Instructors
Mrs. Liz Bleich
Liz Bleich graduated from the State University of West Georgia in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Business Information Systems. After graduation she worked for CMS Holdings company as an Accounting Supervisor. Later she went on to work for Yamaha as an Information Systems liaison between the Accounting and IT departments. Additionally, she acted as the Foreign Trade Zone Coordinator. In 2004 she left work to begin a family and remained a stay-at-home mom. In 2009 she began homeschooling her three children. She has been married for 22 years to her husband Wesley Bleich. At this time she is committed to the education of her children, but also manages the financials of rental properties throughout the greater Atlanta area from her home and enjoys teaching other homeschooled students in the Eluminatus program.
Mrs. Michele Bradfield
Prior to homeschooling, I received my BA in English from the University of Georgia. I worked in editing (books) until I took a job as a first grade teacher’s aide. It was then that I discovered that I loved being in the classroom, specifically, helping struggling students! I have worked with ESOL students and have taught reading from K through adults. I went back to school and got my certification in Language Arts (7-12) from Texas A & M, Corpus Christi. I was also certified in Language Arts in the state of Georgia (6-12). I worked at Sylvan Learning Center as a lead teacher and testing administrator for thirteen years. My teaching philosophy is that each child is unique, and I strive to meet each student where they are. If they think they can’t, I want to show them that they CAN!
Our family has been a member of ENCHEA for many years. During that time, I was one of the coordinators for the Coweta-Fayette Literature Fair. As a previous ENCHEA tutor, I offered instruction in Reading, Middle School Language Arts, and 9th Grade English. In addition to being a tutor, I have homeschooled all four of our children. One graduated with honors from Auburn with a degree in Technical and Professional Writing; another graduated with honors from Southern Crescent Technical College with an Associate’s in Criminal Justice and will be graduating from Liberty University next year with his BA in Homeland Security; another graduates with honors in May of this year from Liberty University with her degree in Social Work; and our youngest graduates next year from Liberty University with her degree in Fine Arts/Graphic Design.
Mrs. Carli Burdette
Growing up in a homeschooling environment, I can relate to your students' backgrounds, having been exposed to both homeschooling and traditional educational settings. I had the privilege of experiencing a blend of home-based learning and structured schooling, which I valued greatly. My educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies with a focus on middle grades mathematics from Lagrange College, followed by a Master's in Teaching from the same institution. Teaching in the public school system for three years provided me with valuable insights and allowed me to build strong connections with my students. While teaching brought me fulfillment, I chose to step back to dedicate more time to my two young daughters. At the core of my teaching philosophy is the belief that every student has the ability to understand mathematics; it's all about presenting the subject in a way that resonates with them. My goal is to teach mathematical concepts in an engaging and accessible manner, making learning enjoyable and relatable. Seeing students grasp mathematical principles and understand their real-world applications brings me great joy. I am excited about the opportunity to inspire a love for mathematics in your children and cultivate a shared enthusiasm for the subject.
Mrs. Amanda Coppedge
I hold a B.S. in Chemistry from Louisiana Tech University, and I have over ten years of experience teaching Chemistry, Physical Science, and Life Science in public school, the homeschool community, and online. I believe that any student can become a lifelong learner with the right tools, and I have a passion for teaching even the most reluctant student. I lived in Central Asia with my family for 9 years then returned to the United States in 2011 to work in camp and leadership ministries to college students and youth in Arkansas. We moved to Georgia a little over two years ago so that my husband could work at Impact 360 Institute in Pine Mountain. I lhave three kids, ages 18, 17, and 15, and I have homeschooled for 13 years and graduated my oldest in 2022.
Mrs. Amy Cox
I am a math and science person (engineering degree) who has been homeschooling my kids since at least 2010. My oldest is about to head to college but since my youngest is only 4 I expect to be around for a while. I do a number of little and medium jobs for Eagle's Nest. I coach the middle school Robotics team and facilitate the elementary Robotics sessions. Starting in the 22-23 school year I am organizing the standardized testing the EN offers. I also organize the annual Used Book and Curriculum Sale which takes place in late spring or summer. I have kids in various Eluminatus classes and my family is part of Voyagers where I take care of the donations table at the end of the day.
Mr. Carl Cox
Carl is a research scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute with 20 years of software development experience, including many languages, platforms, technologies, and domains. He has a master's degree in computer science from Georgia Tech.
Mrs. Carrie Craycraft
Mrs. Craycraft has been teaching Physical Science and Physics at Eluminatus for the past three years, and has been active with ENCHEA since 2014. She also currently serves as a Beta Club Sponsor. Prior to embarking on the adventure of homeschooling her two sons, the Craycraft family lived abroad and served in Singapore for 4 years.
