Meet our Teachers

Christina Bacca

Christina Bacca

Teacher

“Spanish Teacher 1. Like a regular teacher only mucho mas chido. #HasFunInSpanish #ILoveMyStudents #IAlwaysWantedToBeAMeme”

Christina Bacca holds a Master’s degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. in both Spanish and French.  She has studied in Spain, France and Mexico. She has had a love for teaching since she was a child, when she played school with her brother. Christina taught in Fairfax County Public Schools and had the privilege of teaching other educators Spanish at UVA and George Mason University. She is married to a native Spanish speaker, homeschooled her two daughters, has tutored for 18 years and is amazed at how God has given her so many opportunities to use Spanish. Currently, Christina is passionate about developing a homeschool curriculum using Comprehensible Input, a method that allows students to understand a second language from Day 1 and acquire a high degree of proficiency in the language and the confidence to use it.

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Introduction

Facebook Interview

Interview with Sra. Bacca, Spanish teacher at CHESS

Interview with Spanish teacher Christina Bacca

Posted by CHESS, Homeschool Enrichment Support Services on Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Spanish 1
Spanish 2
Spanish 3
Spanish 4
Student Testimonial
Bonnie Bekisz

Bonnie Bekisz

Teacher

“People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child

Bonnie holds a BS from Wayland Baptist University in Occupational Education with a minor in Business. She holds an AAS in Advanced Culinary Arts from Stratford University where she graduated magna cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. From Arizona, she’s an Air Force veteran and has lived in Germany, Hawaii, Nebraska, Washington DC, New Mexico, and Virginia. Married to Mike, a retired Air Force veteran, they have 3 daughters who have been homeschooled and participated in CHESS classes. Led to homeschooling while in New Mexico, she took up the mantle of teacher in 2005. She will graduate the youngest in 2026.

Strongly feeling that, culturally, the US has several generations of people who don’t know basic cooking skills, she feels led to teach cooking. She will begin with teens here at CHESS. Cooking reinforces basic math skills, teaches culinary French terms and kitchen science.

Cyndy Berryman

Cyndy Berryman

Teacher

“I love the quote: ‘If you can’t explain your physics to a barmaid it is probably not very good physics.’ – Ernest Rutherford”

Cyndy received her BS in engineering from the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) and her ADN RN degree in 2009 from Lord Fairfax Community College. She worked as a labor and deliver nurse for over 12 years before returning to homeschooling full time. Cyndy and her husband have 7 children which they have homeschooled since the oldest was in 1st grade (32 years homeschooling) They have graduated 6 children who all went on to college, and one is currently homeschooled. When Cyndy had her first child, she wondered why God would have directed her to a science/math degree if she was going to stay home with her children. And then she embarked on the amazing journey of homeschooling and found her niche teaching high school math and science. God is so Good!

Introduction
Amie Bowman

Amie Bowman

Teacher

The only place you are not replaceable is at home. Choose your priorities wisely!

Dr. Bowman holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Masters in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor’s in European Studies from the University of South Carolina. She teaches a variety of courses for multiple universities and is a very happy homeschooling mom. When not teaching, Dr. Bowman volunteers at the Middleburg Humane Foundation and spends time with her family.

Amy Chan

Amy Chan

Teacher

“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ~Pablo Picasso

Amy graduated with a B.A. in Art from Humboldt State University, then continued with a degree in education from California State University, Monterey Bay. Amy’s teaching experience started in Japan where she lived for two years while teaching English to students ranging in age from Pre-K through adult. She also taught in public schools in California and Virginia and then for eight years at her church’s homeschool co-op. Amy and her husband have four children and this is their 19th year homeschooling. Being a military spouse, and even before marriage, Amy has traveled and lived around the world. Her favorite tour was their four years stationed in Seoul, South Korea. During that time, Amy and her husband completed two adoptions from China. Amy loves teaching at CHESS and feels blessed to be serving in the homeschool community.

Introduction
General Science
Physical Science
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math

Science Orientation

Delynn Chapman

Delynn Chapman

Teacher

“The most important thing in mathematics is not speed, it’s the ability to slow down and ask the right questions. It’s okay to make mistakes. Actually, mistakes are so wonderful because you make a mistake, you learn from it and that’s the most important thing” –Eddie Woo

Delynn loves geometry; it’s her favorite thing to teach!

She graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in chemistry and went on to complete a minor in math as well as Master’s degree in education. She taught geometry at Prince William County schools for six years before staying home when her daughter was born. Recently, Delynn taught geometry for three years at a private Christian school, and she has enjoyed her previous experiences teaching Algebra, Math for ESL students, ASL, various subjects at homeschool co-ops, and ESL classes at her church. Delynn and her husband have one daughter who is in high school and whom they have always homeschooled. Being a part of the homeschool community has been a great blessing to their family.

Delynn has a deep desire to see students understand mathematics and enjoy its beauty. She knows how it feels to struggle and then succeed in math, so she can relate to and help those who struggle as well as challenge those to whom it comes more naturally. And while she thinks geometry is great fun (“What’s not to like?!”), she’ll still be your friend if you disagree and don’t see the appeal.

Delynn is a nationally certified sign language interpreter and has worked as a community interpreter, an interpreter in educational settings from middle school through college, and an interpreter at her church. She also once made dirt for a living. Working as a lab technician in the R&D lab of a carpet-cleaning-machine manufacturer, she prepared a specific mixture of soil to use in testing the effectiveness of new machines. She wouldn’t trade her time in the test lab, but she is so grateful that God led her out of the dirt and into the classroom.

Barbara Curry

Barbara Curry

Teacher

I love gardening, crocheting, and doing math puzzles!

Barbara’s love for teaching mathematics began while working on her AA degree at Tallahassee Community College. It was there that she started tutoring in the Math Lab. After graduation, she transferred to Florida State University, where she earned a BS degree in Mathematics and continued tutoring in the Math Lab at TCC and FSU. She married her college sweetheart, Hugh, and in 2 years they started travelling the world courtesy of the USAF. After a transfer to Idaho, Barbara earned an MS degree in Education with Math Emphasis from Boise State University. She started teaching math classes at BSU and has been loving it ever since, teaching mathematics at schools across the nation. In addition, she has had the opportunity to teach ESOL classes at her church. Barbara and Hugh have lived in 7 different states and Australia. They have been married almost 38 years and have 3 adult children.

Beth Cuvelier

Beth Cuvelier

Teacher

“In my homeschooling journey I have stoned a baby rattlesnake and killed a desert scorpion, which I put in the freezer for school lessons. :)”

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon (One of my favorite quotes)

Beth graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and then received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1991. She has worked in all aspects of the legal system; however, Beth’s greatest joy is teaching civics and language classes, such as Latin and French.

Beth is passionate about young people learning critical thinking skills to be applied with a Biblical worldview. Beth’s classes at CHESS include logic, Latin, French, criminal justice, Constitutional Literacy, and African-American history.  She is most passionate about students learning truth through research and analysis so they can properly interpret current events with wisdom. She sees learning as a way to glorify God because we operate from the discernment of God’s Word, which applies to all of life. Other courses Beth enjoys teaching are classical studies such as speech and debate, ethics and morality, philosophy, mythology and literature.

Beth and her husband have been married for 28 years, and they have moved 7 times (including 4 cross country moves) They have three daughters who have been homeschooled for over 16 years. Homeschooling has always been an adventure for her family, and she once stoned a baby rattlesnake and killed a desert scorpion, which she put in the freezer for school lessons! All three children have graduated and are pursuing God’s call on their lives.

Introduction
African American History
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Betsy Dill

Betsy Dill

Teacher

“My favorite quote is: What we learn with pleasure we never forget. ~Alfred Mercier”

Betsy has over 30 years’ experience working as a professional illustrator and copywriter. Her fashion illustration and humorous inspirational articles have been published in newspapers, magazines, and anthologies. She also illustrated two children’s picture books. For over 20 years after she homeschooled her son, she taught art, creative and essay writing, and public speaking in private Christian schools and tutoring centers. She is a former Guideposts magazine workshop winner and was nominated for a Disney Teacher Award honoring creativity in teaching.

Introduction
Art 4 Everyone
Creative Writing
Drawing in Depth
Fearless Public Speaking
Student Testimonial
Jennifer Glenn

Jennifer Glenn

Teacher

Some of my favorite ways to relax — Reading books, nature walks, collecting nature specimens, exploring creeks, and… sorting LEGO!

