Meet The Faculty

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide Quality instruction!

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide

quality instruction!

We

Interested in working at HEP TX?

Send resumes to jjuren@heptx.com.

Faculty Members have degrees or extensive training in the subject or a related field. Most have a bachelor’s degree & many of them have a master’s degree. Joanne Juren, our administrator/principal, holds a Mid-management Certificate from the state of Texas & has both a B.A. and M.Ed. She has over 40 years of experience in homeschooling, public school & college administration.

Teachers lecture, administer tests, supervise individual and group projects, provide hands-on-lab experiences (science classes) and work with the homeschooling family to provide a college preparatory environment. Parents supervise the timely and accurate completion of homework and projects. Parents should make sure the student attends class regularly and is on time to classes.

Faculty Biographies 2026-27

Marilla ArnoldAviation Instructor

Marilla Arnold is a certified private pilot with ten years of flying experience. She spent a majority of her school years attending HEP as a student, which instilled in her a love of learning and a respect for homeschooling. For several years, Ms. Arnold worked at the Lone Star Flight Museum which immersed her in the world of aviation. She enjoyed giving tours and sharing her love of history and flying with the public. She has been working as a teacher’s assistant at HEP for the past three years and looks forward to teaching this coming fall.

Logan Barbee MartinezJTT 11 & 12 Teacher

Originally from Louisiana, Logan Barbee Martinez earned her bachelor’s degree in History from LSU at Shreveport and her master’s degree in Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She served as the Youth Director at her home church in Louisiana for ten years before earning her Texas teaching certificate and moving to the Houston area, where she taught for the last seven years. She and her husband have two young daughters, and she is looking forward to homeschooling them as they grow up. Logan loves to travel, with India and Kazakhstan being two of her favorite places. She enjoys reading, cheering for LSU, and performing in musical theatre. She is so excited to join HEP Texas.

Emily BooneArt Teacher; Digital Art

Emily Boone attended HEPTX for most of her youth and was a member of the JTT program and ESA. She recently graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA Summa Cum Laude. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Sequential Art and holds two minors in Concept Art for Games and Music Composition. A talented artist, Emily joins the HEP Staff to teach digital art and comic world art. Currently she works on private projects while working at Texas Art Supply. We are excited to welcome Emily back to HEP TX

Roy BrownPhysics and Advanced Instructor

Roy Brown holds a Physics degree from Sam Houston State University, a MS in Physical Science with a focus on Orbital Mechanics from UHCL, and a MBA from Letourneau University. He worked for McDonnell/Boeing at NASA for many years and three of his daughters attended HEP TX and were in the JTT program. Two of them are now teachers. He completed the alternative teacher certification program for Texas a few years ago.

Laura Coker-Garcia

Mrs. Coker-Garcia earned a Master’s of Education degree with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction and a Bachelor’s of Journalism degree, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also holds Texas lifetime teaching certificates for Secondary Social Studies and for Journalism.

Mrs. Coker-Garcia started her career teaching middle school history for HISD, where she served on the Site Based Decision Making Committee and chaired an innovative summer school program. After leaving the public schools she went to a private alternative school working with middle and high school students and their teachers as a learning specialist.

When her oldest daughter achieved school-age Mrs. Coker-Garcia committed to home schooling. Over the years she has been active in several support groups, organized many “outside” classes, set up hundreds of field trips, coached students participating in history fairs and the geography bee, sponsored a Gavel Club, taught at several co-ops and led two troops of home schooled Girl Scouts.

Tamahara FloydKindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Tamahara Floyd earned a Bachelors of Education degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. She also holds her Texas teaching certificate for Early childhood education through 4th grade. Mrs. Floyd started her career as a first grade teacher for Galena Park I.S.D. and then as the Art teacher for Kindergarten through fifth grade. After having her three boys she decided to homeschool and has been a homeschool parent/teacher for the last 10 years.

