Meet The Libertas Tutors

Dr. Lydia Asana, PhD
Physical Science, Geometry, Student Council
Dr. Asana is a founding member of the Libertas Scholars leadership team. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology, a master’s in nonprofit management, and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration. She is involved in global health education and outreach and has coordinated numerous global, multi-disciplinary, and cross-institutional events on global health.
She views learning as an integrative process of building and applying knowledge and appreciates the freedom to help students recognize God’s hand in all subject areas, particularly the sciences. She is committed to making science fun while helping students develop a strong foundation for future science courses by developing good habits for scientific processes. Lydia has tutored Libertas students in physical Science, physics, geometry, and STEM. Lydia and her family have been homeschooling for over a decade and enjoy traveling both nationally and internationally.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Christie Bancalari
Spanish, World Geography, STEM
Mrs. Bancalari is a founding member of the Libertas Schoalrs leadership team.
She is passionate about many things when it comes to preparing young minds and hearts. Even before becoming a homeschooling family, she was a firm believer that academics are only part of the big educational picture. She loves teaching our youth the soft skills needed to be successful as adults through embracing inclusion and diversity, volunteerism, STEAM learning opportunities and understanding the call to be Ambassadors for Christ in all we do.
She is married to Ed and has two homeschooled teens who enjoy "world-schooling". They have been fortunate to travel extensively when dad travels for work. She looks forward to joining you on the adventure of a lifetime as you educate your children! Doing life together in a Christian community that cares about your children and your family is a great blessing! Welcome to Libertas!

Jenifer Rawlings
Middle School Science, Food Science, Art
Mrs. Rawlings loves learning and joining families on the amazing journey of homeschooling. She has homeschooled her own tribe of four wonderful kids for over 15 years using many different methodologies. Homeschooling in a Christ-centered community has always been a top priority and she is thankful for the community we have at Libertas. Supporting kids to discover their God-given gifts and talents and to grow in the knowledge and understanding of themselves is the driving factor for her.
She is passionate about education being a “whole body experience”, where mind, body, and spirit are “exercised” to grow and complement each other. Jenifer is married to Eric and has 4 children.
In addition to tutoring at Libertas, she is a founding member of the leadership team.

Colleen Fleshood
Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry
Mrs. Fleshood started homeschooling her 5 children in 2004. During that time she learned many things, including her love for teaching math. She and her growing kids have enjoyed participating in 8 homeschool programs over the years. She joined Libertas Scholars in their inaugural year, and continues to delight her students with her energy and enthusiasm for math!

Marty Mann
Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology
Mr. Mann earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science in fisheries biology and management from the University of Florida. For the past 27 years, Mr. Mann's full-time job, is as a fisheries biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and he oversees the management of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Osceola County. Mr. Mann has also taught high school biology, chemistry, physics, and physical science for a homeschool cooperative over the past 10 years.
Mr. Mann has been married to Anna Marie Mann for 26 years and they have two children, Abby and Jackson. Anna Marie is a recently retired emergency room nurse. Abby is a homeschooled grad and is currently a senior at Liberty University pursuing a degree in musical theatre. Jackson is entering the 7th grade. Marty is a deacon at The Connection Church, in Kissimmee.
In his spare time, Mr. Mann enjoys going fishing and traveling to fish around the world when possible. Mr. Mann loves college football and is a die-hard Gator fan. He also trains in martial arts with his son, Jackson. Both Mr. Mann and Jackson are 1st degree black belts.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Lisa Turner
Middle School American History, Literature, English
Mrs. Turner has been teaching and serving in the homeschool community since 1996, having homeschooled her own 3 children while teaching/tutoring/volunteering at co-ops, unit study groups, Classical Conversations, practicums, and private tutoring for a total of 26 years.
She has seen and experienced many changes in homeschooling during those years, but what she has appreciated the most is that, as in her own children’s experience, homeschooling has consistently allowed for the optimum educational experience with learning tailored to meet personal needs as well as educational and life goals while surrounded by wonderful families who share the same vision. She has thoroughly enjoyed and been blessed by the teamwork involving parents and phenomenal students, who have brought such richness to her life!
In her spare time, Mrs. Turner delights in assisting with a new group of “students” – her 4 homeschooled grandchildren. The 2nd generation of homeschooled Turner’s are diving deep and she is enjoying helping wherever she is able! Mrs. Turner has been married to her husband, Ralph, for 32 years and is venturing into his retirement years with happy anticipation!
Besides filling her days with tutoring and family activities, Mrs. Turner could be seen enjoying a classic movie (particularly if the film is in black & white and the characters speak with British accents), reading great literature while sipping on a Chik-Fil-A un-sweet ice tea w/extra lemon & ice, enjoying a performance at the Shakespeare Theater or Dr. Phillips, or enjoying a new restaurant!
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8

