Elementary School

Mrs. Becky Thaxton is our K-1 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. Megan Jordan is our 2-3 grade teacher.  She was born and raised in small town Illinois, is a dedicated educator and graduate of Illinois State University.  With a decade of experience teaching preschool, second and third grade, she has a deep passion for nurturing young minds.  Outside the classroom, Megan treasures time with her husband, their four children, and two dogs.  Whether it's a day at the river, relaxing at the beach, or simply enjoying the backyard, Megan and her family love soaking up the sunshine.

Mrs. Kaylee Hutchison is our 4th grade homeschool teacher.  She graduated from Northwest Florida State College with a degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Hutchison is passionate about helping students grow both academically and personally, striving to create a supportive and engaging classroom environment where all students can learn and feel valued. Outside of the classroom, you will find her at the beach, at the gym, coaching softball, or fishing with her husband. 

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. 

Mrs. McKinna Hofman is our upper elementary homeschool teacher.  She graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Psychology and a focus in Early Childhood Development.  She enjoys creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment for her students where they not only excel academically but also develop emotionally and socially.  She lives with her husband and two cats in Niceville and enjoys reading, baking, and planning her next Disney trip.

Mrs. Kaylee Hutchison is also our 1-3 grade Tuesday/Thursday homeschool teacher.  She graduated from Northwest Florida State College with a degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Hutchison is passionate about helping students grow both academically and personally, striving to create a supportive and engaging classroom environment where all students can learn and feel valued. Outside of the classroom, you will find her at the beach, at the gym, coaching softball, or fishing with her husband. 

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. Becka Krueger is one of our 6th–8th grade homeschool teachers. She grew up helping in her mother’s classroom and now puts that love of learning and teaching into homeschooling. Becka holds a Psychology degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has worked in public and private schools, as well as in social work. She later earned a Baking & Pastry degree from the Culinary Institute LeNotre in Houston. Becka lives with her college sweetheart and their son. She is also a published author and active member in the writing and literary community.