We are a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience and we are all livescanned. We love what we do, and we do it with kindness, care, and passion. We believe in individualized alternative education and we look forward to working with you.
Elmarie Hyman
Founder, Executive Director, and Math, Economics & Entrepreneurship instructor
Elmarie is the founder of Learn Beyond The Book and has more than 20 years experience as an educator. She has taught her own 4 adult children, as well as group classes for homeschoolers and after school enrichment classes for public school students. She also has experience tutoring and has been a speaker at various homeschool seminars and conventions. She has been the coordinator of various homeschool co-ops and support groups, organizing numerous fieldtrips and other homeschool events as well.
Before she started teaching, she obtained a degree in Accounting and worked as an accountant and auditor for years. She earned her Master’s degree from Antioch University specializing in Transformative Learning Communities.
She has a passion for student-centered and relationship-based education and strives to accomplish that goal through means that go way beyond the textbook. She loves using projects, games, and hands-on learning while teaching, which is evident in the classes that she offers, the staff she works with at Learn Beyond The Book, as well as in the Where’s the Money curriculum she developed for teaching Economics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship.
Email her at learnbeyondthebook@gmail.com
Kainen Babaev
Co-teacher – Intro to 3D Modeling with Blender
Kainen is a 14-year-old boy who has a passion for digital 3d modeling and has been using Blender for two years. Kainen loves his two cats, one dog, and snake. He’s been taking parkour for a few years and likes climbing. He has been playing drums since he was seven and enjoys it very much. In his free time, he creates music in FL Studios. He loves learning new things and teaching others.
Susan Beaty
Piano Lessons
Susan grew up in Southern California and has been playing piano since the age of 6. She received her education from UCLA, earning a degree in Music Education. Starting small while raising her 4 daughters, she now maintains a private studio and has for over 30 years, averaging 35-40 students.
She is an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) and offers her students the Certificate of Merit® testing program. She also holds a position on the CM Council and helps to run the program throughout the state. Susan is also a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) which allows her to offer her students even more testing and performing opportunities. One of the things Susan enjoys most about teaching piano is that each student is different, with unique capabilities and challenges. Her goal is to instill a lifelong love for listening and making music in all of her students.
Sarah Bonham
Science & History
Sarah is a homeschool mom to two girls with an enthusiastic eye for Science. In her former life (before kids) she was a collegiate rower with a scholarship that helped her obtain her B.S.in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Fitness, Health and Nutrition. She spent a year on a Study Abroad program in both Scotland and Australia. She cannot wait to share her love of science with your children!
Charlotte Cass
Clay Art courses
My name is Charlotte, I’m 21 years old and I’ve been sculpting since I was 11. I sculpt miniature foods, figurines, cake toppers, earrings, and keepsakes for fun on my own and now I’ve been teaching kiddos the same things for about two years! I recently got married and I’m very excited to be teaching again.
CodeRev Creator Bots
Robotics & Coding
Please check out this website for more details about these classes: https://www.creatorbot.co/
Andrea Coane
Reading Comprehension & Math through Stories
Andrea Coane is a fully credentialed teacher with the California CTC. After earning a BA in Political Science and then a JD from Florida State University in 2000, she discovered the joys of teaching as a substitute teacher for Glendale Unified and went on to earn her teaching credential. This led to ten years as an elementary school teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. In addition to her work with the district, Andrea has conducted summer enrichment, developed and taught physical science for children in the community, coordinated field trips for families, and tutored privately. During both group sessions and individualized instruction, Andrea facilitates learning through active engagement with the subject matter so students may develop a deeper understanding of abstract principles. With the use of manipulatives, environmental observation, music, movement, and discussion, Andrea is always determined to find a way for her students to develop mastery of a given curriculum and to develop a lifelong love of learning!
Monica Coombs
Math & Social Studies
Monica Coombs has developed a love for learning and teaching as she homeschooled her two sons for the last 8 years. This led her to go back to school to simultaneously work on her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is now beginning her teaching credential program. She has worked with children 3 to 11 as a church volunteer for the last 5 years as a
teacher, music leader, and youth director. She loves music, puzzles, math, history, science, and literature, but most of all she loves to see children learn new concepts and gain understanding of the world. She hopes to continue to work with homeschoolers to help them learn in the best environment for them to thrive as their best selves.