Over the years she has taught at various homeschool co-ops, been active as a volunteer pre-school teacher at the church she attends, provided tutoring services for children in her community and planned numerous field trips. Tamahara joins the staff as the new kindergarten teacher and is excited to share her passion for teaching and love of reading with her students.

Mandi ForesterTBD

Chef Forestor attended Houston City College, earning her culinary degree with a specialization in Pastry Arts. During culinary school, her chef instructors mentored her and offered special project opportunities beyond the standard curriculum. She was invited to cook at Houston’s Tramontina Showroom & Test Kitchen, where she worked with Tramontina’s newest cookware line and directed a professional photoshoot as a food stylist. Mandi also assisted in the revision of On Baking: A Textbook of Baking and Pastry Fundamentals, Third Edition.
After graduating, Chef Forester taught cooking and pastry classes at Sur La Table in River Oaks, Texas. Her ability to teach children, teens, and adults alike made her a valued member of the culinary education team. As her family grew, Mandi’s focus shifted toward caring for her family at home. She stepped away from the corporate culinary world to run a successful home-based pastry business for over seven years and helped form and direct local farmers markets.

An active member of First Baptist Friendswood, she writes curriculum for the Bible and Drama team for Vacation Bible School each year. Passionate about theater and the power of storytelling through dramatization. Mrs. Forester believes that drama fosters growth in confidence, communication, emotional awareness, self-understanding, wit, and critical thinking.

Anna FuquaSewing and Quilting Teacher

HEP welcomes Anna Fuqua as the Sewing and Quilting instructor. An experienced seamstress/quilter, Mrs. Fuqua has been sewing since she was 9 years old. As a student, she was active in 4-H Sewing for years. Currently, Mrs. Fuqua is involved with a sewing ministry at church.

Alejandra Guerra-MoxeySpanish Teacher

A native Spanish speaker, Alejandra Guerra-Moxey was born and raised in Mexico. After graduating college and working several years in the accounting field, Alejandra began to pursue teaching because of her passion for working with and helping to develop children. While working in a private school in Mexico, she took classes with the Region 4 program to obtain her Texas teaching certification which allowed her the opportunity to come to the United States as an elementary school bilingual teacher. Alejandra taught first and second grade students in public schools for seven years. After her daughter was born, she left full-time teaching to be a ‘stay at home’ mom. Four years ago, she decided to start her own business teaching Spanish. She also provides tutoring for students taking high school Spanish.

Presented with the possibility of teaching Spanish at HEP, Alejandra met with the staff and immediately fell in love. She was so impressed with HEP, the staff and educational concept that she quickly decided that HEP was the right place for her daughter. Alejandra joins the staff as a Spanish teacher and is anxious to share her native language with the HEP students.

Elizabeth HardyJTT and History Teacher

Elizabeth Hardy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History with a certification teaching 7-12 from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Her passion is learning about how history has shaped our culture and us as humans. She has taught 3 years as a 7th grade Texas History teacher in Texas City ISD and decided to leave the public school setting to have more time raising her daughter who came January 2025. Elizabeth loves to travel, camp, and visit museums with her husband, as well as quilting in her free time. Creating positive relationships with students and instilling a love of history is what she enjoys doing and is excited to bring it to HEPTX.

Tiffany HenryAssistant Principal

Rejoining the HEP staff for the 2023-2024 school year, Tiffany Henry decided her heart still belonged to HEP and the precious families she has served for the last 5 years. She will become the Assistant Principal, helping HEP continue to grow, and providing support to staff, parents, students and coordinating events. As her last homeschooled student graduated in May of 2023, she begins a new adventure as a working wife and mother to her three children, who are no longer her full-time students, but wonderful young adults. She earned her Bachelors in Business Administration as a Business Management Major, and worked in the business world for 6 years prior to focusing on her true love of children by joining the teaching world.

