MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS
We are committed to locating and securing qualified Christian independent expert instructors who are passionate about their subject to enrich your home education program.
HEED instructors include lawyers, scientists, engineers, pastors, college professors, psychologists, accountants, high school teachers, and more. Real life experience combined with an excellent grasp of the subject and a passion to pour into the next generation are the characteristics that make HEED instructors the best!
​
Donna Kay Davis
Shannon Sonsky
Giovana Cavarretta
Carissa Taylor
Heather Chada
Brittnye Arthur
​​
​
Giovana Cavarretta (Civics, Finance, U.S. Geography)
​
Giovana Cavarretta is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and a wife and mother of three. She and her husband, Sal, have served the Lord in full time ministry for over 25 years. She has enjoyed homeschooling her own children (2 are adults now and one is in high school) for the past 18 years. Along with homeschooling, Mrs. Cavarretta has a passion for teaching and helping students of all ages to enjoy learning in fun and engaging ways. Moreover, having been born and raised in Lima, Perú and having moved to the United States as a teenager, she’s experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to learn another language. Therefore, she desires to help her Spanish class students learn to communicate in Spanish while having fun in the process. Mrs. Cavarretta attended Florida Atlantic University and graduated with Honors with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Heather Chada (Science)
​
Heather is a fully devoted follower of Christ, wife, and mother. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, and a Master’s Degree in Biology with a focus in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Marine Physiology. During Heather’s undergraduate research, she worked in an organic chemistry lab utilizing microbiology techniques to grow various strains of bacteria to test the antibacterial effectiveness of newly formed peptide chains. During her graduate research, she used molecular biology methods to extract and quantify proteins present in the tissues of green sea turtles suffering from fibropapilomatosis. In addition, she served as a contributing author to Practical Exam Review (PAR) by creating question sets for the anatomy & physiology test bank. Heather worked as the Biology TA Coordinator and taught Undergraduate Labs including: Comparative Vertebrate Morphology, Comparative Animal Physiology, and Anatomy & Physiology. After the completion of her Master’s Degree, Heather worked as the Biological Laboratory Supervisor at FAU and taught classes as an Adjunct Professor. Following the birth of her second child, Heather taught High School Science at Zion Lutheran and then Calvary Christian Academy. She taught high school AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Marine Biology. Heather also served as an Assistant Varsity Softball Coach and a Girls’ Small Group Leader. She currently loves homeschooling her children and helping other homeschool kids gain an understanding and passion for science.
Donna Kay Davis (Math)
dkdavisHEED@gmail.com
​
Donna-Kay Davis has been an educator for over 25 years with experience teaching preschool through high school kids at her church, in co-ops, and in her home. With the help of the Lord Jesus, a great husband, and HEED, Donna-Kay has homeschooled all four of her kids (two daughters, two sons) from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Using non-traditional learning techniques, Donna-Kay tries to make math fun and understandable for the not-so-mathy student while helping kids see how math is practical for their everyday lives. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Miami Christian College (now Trinity International University), a Master's Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in children and families from Florida International University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Currently she works at her church as the Preschool Ministry Assistant. She loves the Lord Jesus Christ, William (her husband of over 27 years), her family, and kids of all ages. She also likes dogs, coffee, and chocolate.
​
​
​
Michelle Moody (History, Science)​​​​
​​​​​​​​(tmichellemoody@comcast.net)
​Michelle is originally from Nebraska. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. She met her husband in St. Louis and then moved to Florida in 2001. She has homeschooled her 2 children since kindergarten. Michelle has been teaching in the children's program at HEED for 6 years. Additionally she is teaching Florida history and science (Marine Biology) to our middle schoolers along with a three year History of the World series. One of her greatest joys has been being a part of the HEED team.
​
​
Lori Murphy (Mixed Media Art)
Lori was born and raised in South Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Mercer University. She taught art at Coral Springs Christian Academy for four years. Lori lives in Coral Springs with her husband Keith and daughter Melissa. who attended Westminster Academy. Lori loves art and is excited to be teaching at HEED.
​
​​
​
​
​​
Shannon Sonsky (English, Math, Critical Thinking)
Shannon loves to teach! With God's much-needed grace and guidance, she had the pleasure of homeschooling her two daughters from kindergarten through high school. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master's degree, and a Gifted Certification Endorsement. She taught in the public school system for eight years and taught elementary and middle school co-op classes for homeschoolers. She tutors elementary and middle school students privately. Shannon is very excited to have the opportunity to teach at HEED. Along with teaching the subject material, her goals are to help children think critically, work successfully with their classmates, and have fun in the process.
​
Carissa Taylor (Science)
Carissa has experience educating both children and adults and is excited to help families build foundational knowledge while fostering curiosity and reverence for the beautiful order of Creation. A south Florida native, she holds a masters degree from UCF and has a HEED Adventurer and a HEED middle schooler. Her husband, Tom, is a functional medicine health coach and exercise physiologist, making science education a core component of their family’s life.
Carissa has experienced the joy in children’s eyes as they witness science in action, and this year’s physical science and ecology studies are sure to be fun. She ultimately hopes to encourage your children in the exciting pursuit of God’s plan, and in taking ownership of their lifelong learning journey.
​
​
Brittnye Arthur (English)
​
Brittnye Arthur graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education. Since then, she has added Exceptional Student Education and Reading to her teaching certificate along with a certification from the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education. Her interests, in order, include Jesus, family, literature, and writing. Throughout 9 years of teaching experience in both public and private school, she’s discovered that proficiency in reading and writing is instrumental for future success. She enthusiastically helps students hone their literacy skills to equip them for college and beyond. Brittnye lives in Boynton Beach with her husband and four daughters.​​
​