Suzy Cooper
Phonics & Reading Comprehension & Handwriting
Suzy Cooper has always loved working with kids and knew from a young age that she was meant to teach. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Oregon studying International Studies with a focus on Culture and Art. She then earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master’s in Education from Pepperdine University. She taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade for 12 years in the public school setting and she also has experience teaching in the Montessori school setting. Her speciality is to teach children how to read and write with ease. Suzy has a 2nd grade girl, a 5th grade boy and two dogs named Thor and Loki. She would love to meet everyone and invites you to say hi and introduce yourself if you see her on Learn Beyond The Book campus.
Brooklyne Coulter
Middle and High School Science & Labs
My name is Ms. Coulter, or Ms. C if you prefer. I am a CA credentialed educator originally from Colorado, now residing in sunny Southern California. Why would you leave Colorado you might ask? The answer is simple, my daughter was bitten by the acting bug, so here we are! My original training was as a scientist and I have degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, a Masters in Molecular Virology, and a Masters in Science Education. I worked for the USDA and National Geographic and though research was super interesting, I prefer to interact with students! If I’m not on set, I spend as much time outdoors as possible. I also like to read and play board/card games. Excited to share the awesome world of science with your student!
Lisa Creahan
Music & Singing & San Fernando Valley Site Manager
Born in Alaska and raised in Taiwan, the Philippines and Florida, Lisa grew up singing in choirs, bands and musicals. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she was fortunate to perform with some great theaters. She put professional performance on the back burner to raise her two beautiful children. After moving to Los Angeles, she returned to music with acoustic sets and vocal recordings, many of which have been featured on TV. Bring it on Home to Me was featured on 90210 with Keaton Simons and Nothing Can Change this Love was featured on TV’s Arrow. She is thrilled to be working in music again. To see more about Lisa’s singing career, feel free to check out her website: lisacreahan.com
Also, check out this short video of Lisa’s homeschooling experience.
Alicia Danielle
Nutrition and Cooking Workshops & From Ten to Zen Yoga & Meditation
Alicia is a holistic nutritionist who loves to work with kids and adults and teach them how to cook healthy meals. Here is her website: http://www.nourishedbyalicia.com
Dasana Sports with Efrain Cordero
PE
Dasana Sports offers sports activities to all students interested in our fitness program! Every month we change a new sport, such as Soccer, Basketball, Dodgeball, Volleyball, Softball, Kickball, Track and Field and games!
Jessica David
L.E.A.N. Start Health & Wellness
Jessica David is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and the owner and founder of Conveying Awareness. Jessica helps increase her student’s wellness and their certainty of reaching their goals in a shorter time. She does this by establishing trust, respectfully informing, supporting
mindful choices and actions, and listening with empathy all while utilizing motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry, and compassionate communication. You can read more on Jessica’s website at www.ConveyingAwareness.com
Erika F.
Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley Site Manager
Erika has ten years of personalized experience in education with homeschooling and is continuing her support of alternative learning through her unique classes at Learn Beyond the Book. She completed a Writing Certificate Program through UCLA Extension and shared her love for writing as she mentored children in Los Angeles schools through the Young Storytellers Foundation. Erika demonstrates her passion for children and learning by developing a safe space in her classes for kids to open up their imaginations and CREATE, while also working to steadily build personal and academic confidence in their work.
Camryn Good
Ancient Cultures, Literature, German, Art & Tutoring
Camryn, a former Learn Beyond the Book student, graduated UCLA summa cum laude with his MA in Assyriology and BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies/Egyptology, having learned 5 languages in the process.
He is currently volunteering to assist some PhD student archaeologists from UCLA in their research for a week in Israel, and presenting his original research on the current reception of the Epic of Gilgamesh in Germany.
Camryn hopes to share his passion for the ancient world and its literature with students as well as impart his love for art as well.