Professionally, Carrie has taught master’s level courses at Southern Polytechnic State University, worked as a Quality Engineer, Propulsion Engineer and Chemist. She earned her BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2000, MS in Quality Assurance from Southern Polytechnic State University in 2003, and pursued a PhD in Systems Engineering from University of Alabama Huntsville from 2007-2010, for which she has completed all but dissertation.
In addition to teaching at Eluminatus, Carrie is also active with Bible Study Fellowship’s Peachtree City Class, where she is presently serving as Substitute Teaching Leader. You will often find she and her family enjoying a night out in Downtown Newnan or exercising at the YMCA. She enjoys worshiping at both Southside Church Newnan and Newnan City Church, and actively serving her community wherever the Lord leads her.
Mrs. Alejandra Gonzalez
As a native Spanish speaker, sharing the love for my language and culture has become my passion. I was born and raised in México where I attended college. I have been teaching Spanish for sixteen years. I have lived in different countries, giving me a better understanding of the process of learning a foreign language.
I love teaching Spanish and I try to bring much of my culture into the classroom as possible. My students love to listen to music in Spanish in our class, learn about cultural differences and traditions, and have fun while learning. I believe that a good education shapes not only minds, but hearts as well. And that by learning a different language and traditions, can make students more cultural appreciative and incorporate that respect into their daily and future lives. My biggest joy is to see that self-confidence build up and put into practice when we role-play skits in our class.
Mr. Jason Howell
Jason Howell graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a B.S. in Christian Ministries with a minor in music in 2004 and from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with an M.Div. in Advanced Biblical Studies in 2007. For eight years, he served as a youth pastor at two local churches. He has been teaching at various Christian schools in the area since 2012. Additionally, he teaches Old Testament, New Testament, Apologetics, Philosophy, Literature, History, Government, Economics, Art and Music History, Writing, Grammar, Greek, and Latin. He has been married to Tara for eighteen years and has five children. Mr. Howell is committed to changing the world by investing in students, training them to think with a biblical worldview about all of life.
Mrs. Lauren Lundberg
Lauren Lundberg is Eagle's Nest Performing Arts Department Director. She directs/teaches drama classes, plays, and musicals through Eagle's Nest as well as maintaining a piano and voice studio out of her home. She has two children, both of which are homeschooled and participate in EN classes. Lauren has been teaching music privately and in classroom settings for over 24 years. She graduated from Shorter College with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a minor in Theatre. She has also led worship for 20 years and choirs of all ages. Lauren will retire from Assistant Director for Voyagers at the end of this school year, but will continue to direct the Performing Arts Department and lead students in all things music and drama.
Mrs. Amy Matkovich
Amy Matkovich has been the Director of the Eagle’s Nest Voyagers Co-Op since 2015. She enjoys leading this group of homeschooling families who work together to provide this enrichment co-op for their families. Amy has been homeschooling her two children since 2012 when she left her corporate career in IT project management to become a homeschooling parent.
Homeschooling has been the biggest blessing to our family. When we first began homeschooling, a neighbor said that we had to join Voyagers. At the time, I had no idea what an impact that would have on our family. Voyagers has given my children a "family" of friends to grow up with. Voyagers is so much more than the classes we offer. It is a place for homeschooling families to connect with other homeschooling families and to develop lasting friendships. Our lives have been forever changed by the decision to join Voyagers many years ago.
Mrs. Kelly Myers
Hello! I'm Kelly Myers, the biology and health tutor for Eagle's Nest Eluminatus. My hope is to inspire students to a greater understanding and appreciation of God's thoughtful, intricate design of the natural world and the human body. I have a BS in Biology and an MEd in Secondary Science Education. I hold a current Georgia Teaching Certificate in Science 6-12. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom in 1999, I worked in environmental protection and as a public high school biology and ecology teacher.
My husband Jeff and I began homeschooling our 3 children--Clara, Anna, and Jake-- in 2004. Our family joined Eagle's Nest in 2005 and have participated in Voyagers, Eluminatus, and the spring drama production. Jeff and I are also part of the EN Board and are so honored to serve our EN families in this amazing organization.
Dr. Daniel Odom
For the past twelve years, since November of 2010, I have been the full-time pastor of Welcome Road Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia.
I obtained my Master of Theology in 2006. I have recently furthered my education by graduating with my Doctorate in Religious Education on May 2, 2021, from Baptist College of America. I am now pursuing my Ph.D. in World Religions/Theology.
In addition to serving as a full-time pastor, I have varied experience in Christian education. While serving as the Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia from 2003 through 2010, I also taught in the church's Bible college, Calvary Baptist Bible College.
From 2004 through 2008, I was employed as the high school Bible teacher at Fayette Christian School in Fayetteville, Georgia, where I also taught various math, English, and science courses to grades 4 through 12. During that time, I served as the school's chapel coordinator and volleyball/basketball coach.
