Elementary School

Mrs. Becky Thaxton is our Kindergarten teacher.  She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Zoology.  When her children were very young she decided to get her teaching certificate so that her schedule would reflect theirs as they approached school age.  In Arizona, she had the privilege to teach at both an inquiry based school, and an IB elementary school which also was inquiry driven.  These schools helped her develop a love for authentic learning.  Since moving to Florida, she continued to teach elementary students. 

Mrs. Thaxton has 4 children, almost all grown, with just a few years left before being empty-nesters.  She enjoy's spending time with her family, in her garden and at the beach.  Mrs. Thaxton also is enjoying learning pickleball.

Mrs. JoLyn Madrishin is our 1-2 grade teacher.   She earned her Masters Degree in Teaching K-8 from Whitworth University. On and off, JoLyn has worked with children in various capacities for over 30 years. During that time, she also served in the USAF.  She taught for the University of Maryland and held a position in Education and Training for her squadron. 

She spent 2 years in special education. 

More recently, Mrs. Madrishin taught 3rd grade in the Okaloosa School District. She is excited to be back in the classroom doing what she loves the most, teaching children.  
Mrs. Madrishin loves spending time with her children, grandchildren, going to the beach and traveling. She enjoys reading and learning new things. 

Mrs. Leslie Dannelly is our 3rd grade homeschool teacher. She graduated from The University of West Florida with a degree in Elementary Education and taught 2nd grade before having children.  She continued her hand in education teaching piano, family history, adult education at NWFSC, tutoring, Sunday School, and substitute teaching K-12. Once her girls were older, she went back to the classroom as the French teacher at Niceville High School.  Mrs. Dannelly enjoys incorporating music into her lessons and finding fun ways to learn!  She loves spending time with her husband and children, researching family history, reading, and baking. 

Mrs. Gaye Parnell is our 4-5 grade homeschool teacher.  She graduated from the University of West Florida with a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.

Mrs. Parnell has taught in a classroom for 23 years.  The last 14 of those years she taught in a multi-age classroom with many opportunities of engaging and exciting learning activities. 

Probably one of the best compliments she received is when a student wrote her a thank you note stating she didn’t really learn anything because she was having too much fun, but it was her best year ever. 

Following this time, she homeschooled her two grandchildren for two years.  

Mrs. Parnell enjoys visiting family, including her 13 grandchildren, and dating her husband who happens to be her high school sweetheart she met in the Philippines.  Other joys in life are visiting the gulf, reading, gardening, crocheting, music, traveling, and being of service to others. 

Dr. Elizabeth Merrell-Gross is one of our 6-8 grade homeschool teachers.   She is a writing/college success teacher at Northwest Florida State College for the past 17 years and a writing/speech teacher for the University of Maryland since 2018. Dr. MG has a  B.A. in English, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and a Ph.D in Education specializing in project-based learning. Her greatest accomplishment is her five children who have lovingly given her nine wonderful grandchildren.

 Mrs. Liz Brough is our other 6th-8th grade homeschool teacher. She has a degree in Elementary and Special Education from Brigham Young University. As a military spouse, she has moved 12 times and spent 10 years living overseas. She and her family moved to Florida from Japan in 2023. Moving often has allowed her to participate in education in many different capacities, her favorite being teaching English in Japanese elementary schools. Liz is married and has four children. She loves cheering her kids on in their activities, exploring beautiful new places, and listening to audiobooks. She is excited to start this new adventure of teaching homeschooled students and looks forward to collaborating with parents, students, and other teachers to create an environment where her students can grow intellectually and socially.