Jennifer earned a BA in Economics from Sweet Briar College. After several years of working in marketing and product management, she began a new adventure – parenting! Jennifer and her husband, Steve, have three children, all of whom were homeschooled K-12 and took a variety of classes through CHESS during their middle school and high school years. Her two oldest graduated from Christopher Newport University, one went on to law school recently graduating from William and Mary, and both are now working in their fields of study. And her youngest is studying Graphic Arts at Longwood University.

Since childhood, Jennifer has had a love of Lego building. Later, while homeschooling, she was delighted to discover a curriculum that uses Lego as a platform to teach Simple Machines and Motorized Mechanisms. She has used that curriculum to teach classes in a variety of homeschool co-op settings. In addition, Jennifer taught Sunday School, ages 2-3, for 11 years, has led and spoken at several church retreats and events, and has served in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in a variety of leadership positions for over 10 years.

She is excited to continue teaching Applied STEM (with Lego) at CHESS!

Intro & Applied STEM Concepts

Jennifer Hargis

Jennifer Hargis

Teacher

“Stories are the fabric of life. Everyone has a story worth telling. God’s story of love, redemption, and adoption into His family is my favorite.”

From an early age, Jennifer has always had a passion for Jesus, the law, and theater. Jennifer received a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology from Pensacola Christian College. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Regent University. She spent some time at the Sacramento District Attorney’s office serving subpoenas and conducting preliminary hearings and a few misdemeanor trials. God’s sense of humor was on display when He called her to join the United States Marine Corps. After going through Officer Candidate School and The Basic School in Quantico, she had specialized training at the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. She started her Judge Advocate General (JAG) career as a defense attorney at Camp Pendleton on the coast of Southern California. She met her husband while representing Marines at their employment termination hearings. No, he wasn’t a client; however, he was her adversary in the hearings!
Soon after getting married, Jennifer and her husband rode their tandem bike from Texas to Florida to Maine. Someone once said, “whatever direction your marriage is going, a tandem bike will get you there twice as fast.” The direction was a good one, as they have been married for 22 years. Jennifer has one daughter who will be a Senior in the 2023-2024 school year.
Jennifer was able to concentrate more on her passion for the dramatic and theater once she started homeschooling their daughter. She performed several skits with her daughter before becoming involved with the Homeschool Theater Troupe (HTT). She worked as the Stage Manager on several productions before taking on the role of Director.
Jennifer has enjoyed previous teaching experiences in co-op, Vacation Bible School, and directing HTT. She is looking forward to combining her love of law and the theater in the American Government class.

Jennifer Hargis

John Jenkins

John Jenkins

Teacher

“I love writing fiction that inspires young people; it’s my passion. Our generation needs heroes – at least a million of them.”

John is a publisher, author, and conference speaker who has been teaching homeschoolers for 23 years and at CHESS since its inception. John’s classes include effective writing and literature for high school and college prep, critical reading and thinking skills, professional fiction writing, plus business and technical writing. His writing credits include nine short stories for Focus on the Family, including “If One Falls” which took the Higher Goals first place award for fiction in the EPA publisher’s competition for Breakaway magazine. John’s most recent books are A Most Excellent Pirate AdventureI Love Baseball and Ghost Pirates, which are part of his Young Heroes series. John is married and a proud father of two adult sons, four lovely granddaughters, a grandson and two great grandchildren. John has lived and worked in No. Va. all of his life. A Christian since 1970, John attends and serves at Clear River Community Church. All of John’s books are available at Inspirethehero.com and are fulfilled by Amazon.com.

Introduction
Effective Writing 7-9
Effective Writing 9-12
American Literature

Master Storyteller

Testimonial

Sandy Kelly

Sandy Kelly

Teacher

“I like to crochet and find it very relaxing.”

Sandy has a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Geneva College. She has taught chemistry at the college level and has taught chemistry to home school high school students for over fifteen years, both in co-ops and in private homes. She also does private tutoring in chemistry for students in all types of schools. She and her husband homeschooled their now 35-year-old son, who has two degrees from George Mason University and is working for a large information technology services company.

