Jenn Armstrong
English & History
Jenn has a B.S. in English and an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Ball State University in Indiana. She has been a Granite parent since 2014 and a Granite Tutor of English and History since 2019. She has pursued her own classical education by reading the Great Books and participating in classical education courses through the CiRCE Institute and Classical U. Jenn loves to read, and she tries to create and find beauty in the spaces around her wherever she is able. She and her husband Mark have two children, Natalie (GCT ’25) and Hazel (GCT class of 2035).
Susie Bauer
Science & Math
Susie homeschooled her 3 children at least through elementary school. In the past she has taught Chemistry as well as Biology lab at Granite. She also worked at St. Stephen’s Christian Classical Academy, where she taught middle school sciences as well as Math 6, pre-Algebra and Geometry. She has been married to James for 43 years. They have two married sons and a married daughter and three grandchildren. Her hobbies include gardening, crocheting, and mosaic art.
Alyssa Bello
5th & 6th Science, Saxon 8/7 & 7/6 (Timonium)
Raised in California until she was 13 and then in Texas until she graduated from university, Alyssa was home schooled from kindergarten through high school, attended West Texas A&M University and received a bachelors and masters in Plant, Soil and Environmental Science. Dating and getting engaged to her husband within one year of meeting him in Texas, Alyssa moved to Maryland with Tyler as newlyweds in 2015 for his job. Putting down roots in Parkville, Alyssa is a mom of 3 young kids: Isaac, Emma and Noah. This life-long learner loves nature, science and the outdoors, but also enjoys aspects of English, Art and Music. Alyssa has taught beginner piano for many years and helps lead worship at her church, Horizon Church of Towson.
Caleb Bernhardt
Science (Timonium)
Caleb was raised in a quiet town in NE Wisconsin. He and his four siblings were homeschooled while his father worked as a public school music teacher. His own educational experience makes him grateful for his parents’ commitment to God’s command to train him up in “the way he should go” in order to learn to cherish virtue and to love and obey God. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36. He graduated from Vanderbilt University and had the privilege to serve in the Army as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Caleb and his wife are blessed with two daughters, Mara and Talitha. He is excited about this new adventure at Granite Timonium.
Mindy Death
Operations Manager
Carole Degenford
Science & Math
Carole has enjoyed being part of Granite Classical Tutorials since 2006. She has a B.S. in Biology along with a teaching certificate for Biology and General Science from Geneva College. She has completed 33 graduate hours in Environmental Science from Hood College. She worked for seven years as a Research Technician at Ft. Detrick in Frederick, MD, before she and her husband welcomed their three children.
Candice Dennis
Omnibus (8th)
Candice has homeschooled her own eight children since 2002, and her youngest three are students at Granite. The Dennis family recently moved to Maryland from Pennsylvania. She is a member of Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church, where her husband, Kevin, serves as pastor. She loves teaching about God’s hand in His creation and providence and spending time with children of all ages. She hopes to always be growing and learning herself: so many books—so little time! Candice is an ACBC certified Biblical counselor, and enjoys reading, writing, thrifting, and being a homebody.
Aubry Dyakon
Director of Classical Education
Aubry has tutored at Granite since 2012. She holds a B.A. in English from Belhaven University and an M.A. in English from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She has served as a faculty member on the Academic Committee at Faith Theological Seminary, and she has taught courses for Belhaven University. Presently, she teaches dual-enrolled college courses at Granite through Belhaven. She and her husband, Chris, attend Church of the Resurrection in Lutherville, Maryland. Aubry and Chris have two children whom they look forward to homeschooling at Granite when they are school-aged.
Cathryn Eckley
Logic
After attending Bible school with Torchbearers International Cathryn attended Central Washington University and received B.S. in Nutrition and soon after she earned an RN license. She worked taking care of patients in a hospital for 3 years and then dedicated herself to her growing family. As an Army family, the Eckleys moved every 2-3 years and learned to plug into new church families with each move. She taught Sunday school classes and assisted in children’s ministries in Washington, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. She started her homeschooling journey eleven years ago when her oldest of four sons was six years old. Through the years she has had the opportunity to tutor various subjects in homeschool communities. This is her first year tutoring at Granite. She wants her students to know that she cares about them and what they are learning, and that all truth is grounded in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). She has been married to her best friend, David for over 20 years. The family enjoys cheering for each other on the soccer field and serving together at church. She enjoys walking when the morning is new and the air feels crisp.