Allie Cota
Latin, US History, Logic
Mrs. Cota loves being involved at Libertas! In addition to tutoring, she is a member of the leadership team. She earned a Bachelor's in Social Work and one in Radio/ TV from UCF. She also earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from FSU. Before homeschooling, she enjoyed the many years she spent providing therapy to individuals and families in both the non-profit and private sectors.
Since beginning her homeschooling journey, she has taught her own children and others at home and in a classroom setting. Through programs like Classical Conversations, Science Olympiad, and Libertas Scholars, she has received great joy in working alongside amazing students and families.
It is her pleasure and delight to be teaching Latin and high school US History at Libertas. She is passionate about exploring. Her favorite part of being a tutor is seeing the student's faces light up as they find great joy and mastery over connecting the dots
She and her husband, Anthony, have been married for 23 years, have 4 children, and have been homeschooling for 13 years. Two are in college at UCF and two are at home.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, watching her children compete in track and field, and caring for Monarch Caterpillars.
Psalm 25:5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you, I wait all the day long.

Tiffany Kohn
English I, II, III, & IV
With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in English Studies from The University of Florida (Go Gators!) Mrs. Kohn has traveled enough yet not enough at all; living in Italy for a summer and in Germany for over a year, she eventually settled down to teach and learn in public, private, and, more recently, virtual school settings. With over 20 years in education, she was blessed to teach all three of her children and their friends for 10 years at The Master’s Academy in Oviedo, Florida, and is now eager to join the community of believers and scholars at Libertas.
Happily married for 22 years to Hagerty high school educator and basketball coach Josh Kohn, she prays God will somehow help her find a way to not be in a gym all day (even though she loves to watch her kids play!) as Josh is now coaching both varsity girls and boys teams to help their children both on and off the court: Hannah (17), who now holds the national record for most three-pointers in girl’s basketball, is a rising senior at Hagerty; Asa (14), the favored one, will attend next year as a freshman. Their eldest Selah (20) is a junior in the Nursing program at University of West Florida in Pensacola.
Tiffany can usually be found reading multiple books at a time and, more than likely, these selections have to do with the antihero. When not absorbed in literature or hanging out with students, she loves being at the beach with the fam, running, eating, and simply being a mom, wife, and follower of Christ. She is a Florida native (not her fault) and currently resides in Oviedo near all of her family. She is most likely to turn anything you say into a song, and to have a minimum of three different beverages (at least one of them is caffeinated) with her at all times. She also has high hopes to one day write her own memoir ~ that is if she somehow finds time in between helping others love to write and learn, which has become a soulful pursuit and passion.
“I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1

R. Anthony Cota
Personal Finance
Mr. Cota was born and raised in Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Journalism. Shortly thereafter he met his wife and they have enjoyed the best 23 years so far! They have 2 children they homeschool and 2 at UCF.
Anthony believes that spending 10 minutes with the Lord daily in the classroom of silence will change your life forever in ways you could never imagine. He works in sales for a global spirits and wine producer, but his real joy is spending time with family.
If he could be anywhere in the world it would be sipping a café in one of Italy’s famous squares, then taking a stroll experiencing all the art, culture and cathedrals that adorn the country. If he is staying local in the US, then he would spend a week at the beach digging sand castles and body surfing with family.
His Master said to him, "Well done my good and faithful servant, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:21

Dr. Wil Ngwa
Physics
Dr. Ngwa, is a university professor in physics and medical physics and has taught at multiple universities including Harvard, University of Massachusetts, University of Central Florida and Florida Polytechnic University. He has held guest professorships at University of Pennsylvania and University of Heidelberg in Germany and is an award winning cancer researcher.
He believes scientific research provides opportunities to discover more about the wonders of God’s creation and His infinite knowledge. Wil is passionate about global health and works to increase access to global health care, research, and education. Wil has co-tutored Libertas students in physical science, and physics and enjoys serving as a guest tutor for science classes.