Kim Griffin
Sewing & Literature Adventures
Kim Griffin is a homeschool veteran with 25 years of experience. She has graduated two of her sons and still homeschools her daughter. A highlight was reading literature with her children. In addition, she has taught Sewing classes at Hobby Lobby and a homeschool group.
Lynn Hayes
Shakespeare for Kids & Literary Analysis
Before becoming a mom, Lynn Hayes was a professional theatre director in Chicago and Los Angeles, and also directed youth at both the elementary grade and college level. Lynn started two play-school groups for when her son was younger and currently leads two nature clubs for her kids who are now 5 and 9. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. Lynn uses her theatrical background to teach kids to learn with fun, hands-on, playful activities!
Lena Harbali
Art, Fashion Design, Sewing, and Entrepreneurship
Lena Harbali is a multidisciplinary artist, fashion designer, model, and activist. She sketches, cuts, and sews each original garment by hand. The boutique is a collection of beloved items sourced from shops around the world. Lena’s artwork uses bold imagery and bright colors to evoke powerful energy. As a queer Syrian American model with curves, she defies cultural norms. Lena uses her creative expression to raise the vibration of the world.
Jean Hong
Math, Stuffed Animal Storytime & Tutoring & Northridge site manager
Jean is a native Angeleno and worked for 30 years on and off as a math & vocabulary tutor and SAT test prep teacher in the La Cañada-Flintridge area. She worked as head camp counselor for her church for several years. She is also homeschooling her 3 children for 15 years and counting. She is a big believer in unschooling principles and project-based learning through field trips, experiences, and ongoing discussions with her children.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” ~ William Butler Yeats
Nozomi Hirota
Japanese & Japanese Art & Architecture
Nozomi was born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan and is a native Japanese speaker. She currently teaches Japanese language and culture at the San Fernando Valley Japanese Language Institute in Pacoima. After graduating from the Kyushu Institute of Design, B.A. Environmental Design, she worked in the architectural and fashion trend forecasting fields in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. She has spent the past 25 years living in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong and most recently Shanghai. This global travelling influenced the raising of her 3 children (currently 17, 15 and 12). Now she’d like to share her experiences to help her students think both creatively and with a broadened outlook on the world.
Noriko Hiruma
Japanese
Noriko was born in Tokyo and is a native Japanese speaker. She completed a 420-hour Japanese language teacher training course and passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test. She has had various work experiences in Japan, including hotel business and trading and worked as head teacher at a Japanese language school in the USA for 9 years adding to her other teaching experience, totaling 15 years. She is also a JLPT Teaching Specialist N5-N1 level and enjoys tailoring her teaching skills for all students based on her extensive experience and training.
Arwa Husain
Data Science & Math
Arwa was a math lover in grade school, majored in Mathematics & Economics in college and then worked as a data analyst at Facebook and Pinterest for over 6 years. She started homeschooling 4 years ago and knew that she wanted to make Math exciting, fun, and relevant and she is excited to share her love of math and data science with the Learn Beyond The Book students.
Robin Juarez
Hair styling & Cake Decorating
After being homeschoolled herself Robin attended a Paul Mitchell school were she studied cosmetology. She has worked as a cosmetologist 18 years. Robin has 5 boys that she has been homeschooling for 9 years and have learned the art of cake decorating thanks to all their birthday parties.
Therese Kochakji
Dance & Jewelry Making
Therese is from a large family of ten children, many of which are teachers (6 of her siblings and mother for 50 years). She is an Angelina, born, raised, and still residing in the San Fernando Valley! Therese a.k.a Terry works for LAUSD as a TK-5th grade school teacher. However, she prefers to substitute teach, so she can homeschool her 2 small children, and spend time with her new baby. Terry has taught dance and Zumba at UCSC, Kidversity, YMCA, G-Train Fitness, Studio L.A and private classes. Before becoming an elementary school teacher, she was a Fashion Designer and has a B.A in Fashion/Graphic Design from Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles. She has worked for many high-end designers and her graphic designs/textiles have been featured in Neiman Marcus, Elle Magazine, Vogue, and worn by many celebrities. After becoming a mother, Terry desired a more family-friendly career. She left the long hours and quick-paced, Fashion Industry in DTLA and became a local school teacher. As a child, she always valued sharing her holidays off from school, with her mother (school teacher). This inspired her to follow her footsteps. Terry has a CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Masters in Elementary Education. She is a well diversified artist, who is passionate about teaching creative classes in dance and art. Most of all, Terry loves promoting a positive environment for her students, where creativity thrives and everyone has fun!