Dave Eckley
Chapel & Bible
Dave retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service in 2022 and currently serves as an Assistant Pastor at Calvary Chapel EC. He is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, George Mason University, and the Army War College with a BS, MS and MA. Dave began serving at Granite in 2023 as the Chapel Leader. He will add 8th Bible to his Chapel duties for the 2024-25 school year. Dave integrates lecture, questions, visuals and practical exercises into the classroom environment to keep a balance of direct instruction and student dialogue. His family has been involved in the homeschooling community since 2012 and they just launched their first high school graduate to Gordon College in Wenham, MA this Fall. Dave values quality time with his wife Cathryn, and sons Ezra (at college), Micaiah (11th), John (9th) and Caleb (7th). In his free time, he enjoys running, mountain biking, gardening and woodworking.
Kim Gotiangco
Director of Admissions & Campus Life
Kim has served as the Admissions Administrator since 2013 and has been a Granite mom since 2008. She holds a B.A. in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism from the University of Maryland. She enjoys running, reading, and serving her church and Granite family communities. Both Kim and her husband, Gil, have served on the GCT board since 2013. They have two children: Gabriel (GCT Class of 2017) and Isabella (GCT Class of 2022).
Gloria Hague
Kindergarten, 2nd Grade Music/Art/Drama, 1st-3rdGrade Choir & 4th-6th Grade Choir (Timonium)
Gloria has a B.M. in Church Music and piano from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ and an M.A. in Old Testament from Biblical Theological Seminary, Hatfield, PA. She currently conducts an Upper School choir at St. Stephen’s Classical Christian Academy in Eldersburg and a church choir in Jarrettsville. Her college teaching experience includes teaching at a university in China, Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, Pinebrook Junior College in Coopersburg, PA, Faith Theological Seminary in Catonsville, MD and conducting at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. She has taught in Oxford at the Dragon School and Lynams Prep, the American Boychoir School in Princeton, NJ, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA and St. James Academy, Monkton, MD. She homeschooled two sons through high school and one son through the seventh grade. Pursuing and delighting in discovery and wonder of God’s creation sums up her educational philosophy which includes helping students develop a hunger for truth, beauty and artistic expression. She enjoys visiting art museums, attending lectures and concerts and studying history.
Kim Hess
3rd Grade (Timomium)
Kim earned her B.S. from Virginia Tech, where her son currently attends and her daughter will attend next year. Ms. Hess rocked being a homeschool mom of two, but freely admits to learning more from her children and students over the past ten years in classical Christian co-ops. Granite has provided her the opportunity to teach third grade language arts, Latin, public speaking, and math. Ms. Hess firmly believes that God blessed parents with the responsibility of teaching their children, and she enthusiastically supports them. In addition to teaching, she has raced enduro karts, done flying trapeze, and passed the motorcycle license class, but prefers to take adrenaline-free walks with her husband. Recently, Ms. Hess started a publishing company, Blessings Press LLC, and has self-published a healing journal. Her favorite pastime is being a prayer minister who relentlessly asks, “Do you want prayer?”
Kay Ilincuta
Kindergarten
Kay has been a member of the Granite Classical Tutorials community since 2019. She holds a B.A. in Spanish with a concentration in Communication from Hood College and an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Intercultural Communication in Organizations from George Mason University. Kay’s academic journey includes studying abroad in Argentina and Spain, along with teaching ESL to Korean and Japanese students. She is a dedicated mother of two Granite students and is thrilled to return as a Kindergarten teacher. With a deep passion for teaching, Kay also finds joy in experiencing the beauty of nature.
Brandon Katz
Omnibus (7th)
Brandon earned his BA in Communications from the University of Maryland and his MA in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary California, He has taught and tutored in Preschool, Charter School, and online settings, having now worked with Granite since 2023. Brandon loves studying Scripture, Classical Languages and History, and Apologetics. As a committed apologist, Brandon’s goal as a tutor is to equip students in their faith by framing their studies through Scripture and comparing them with contemporary culture.