Earning her Lifetime Texas Teacher Certificate – Generic Special Education, she enjoyed the blessings of teaching in the school setting until the reprioritization of staying home with her own children occurred, and then homeschooled them all. Her experience includes working on various grants, gaining more knowledge to share in workshops, as well as teaching children of all ages, from preschool to high school. Her teaching repertoire includes Texas History, Geography, Masters Class for Classical Conversations, as well as History, English, Speech, Journey Through Time 9, and VBS & Sunday School. She enjoys spending time with her loving and supportive husband, children, and extended family as she enters a new season. Being a part of the mission field holds a special place for her along with spending time at the beach. When trying to explain “homeschooling,” she explains it as a “lifestyle with so many blessings.” The Lord set us on a path in which we have been richly blessed, we love to share it with others. Most importantly, The Lord receives ALL the credit.

Debby JasinskiArt Teacher

Ms. Jasinski joins the HEP TX staff as the new art teacher and will teach Creativity in the Classical School. As a young child, Ms. Jasinski discovered her love for art, dance, and creative movement. As an adult, she continued her passon through teaching, sharing, and making a difference helping others discover and grow their talents. After 16 years of teaching in a local dance studio, Ms. Jasinski continued teaching art and creative movement at summer camps and in local outreach. She also taught in after school programs working with Pre-K through 12th grades & with special needs students. Ms. Jasinski studied art in college (TAMU) and continued to participate in classes and worshops taught by many professional artists learning techniques in various mediums including painting & drawing.

Ms. Jaskinski is also a certified Ageless Grace Educator teaching fitness for the body and the brain and has recently trained in their program 4 Ever Fit 4 Kidz. This program is designed to develop both physical and cognitive skills through the stimulation of neuroplasticity while being playful, spontaneous, and creative .

Desiree JeffryesJTT Teacher

Desiree Jeffryes has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in English. She has her certification to teach reading and writing 4th through 8th grade. She has her science of teaching reading and G/T hours credit. She was a paraprofessional supporting alternative academics at CCISD before teaching 8th grade RLA at Harmony Public School. She then worked at Dickinson ISD teaching 8th and 6th grade.
Desiree made the change of careers when she started to homeschool her own children. She has a second grader and 3 year old, both girls. When not working or teaching she enjoys spending time with her family by going to museums, aquariums, camping, amusement parks, and other fun events. On her down time she enjoys reading and playing video games. She is very excited to start working at HEPTX from all the positive reviews and testimonies, and from her own personal experience with having her second grader join in the 2025 fall semester.

Joanne E. JurenPrincipal

Mrs. Juren is the Owner and Principal of HEP TX. With over forty years of experience as an educator, with experience as both a teacher and administrator in public schools and college, and with twenty-eight years of experience as a home educator, Joanne Juren holds a B.A. in English/History Teacher Education with a minor in Speech, a M.Ed. in Educational Administration, and a Texas Professional Mid-Management Certificate from the University of Houston. The founder and National Executive Director of Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society and the National Home School Science Honor Society, Mrs. Juren also owns the HEP Bookstore and Home Education Partnership of Texas, Inc. Chosen as the first winner of the “Home School Best Pioneer” Award by the Calvert School in 2002 and, in 2015, inducted into the “Texas Home School Hall of Fame,” and nominated numerous times as a member of “Who’s Who of American High School Teachers,” Mrs. Juren has often appeared on national television as an advocate of homeschooling. The mother of two grown sons, both attorneys, Mrs. Juren now enjoys sharing her homeschool knowledge with others. An avid traveler, she enjoys travelling the world and experiencing new adventures with her husband, family, and students.

Amber MarrsSign Language Teacher

Amber Marrs joins the HEP TX staff with experience in special education and a strong focus on accessible communication. She has used and taught beginner-level American Sign Language (ASL) in both homeschool and classroom-related settings, supporting students through visual, hands-on, and adaptive instruction. Her passion for ASL grew through years of practical use with her children, including a daughter who is hard of hearing, which shaped her commitment to creating inclusive learning environments. Amber values clear communication, patience, and meeting students where they are, and she looks forward to helping students grow in confidence as they develop new skills.

