Trudy Palmer

Trudy has a burden for children and believes anyone can read and read well. She has much experience working with the language and learning disabled as she has worked with students labeled dyslexic, ADD, hyperactive, language disabled, hearing and speech impaired, handicapped, and those with language processing differences. Her program is currently used by many homeschoolers throughout this nation and Canada. In addition, numerous private and public educators (including speech therapists and special education teachers) have chosen to use her program.

§         Author of the Gift of Reading program

§         Travels the US promoting her book

§         17 year Homeschooling mother of four

§         BS degree in Elementary Education

§         Bilingual Education

§         Public school educator

§         Palmer tutoring business

Mary Pride has reviewed her materials in the Big Book of Home Learning Vol. #3 as well as in her Practical Homeschooling Magazine.

Cathy Duffy has given Trudy very favorable reviews in her curriculum manuals.

The Ecclectic Homeschooler Magazine has also given excellent reviews in both print and over the web in July 2000.

Dian Coppin

Dian is the Mother of five children. She started teaching in 1967, and has taught at Seguin High School, at Rancier Junior High School in Killeen, and at Trinity Christian Academy in Dallas. She has written curriculum materials for ACE. She is currently tutoring for Coppin Tutoring Service. She has also taught writing and literature courses for the One Day School. Dian and her husband Anthony have been home schooling for over 20 years.

§         BS degree from Southwest Texas State University

§         Masters work from North Texas State University

Debby Rice

Debby has taught government at AACE for the past 5 years and has been the Alamo Metro 4-H Club manager for the past 10 years. She assists Mrs. Palmer with the homeschool dance lessons and the AACE Junior/Senior Prom. As Director and 'Hall Monitor', Debby oversees much of the Friday to Friday operations.

§         Taught the Bradley Method of Childbirth (20 years)

§         Homeschooled her three children (15 years)

§         Associates degree in Retail Merchandising & Management

§         Self-Employed Family Business (10 years)

§         Heavily involved in Precinct 3117 (10 years)

Pauline Bauml

Pauline has lived in San Antonio since her college days. She and her husband raised five children and have a baby granddaughter. She taught high school math for 20 years before joining the homeschool scene. Working with homeschoolers is a joy for Mrs. Bauml, as "they are a treasure in the field of education."

§         Taught high school math for 20 years

Vickie Carden

Vickie has a wide variety of experiences from teaching in public and private schools, to self-employment, travel, and community projects. She has taught in Texas as well as in East Africa and has written materials for use in the classroom; conducted workshops; served on committees that set goals and objectives for instruction; supervised student teachers; recruited and coordinated volunteers; served as a boarding mistress; and even managed to climb the highest mountain in Africa with students in tow. Vickie has owned a small business, traveled extensively, and received her pre-college education in the Far East. Most recently, she has home schooled her two daughters, has participated in a home school co-op as well as very active participation in 4H and its related projects.

§         Masters in Education, with a double major in History and Spanish from Texas Christian Univerity

§         Certified to teach both elementary and secondary levels

§         Holds bilingual certification

§         Taught in public and private schools for about 15 years

§         Received Ft. Worth Teacher Award for work on school-wide reading program

§         Author of bilingual social studies kit, Percepciones, for use at middle school level (Ft. Worth ISD)

Linda Cowan

Linda has done freelance work for the last ten years - illustrated for Builder's Square, produced pottery for Raegen's Room Products, painted murals - Aerial Athletics, and her favorite, a limited number series for the Spurs. Since her children have become school age, she started focusing more on teaching opportunities. She has been teaching private classes for the last seven years, and working in the art department at St Mary's Hall.

§         Associates in Advertising Art

§         Bachelors in Fine Art

§         Teaching certification

Shelly Fluke

Along with winning an Addy and Graphex award, Shelly is a three time winner of the San Antonio Fiesta Poster Competition. Her clients include TWA, American Airlines, Pillsbury, Florida Citrus, and Texaco among many others.