Marie Lafranque
Preschool classes, Art, Social Studies
Marie Lafranque is a second generation homeschooler originating from France. She has worked with children her whole life, both as a Nanny and as a Tutor, and has a BS degree in Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago. She loves teaching and is always looking for new subjects to get the kids interested in. From French to Art and History, while sneaking in some Math and Science, every subject is brought to life with the interest of the children in mind. Hands on and fun, Marie is known for her quick bursts of focused learning, followed by creative activities that allow children’s brains to rest and soak up the information that was just given.
Laura Lanoil
Theater & Improv, Theater Games, Reader’s Theater, Public Speaking, and Acting Coaching
Laura Lanoil has worked in Film, TV and Commercials as well as Voice-overs and live theater. She worked with Robert Altman, Anthony Newley Jane Curtain, Jon Cryer, Tyne Daly, Annette Funicello, and Frankie Avalon to name a few. She has taught at the Canyon Theatre Guild for eight years. She has performed at the local theaters in the Santa Clarita Valley. Teaching kids and giving them tools for self-esteem is a great passion and she feels blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of SCV Theater Community.
Lior Levy
Chess
Lior has years of experience teaching chess and loves doing it!
Josh Mann
Writing tutoring
Josh has extensive experience tutoring and teaching at many private schools in the Los Angeles area for the past six years, including, Campbell Hall, Windward, New Roads, New Community Jewish High School (de Toledo), Bridges Academy, Urban Homeschoolers and Westmark. He has also tutored students who attended Pierce College, CSUN, Harvard Westlake, Brentwood, and Crespi. He has taught literature, creative writing, life skills, drama, film, and Shakespeare classes to students of all ages. He specializes in helping students who have learning disabilities and behavior challenges, such as Dyslexia, Autism, ADD, and Aspergers syndrome. Josh also incorporates life coaching skills into his process of working with students, in order to assist with organization, scheduling, executive functioning, time management, social skill improvement, and motivation. He also has experience teaching young children how to read and improving the reading skills of all students. Additionally, he works with students on college essay writing and SAT Preparation. He has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College in writing and also studied at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and at Oxford University.
Michael Marchesan
Engineering, DIY Projects, Accelerated Math&Engineering, Cooking, Photography, Video Production
Michael began tutoring math while studying Civil Engineering at Cal State Northridge. Upon graduating with his B.S. in the Fall of 2014, he founded Alyria Tutoring to further pursue his passion for teaching. His engineering coursework provided him with a strong background in critical-thinking & problem solving strategy with the math, physics and engineering classes he took. This gave him a practical perspective to effectively explain problems to his students in unique way. His experience as a martial arts instructor from 2008-2014 showed him the value of discipline & repetition when it comes to polishing one’s skills, and is vital to his teaching methods. Also an avid photographer, cinematographer, musician & cook, Michael’s passion in the arts as well as the sciences allows him to connect with almost any student.
Elena McCauley
Tolkien Literature & Cains Jawbone
Elena is a homeschooling mother of three (ages 9, 5, and 2) and a devoted wife. She has always had a deep love for reading. She particularly enjoys historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels. She also enjoys writing and she is currently working on a fantasy children’s book series based on her children’s bedtime stories.
Elena’s other hobbies include rock climbing, swimming, and baking sourdough bread loaves. She also enjoys studying languages and natural sciences such as herbalism and homeopathy.
