Director of Academics and Counseling

Diane Benson →

I graduated from Adrian College in Michigan with a degree in Psychology and continued on to earn a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. As a new grad, I was certain that my life would be focused on climbing the corporate ladder and, in fact, I spent nearly ten years in that corporate world and climbing that ladder. But God had other plans for me. In 1999 Greg and I got married and commenced planning a family. After our son’s birth in 2002, my goals began shifting; I left the corporate world and started teaching Psychology and College Success at Pellissippi State Community College. I taught there for over 17 years. At that time, I also became interested in educational theories and approaches, brain development, and especially the different developmental timelines of boys vs. girls. I was concerned about the number of boys being held back in school and the numbers dropping out of school entirely. The more I learned, the more I was convinced that homeschooling was the best option for our son and our family. And it has been. Because our son Emery is an only child, it was important to us that we connect with other homeschoolers. Our family became active members in the local co-op, BHEA (Blount Home Education Association) and Boy Scouts. As part of BHEA, I have taught co-op classes, facilitated roundtables, training, and presentations for parents, and coached students on transitioning from high school to college. We are primarily eclectic in our homeschooling style. We have encouraged exploration and getting dirty and have been blessed with a child who, now a recent college graduate, loves reading and the outdoors. This was not the life I had planned. But God’s vision was so much greater than mine and I have been blessed to have a family, to homeschool, to teach psychology, and to work at HLA. I am excited about the possibilities homeschooling affords students and am available to work with you in helping your students succeed.

Admissions Specialist

Calente Tapp →

It was life’s greatest joy for me and my husband of 33 years to homeschool our 3 daughters for 17 years. We enjoyed wonderful classes at a local Co-op, where I taught Science for many years. I have been an academic counselor at HLA for nearly 17 years helping families get started in home education. Homeschooling was a Godsend for my family, and He has blessed me with the opportunity to minister to other families through HLA. It is my pleasure to encourage parents to move beyond their fears and guide them to begin this wonderful journey of educating their children.

High School Counselor for Struggling Learners

Heather Holladay →

I homeschooled both my sons, who have now both graduated. I have homeschooled for nearly 10 years and now spend my time as an HLA counselor helping families. I loved the flexibility that homeschooling provided to teach both of them in the way that worked best for them. I am one of the High school counselors and mainly work with our students who are Struggling Learners. I enjoy talking with families about the different methods and styles of learning that homeschooling with HomeLife Academy can offer.

Struggling Learners, Special Needs, Modified

High School Counselor & Solutions Specialist

Tina Ketchens →

My heart was turned toward the idea of homeschooling when my oldest child was a toddler and family friends began homeschooling their children- an interesting idea that just seemed natural to me! It has been a great honor over the years to homeschool my children, see them graduate (all HLA graduates), and choose different paths. Serving in a local homeschool Co-op (Teacher, Director, Board of Directors) allowed me to meet some of my dearest friends, to learn from families using a wide range of homeschool methods, and embrace different learning styles. After homeschooling for nearly 25 years, I now have the opportunity to continue to encourage and serve homeschool families as an academic counselor – I am blessed to be able to come alongside HLA families.

Early Graduation, Super Senior, 3 Year, 5 Year, Military

High School Counselor for Outgoing Records

Lacy Sanford →

I have homeschooled our 3 boys for the past 12 years. We just graduated our oldest through HomeLife Academy this spring and he will be attending college this fall. My other 2 boys are currently in middle school and high school. We began homeschooling after my oldest finished kindergarten. Our original plan was to take it year by year. As each new season approached, we’d begin and complete another year and I realized that with support and encouragement we could finish this, what we felt called to do. I have enjoyed the high school years so much. I call them the “icing on the cake” years. I’ve been able to have the gift of time, to enjoy good conversations with my boys and learn together in a very natural way at home. As cliche as it sounds, the days are long but the years are short. Homeschooling has allowed us more precious time together. It is a blessing to be able to walk alongside other homeschool families; to offer encouragement and support that you can do this! You are equipped to homeschool your children.

Dual Enrollment, Transcripts, Withdrawals, Classical Conversations, CC

NCAA Eligibility Counselor

Jennifer Beebe →

My husband and I have been married for 21 years and have 4 children. We have been homeschooling for over 12 years. Our oldest graduated from HLA and is now pursuing a degree in Biology in college and the youngest 3 are currently enrolled with HLA. Our family has been very involved with various sports, fine arts organizations, and community service opportunities and we have enjoyed participating in several co-ops and tutorials in our homeschool journey. I have a M.Ed. degree in Special Education/Behavior Disorders from Vanderbilt University and am a licensed special education teacher in the state of Tennessee. I have also taught as a reading specialist and have obtained training in the Orton Gillingham structured literacy program.

NCAA, Sports

High School Counselor

Rebecca Sardella →

I graduated from Carson-Newman University (formerly College) with a degree in History, with a concentration in Secondary Education.I started my career as a Museum Educator at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, and later Marble Springs State Historic Site. I dove into the homeschooling community in 2011, 13 years ago, when it was time for her daughter to “start” school. A history nerd at heart, I taught Tennessee and American History to middle and high school students at various homeschool co-ops for several years. I am currently a High School Counselor at HomeLife Academy where I love providing encouragement, guidance, and support to the HLA families, particularly those with Seniors.

Common App, Governors School, Recommendation Letters, High School, 11th, 12th

High School Counselor

Diana Corman →

I just completed my 18th and final year of homeschooling. I have three children, two daughters and a son, all of whom are homeschool graduates from HLA. I have been married for 23 years. We have had a wide variety of experiences in our homeschool journey from Classical Conversations to having a small farm where we sold eggs, meat, produce, soap, and lotions that provided lots of hands on education. They were involved with online classes, in person co-ops, and classes at home piecemealed together by mama. I am passionate about encouraging homeschool families.

High School, 9th, 10th, 11th, Classical Conversations, CC

States Counselor (Outside of TN)

Jennifer Post →

I have been homeschooling my children for 25 years. I began because I simply didn’t want my son to be gone from me all day long! I have five boys, who are all homeschool graduates of HLA, and one daughter, who will graduate from HLA in 2025. Three of my boys are profoundly dyslexic, so I spent many years learning reading remediation and teaching them to read, spell and write. I have taught general education and English/IEW in co-ops. I now serve families as a high school counselor and love helping families find their way.

High School, 9th, 10th, 11th