§         Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art from the University of Central Oklahoma

§         Master of Fine Arts in Design from the University of Oklahoma

§         Instructor of Art at the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma

§         Instructor at the Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio

Nora Gorhum

Nora Gorhum is a Life Certified Texas Teacher with 13 years public school,2 years in private school and 1 year at FEAST. Mrs. Gorhum home schooled her older daughter for 4 years of high school, attending AACE, and her younger daughter for 9 years. She is active in Texas historical research and participates in area historial celebrations. She worked one summer for Region 20 writing an activity book for learning centers in the classroom. She is a project leader in the Pearsall 4-H club, educational presentations coach, and travel sponsor for the club. She is an officer in the South Texas CattleWomen, often speaking on issues that concern property owners, property rights, and the beef industry. She is looking forward to teaching at AACE this year.

Beth Grasso

Beth has been teaching 'all her life' - as a tutor to elementary and secondary students in a variety of subjects, as a Communications Instructor in the Marine Corps, as a Patient Educator, a Registered Nurse, a Corporate Trainer, and a substitute teacher for the NISD. Beth enjoys teaching homeschool students because " it is stimulating to work with students that have varied educational experiences and backgrounds."

§         Associate Degree in Accounting and Business

§         Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Teresa Hamby

Teresa is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University. Her first year of teaching was in Elementary Education working with 2nd graders, with an additional three years at Mark Twain Middle School as an instructor in Life Science, Physical Education and coach for girls' sports. For the past 15+ years, she has homeschooled her three children. Currently, she is involved in AACE teaching various subjects: Geography (U.S. and World), Life and Earth Sciences, and Book Club. Learning is a life long process and she considers it a privilege to have taught her own children and others.

§         BS in Secondary Education: Physical Education and Biology from Southwest Texas State University

Paula Hill

Paula has homeschooled her 6 children since 1983. She enjoys "explaining how God reveals His awesome order, diversity, and wisdom through His creation" in the High School Biology class she teaches.

§         BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas

§         Worked in a clinical setting for 14 years

§         Senior Staff Therapist

§         Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy students

§         Office Manager for home-based business

Woody Murata

A homeschool mom of six children for over fifteen years, Woody was awarded Student Teacher of the Year and Summa Cum Laude upon graduation from the University of Texas at Austin. Woody has also served as Youth Ministry Counselor, Girl Scout Leader Saint Mary's Hall Summer Arts Dance Director, and Crisis Pregnancy Counselor. At AACE, Woody has taught elementary Texas and American History, Science, Math, and Literature classes over the past 4 years.

§         BS in Education from the University of Texas, Austin

§         Certified to teach grades K-12

§         Taught at Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio for 6+ years

Leslie Kinsel

Mother of two children.  Her earliest experience was teaching dogs and horses.  She began teaching children when her oldest was born, and has served as a teacher and coach at Faith Christian Academy in Dilley, 4-H project leader, Sunday School teacher for children and youth for 15+ years, church worship service children’s teacher for 10+ years, vacation bible school director and teacher for 10+ years, and homeschool teacher for the past 3 years.

§         Economics degree, 3 yrs at Texas A&M, 1 yr at Texas State Univ.

§         Law degree, Univ. of Texas, J.D. with honors, Order of the Coif

§         Big city lawyer for one year; small-town general law practice for several years

§         Supports entrepreneur husband with legal, tax and business matters for several family-owned businesses, including ranching, real estate, and investments

§         Active in many industry and community organizations

Marla Ripps

Marla has always loved teaching and has taught many varied subjects over the years, including but not limited to sewing, quilting, college workshops, and chemistry. She volunteered and worked at FEAST for the past 12 years in which she was instrumental in starting and running their co-op until the summer of 2004. She and Irene Miller have heard a calling from the Lord and have started Crystal Sea Drama Company, a Christian school for Theater Arts and Performance.

§         BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M

§         Civil Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation for 6 years

§         Technical Director of Crystal Sea Drama Company

§         Has taught Chemistry and Chemistry Lab at FEAST and AACE

Pat Valdez

Pat taught for 6 years at South San High School here in San Antonio. In addition, she has taught at Ramses School, Magnolia Christian School, Bethesda Christian Institute, CLEAR, ENNACT, St. Joseph's, FEAST and San Antonio Academy. She has served as 4-H moderator, Exploravision moderator, as well as serving as the Vacation Bible School Director and Sunday School Director for New Life Ministries of San Antonio.

§         BA in Biology with a minor in Art from St. Mary's University

§         15+ years teaching four sons at home

§         10+ years teaching high school, elementary, and kinder homeschoolers

§         Built and manages the HCentralSA.Org website. A website that supports and informs homeschoolers in and around San Antonio, TX.