Jared Meeker
Ukulele, Guitar, Digital Music Recording, Songwriting, Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Basics of Drumming, Math & Music
Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer, producer, educator, and author Jared Meeker has performed throughout the world, playing blues, rock, Latin, reggae, metal, R&B, funk, hip- hop, and soul. Jared graduated from California Institute of the Arts and has taught workshops at USC, UCLA, Seattle Pacific University, SUNY, Los Angeles Music Academy, Crown of the Continent, and the National Guitar Workshop. The diverse roster of artists Jared has worked with include Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Myka 9, N.A.S.A. / Squeak E. Clean, Karen O, Salvador Santana (son of Carlos Santana), and Hollie Cook (daughter of Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols). Jared has released several instrumental albums of original music, and his compositions were featured in the Sundance award-winning Fuel and in Sunken City, which won best music at the Dubuque International Film Festival. He has also composed original scores for films including Take Me To Tarzana, directed by Maceo Greenburg, and Interreflections, directed by Peter Joseph. His music can also be heard on the hit television shows Dexter and Smash, as well as on various programming on MTV, Showtime, NBC, VH1, CBS, and TNT. Jared has appeared in music production video courses for Producertech and appeared in dozens of guitar, bass, and mandolin videos for Alfred Music. Jared also worked as a sound designer with Loopmasters UK to create a few award-winning sound sample libraries as well as releasing his own plugin called DejaVu by Meeker FX. He has been featured in Guitar Player and Guitar World, has written columns for Premier Guitar, and authored several books on guitar styles for Alfred Music. Read more about Jared on his website.
Noemi Panterra
Art & Science
Noemi studied arts and visual communication in Hungary and received her BA in that. She loves to look at all angles of life as an art and creates lots of crafts and arts daily with her daughter. She believes art is a free way of expression and that everyone is an artist. Art is also a space of our unique views and helps to understand the old or figure out the new. Her favorite medium is painting.
Tanya Roberts
Art
Zach Robinson has loved art since he was very young and have taken every opportunity he could to improve his craft. In his educational journey, he took classes at Learn Beyond the Book, even as young as first grade at the first location. He now takes classes in college with the goal of becoming a graphic designer.
Zach Robinson
Digital Art
Zach Robinson has loved art since he was very young and have taken every opportunity he could to improve his craft. In his educational journey, he took classes at Learn Beyond the Book, even as young as first grade at the first location. He now takes classes in college with the goal of becoming a graphic designer.
Noel Rodriguez
Edifying Journeys, Social Studies, Latin American Literature, Art & Spanish Conversations & Guitar
One size doesn’t fit everybody. Why should learning be any different? This is the philosophy that Noel brings to education. When you learn with Noel, you end up engaging a subject you are struggling with differently. That’s because you will have an educator with over 5 years of experience providing you a personalized approach to learning. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in Spanish from the University of Houston and the other in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas.
Adela Ruiz
French & Spanish Literature with History, Geography & Culture
Adela Ruiz holds a BA in French Studies from UCLA. Fluent in both French, Spanish (and of course English) Adela originally hails from El Salvador though she grew up in Los Angeles and studied briefly in France. After 10+ years working with children in the private sector, Ms Ruiz relishes sharing her love for language, literature and culture. She believes in teaching via experience: exploring art, singing songs and both writing and reading poetry. Adela is a devout Francophile, meditator and lover of coffee.
Elizabeth Rydall
Art
Elizabeth is a local artist and educator, plus former veteran homeschool mom, who has been teaching Art, Theater, and many other subjects for years to students of all ages in home school co-ops and later charter schools. She has been a teacher at SCVi charter school and now works on creating her own art for local art shows while continuing to teach homeschoolers.
Mayra Santos
Spanish & American Sign Language (ASL)
Mayra received her formal American Sign Language Interpreter training at Pierce College. Her prior experience includes 16 years working at Los Angeles Unified School District as a Sign Language Interpreter for the “Deaf and Hard of Hearing” students who were mainstreamed into K – 6th grade classrooms. In her role, she provided academic support for students, and facilitated communication between students, parents and staff. Mayra also taught American Sign Language to hearing students and provided interpretation for teachers, campus staff and at school events. Mayra received the “Exceptional Children’s Certificate” which focused on “Early Childhood & Exceptional Children Development” from Los Angeles Mission College. In 2018 Mayra started her own business “Luvz2Sign” offering both in-person and on-line American Sign Language Instruction and Interpretation services. Mayra is very passionate and enjoys teaching Sign Language to students and she makes learning fun, easy, and unforgettable.