I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at the age of 13 and began having a desire to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. At the age of 18, I received the call to preach the Word of God.
I have been happily married for 20 years to my beautiful wife, Cheryl, who faithfully supports me in the ministry. We have two wonderful children, Miranda and Zackary, both of whom have been involved with Eagles Nest since 2017. In my spare time, I enjoy ice hockey, lifting weights, and constantly drinking coffee. I am very excited to be a part of Eagles Nest and look forward to being involved in this wonderful ministry.
Mr. Matt Osborne
Matt Osborne graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in History in 2010. Upon graduation, Matt worked for four years as a member of the sports media, writing and editing articles for a college football website and co-hosting a daily program on a local ESPN Radio affiliate. It was during his time working in sports media that Matt began to feel the call into ministry. He began serving as the part-time Youth Pastor at his church in 2014, and eventually transitioned into full-time vocational ministry a couple of years later. Matt has been married to his wife Bryana for three years and currently has two children, David and Charlotte. He is excited to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of his students by helping them to develop a more well-developed biblical worldview.
Mr. Virgil Purser
Virgil Purser and his family (wife Barbara, son Everett, and daughter Samantha) have been members of Eagle's Nest for six years. Virgil has taught several classes at Voyagers, including the snake class, chess class, and cartoonology. He has been leading the chess club for two years.
Mrs. Meagan Raffensberger
Hi there! My name is Meagan Raffensberger, and I am the tutor for the EN high school health class. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and I actively practice as a registered nurse at Piedmont Newnan Hospital in the Emergency Department.
I am very passionate about healthy living and informed decision-making, and my passion stems from working in the hospital amongst physically broken people. I believe that while we cannot control everything related to our health, we have a big part to play in stewarding our bodies in a way that glorifies God. In my classroom, I hope to inspire a love for healthy living that will last a lifetime through educating on its importance in a tangible way.
I was homeschooled and experienced the blessing of being a part of Eagle’s Nest and attended classes at Coram Deo in the Newnan/Peachtree City area. Upon graduation from Coram Deo in 2015, I attended the University of West Georgia where I received a BSN. I am married to my amazing husband Chase, and we welcomed our daughter Olivia in June of 2023. We have two dogs (a blue heeler and a mini golden doodle) who believe it is their ordained purpose to bring all of the dirt in nature inside my house. We also have a cat who believes that she rules our home, and honestly, she might be right. In my free time, I love to garden, bake, watch movies, be outside, and adventure with my husband, all with a coffee in hand.
Mrs. Daryl Rowe
Daryl G. Rowe
I am a Christian, wife, and mother of two grown men whom I homeschooled.
I am a professional Georgia Certified Instructor.
I have been an instructor with Eluminatus since the second year of its inception. I helped formulate and establish the middle school end of the program.
I have been teaching in the middle school program since, teaching a three-year cycle of the basic sciences. I upgraded my courses to S.T.E.M. when that change occurred at the State level.
I have also been teaching in Eluminatus : HS Art, Government/Economics, and U.S.History for 22+ years.
I am currently passing the baton to another tutor for the history and gov't/econ. courses. Hopefully next year, I will pick up teaching Sewing and eventually other Fiber Arts.
I love teaching and have been blessed and privileged to be a part in this program and group.
Mrs. Beatrice Scalf
I am elated to be joining EN as a tutor! EN has been such a blessing to our family since we joined.
I am a lifelong member of the PK Club. That's "preacher's kid" if you're wondering. My dad has been a Pentecostal/Full Gospel evangelist for my entire life. I surrendered to the Lord as a child and, like many PKs, hit some rough patches and life lessons along the way. I rededicated my life to the Lord at age twenty after a few years of terrible decisions including dropping out of college. I've walked a self-inflicted rough road and have come out the other side with a stronger faith and a love for God that is staggering. I strive to let my life and testimony be evidence that redemption from the dregs is possible.
I am a veteran homeschooling wife & mother of three. I have worked in homeschool and private school administration and as a teacher in a private school/homeschool umbrella program. At that school, I taught creative writing, personal finance, drivers' ed, and Bible to middle and high school students.
My freelance writing has been seen in Home Educating Family Magazine and their line of homeschool planners, The Well-Planned Gal. I have written several plays, two of which have been staged. My short fiction writing has won contests, most recently for inclusion in an anthology entitled Anchor in the Storm, published by EA Publishing.
At age 38 I finally graduated from college with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Agriculture with concentration in Agribusiness and Food Supply Chain Management.
I am a writer and artist, a certified book nerd, a jigsaw puzzle fiend, and a fanatic for 80s pop-culture, especially the music! I love raising goats, cattle, chickens, and giant breed dogs on our farm.
