Instructors
Anne Bittner
Hi, I’m Anne Bittner, mother of 2 and grammy to a couple of cute little boys. As a former homeschooler, I’m excited to support current homeschoolers with the gifts the Lord has given me in writing, teaching and theater production. My introduction to acting began in my 20’s when I traveled the globe for 3 years with a Christian theater troupe. Since then, I’ve spent 30+ years writing for the stage, directing, performing and teaching theater to youth and adults. In 2008, I founded Lighthouse Drama in Purcellville for homeschoolers and loved all of our 11 years of classes and productions as we served the community through stories of hope, faith and courage. Since closing Lighthouse, I've enjoyed working with Jupiter Theater Company (founded and run by some of my amazing students). I'm passionate about telling the stories of life and after my husband passed, I was privileged to work 9 years for HSLDA where I interviewed many of our member-families and wrote their stories for print and video. Now in a new season, the Lord has led me to return to the "theater of life" and help a new generation of students bring the next set of humorous, heart-rending, soul touching stories to the stage.
Kim Crowder
Kim Crowder, RN, BSN
Kim has been homeschooling her own 5 children for 15 years both in Virginia and the United Kingdom where she and her family served as church planters for 7 years. Kim earned her bachelors degree in nursing and then returned to school to be certified as a special education teacher with a focus on learning and emotional disabilities and science. She loves to learn about and share her love of God’s creation.
Heather Dixon
Heather Dixon, MA
My name is Heather Dixon and I am blessed and thrilled to be involved for the Plumbline 24-25 school year! Since a very young age my heart has always gravitated towards art and the beauty of Gods creation. I currently reside in Berryville with my husband, my son Liam and two daughters Claire and Ava. I have a Bachelors of Fine Arts (with a concentration in Illustration and Graphic Design) from Shepherd University and a Masters of the Arts in Teaching Art k-12 from Mount St. Mary’s University. Previous to teaching I was employed as a graphic illustrator for a design company. I also enjoyed working as a production silversmith for a local artisan jeweler and did various freelance work. I then decided I wanted to teach art and became a teacher for FCPS in Md. I have experience teaching middle school art and high school ceramics. I then taught Middle school Life Skills (continuing my love of art through sewing and culinary arts) until I had my second baby and decided I wanted to be a stay at home Mom. Since then I have been homeschooling my three kiddos for the past 5 years. For me art is fused into everything and can be utilized in so many different forms but it is important to have a strong foundation and understanding of art principles and techniques. It is my joy to have an opportunity to equip others with the knowledge and skills to create and appreciate Art.
Dr. Nicholas Donangelo
N. C. Donnangelo studied aerospace engineering at New York Institute of Technology
and applied mathematics at the University of Maryland. He began his career as a
technical analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Donnangelo retired from The
MITRE Corporation, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center in 2025
and is currently on faculty with the University of Maryland. He holds nine U.S. Patents
on a diverse array of subjects including radar, cryptography and sensing systems.
When not responding to highly technical national security challenges, Mr. Donnangelo
can be found working on his historic farm Shiloh. Mr. Donnangelo came to faith in
Christ at age 17. His life verse is Luke 18:13, “Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
His life verse is Luke 18:13, “Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Nellie Elliott
Hi there, my name is Nellie Elliott. I love the way God made our brains able to learn. I am a homeschool graduate and have been teaching in the homeschool community ever since(10yrs). I have taught Kindergarten through sixth grade in a variety of subjects but I am most passionate about words. I love teaching and encouraging young writers in their skills and explaining grammar.
Dr. Doug Favelo
Patrick Henry College Chairman of the Department of Classical Liberal Arts; Professor of History
Email: [email protected]
Educational Background:
Ph.D. in History, University of California Los Angeles
M.A. in Classics, University of California Los Angeles
M.A. in History, University of California Los Angeles
M.A. in History, California State University Fresno
B.A. in History, California State University Fresno
Dr. Favelo teaches courses in the history of western civilization, Roman history, Greek history, Greek, Latin, and historical research methods at Patrick Henry College. Prior to coming to Patrick Henry College, he served for ten years as a lecturer at California State University Fresno, teaching history, literature, and Latin.
