2023/2024
Moderator Bios
Angela M. will be moderating The Books of the Ancient Romans and The Aeneid. I was born and raised in SE Michigan, which is where we currently reside. I am a product of the public school system, went to college for mechanical engineering, and was employed within the automotive industry. Prior to having children, my husband and I said that we'd *never* homeschool, but God had different plans for us! :) (It turns out that engineering was a cakewalk when I compare it to some of our really hard school days.) My family is now going into our 8th year of homeschooling using Memoria Press with students in grades 8th, 6th, and 3rd. This is my second year moderating for Vita Beata and through it I've discovered a deep appreciation for ancient histories and literature. I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn alongside my children and to trust God in our day to day triumphs and struggles.
Aundrea K. "Hello! I am a homeschooling mom of 6 with a degree in Theology, and a love of history and literature. I am excited to continue our journey with Vita Beata."
Brittany K. has been homeschooling for 13 years, using Memoria Press for 5 years, and participating with Vita Beata for 3 years. She loves learning about history and helping children see how historic figures fit onto the timeline of life. Mrs. Kearns is a mother of 6 and wife of a US Naval Chaplain. She has degrees in Human Development and Nursing. She enjoys running with her children, hiking, and learning about new cultures and languages.
Cassie V. is starting her eighth year of homeschooling and is thrilled to be returning to the Vita Beata community. Cassie hails from Ohio with her husband and three children. Between Latin and Literature lessons, they can be found on the soccer field or camping.
My name is Catherine S. I am a mom of five children, ages 12-5, and have homeschooled for seven years using Memoria Press exclusively. I am excited to moderate Famous Men of Greece this year, as ancient history has always been a passion of mine. My hobbies include sewing, traveling when I am able, and gardening. My favorite books are Jane Eyre, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Alice in Wonderland.
My name is Cecilia C. and we've been homeschooling for 9 years. My children (3 boys and a girl) range in age from 4 to 14. Most of our homeschool materials are Memoria Press. Reading/discussing things with my children and gardening are a couple of the things I enjoy.
Christina W. is a 2nd generation homeschooler with a BS in Computer Science. She has homeschooled her three children from the beginning of their education. This is Christina’s third year with Vita Beata.
"I’m Christy B. This is my seventh year moderating Memoria Press discussion groups. I have moderated both classical studies and literature. We started our schooling experience at the main Highlands Latin School in Louisville, but a job change forced us to move. We knew there was nothing like an HLS education, so we went straight from going to the school to homeschooling with Memoria Press materials. For the ‘22-23 school year I will be homeschooling 12th, 10th, 7th, and 4rd grade boys. I also teach the Special Needs classes for Memoria Press Online Academy."
Cortney S. is a homeschooling mom of 2 great kids. This will be her 8th year homeschooling and her 6th year using Memoria Press. Cortney teaches 3rd and 4th graders at a local Highlands Latin cottage school. She loves reading in any spare time she can find. This will be her second year moderating with Vita Beata.
Debbie H. My introduction to homeschooling began on a walk down Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, KY with my family. We noticed an open house for Highlands Latin School. After that visit and subsequent research, we resolved that our kids would attend this amazing school. Before our oldest was school-aged, life pulled us in a different direction to Des Moines, IA where a church member mentioned that her family homeschooled. She described her curriculum, which sounded a lot like Highlands Latin School – Memoria Press! The realization that the Highlands Latin School curriculum was available through Memoria Press persuaded me to homeschool, and I have never looked back. I have homeschooled full-time since 2014 and have three children.
Esther W. is moderating Greek Tragedies in her second year with Vita Beata. With her husband, she is raising two boys near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains north of Denver. Not at all equipped to teach classically by an engineering degree and a Marine Corps career, she considers homeschooling, a work of the last 13 years, to be the most important vocation God has given her.
"I am Evie A. Prior to having my children, I spent 7 years in the public school system (teaching 3rd, 5th, and ESL) where I had to fight to even read chapter books to our students. I have LOVED reading classical literature and studying history with my 3 children (headed into 7th, 6th & 4th for 2023-2024) using Memoria Press as our guide. I'm excited to meet your wonderful children and encourage them along their journey of growing a love for reading and learning."