Briget Koch
Omnibus (Timonium)
Briget began working at Granite in 2022. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an M.A. in Leadership in Teaching from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland. She previously taught various grade levels in the Baltimore County Public School system and has worked as a tutor for a private tutoring company in Towson. Upon learning about the wonderful offerings at Granite Classical Tutorials she was delighted to join the school as a tutor. She was drawn to the classical model of education at GCT and is thrilled to be a part of helping students flourish in their faith while advancing their academic skills. Briget and her husband have a 26 year old daughter who works as a Baltimore County firefighter and EMT, and a yellow lab named Coconut. Briget enjoys SUP, hiking, reading and traveling. She also loves to collect heart-shaped rocks wherever she can find them.
Anna Lee
Omnibus (Rhetoric Level Dual Enrollment Literature)
Anna has a BA in English Literature from Wellesley College and an MA in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has taught in private schools all around the country– New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Until recently, she was an adjunct instructor in ESL at Howard Community College. Anna grew up in a Christian home and attended church from a young age, trained and rooted in the tenets of Christianity. After her college experience, she struggled with the black and white dichotomies that guided her childhood. She was finding her own way as a young woman, and literature was one of the ways that God pulled her back to Him. She is skeptical by nature, always questioning, wondering, inquiring. Anna loves the ability to teach as it is the perfect outlet to tease out truth, beauty, and goodness with growing young minds. She is firmly convinced that no one and no thing is more beautiful than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Anna hopes that her students discover this in her classes through the literature they read. Anna and her husband have been married for 20 years, and have two children– Lucy and Linus (the loves of their lives). Last year, they adopted a fur baby– Mochi, a sweet, gentle rabbit, in whose presence she always melts like silly putty.
Clara Lee
Math
Clara graduated from UCI with a degree in Biology and then earned a Masters in Arts in Religion at Westminster California. She joined the Granite community in 2016 and has taught various subjects: 1st & 2nd grade Music and Drama, 3rd grade (history, English, Latin, science), Informal Logic, Choir, Saxon 7/6, Algebra 2, FST (Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry), Korean, and Yearbook. She will be teaching Saxon 5/4, FST, and Yearbook this year. She loves to challenge students and see them apply concepts they have learned in class in practical ways. She has homeschooled her six children since 2001. Three of her children have become teachers, and her youngest is a sophomore at Granite. This year, she will celebrate her 30th anniversary with her husband Peter, an OPC pastor and professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary in DC. She loves to read, travel, and play pickleball whenever she can.
Alan Link
Logic & Rhetoric
Alan has taught logic and/or rhetoric at Granite since 2019. He has a B.A. from Duke University in Public Policy Studies and is retired from a career in information technology both in the private sector and federal government service. Alan is a father of three and serves in his church as an elder, teacher, and musician.
Stephanie Link
Latin
Stephanie has taught at Granite since 2008. She received her B.A. in Christian Education with an emphasis in Youth Ministry and a minor in Music from Messiah College. Following college, Stephanie worked in youth ministry for 8 years, beginning with several years in Young Life, and then as a youth leader in her church, Presbyterian Church of the Atonement. It was at Atonement (in a contemporary choir) that she met her husband, Alan. They have been married for over 30 years. They have three adult children: Luke, Grace, and David (GCT classes of ’11, ’13, and ’16, respectively). In her spare time, Stephanie loves to read and listen to audiobooks, sing in the church choir and worship team, and spend time with her three grandchildren.
Jessica Lough
Timonium Campus Administrator
Jessica began working at Granite in 2021 as part of the new Granite Timonium campus. Jessica holds a B.S. in Psychology from William and Mary and an M.S. in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. She previously worked in the field of special education at Kennedy Krieger and in the public school system until leaving to help plant the Granite Timonium campus and homeschool her own children. Jessica loves Jesus, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Char Milligan
Science, Math & French
Char is a graduate of Penn State University, with a B.S. in Secondary Education, with emphases in General Science and Chemistry. She has expertise in Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry. She delved into geology while taking The Geology of Shenandoah National Park as a graduate course. She is often taking seminars from NASA, earning certificates. She absolutely loves Science.She has been the homeschool community since 2000. She is married and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren. She has been a born again believer since 1974 and a member of Columbia Presbyterian Church since 1985. She currently tutors Earth Science, Chemistry and French I.
Sarah Mitchell
Omnibus (9th) & Spanish
Sarah grew up in Portugal. She attended an international school and studied music in the National Conservatory in Lisbon. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Sacred Music and B.S. in Bible at Clarks Summit University and had exciting educational opportunities with Hawaii Opera Theatre while her husband served in the military. She has taught private music lessons (piano and voice) since high school, but joined the Granite teaching community in 2021 after 2 of her 3 children enrolled at Granite. She enjoys being a part of the local theater community (sometimes along with her children!) and is grateful that homeschool flexibility (and helpful Granite structure) makes it possible.
