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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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ART

with KRISTEN BIRCKHOLTZ

"I believe that thinking like an artist is one of the most valuable lessons I can impart to any student. To think like an artist is to problem solve, to take risks, to build skills, and to express yourself. In my classes, students will be able to connect art to their own way of thinking and see it in their everyday lives." Kristen taught art for all ages for 10 years through public schools. She also currently enriches students lives through literature through her work in the Linebaugh Library System. Kristen is currently pursuing a second degree in psychology at MTSU.
 

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CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY

with ERICA BRANDON

Erica is a licensed educator in Secondary Education who has taught an array of subjects including: Choir, Humanities, Computer Science, and Business Skills. She is passionate about music and art appreciation, and how culture influences our everyday lives. Erica loves to travel and considers herself a lifelong learner when it comes to cultural history. She also loves novel-writing, playing the piano, and gaming! She is thrilled to be a part of the Village teaching team, and to connect with the students this Fall.

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ENTREPRENEURS & FINANCE

with SHERRY ROBERTS

Sherry comes to us from MTSU where she currently teaches Principles of Marketing and Corporate Communication. Sherry received her Masters of Science from Southern New Hampshire University and her PHD from the University of Louisville. In past years, she served as the Southern Business Education Association President and the Tennessee Business Education Association President. She has co-authored a number of texts including Personal Financial Literacy, Math for Personal Finance, Fundamentals of Business Communication, and Technology Projects for College and Career Readiness. In her free time, Sherry writes children's books including, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: A First for Gus (The Adventures of Gus the Bassett Hound), and is a avid photographer. Sherry is excited for a new teaching adventure at Village!

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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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LITERATURE & CREATIVE WRITING

with LIZ LAVENDAR

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

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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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. 
 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

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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MYSTERY SCIENCE

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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INTEGRATED SCIENCE & GOVERNMENT

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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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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