimberlee—his greatest treasure and joy. Isaac is an emergency room nurse and hopes to become a doctor someday, if the Lord allows. In his free time, he enjoys being in nature and learning about God’s creation.

Isaac says, "My mom led me to the Lord when I was a kid, and my dad has shown me what faith in action looks like through life’s toughest times which has positively impacted my life and made me who I am today. I’m really excited for the opportunity to put my faith in action while serving the Lord this year with TRACE."

Mr. Brian Murphy

Mr. Brian Murphy holds a Bachelor's Degree in a Health Science field and has over 23 years of experience in applied science in the field of occupational therapy.  A gifted educator and homeschool dad of six, Mr. Murphy uses lots of hands-on application to keep his high school students engaged in the upper sciences.  Mr. Murphy is the husband of Jo Helen, Director and Founder of TRACE.  

Classes taught at TRACE: Physical Science (2023-2024), Chemistry (2024-2025)

Mr. Murphy also serves as Vice Chair on the TRACE Board of Directors.

Mrs. Jo Murphy

Mrs. Jo Helen Murphy is first and foremost wife to Brian and homeschool mama to six beautiful kids.  She holds her BA in English and a minor in Spanish.  Jo loves education and she founded TRACE based on incredible needs she saw in her own family and in the community as a whole.  While Mrs. Jo can teach almost any subject, she is presently teaching a subject she is most passionate about: Grammar and Writing.  You'll also find Mrs. Jo subbing in for other classes from time to time.  

Mrs. Jo is the Founder and Director of TRACE. 

Mr. Josh Murphy

Mr. Josh Murphy is a homeschool graduate and gifted Math teacher.  He has successfully taught three of his siblings Algebra and aspires to begin working toward a teaching certification next year.  Josh works at Chick-fila where you may know him as 'Murf.'

Dr. Sam Nix

Dr. Sam Nix is no stranger to education having taught many classes and courses in the medical field over the years as well as homeschooling his own children.  When not at TRACE or enjoying his kids and grandkids, you can find Dr. Nix at Total Access Health and Wellness on the Arkansas side.  

Classes taught at TRACE: Biology (2022-2023, 2024-2025)

Mrs. Stacey Simmons

Mrs. Stacey Simmons has a Master's degree in social work and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arkansas and Texas. She worked in a variety of settings, including Easter Seals, Arkansas Children's Hospital, a nursing home and three different Hospice agencies.

Mrs. Simmons has been homeschooling since 2013. She has been married to Jason for 26 years, has three children, a dog, and a cat. She enjoys watching football (go Chiefs!), making bread, and just being with her people.

Mr. Matt Smart

Mr. Matthew Smart is pastor of Texarkana Reformed Baptist Church and homeschooling father of two. With 15 years of pastoral ministry, his goal at TRACE is to help shape the next generation with a Christian Worldview. Mr. Smart believes that helping students develop a comprehensive Christian worldview prepares them academically, emotionally, and spiritually to be a light in our culture. Holding a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, he has also studied for his Master of Divinity at Southern Seminary. Classes taught at TRACE: Old Testament Survey (2023-2024) and New Testament Survey (2024-2025)

Mrs. Sarah White

Mrs. Sarah White holds a B.S. in Biology and Wildlife Ecology, grounded in a deep belief in the biblical call to steward God’s creation. Her teaching experience includes community environmental education for both children and adults as a State Park interpreter in Arkansas, leading in-school and after-school scouting programs in Arkansas and Texas, and time spent teaching preschool. Mrs. Sarah values a classical, literature-rich, and hands-on approach to learning - one that cultivates wonder, wisdom, and lasting understanding in students. 

Mrs. Sarah is married to Nathan and has three wonderful children; James, Abigail, and Margaret. She loves camping, reading, and creative arts. 

Mrs. Sarah has been such a valuable asset to us here at TRACE, and we are very blessed to have her. 

Classes taught at TRACE: General Science, Transitional Humanties (2024-2025)