Jamie Modico
Math & Kindergarten Aide
Colette Moorman
History (4th) & Memory Time
Colette has a B.A. in History and minor in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She joined the Granite community as a parent in 2020. She’s thrilled to utilize her expertise this year as a History and Memory Time tutor to help students appreciate what is good, beautiful, and true. Colette hopes to foster a love for history in her students that lasts into adulthood. She whole-heartedly believes that solid historical knowledge is foundational to a well-rounded education. Prior to homeschooling, she worked in various fields, including Health IT, Social Media Marketing, and as a Mother’s Day Out teacher. Colette and her husband, Justin, attend Uniontown Bible Church with their five children: Bradley, Brenna, Luke, Evan, and Delaney. Outside of her adventures with family and friends, Colette enjoys reading interesting things, a good documentary, and green tea ice cream.
Kendall Morton
High School Resource Advisor
Kendall is a public school high school teacher and Granite parent and advocate. He is also a former Granite Board member and Chemistry lab tutor. All four of his children have graduated from Granite and studied at colleges of their choice. He has been a public school teacher for over 25 years, nearly all at Glenelg High School. He has always been motivated to help students through high school and in their transition from high school to college. He is happy to offer any assistance to Granite students and parents transitioning into and out of high school.
Rachel Nash
2nd Grade
Rachel began at Granite as the 2nd grade tutor in the 2023-24 school year. She has always had a passion for teaching and has been teaching is some capacity since she was 16: music lessons, Sunday school, homeschooling, assisting homeschool parents, and teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten at a full-time Classical Christian school for 9 years. This year begins her 14th year of homeschooling as her youngest daughter, Hope, attends Granite for her senior year. By the grace of God, Rachel and her husband, Dan, have been married over 32 years and have reared their eight children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, faithfully in the church, and with a Christian education. As an educator, Rachel finds it a privilege to walk alongside parents as they teach their children to worship the Almighty in all areas of their life. She enjoys spending time outdoors and in her spare time she finds a way to travel the country to visit her children and grandchildren.
Susan Norman
1st Grade
As a life-long Marylander, Susan grew up in Southern Maryland and moved to Baltimore to earn her BA in Communications from Towson University. After having three children, she felt God’s great call to leave the 9-5 and homeschool. His will led them to Granite Classical Tutorials, where all three children currently attend. Susan is very involved in her church as the Nursery Coordinator. She enjoys small group and women’s studies, as well as managing multiple annual church events for the community, including VBS. As a continual learner, she appreciates educating young minds in the classical style – valuing truth, goodness, and beauty. Her favorite part of the day is the beginning, where students memorize and recite scripture, imprinting it on their hearts. Outside of Granite, Susan enjoys camping above all else! Just being one with nature, perhaps on a hammock with a good book. She also enjoys designing everything from floral arrangements to bedrooms.
Jenn Parker
Math
Jenn holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. The 2024-25 school year is her first year tutoring at Granite and she is looking forward to sharing her love of mathematics with Granite students. Jenn and her husband, Jamison, have three children: Josiah, Ezra, and Zion. Jenn and her family are members of Metanoia church in Ellicott City. In her free time Jenn enjoys running, sewing, and gardening.
Michelle Richards
Head of Tutorial
Michelle has been a Granite mom since 2013. She holds a B.A. in Criminology from the University of Maryland and had the opportunity to work as a case administrator in bankruptcy law before her oldest child was born. Previously, she’s served on the leadership team for a homeschool co-op, and currently serves in the Children’s Worship and Pioneer Girls ministries at her church. In her free time, she enjoys being outside in God’s creation with her family. Michelle and her husband, Tim, have served on the GCT board since 2016 and have three children: Lydia, Silas, and Naomi.
Aidalina Rodriguez
Logic & Spanish
Kellan Smalley
Math
Kellan began as a substitute teacher at Granite in Fall 2022 before becoming a tutor of Geometry at Granite in the Fall of 2023. Kellan has a B.A. in Economics and certificates in Finance and Managerial Economics from UMBC. She worked as a Bank Examiner for the FDIC for 10 years prior to marrying Stephen and raising their three children. For 16 years, Kellan was a homeschooling mother, teaching primarily from classical Christian curriculum. Her youngest child graduated high school in the Spring of 2022. Over the years, Kellan has served in her church in various ways: Sunday school teacher, Children’s worship teacher, Pioneer Girls leader, English Language Ministry classroom assistant, MOPS Mentor Mom, and Women’s Bible Study participant. She also enjoys reading and taking walks with her husband and family.
