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ART & PUBLIC SPEAKING

with DEBBI RADABAUGH

Debbi comes to Village with over 35 years of teaching experience! She holds a BS and MEd. in education and taught here in Rutherford county for 26 years. Debbi has a deep love of Fine Arts, particularly 3 dimensional art including ceramics, sculpture, jewelry making, and fiber arts. Debbi is also a certified and long time Public Speaking and Debate teacher. She has established many Forensics Teams and led them through competitions and tournaments. Debbi is excited to continue to enrich students lives through Public Speaking and Fine Arts at Village!

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CHEMISTRY and STEAM

with JANSEN GIBSON EDUCATION

Jansen has  worked in education in various capacities for the past 8 years. Jansen's background includes work with public, private, and homeschool students in 20+ subjects, in addition to educational program direction with local Nashville nonprofits and City Works. This path has given him unique opportunities to encounter students in a huge variety of backgrounds, ages, and experiences, with a goal on unifying the common sparks that motivate learners young and old. Jansen's passion for teaching is driven by a desire to empower students to take control of their own learning, and find their inner drive to understand, master, and integrate tools for learning into every aspect of their lives. Now, Jansen has created a visionary organization to bring fantastic educators into local classrooms through Middle Tennessee and beyond. Jansen Gibson Education specializes in creating classes where students leave not only sure of their mastery of the material, but self-assured, as empowered learners who can confidently face the world to come.

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CREATIVE EXPLORERS, PLAYGROUND, and PORTFOLIO ART

with MAI HAMRIC

Mai has over 17 years of experience as a professional artist, creative writer, and art educator. Her past work has focused on harnessing the power of art to build community, as well as making the arts more accessible to underserved communities. She believes art teaches us empathy and opens our minds to new concepts and perspectives. The act of creating art and learning its history not only enriches our lives but also builds useful skills for many other aspects of our education and work - such as adaptive thinking, diplomacy, and originality. 
 

FIBER ARTS

with KATIE FILER

Katie Filer is a mom of 2 and a handwork teacher. She is studying with the Waldorf Handwork Educators program, which is recognized by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. Katie started fiber arts with sewing and embroidery at age 10, and just never
stopped. After having her second child she was home more and fell in love with teaching her oldest her passion for embroidery, tailoring clothes, darning, and knitting everyone in our family as many pieces as she possibly could. This quickly snowballed into wan6ng to provide these experiences to the children in the community around her. In Katie's free time, she is a Girl Scout leader, chairs a Parent-Teacher Organization committee, is an avid gardener, and a lover of all soft fluffy animals.

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GEOLOGY

with JIM WATSON

Jim Watson is a science teacher with 45 years experience in the classroom teaching all levels of science from 8th grade Earth Science to Dual Enrollment Geology. Jim has a BA from UT in Natural Science Education and a MA from Glassboro State College, NJ in Environmental Education. Jim was the first President of the Tennessee Earth Science Teachers (TEST) and the first classroom teacher to be awarded the Ptero Award for his work promoting the earth sciences in Tennessee. Jim created a Geology curriculum for high school and then worked with the State Department of Education to create a certification for Geology so that the course could be taught in any high school in Tennessee. Jim has conducted over 75 overnight field activities for his students and over 15 professional development activities for his colleagues. Jim has received many grants for his personal professional development as well as over 200 pre K-12 teachers. Formerly, Jim taught Marine Science and Geology at Ivy Academy and coaches an academic team for the National Ocean Science Bowl.

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INTEGRATED SCIENCE & MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY

with MOLLY WALTERS
Molly understands homeshoolers in a unique way because she homeschooled all through high school. Now a super senior at MTSU, Molly is pursuing her a history major with an emphasis on Modern History, and minors in both Biology and Psychology. She has a service dog that will be her teaching assistant so students will have the added benefit of learning about service animals. Once her graduate studies are complete, Molly plans on teaching full time. Molly believes homeschooling helped her realize her passion for history and science and she can't wait to explore these subject with her students!

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LANGUAGE ARTS & THEATRE

with GEORGIA HEMRICK

Georgia is a native of Rutherford County and has been active in the education community for the last 15 years.   She holds a Bachelor of Science in Theatre with a minor in Secondary Education and a Master’s in Education from Middle Tennessee State University. Georgia is currently certified in Theatre Arts and English as a Second Language.   She always provides a fun, entertaining class to her students no matter the subject being taught.  Georgia is very excited to become a part of the Village Co-op teaching family.

