Meet our Aspen TeacheRs
Amy Wheeler: Aspen Supervisor
After marrying Jim, her high school sweetheart, Amy spent several years teaching in Philadelphia and Maryland. Later, she was blessed to be able to stay home with her three children and to homeschool them through graduation. Amy has always been passionate about education and early on in homeschooling discovered Charlotte Mason's philosophy. She feels that Mason's understanding of children shows a deep respect for the individual and the way God has made him or her, while also urging us as parents to help them form good habits and always require their best efforts. Amy tried to build her homeschooling plans around these ideas, while trusting God with the outcome.
While continuing to teach middle school history and geography, Amy is excited to also take on the role of administrator for the brand new Aspen program. Since we cannot know what might excite our children and awaken their minds to new ideas, we will offer a wide variety of the very best books and activities, time in nature, and free play outdoors. As PHA continues to expand to meet the needs of the growing homeschool community, Amy hopes to encourage parents and lead a new team of teachers in "spreading the feast".
Michelle Lingle: Kindergarten
Michelle Lingle is thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten with the Aspen program. She lives in Quakertown with her husband and family. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and earned her teacher certification in music education K-12. She is also an experienced ESL instructor and even spent 2 years teaching English as a foreign language in China’s Sichuan Province. Upon returning to the US, she helped to start a non-profit multicultural resource center in the diverse Delaware County area. During her time there, she taught lessons to students of all ages, at all levels of fluency. This included developing an early childhood program and creating curriculum for moms & kids, toddlers, Pre-K and Kindergarten. She has also taught many classes in music and drama for students in grades K-8. She has had the privilege of teaching in many settings including homeschool groups, children’s ministry, private schools, non-profit organizations, childcare centers, summer camps, private tutoring and vocal instruction but she is most proud of having completed over 20 years of homeschooling her own 3 children, K-12. As a singer, she enjoys teaching with songs, dramatic games and creative activities. It is her desire to help students develop a love of learning and grow in confidence as they understand that God loves them and has given them gifts that they can share with others.
Sarah Turner: First Grade
Growing up as a pastor’s kid in a large family I have always been drawn to working with children. Some of my earliest jobs included babysitting and counseling at summer camp. During my final year at Lancaster Bible College, I was recruited to teach missionary children in Guyana, South America. It was here where my unconventional journey into education began.
After returning to the states I married my college sweetheart, Will. For several years, I taught first grade at a private Christian school. These teaching experiences helped cement a love for education and a desire to approach it from a unique perspective. Five children and many years later my roles have shifted and changed: pastor’s wife, homeschool mom, foster mom, adoptive mom, community art teacher, neighbor and friend, but foremost a follower of Christ. I am thrilled to be joining the PHA family and am grateful to be partnering with families on their homeschool journey. Above all, I desire to equip children to know and love God with their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30)
Megan Ruch: Second Grade
Megan grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania with her four hilarious siblings and faithful parents. Her faith in Jesus started at the age of five through a Sunday School gospel presentation, and that faith is still growing and deepening to this day! She loved being raised in her family’s greenhouse business filled with the beauty of flowers and escapades with her many cousins.
She graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Elementary Education. After college, the Lord called Megan to a year of overseas campus ministry in Central Asia and then four years of stateside campus ministry in Central Pennsylvania. She always stayed involved with children through serving at her local church’s children’s ministries and spending time with her eight nieces and nephews, but is excited to be more directly involved as an educator in a holistic learning environment!
Megan delights in time with dear friends, singing, local cafes, reading, trips to Maine, and time with her family.
Cheryl Smith: Nature Study
Cheryl comes to PHA with over twelve years of caring for and teaching children in an in-home child care. She has a BS degree in Horticulture from Penn State University. She has had the privilege of working in greenhouses and of being a florist for over 20 years. She loves teaching children, using puppets and exploring the outdoors.
A very special man came into her life and they were married in 1979. He went to seminary after they had 4 children. He has now been a Pastor for 25 years. They have raised 4 children and now they have 5 grandchildren. Cheryl has been involved with some wonderful Women’s groups and Christian Ed in the church. At the age of 12, she became a Christian when a Substitute Sunday School teacher taught her class about Salvation.
Cheryl is both excited and humbled to be a part of this very unique and Christ-centered school.
Vonna DeArmond: Third/Fourth Grade
Vonna DeArmond is a mother of 3 boys and has homeschooled for 13 years. She has a degree in Chemistry and left the biopharma industry to pursue Christian homeschooling and teaching. Realizing that she has always loved teaching and had always been teaching in some capacity, she obtained her level one PA teaching certification. While homeschooling, she discovered a passion for teaching children of all ages and gained experience teaching homeschooled children ages 4 through 16. She also has classroom experience with special needs and a heart for kids who learn differently. Her other interests include pickleball, fitness, nature, gardening, and healthy holistic living. She is also Certified Fitness and Integrative Nutrition Coach and teaches adults, kids, and special needs/abilities of all levels privately and at local fitness and wellness centers. Vonna feels blessed to be teaching at Providence Hybrid Academy using the Charlotte Mason philosophy where she can share her love of Jesus and of learning with your children.
Kim Misiti: Fifth to Eighth Grade Forest School
Kim didn't grow up wanting to be a teacher, but the profession chased her down and, eventually, caught up to her.
After more than a decade teaching skiing and snowboarding in the Poconos, teaching English to international students online, substitute teaching as a side job in college, running children's church groups, nannying, homeschooling her brothers during the pandemic, teaching in early childhood centers, and working as an Advancement Coordinator at a private school- she's finally admitting that, despite her best efforts, she might be a teacher after all (just like her mom, her sister, her cousins... maybe it's genetic?)
A former homeschooler herself, Kim graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Mass Media Communications and Political Science. She lives with her husband Nick in Easton, PA, raising their baby, their toddler, and their rebellious teenage dog.
She can usually be found out-and-about, playing soccer, paddleboarding, swing & salsa dancing, attending poetry readings, and throwing elaborate parties with very silly themes.
Kim was blessed to teach Kindergarten at PHA in 2021/2022, and is excited to return from her hiatus to pioneer the 5-8th grade Forest school program. She believes that there is nothing more fulfilling and life-giving than to be immersed in an environment where Christ is centered, childhood is honored, nature is accessible, and the powerful effects of good literature are recognized.