Mrs. Sipra Singh
Sipra Singh is a pastor’s wife, loves the Lord and believes that our lives need to reflect our testimony. She is a diligent professional who has consistently been recognized as an efficient worker by her employers and coworkers. Over the course of her 18+ year career, she has developed a skill set relevant to teaching various levels of learners from Adult learners to Middle and High School students; including adaptive teaching methods, classroom management and curriculum development among others; all while keeping the teaching - learning process, student centered. Overall, she has consistently demonstrated leadership, teamwork, interpersonal and effective communication skills and abilities in every aspect of her teaching role. She serves or has served at Eagles Nest Christian Home Schoolers Association, The Greenhouse Christian Learning Co-op, Coweta County School system, West Georgia Technical College, and St. Xavier’s School (New Delhi, India).
She has a Masters degree in English Literature, a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a major in Home Economics. She has undertaken various courses in American Sign Language: ASL I, II and III and currently is pursuing her study of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture.She created the Deaf Culture course at EN and is passionate about taking the Gospel to the Deaf community. She partners with various local, national and international organizations to promote the Gospel and work with the Deaf community.
She has been teaching Public Speaking & Communication Strategies to students since 2005. She is credited for developing a Language Lab and a curriculum for Public Speaking & Communication Strategies at St.Xaviers School, New Delhi. She is well versed in the International Phonetic Alphabet and works to develop effective communication skills among students. Her goal is to see her students excell not only in their academic profiles but in all aspects of their life; so she comes comes alongside them to encourage, educate and help them reach their full potential.
Mrs. Jan Tardie
Mrs. Tardie has experience as an Eluminatus instructor for more than twenty years and holds a BS degree in Education from Georgia State University. After a brief pause, she is excited to once again join Eluminatus as a high school math instructor and tutor. Mrs. T has a passion for helping students discover that they can learn and succeed in high school math and beyond. In fact, she lives for those light bulb moments as students discover the order and reasoning behind a mathematical concept. For several decades, Mrs. T has tutored middle school, high school, and college math along with English/Literature and some science. She has a variety of students in the homeschool, private school, public school, and college communities.
Along with an affinity for math, Mrs. Tardie has a passion for dance and worship movement. For over fifteen years, she taught and performed at a local dance studio in Peachtree City. Currently, Mrs. Jan is the Worship Dance Director at New City Church and assists with the Arts Ministry in writing and directing original specials and productions.
Mrs. Tardie and her husband are most proud of their highest accomplishment of homeschooling two amazing Eluminatus Alumni and young adults. Their daughter received both academic and artisitc scholarships from Belhaven University and graduated with honors with a BFA in Dance and is performining professionally and teaching in San Antonio, Texas with her husband. Their son received several technical scholarships and graduated with honors from two programs at NASCAR Technical Institute. He is employed as a CNC technician and machinist, lives in the Sharpsburg area with his wife, and is expecting their first child. Yes, Mrs. T is beyond excited to be a Mimi!
Mrs. Shelley Terrell
My name is Shelley Terrell, and I am enthusiastic about teaching English 8 and 9 at Eluminatus. I love preparing the next generation in both heart and mind, and this opportunity enables me to do just that.
I received my degree from Texas Tech University with a concentration in those with special abilities. Originally a public school teacher, I am a homeschool mom of twenty-one years and have four sons who are all pursuing their dreams. My husband Keith is retired Air Force and has continued his career at Delta Airlines. We are active members of Crossroads Church and strive to seek God in every aspect of our lives.
I believe that all children learn differently, and God made us all unique; therefore, I encourage and celebrate each child's accomplishments. They are all a gift, and I am thankful for the opportunity to mold our future.
Mrs. Lori Villani
Hello Eluminatus families! My name is Lori Villani, and I am the tutor for the middles school STEAM Science class. I have a bachelor’s degree in education and mathematics. Before becoming a homeschool mom in 2010 I taught 3rd grade in public school.
I have two wonderful children, Matteo, who is a senior and will graduate with Eagle’s Nest this year (class of 2023), and Mia, who is in middle school. I have an amazing husband, Vito, that steps in to help at Eagle’s Nest when needed. We became Eagle's Nest members in 2013 and have participated in various programs and activities that Eagle's Nest has to offer.
My passion is working with children, and I greatly enjoy teaching science to the students at Eluminatus! God has truly blessed me in being a successful educator and I give all the glory and praise to Him!
Mr. Jamie Walker
Jamie is a homeschool dad with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and an A.S. in Chemistry from Waycross College. He spent 25 years in the corporate world as a computer programmer and has taught science, math, and Bible to high school students in the Coweta-Fayette area since 2015. His love for teaching is fueled by a desire to direct students to the glorious God who designed the laws and principles which guide the physical universe. He and his wife, Lori, have 3 boys--Micah, Jonas, and Joshua. The oldest two are at Auburn and LSU, respectively, while the youngest is pursuing his dream of flying.