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LIFE SKILLS

with JESSICA NELSON
Jessica is excited to be back in the classroom! Jessica has taught all ages from Preschool to High School and subjects ranging from Pre-K, to Public Speaking, to Photography, to Science. In addition to being a teacher and homeschool mom for the last 10 years, Jessica was a Girl Scout leader and volunteered with children's programs for many years. Jessica received her BA in Communication from George Mason University a long, long, time ago. She helps to organize classes at Village where her two children attend.

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LITERATURE & CREATIVE WRITING

with LIZ LAVENDER

Along with being a fellow Village parent, Liz has over 5 years of experience teaching high school English and Writing in public school. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Fiction. Her creative writing has been featured in a national publication, and she freelances as an editor and copywriter. She is excited for the chance to bring her passions for literature, writing, and teaching together to instill this appreciation in the younger generations in a fun, yet academically enriching environment.

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MATH & TUTORING

with KAREN JOHNSON
Karen Johnson has been an instructor at Sylvan of Murfreesboro since 2012. She is from Memphis, TN. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Davidson College. At Sylvan of Murfreesboro, Karen tutors reading, math, study skills, advanced reading, ACT prep, and homework support. Her hobbies include sailing, gardening, swimming, reading, and doing math problems.

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PIANO & VOICE

with STEPHEN BURNETTE

Stephen is the owner and teacher of Flamingo Piano and Voice. He is pianist and the Director of Music at both Trinity United Methodist Church and The Arts Center of Cannon County. When Stephen is not directing music programs, playing or teaching piano, he is in theatre. Stephen has been in countless performances with Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro Little Theatre, Circle Players and more!

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PRE K, BOOK BUDDIES & INTRO TO THEATRE

with AUSTIN WALKER

Austin Walker is joining Village after teaching in the public education classroom for the past 7 years. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade. She has a passion for hands on learning, interactive learning and read aloud, as well as community building. Introducing children to learning is one of her most favorite things from teaching Kindergarten. She is very excited to transition to the homeschool world with her own children as well as those at Village. Learning together will be so much fun!

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US HISTORY

with JENNIFER SLAUGHTER

As a U.S. History teacher, Jennifer is deeply passionate about illuminating the past to inspire and inform the present and future. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that understanding our nation's history is essential for cultivating informed and engaged citizens. Jennifer is a graduate of MTSU with a degree in History and minors in Geography and Education. Jennifer began teaching high school in Tennessee in 2007. A few years began teaching online for Troy University’s program, ACCESS. She has been with Troy University for over 10 years and has taught US History, Economics, World History, and US Government. 

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SUPER SCIENCE & SOCCER

with RICHARD ASKEY

Richard, or Mr Rich the Science Guy as you may already know him, has been bringing STEM to our area for over a decade! He has worked with almost all our local schools and education programs through his fantastic endeavor, SUPER SCIENCE TN. Richard has been a judge at the HEART Science Fair and has been an instructor for TECTA (Training Opportunities for Child Care Providers) certification in Wilson County. Mr Rich is not just the Super Scientist, he is also a semi pro soccer player and coach. Mr Rich has played for Derby County, Lincoln City, Burton Albion, Rocester FC, Martin Methodist College, Nashville Metros, and Nashville FC in the National Premier Soccer League. Rich has coached for 12 years and was the youngest ever coach in the Premier Development League semi pro. He has also coached College, Travel, High School, Rec and overseen multiple soccer camps. Richard enjoys creating new workshops, riding bikes, playing soccer, and spending time with his family; his wife, two kids, and their dogs.

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SPANISH

with CASEY CABBAGE and MUDITO SPANISH

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, founder and lead teacher Casey Cabbage left the US to begin teaching English at a Montessori school in Beijing. She taught with teachers from China, US, Africa, Mexico, and other countries. After a year and a half in Beijing, she moved to a small pueblo in Andalucia, Spain to continue teaching. She was the only English teacher at her school.

In the fall of 2021, Casey set up a small booth at an event in Nolensville and talked about her mission to build bridges through the community by sparking a passion for Spanish language and culture. Since that day, this small program has grown into something amazing!

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