EDUCATORS
Nicholle Anatol
Head of School, Director of Curriculum and Instruction , Elementary & Middle school Teacher
With over 20 years of experience in education, I continue to find joy and excitement in the start of each new school year. I hold a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Science from the University of Maryland, a Master’s degree in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia, and a Standard Administration and Supervision Certification.
Throughout my career, I have served in a variety of roles including College Professor, Professional Development Provider for educators, State Test Coordinator, Lead Founder and CEO of a New Jersey Charter School, classroom teacher, and tutor. Most recently, I published my first book focused on education and school improvement.
My passion for teaching and learning has remained constant throughout the years, and I look forward to meeting and working with your children as they grow and thrive.
DR. DAVID SHORMANN, PH.D.
Shormann Math & Science Professor
Pre Alg/Alg 1/Geo/Alg 2/Pre Cal/Trig/Calculus
Earth Science/Intgrated Phy & Chem/Bio/Chem/Physics
(Regular/Honors/Advanced Placement Credit possible in some classes through taking AP Exam)
Holding degrees in:
- Aerospace Engineering, B.S. from University of Texas,
- Marine Chemistry, M.S., University of Texas
- Limnology, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Dr. Shormann has 25 years of experience teaching math and science from elementary through college levels. After finishing his Ph.D., God called him to serve the homeschooling community by teaching college preparatory math and science classes from a Biblical foundation. He taught eight classes each day, in five different locations around the Houston-metro area, averaging 300 students per year. Dr. Shormann's passion is inspiring students to excel by teaching math and science as God-given tools used to unlock mysteries and better understand God and the world He created.
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JENNIFER HUGHES
Middle School History/ AP History/ Debate
It is truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with you and your student(s). I bring over 20 years of experience in education, spanning from Pre-K to the graduate level. I previously served as a Professor at Canisius College in New York and held the role of History Department Chair and History teacher at a nontraditional charter high school for ten years. My certifications include Middle and High School History, and I am also trained in multiple Advanced Placement (AP) courses with a strong foundation in ongoing professional development.
In addition to my work in education, I maintain a limited legal practice focused on Criminal and Family Law. For nearly two decades, I have served as a Law Guardian in New York State, advocating for children and teens navigating both Family and Criminal Court systems. This work, alongside my educational experience, has greatly shaped my holistic and compassionate approach to teaching.
I also have a passion for global education and have led students and parents on educational tours to destinations such as China, Japan, Mexico, Paris, Rome, and Greece. These experiences have enriched my teaching and expanded my students’ understanding of the world.
I am committed to creating an inclusive learning environment and have experience working with neurodiverse learners in my classroom. I look forward to supporting your child's academic journey and helping them thrive.
BRIAN WASKO
Middle & High School Literature Teacher
(Wasko Literature\WriteAthome)
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Graduated with a double major (Education and English) from the University of Virginia
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Taught high school English for ten years in a public school in southeastern Virginia.
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Taught briefly in two different private Christian schools.
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Started a weekly writing class for local homeschoolers
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Started teaching Great Books-based literature classes for local homeschoolers in 1996.
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Founded and created all course content as well as serving as president of WriteAtHome; which has been successfully coaching students for twenty years
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Speaks regularly at homeschool conventions and in professional development settings.
IVAN SANCHEZ
Spanish Teacher
¡Hola! My name is Ivan and I am a native speaker of Spanish from Valencia, Spain, a lovely city on the Mediterranean coast. I have been a Spanish teacher since 2012, with certification from the Instituto Cervantes and as a licensed examiner for levels A1 and A2. I also have a degree in Political Science and Sociology from the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia.
I have taught students of all ages and levels from all over the world, both in Spain and abroad. My students have come from the US, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, UK, China, Japan, and Brazil. I specialize in teaching Spanish for test preparation (DELE, ECELE), professional Spanish, Spanish for tourism, Spanish for business, Spanish for teachers, and Spanish for priests.
Outside of teaching, I love meeting new people through my teaching and enjoy making friends with my students. I am a curious person and like to try new things, especially art, music, food, sports, and reading.
Alex Predoehl
Science & Math Specialist
Hi, I’m Mr. Alex and I’m excited to be part of your child’s learning journey in science and mathematics. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biochemistry with ACS Certification from Virginia Tech, where I also minored in Mathematics and Biochemistry. I later earned a Master of Christian Studies in New Testament from Regent College, and I’m currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Maryland, University College.
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My teaching experience has been wide-ranging—I’ve taught in both traditional classrooms and online settings. I completed my student teaching at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD, where I taught Honors Chemistry and Biology (ESOL). I also worked with Florida Virtual School, teaching General and Honors Chemistry in an online environment. In addition to these roles, I’ve spent nearly a decade working as a private educational coach, supporting middle school, high school, and college students in both math and science.
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Before entering the education field, I completed a co-op at Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline), where I contributed to a published study involving chemical vapor monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy.
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Teaching is my passion, and I truly enjoy helping students discover their potential in science and math. My goal is to make these subjects accessible, engaging, and even fun. I look forward to working with your family and helping your learner confidently grow.
AVERY WASHINGTON
Music Teacher
My name is Avery Washington, and I’m proud to be from Gaithersburg, Maryland. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of the District of Columbia. Music has always been a central part of my life, and I deeply appreciate a wide range of musical styles and cultural traditions.
I specialize in piano and drums and have also studied the trumpet. Beyond performing, I’m passionate about recording and producing music. Over the years, I’ve played in several bands throughout the DMV area, conducted choirs, and sung with various vocal groups across Maryland. One highlight of my musical journey was being selected as a Maryland All-State tenor in high school and having the unique opportunity to perform with Gladys Knight in Utah.
In addition to teaching at Rise Hybrid Private Academy since the 2021 school year, I have also taught private piano and voice lessons for the past four years. I'm excited to be part of the in-person Maryland campus as we continue to grow. Sharing my love for music and helping students develop their own creative voices is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
When I’m not teaching or performing, I enjoy watching Marvel movies and spending time with my two dogs, Domino and Foxy.
VERONICA GOOCH-RAY
Art Teacher
It is my privilege to serve as your child's Fine Arts instructor this academic year. I am eagerly anticipating the educational journey ahead. With five years of experience as a secondary level art educator, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom. Additionally, my 15-year tenure as a gymnastics coach, working with diverse age groups, has honed my ability to engage and inspire young learners.
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My educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts Education with a focus in Sculpture from George Mason University's School of Fine Visual Arts, and a Master's in Arts and Teaching in Fine Visual Arts from Liberty University's Graduate Studies Program in Secondary Education. Notably, my graduate studies uniquely integrated my Christian faith with Fine Visual Arts Education, reinforcing my Christian Worldview within the field.
Teaching art has been my lifelong aspiration, a calling I recognized early in my academic journey. I firmly believe in the power of perseverance in pursuit of one's dreams, a principle I strive to instill in my students. I look forward to fostering creativity and artistic growth in your child this year, helping them to explore their potential and develop their unique artistic voice.
Susan Rheem
STEM Teacher
Coming Soon