Meet Our Talented 
Libertas Tutors

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 also currently teaches global health courses to college honors students at the University of South Florida. 

 

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 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.

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Mrs. Bancalari is a founding member of the Libertas Scholars 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! 

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, one a graduate of UCF, one a junior at UCF, and two at Libertas.

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In addition to tutoring at Libertas, she is a founding member of the leadership team.

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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 our inaugural year, and continues to delight her students with her energy and enthusiasm for math!

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Mrs. Fleshood became a Christian at the University of Michigan when her neighbor in the dorm shared Christ with her and took her to church.

 

In her free time, she enjoys playing games, exploring nature, and traveling the world. 

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

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 29 years, Mr. Mann's full-time job has been 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 been teaching high school science to homeschoolers for over 14 years. 

 

Mr. Mann has been married to Anna Marie Mann for 29 years and they have two children, Abby and Jackson. Anna Marie is a recently retired emergency room nurse.  Abby is a homeschooled grad and a recent graduate of Liberty University.  Jackson is entering the 9th grade. Marty is a deacon at The Connection Church, in Kissimmee.

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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

Mrs. Rodriguez, a passionate educator with a unique blend of industry experience and dramatic arts background, is dedicated to fostering a love for science in young minds.

 

From Pharmaceuticals to Education:

Mrs. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a Marketing major. Prior to entering the education field, she spent many years in the pharmaceutical industry, gaining extensive knowledge in areas like Marketing, Sales, Market Research, and Clinical Trials research and training.

Her work immersed her in various therapeutic areas, including Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease states. Throughout her career, she maintained up-to-date expertise and certifications in Anatomy, Biology, Pharmacology, and disease states, allowing her to share key information with physicians. This deep understanding of science and her ability to communicate it effectively are invaluable assets in the classroom.

 

A Multifaceted Life:

Before excelling in the pharmaceutical industry, Mrs. Rodriguez never lost sight of her passion for the dramatic arts. She graduated from the prestigious Ofelia D’Acosta Acting Academy in Puerto Rico and even pursued modeling, appearing as an extra in popular telenovelas like "Tres Destinos" and the game show "Sabado Gigante” along with multiple local plays. This experience on stage honed her communication and presentation skills, further enriching her teaching methods.

 

Beyond the Classroom:

Outside of Libertas, Mrs. Rodriguez cherishes moments with her husband, Randall, and their two sons, and enjoys family movie nights. A passionate traveler at heart, she dreams of exploring many destinations on her ever-growing “To-See" list.

 

A Unique Perspective:

Mrs. Rodriguez' diverse background in pharmaceuticals, dramatic arts, and homeschooling allows her to connect with students on multiple levels. Her industry experience offers a real-world context to scientific concepts, while her artistic side makes learning engaging and interactive. With her warmth, dedication, and unique skillset, she inspires students to discover the wonders of science. 

 

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Mrs. Allie 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. 

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Since beginning her homeschooling journey, she has taught her own 4 children and others at home and in a variety of classroom settings. One of her favorite co-op memories is the 2 amazing years she spent coordinating and teaching 4 Science Olympiad teams. 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 History at Libertas.  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 26 years and have been homeschooling their 4 children for 15 years.  Three are in college and her youngest is a freshman at Libertas.  

 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, watching her children compete in track and field, and caring for Monarch Caterpillars.

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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.

 

Mrs. Schexnayder received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Business from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She subsequently earned her Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University. Later, she obtained her Licensed Clinical Social Worker designation. She practiced social work for 10 years impacting the lives of juveniles in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She left the social work practice to stay home with her boys and eventually homeschool them. 

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Mrs. Schexnayder will be tutoring pre-algebra this school year. She also enjoys teaching personal finance at Libertas as she is passionate about money management and freedom from debt, offering assistance and encouragement to family and friends in their journey to financial freedom. She is currently part of a money group where members support one another in organizing their financial life. 

Uri is a student at the University of Florida, where he's currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. As an alumnus of Libertas Scholars, he holds a deep connection to the institution where he will now be tutoring precalculus, and is excited to give back to the community that was a major part of his academic journey.

 

As a tutor, Uri's favorite thing is sharing in the joy of learning - there's nothing quite like witnessing the spark of understanding ignite in someone's eyes. 

With his dedication to both his students and his studies, Uri seeks to embody the spirit of both lifelong learning and sharing knowledge for the glory of God.

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Uri has already put his gifts and skills to use. His tutoring experience includes the following:

• Teaching assistant | 2 courses of General Chemistry II |University of Florida 

• Private pre-calculus tutor

• Mathematics tutor | online tutoring company | teaching an accredited mathematics curriculum to students in small group sessions.

• Lab Technician Intern | Neitzel Research Laboratory in Gainesville, Florida

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In his free time, Uri enjoys reading, working out, and critiquing TV shows.

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Mrs. Crissey was born in Seoul, Korea where as a young girl she loved drawing and making crafts. She later moved to Osaka, Japan where she finished high school and went on to study architecture. While in Japan, she met her husband, Merrill, who is originally from Orlando. They moved to the US in 2009 and now have four children.

 

She has been a homeschooling mom since 2013 and has a passion for helping children learn. She loves to find creative ways to teach and believes that art is helpful in understanding other aspects of education. Even though everyone starts at a different level, she desires to help students grow in their understanding and ability to express themselves through art. Mrs. Crissey loves cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family. 
 

 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Mrs. Jones developed a passion for homeschooling as she homeschooled her own 5 children over the last 22 years, and counting! As her eldest approached school age in 2002, God’s calling into the strange new realm of homeschooling was undeniably clear. Realizing support would be necessary, Mrs. Jones teamed up with a homeschooling Mom and began a small co-op. Twenty-one years later, by the grace of God, this little homeschool group has grown and thrived. 

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Mrs. Jones holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Southern College in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education and a Master’s Degree from UCF in Reading Education. She has always had a love of teaching, especially teaching reading. Mrs. Jones loves to read herself, and she also loves to watch young people find a passion for reading. She believes this is truly the key to future success - being able to decode, comprehend, and interact with the written word. Lifelong readers are lifelong learners!

 

 

Mrs. Jones is the proud mother of 5 kiddos and the lucky wife of Bo for 30 years. She has treasured the time and influence with her children afforded her by homeschooling. God’s initial calling into this lifestyle never lacked blessings or challenges!

 

Through it all, Philippians 1:6 holds very true, “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

Mrs. Jones firmly believes that homeschooling has allowed her children the freedom to develop their God-given talents, academic and extracurricular, with time and opportunities that would not have been available to them in a traditional school setting.

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Mr. Cota was born and raised in in the great state of 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 26 years so far! He and his wife have homeschooled their children for over 15 years. 

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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. 

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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

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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.