Elaine McWhirterElementary Teacher - Grades 1 and 2

Elaine McWhirter has 20 years of teaching experience in the public and home school sector. Early in her career she taught in Clear Creek, Dickinson and Pearland ISD. The Lord opened a door to leave the public school system and home school her two children, Mia and Micah, who will begin their journey with HEP TX this upcoming school year. Elaine was the Director and taught within both Pearland Homeschool Academy and The Homeschool Group. She holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis on Journalism and a Minor in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Houston. She also has a degree in Education. She will teach grades 1 and 2 this next fall.

Cheryl RedScience and Math Teacher; Department Chair

Cheryl Red teaches Algebra 1, Life Science, Honors/AP Chemistry 1 and 2, Honors/AP Biology 1, and Accelerated Math. Mrs. Red has a B.A. in Microbiology, a B.S. in Medical Technology, and a M.S. in Biology. She also serves as the Math/Science Chairperson for HEP. She has three children and homeschooled for thirteen years. She has taught science classes ranging from Physical Science to Chemistry for the last thirteen years to home schooled students in the Clear Lake area. Part of the HEP SAT Test Team, Mrs. Red teaches the math preparation for college entrance tests. Mrs. Red also serves as the Chairman of the Math and Science Department for HEP and is currently the chairman of the AP program at HEP TX.

Rachel RedBio 2 Teacher

Dr. Red earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy. A former HEP student, Dr. Red has her own private practice as a physical therapist. She also enjoys traveling with theater groups and worked with the New York production of HAMILTON.

More information coming…..

Alexandra RobertsonHeath and Nutrition Teacher

I’m a proud graduate of Home Education Partnership, where I completed both junior high and high school. My time at HEP played a key role in shaping my character and work ethic, instilling in me the discipline and purpose that continue to guide me in both healthcare and education.

Kathy RogersGovernment, Economics, and Consumer Math Teacher

Kathy Rogers earned a Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Irvine, where she was the Associated Students of UCI President her Senior year. She earned a Master of Science in Software Engineering at the University of Houston, Clear Lake. She is married to Patrick and has 2 adult children. Kathy has attained a Project Management Professional Certification and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She has worked for NASA contractors, including Rockwell, MITRE, and GHG Corporation for almost 30 years. She has taught at College of the Mainland, San Jacinto College, and the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Her hobbies include being a member of a local investment club, a Bible Study group, Jazzercize, and politics. She has attended a National Political Convention as a delegate and served as a State of Texas Elector in the 2024 Presidential Election

Pat RogersComputer Science Programming Teacher

Dr. Patrick Rogers is a software professional with extensive development experience intermixed with research and academic achievement in an international context. He has been described as a “software practitioner who can teach.”

A recently retired computing professional with approximately 47 years’ experience, he focused on real-time applications such as high-fidelity flight simulators and embedded Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems controlling hazardous materials. He was director of the Ada9X Laboratory for the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Advanced Strike Technology Program, Principal Investigator in distributed systems and fault tolerance research projects for the U.S. Air Force and Army, and Associate Director for Research at the NASA Software Engineering Research Center.

While working full time as a developer, he taught courses in computer programming and data structures as an adjunct at the University of Houston at Clear Lake. He created and presented numerous week-long software training courses, both nationally and internationally, on the topics of Embedded/Real-Time Systems, Software Fault Tolerance, Hard Real-Time Schedulability Analysis, Object-Oriented Programming, Formal Methods, and various programming languages.

He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer systems design and computer science from the University of Houston at Clear Lake, and a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of York, England, in the Real-Time Systems Research Group.

He earned a Third-Dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do and teaches Christian Apologetics and Formal Logic at his local church.