Cameron Scott
Economics & Fitness
Cameron Scott is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable teacher passionate about economics, wellness, and games. He holds a B.A. from UCSB in Economics with extensive coursework in Exercise and Nutritional Science and Entrepreneurship. He’s taken courses at LBB himself and loves to teach high-level concepts through games and interesting discussions.
Lizzie Scott
Co-founder & Teacher for High School Literature & Composition (2 levels), Well-being 101 (different age levels), Psychology courses, and English 101, 103, Public Speaking, Cinema, and Health companion college courses
Dr. Lizzie Scott is an enthusiastic and experienced teacher who has expertise in math, language arts, and psychology. Her classes incorporate discussions, games, and activities tailored to each student’s personality, strengths, and challenges. Lizzie holds a B. A. in Psychology (with a minor in English), a M. S. in Counseling, and a PhD in Positive Psychology. With experience in both the traditional classroom and small-group settings, Lizzie connects with her students as a group and as individuals, and works to build a supportive learning environment, and take the educational experience to a deeper level. As a member of Mensa and a game enthusiast, Lizzie has strong mathematical and logical skills as well, and uses games and fun activities to help students enjoy what they are learning and to bring out creativity and connection. Lizzie creates classes that are exciting for those who already enjoy the subjects she teaches, engaging for those who tend to find the topics challenging, and fun for all!
Elizabeth Seward
Waldorf-inspired Handwork, Knitting & Quilting
Elizabeth Seward, PhD (Education), has been a teacher in private and public Waldorf schools for around 40 years. She delights in teaching handwork to homeschool groups, charter school students, parents, and teachers, and in sharing the enlivening and successful Waldorf curriculum. Elizabeth has been knitting and sewing for over 60 years, is the author of Teaching Through Stories: Jane and Jeremy Learn to Knit, available at www.ElizabethSewardAuthor.com. She is Executive Director of Waldorf Handwork Educators, offering online international handwork teacher training, conferences, and skills classes. See www.WaldorfHandwork.org
Jason Sheinkopf
Technology & Programming
Jason is a science and technology teacher with a passion for STEAM education. He enjoys combining arts and engineering through creative projects.
Terri Stair
Accredited Instructor for the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
IEW Writing Classes, Grammar Classes, Food Science Classes, Etiquette Classes, and Tutoring
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Northridge and graduating with high honors from the UCLA Paralegal Program, Terri enjoyed a decade in the world of litigation. However, her desire to preserve her children’s love of learning lured her into an unexpected adventure, home schooling. While teaching a home school group class, she was surprised to discover it was a blast! As author and illustrator of “The STAIR WAY to My Secret Recipes for Making Grammar Fun and Easy,” Terri is reaching beyond the classroom to encourage parents, teachers, and students with the clever and whimsical posters and props she created to transform grammar from boring and bewildering to amusing and understandable! Visit www.thestairwaytogrammar.com to learn more. Terri is an Accredited Instructor for the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), and she delights in equipping students to listen, speak, read, write, and think the IEW way. After a three day IEW summer camp, a shy student’s note exclaimed, “I am so glad I took this class…it made writing a lot more fun and ENJOYABLE! This class was EPIC!” (Emphasis added by student.) A busy mom wrote, “She (her daughter) has really come to love writing in just these three days. I am so thankful…!” Terri’s enthusiasm for teaching grows every time her students overcome their apprehensions about writing and become confident communicators.
Erin Sullivan
Math
Kim Turney-Schmidt
Video Game Design, Minecraft Mods Programming & Social Studies through Minecraft
Kim received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theater and Acting from Ohio State University. She has tons of teaching, theater, and acting experience. In recent years, she has enjoyed working with children learning computer programming and Lego Robotics. Minecraft is a personal favorite. Kim knows how to connect with students and bring out the best in them!
Antonia Toupet
Data Science & Economics
Dr. Antonia Toupet has a passion for teaching and a strong background in business and economics. Antonia holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University. Her experience spans teaching economics and math, academic research, and private sector accomplishments in marketing research, data analysis and corporate finance. Antonia’s career includes positions as a transfer pricing consultant for Deloitte & Touche and a director in data science at Nielsen. She holds multiple U.S. patents for marketing research and audience measurement.