Robert Spangler
Logic 1- 7th Grade (Timonium)
Robert and his family have been a part of Granite Timonium since it started in 2021. He holds an A.S. in Digital Media, a B.Th. from Bethlehem College and Seminary, and is working towards an M.A. in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary. Robert enjoys teaching and writing. He has a love for learning, classic books, and poetry. He and his wife, Rebecca, have four children; the three older children attend GCT.
Sara Straw
Latin, History & English (Timonium)
Sara holds a B.S. in Spanish from the University of MD. After living in Costa Rica for a year post-college, Sara taught middle and high school Spanish in the Baltimore County Public School system. Her passion for working with students led her to pursue a career in full-time youth ministry and she served as a Campus Life director with Youth for Christ for 10 years. After homeschooling her oldest child during the pandemic, Sara connected with a local group of homeschool families and was excited to get back in the classroom and help launch the new Granite Timonium campus. Sara loves languages (even Latin!), reading, writing, traveling, and creating community wherever she goes. She and her husband enjoy being outside and camping with their two young sons.
Jennifer Ulrich
Omnibus
Jennifer has tutored at Granite since 2021. She earned her Master of Arts degree in History from Liberty University. She used her MA thesis research to write “The Free Trade Philosophy of Sir George Paish.” Jennifer has previously taught in a Christian high school and as an online college adjunct. Jennifer has been interested in Classical Education since 2011 and loves participating in the Great Conversation with her students and colleagues at Granite. History is foundational to Christianity, so she seeks to enhance students’ understanding of the ancient world and the Biblical narrative. Her courses explore various philosophies and cultures through primary sources and individual research. Jennifer’s husband Ean was homeschooled, and upon moving to Maryland, they decided to enroll their oldest at Granite for Kindergarten. They have four children, with the two eldest enrolled at Granite. Their family attends Anchor Baptist Church, where they serve in the music ministry together. Jennifer always has a book in progress, and she enjoys baking and gardening.
Lora Waye
3rd grade
Lora is a GCT alumna turned passionate educator. Certified in the state of Maryland to teach grades first through 6th and special education, She recently left the public school system as a special educator in order to spend more time with her infant son, Bruce. Lora is a firm believer that teaching strategies develop children into problem solvers who are better prepared for the world around them. When she isn’t in the classroom, she loves cozying up with a good fantasy book with her dog, Ralphie.
Sunshine Whiting
History
Sunshine is originally from Tennessee and then moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology. From there she went on to attend law school at South Texas College of Law. After obtaining her license to practice law, she was admitted to three state Bars, which she maintains today. She worked in Washington, D.C. for five years. Here she met and fell in love with her husband, Dan, and they live in Cheverly, Maryland. Sunshine and Dan have four beautiful children who are currently ages 9 through 14. They have been a homeschooling family since their oldest was in preschool. Throughout these years she has had the opportunity to help tutor different subjects. She enjoys history and is looking forward to helping it come alive for her students. This is her first-year tutoring at Granite. She and her family love road trips and family game nights.
Carrie Whitney
Timonium Campus Coordinator
History & Geography
Carrie joined Granite’s faculty in 2022. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Seattle Pacific University and an M.A. in Governance and Development from the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. She grew up on the mission field in Brazil and taught Sunday school and Bible classes in river communities along the Amazon River. Last year was her first year homeschooling her children. She loves learning and enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Justin, and their four children attend Baltimore Bible Church.
Liliana Wolf
Latin-Levels B & C (Timonium)
Liliana was homeschooled through high school and is now finishing her Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at Towson University. Through her personal experience, she developed a love and appreciation for classical homeschool education, and she is excited to support parents as they make the same choice for their students. Liliana took Latin for 9 years, including 3 years during her high school education, and it was a highlight of her academics. Liliana is the oldest of 5 siblings, who are also all homeschooled, and she is very involved in her church and her community. She is a passionate follower of Jesus and seeks to glorify Him and point everyone around her to Him whenever she can.