Sue RothbergMath, Science, and JTT Teacher

With a love for history, a strong biblical background, and multiple experiences abroad, Sue Rothberg brings a unique set of experiences to the Journey Through Time program. An experienced Bible Studies teacher, she has 1 year of seminary and Precept training as part of her resume. She also teaches math and science in Classical School, “Chemistry and Physics” for sixth grade, Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Marine Biology, Meteorology/Environmental Science, and Math. She has a BS in biochemistry, BS in meteorology, and a MSBA. She served in the USAF as a meteorology officer, manager of a clothing store, and has given private piano lessons for 15 years. A big history buff and a Sunday School Teacher of many years, her biblical background will be a huge plus for JTT. Her husband is on the pastoral staff of Sagemont church. Her three sons (one an attorney, one a HPD officer, one a real estate agent) were homeschooled and the oldest two were 2 of the first 4 students in HEP TX when it began.

Sara SilvaGeography and Language Arts Teacher - Classical School

Sarah Silva earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Education from the University of Houston- Clear Lake in 2011. Her previous Texas State Certifications were EC-6th Generalist and 4-8 Language Arts, so she has taught at many grade levels. She has taught in public and private school setting before deciding to homeschool her children in 2019. Though teaching reading is her passion, she has also enjoyed teaching electives like cooking, community service, and yearbook. She joined the HEP faculty in 2020 teaching Spanish in the classical school and Kindergarten in 2021. She joins the staff again this year teaching English 8 and Classical School World Geography. Sarah also serves as the Children’s Ministry Director for RESONATE Church in La Marque, TX alongside her husband Jeremy, the Discipleship Pastor. They share two children who attend HEP.

Mary SmithEnglish 8, World Geography, and Math 8/7 Teacher

Mary Smith joins the HEP TX staff as the English 8 teacher for this upcoming semester. She has experience homeschooling her three children, including one currently enrolled in JTT 8 at HEP. Mary studied humanities in college, which ignited in her a love of reading, analyzing and seeking comprehension, and lastly, writing. She graduated from the University of Houston Law Center and then worked as a litigator, honing her legal research and writing skills. She enjoys various styles of writing, and especially appreciates hearing an author’s voice revealed in their unique way. She hopes her enthusiasm for reading and writing will help her students grow in confidence as they learn and practice old and new skills.

Minna TindolPre-K Teacher

Minna Tindol was born and raised in Hawai’i. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology with a minor in Sociology. As a Cum Laude graduate Minna was also a part of both the academic and criminal justice honor societies. She moved to Texas in 2014 after meeting her husband to be in Hawai’i. He was a Marine stationed in Kaneohe Bay and originally from Deer Park, Texas.

Since high school, she has held various jobs and opportunities working with children including as a teacher’s aide, a substitute teacher, a basketball coach, and a Sunday School teacher at church. Minna’s passion for teaching grew as she and her husband started a family. She is excited to be a part of the HEP family and to grow as educator here.

Bency Varghese

Bency Varghese holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a M.A. in Math Education (7-12) from Adelphi University in New York. She also holds a Texas teaching certificate for Math 8-12. She has taught Geometry and Algebra for Pearland ISD for several years. Mrs. Varghese currently teaches Algebra 2 for Trinity Classical School and will also teach Algebra 2 here at HEP this year.

Wuping XiChinese Teacher

Ms. Wuping Xi came from Shanghai, China. She has been in the U.S. since 1997. Now she lives in Clear Lake area of Houston. Her major in college was Chinese Language & Literature and she graduated from Shanghai University. After graduation, she worked for Shanghai Film Studio Company as an editor and writer of screen plays for more than 10 years. Since she immigrated to the U.S. in 1997, she earned her MBA from Desales University, PA. In the spring 2011, she started her teaching career at HEPTX. During the summer of 2013, she had worked as a Chinese teacher with an AP Chinese Teaching Certification for Lutheran South Academy for ten years. Also, she has taught Chinese for Orange Lutheran High School Online (LA, CA) since August 2017. She has been a Chinese teacher of SJB Online (LA, CA) since 2023. In the summer of 2025, she returned to HEPTX.
She also has been being a Chinese teacher in the local Chinese Heritage School since 2006.