Introduction
Manuela Kim

Manuela Kim

Teacher

A different language is a different vision of life. Federico Fellini (1920-1993, Italian Filmmaker)

We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects. Richard Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education

Manuela graduated from the University of Venice with a Master’s Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, majoring in German Language and Literature. Born and raised in Vicenza, Italy, in 1996 she met and married a USAF officer, Jon, with whom she moved to the US. She credits coming to live in the US for her transformation from indifferent agnostic to committed Christian thanks to the many wonderful Christians she encountered along the way who were willing to minister to her.
For many years she was kept busy by the family’s many moves (14 in 23 years). Moving was exciting but it also caused significant disruption in their sons’ education, so Jon and Manuela decided to homeschool them. Alex and Matthew were homeschooled starting in third grade until their freshman year of high school, when they chose to return to public school in order to play football. With both her sons now in college (USMA and USAFA) and missing the homeschool community, Manuela reached out to CHESS where her sons took classes a few years ago and where she looks forward to spreading an appreciation of the wonderful German language to many young people.
Manuela has taught Italian, English, and German in a variety of settings, to include a community college in WA State, in her own home, and online. She has also published two historical crime novels in her native Italy under the pen-name Laura Florian.

German 1

Rebecca Roades

Rebecca Roades

Teacher

“People like you, they do you know, if you like them.” Martha Hatter in  Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones

Rebecca has a BA in Social work from Shippensburg University, PA. Working for Bethany Christian Services as a Counselor, was her most favorite job, where she provided a safe space for young women to consider the choice of whether to parent their child or place them with a family for adoption. Currently a mother of four amazing young women, Rebecca has homeschooled them throughout elementary and high school and two are now in college. Rebecca is passionate about having fun in life and living it to the fullest, no matter where God has called her, even if that was in her living room raising children! Since 2020 she has taught a Life Skills class equipping students with the tools and confidence to transition into the responsibilities of adulthood. She loves working with teens, laughing and inspiring them to grow through meaningful conversation, practical assignments and friendly accountability.

Dijana Trkulja

Dijana Trkulja

Teacher

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ – from Forrest Gump, my favorite movie/quote and chocolate is my favorite food!”

Dijana Trkulja was born in former Yugoslavia and studied Social Studies at the Banja Luka School for Natural Science and Mathematics. Her family has moved four times over 15 years, to include living abroad. Dijana has been active in different churches domestically and internationally, leading women’s ministries and children’s programs in military communities. She worked as a financial advisor and a background investigator prior to homeschooling her daughters and has served the homeschool community since 2012 as a teacher and a co-op board leader in Virginia and New Jersey. Dijana has taught high school World History, US History, Bible, World Geography, Psychology and Economics. She thanks her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity to teach and instruct young minds in His way.

Introduction
Facebook Interview

Interview with CHESS Teacher Dijana Trkulja

Interview with Dijana Trkulja

Posted by CHESS, Homeschool Enrichment Support Services on Monday, August 10, 2020

American History & Bible
World Geo & Bible: Worldviews Survey
Economics

Heidi Wethered

Heidi Wethered

Teacher

“I love goats, and even went goat cuddling. It was so much fun having a baby goat fall asleep in my arms!”

Heidi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work and her Master’s degree in Human Services Program Management from Western Maryland College. (now McDaniel College) She spent 17 years working for The Arc of Frederick County (Maryland) providing service coordination to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has been married to her husband, Bennett, for almost 35 years. She homeschooled their two daughters from kindergarten through high school graduation. For eight years she taught first grade at Oak Hill Christian School. Heidi also works with Prince William County’s Adult Education Program. An avid reader, Heidi strives to encourage the love of books in her students, helping them to identify and appreciate good literature. It’s her hope that she can show her students how culture is reflected in literature and how to evaluate literature from a Christian worldview. Whenever possible, Heidi enjoys spending time with her four grandsons, reading and scrapbooking.

Introduction
Facebook Interview

Interview with Heidi Wethered, CHESS teacher

Interview with Heidi Wethered, CHESS teacher

Posted by CHESS, Homeschool Enrichment Support Services on Monday, July 27, 2020

English 9
English 10
English 11
Lorie Zellner

Lorie Zellner

Teacher

“When we were first married, my husband and I helped run VBS on a Native American Indian reservation in South Dakota.”

​Lorie earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from George Mason University.  Prior to having her children, she taught in a private school and was a substitute teacher in Fairfax County public schools. She and her husband, Jim, have six children, all who have been homeschooled from preschool through high school.  Each has participated in many CHESS classes over the years and, though they are now all graduated from high school, Lorie continues to use her gift of teaching in our homeschool community.  She has taught in various homeschool co-ops, as well as leading in church ministries, such as teaching Sunday school, Bible studies, and mentoring young moms at her church.

Introduction
Biology Lab

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