Alma Villaescusa
Coding & Embroidery
Alma loves trying new things and is never one to back away from a challenge. She has been cross-stitching for 20 years–ever since her mama taught her how! She finds it very therapeutic and enjoys sharing her hobby with others in the hopes that it brings them some peace as well. From 2001–2019, Alma lived in the San Fernando Valley, where she earned her B.A. degree in Psychology at California State University, Northridge. Shortly after moving, the pandemic hit, and when she was laid off from her job in healthcare administration, she took it as an opportunity to start afresh, and went back to school to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. As soon as she took her first programming class, she was hooked! Now enrolled at CSU Long Beach, Alma has experience in tutoring students of all ages, and, just as she enjoys sharing her hobby with others, she loves sharing that satisfying feeling of finishing a programming project. She’s grateful for the many different perspectives that studying Psych and Computer Engineering has exposed her to and hopes to use both schools of study in a role in the future.
Gabriela Viramontes
Play-based Spanish, Social Studies, Literature, Wild Gardens & Art, Yarnwork & Mindful Mending, Sensory Play & Site Manager – Santa Clarita
Gabriela is a yoga teacher, early childhood educator, and a life-long student to the world that surrounds her. As a teacher who works with young children, she aims to provide her students with opportunities to learn and develop their own path of individualized growth. She does this by providing children with support, hands-on experiences, and allowing them to choose the courses of action they take through discovery-based education. She began studying Early Childhood Education in 2012 at Antelope Valley College and began her Yoga journey in 2013.
Quest in Science (Debbie Walker & Staff)
Science courses
Debbie Walker has been teaching for over 18 years and is a co-owner of Quest in Science Inc, a company that provides high-quality, hands-on science education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and a minor in Psychology from Scripps College in Claremont, California. She is currently working on a Master of Arts in Education with The University of Phoenix. She will be celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary this year and has three amazing children. She loves teaching science and appreciates the wonderful families here at Learn Beyond the Book.
Elizabeth Wescott
Herbalism for Kids
Elizabeth Wescott is a wife, mother and self-professed “lifelong learner” who has been interested in herbalism from an early age.
After nearly thirty years in the natural health/dietary supplement industry, Elizabeth recently decided to change careers and focus on teaching children about herbalism and the healing wonders of the plant world.
Elizabeth’s formal training as an herbalist spans nearly two decades and includes completion of The Forager’s Path School of Botanical Studies’ 9-month Foundations of Herbal Medicine course and the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA)’s Western Herbalism – Foundations of American Herbal Studies program, in addition to various other courses, classes and learning experiences throughout the years. Currently working towards a degree in anthropology/archaeology, Elizabeth is particularly interested in the traditional and ancient uses of the plants of the American Southwest.
Elizabeth lives in Arizona, where she enjoys hiking, exploring, and homeschooling her 9-year-old daughter Petra.
Manik Yervandyan
American Sign Language & Deaf Culture
Manik was born in Yerevan, Armenia and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She is a homeschool mom of two CODA (Child/ren of Deaf Adult/s). Her native language is American Sign Language and she speaks two other languages (Armenian and Armenian Sign Language). She received a Bachelor’s in Deaf Studies at California State University, Northridge. Her prior experience includes tutoring American Sign Language at Pierce College for five years, three years private ASL lessons working with families of Deaf/ HOH children, and two years of teaching American Sign Language 1 and 2 at Berlitz, Inc. Manik is very passionate about teaching Deaf Culture and American Sign Language to students and families.
Asia Zanders
Middle & High School US History, World History & Civics & Adulting 101
Asia Zanders is a wife and mother of three children, ages 10, 7, and 5. She has been homeschooling her oldest child, who is both gifted and has ADHD, on and off for over three years and began teaching her younger two towards the end of 2019. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in both Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and is currently working on her Master’s degree in Transformative Learning Communities at Antioch University. Her interests surround Philosophy, US Politics and Government, American History, Economics and many topics surrounding human interaction.