She has three children. Her son, Kevin, finished his studies at UH law school in May 2023. Now he practices in an accounting firm as a business lawyer in the midtown area of Houston. Her elder daughter, Christine, graduated from the University of UT Austin. She is studying at a dental school in Florida. Her youngest daughter, Helen is studying at UT Austin as a joiner student.
She always does her best to encourage and help young generations to study Chinese and learn more about China, Taiwan, Hongkong, and Singapore, even more about the Chinese society in US …

Laura Coker-Garcia

Tamahara Floyd

Anna Fuqua

HEP welcomes Anna Fuqua works as the Sewing and Quilting instructor. An experienced seamstress/quilter, Mrs. Fuqua has been sewing since she was 9 years old. As a student, she was active in 4-H Sewing for years. Currently, Mrs. Fuqua is involved with a sewing ministry at church.

Alex Gurra-Moxey

Tiffany Henry

Debby Jasinski

Ms. Jasinski joins the HEP TX staff as the new art teacher and will teach Creativity in the Classical School. As a young child, Ms. Jasinski discovered her love for art, dance, and creative movement. As an adult, she continued her passon through teaching, sharing, and making a difference helping others discover and grow their talents. After 16 years of teaching in a local dance studio, Ms. Jasinski continued teaching art and creative movement at summer camps and in local outreach. She also taught in after school programs working with Pre-K through 12th grades and with special needs students. Ms. Jasinski studied art in college (TAMU) and continued to participate in classes and worshops taught by many professional artists learning techniques in various mediums including painting and drawing.

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Logan BarbeeTeacher

Originally from Louisiana, Logan Barbee earned her bachelor’s degree in History from LSU at Shreveport and her master’s degree in Theological Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She served as the Youth Director at her home church in Louisiana for ten years before earning her Texas teaching certificate and moving to the Houston area, where she taught for the last seven years. She and her husband have two young daughters and she is looking forward to homeschooling them as they grow up. Logan loves to travel, with India and Kazakhstan being two of her favorite places. She enjoys reading, cheering for LSU, and performing in musical theatre. She is so excited to join HEP Texas.

Elaine McWhirter

Cheryl RedScience and Math Teacher

Sue RothbergScience, Math, and JTT Teacher

Sara SilvaClassical School Teacher - World Geography and Language Arts

Mandi ForesterCulinary Arts and Drama Teacher

Chef Mandi Forester attended Houston City College, earning her culinary degree with a specialization in Pastry Arts. During culinary school, her chef instructors mentored her and offered special project opportunities beyond the standard curriculum. She was invited to cook at Houston’s Tramontina Showroom & Test Kitchen, where she worked with Tramontina’s newest cookware line and directed a professional photoshoot as a food stylist. Mandi also assisted in the revision of On Baking: A Textbook of Baking and Pastry Fundamentals, Third Edition.
After graduating, Mandi taught cooking and pastry classes at Sur La Table in River Oaks, Texas. Her ability to teach children, teens, and adults alike made her a valued member of the culinary education team. As her family grew, Mandi’s focus shifted toward caring for her family at home. She stepped away from the corporate culinary world to run a successful home-based pastry business for over seven years and helped form and direct local farmers markets.

Mandi’s love for the arts doesn’t end in the kitchen. From a young age, she trained in piano, voice, and clarinet, eventually discovering a passion for theater. She participated in local community theater, traveling church productions, and competed in statewide fine arts competitions with the Buckeye Christian School Association in Ohio, advancing to national-level competitions at Bob Jones University in South Carolina.

Mandi joins the HEP Faculty as the Culinary Arts and Drama Teacher.

Bency Varghese

Meet The Faculty

Meet The Faculty

Meet The Faculty

Meet The Faculty

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide Quality instruction!

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide Quality instruction!

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide quality instruction!

We Interested in working at HEP TX? Send resumes to jjuren@heptx.com.

Faculty Biographies 2026-27

Faculty Biographies 2026-27

Home Education Partnership of Texas

Home Education Partnership of Texas

QUICK LINKS

HEPTX’s Degreed instructors provide

quality instruction!

We

Interested in working at HEP TX?

Send resumes to jjuren@heptx.com.