“I’m Heidi F. This will be my second year moderating for Vita Beata, and I am excited to lead the 3rd grade literature; Famous Men of Rome; and the Book of Ancient Greeks, the Iliad, and the Odyssey classes. I have four children, and we have been using the Memoria Press curriculum for eight years now. In my free time, I spend it working on our hobby farm, baking or reading.”
Jennie V.
Judy W. "I'm very grateful for VB. As an ESL teacher with a love for literature, history, and science, I have homeschooled both of my children. My older son is currently in public school for varsity sports. I find that the MP curriculum is extremely parent and child friendly, and offers a sound classical education."
Julie S. will be moderating 6th Grade American Studies, Ancient Greeks/Iliad & Odyssey, 8th/9th Grade History, and 10th Grade Literature. Julie is a long time homeschooling mom of ten with twenty-one years of experience; seven of those with Memoria Press full core. Julie was drawn to MP through their literature guides and enjoys walking with students through the wonderful literature selections and exploring history together. This will be Julie’s fifth year moderating with Vita Beata.
Katie K.
"Hi, I’m Katie S. I’m a mom to 4. This will be our 7th year homeschooling and I will have a7th grader, 5th grader, and Kindergartener this year with an infant along for the ride. This is our second year with Vita Beata and my first year moderating, though I’ve taught co-op classes in the past."
Kristi B. is a pastor's wife and mother of two children, ages 11 and 15. She has been homeschooling for ten years and loves reading and learning alongside her children. This is her third year moderating for Vita Beata. She will be leading History of Medieval Europe and Sixth Grade Literature. She blogs about family and faith, especially about homeschooling and trusting God in hard times, at www.thissideofheavenblog.com.
Letisha P. Will be moderating 6th Grade Literature. I have been walking the homeschool journey since the year 2000. I have 4 sons and 2 daughters ages 30-5 and 7 grandchildren. I am a nurse and Biblical naturopath where I enjoy utilizing God’s Word and His medicinal gifts to help others. My hobbies include farming on a small scale, gardening, reading, and being outdoors as much as possible. I also enjoy visiting my dad on our 6th generation farm in West Virginia and vacationing in North Carolina on the oceanfront. One of my all time favorite books is “The Dangerous Journey.”
"Hello, My name is Lisa D. and our family calls Fort Worth, TX home. We also have land in the Ozarks of Arkansas and spend time in Arkansas as much as possible. We love to travel! I've been homeschooling for 13 years and I have one adult son and two girls in High School. We have been part of Vita Beata for three years and this will be our 4th. I look forward to meeting you."
Marie W.
"Hi! I am Melanie R., second generation homeschooler in upstate New York, mother of four, and a devoted Memoria Press enthusiast. We are embarking on our fifth year with MP and my second year moderating for Vita Beata."
Michelle R.
"Hello, I am Rhianna Riebau, the mother of ten wonderful children (8 daughters, 2 sons), aged 3 to 21. We began our homeschooling journey thirteen years ago. Although I originally didn't imagine I'd be a homeschool mom, I am so thankful that we became a homeschooling family. I have a master's degree in Physics, which means I enjoy explaining things like 'why the sky is blue?' (Rayleigh scattering of light) and I have a great passion for learning and education. Previously, I have tutored physics and all levels math (K through graduate school) and also for one year I taught Advanced Mathematics at a Classical Christian High School. The experience of teaching in a Classical Christian environment opened my eyes to the amazing treasures of education that can be found by teaching classically. In fact, I think I've always been a classicist at heart (I was one of few in college who took Classical Greek and read Plato from the Greek text.)"
Shannon S. is a second generation homeschooling mom of five. Like most homeschool moms, her daily life finds her teaching the kids, juggling all the things from sports to music activities to menu planning, and also actively participating in her role as pastor's wife. This is her second year moderating (this year 4th and 7th literature), her family's fourth year participating in Vita Beata, and her eighth year of homeschooling with Memoria Press. Shannon has a degree in music history and French and has taught music privately and in classroom settings from elementary to collegiate level. She is so thankful for Vita Beata's online presence for her own children and is thrilled to be part of it.
Stephanie S. "Hi! I have been homeschooling in some capacity for ten years. I have three children and this will be our 4th year using Memoria Press. This is my 2nd time moderating, and I'm excited to jump into Famous Men of Rome."
Susan H.