Dr. Favelo is heavily involved in the classical education and homeschool communities. He has taught hundreds of students Latin, Greek, history, and literature, and has spoken at homeschooling conferences on the topic of classical Christian education.
Dr. Favelo's passion is to facilitate students in their intellectual and spiritual development, primarily through the medium of a rigorous, Biblically-centered classical education, to the greater glory of God. He, his wife, and his six children live on a mountain farm in Loudoun County, VA, where they raise pigs, cows, and chickens.
Bijan Gilanshah
I've been married for 26 years now to my amazing wife (her bio says I'm the amazing one--not true) and four awesome kids, two girls and two boys, ranging in age from 24 to 17. I attended George Mason University to study Government & Politics, and the University of Virginia for law school. I've been an attorney for the U.S. government for over 29 years, recently retired. Most of my time has been spent doing international law and policy work at the National Science Foundation. I've been blessed to have been able to help build major telescopes, work on research ships and even hurricane hunting aircraft projects. As the senior attorney to the United States Antarctic Program, I've been to Antarctica three times, including the South Pole. Brrrrrrrrr, but penguins are super cool. It's been a great privilege to push U.S. interests in the international arena for these many years. More generally, I have significant experience in all aspects of federal government operations, through Republican and Democratic administrations. For hobbies, I love to run and try to stay in shape, primarily because I also like to eat. I help coach Varsity Girls Basketball with the Loudoun County Patriots.
Jeanne Gilmore
Teacher Bio: Jeanne has worked with children in many settings. First as a mother herself, then as a nanny, a school bus driver, a substitute teacher, a church childcare volunteer, and more. Recently, she has become very involved in the homeschool community including being a Homeschool P.E. class assistant at another large Homeschool group. Her desire is to see happy healthy children educated in a way that is consistent with their family's beliefs. It has become her goal to provide a setting where they can meet some social needs we all have...to have friends and fellowship!
Tonianne Hall
Tonianne Hall is an early childhood educator and homeschooling mom who loves teaching
through meaningful learning experiences. She received her Bachelors degree in early
childhood education with a minor in history from Stonehill College. Tonianne taught
kindergarten in Fairfax County for six years prior to staying home to raise her two children. She
has a passion for history, traveling, and spending time with her family.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Vanessa Hart
Vanessa Hart, MS, RD
I have been a homeschooling mom for 12 years. I started homeschooling my 3 girls when my oldest was in 2nd grade and my twins were in Kindergarten. The twins are now graduated from and working on their Associates at NVCC with plans to transfer to 4 year colleges and my oldest is working on her degree in Environmental Science at Bridgewater College. Vanessa has a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia, a M.S. degree in Nutrition from Virginia Tech and is a Registered Dietitian. While never setting out to homeschool, I and my family found that it was one of the greatest blessings and adventures graced to us. I will forever treasure the time spent and sweet memories made that were specifically made possible because of homeschooling. It is my hope that I can bring that special hoemschooling magic into the classroom and share the love of learning.
Mrs. Bella Healy
Bella was raised and homeschooled in Loudoun County, speaks fluent Spanish and is currently leading a Conversational Spanish group at Liberty U. She is excited to bring her knowledge and appreciation of the Spanish language to Plumbline students.
Jeff Kuzma
My name is Jeff Kuzma and I am excited to share my passion for health, nutrition, and
mathematics with students. I graduated from the US Air Force Academy with a degree in
Astronautical engineering and served in a variety of different jobs (and locations) in the Air
Force. I also competed in track and field at the Academy, earning All American honors in the
800m run. Upon graduating from the Academy, I served as Assistant Coach for the Academy’s
Track and Field and Cross Country teams. Additionally, I taught physical education classes
including SCUBA and lecture-style physical fitness methods. Throughout this time, I continued
my own personal training for the 800m run, culminating in a 5th place finish at the 2000 US
Olympic Trials. Since then, I have been on staff at National running camps as well as Head
Coach of several homeschool track and cross country teams.
While I am still passionate about running, I’m more passionate about teaching kids - both in and
outside of the classroom. Health and nutrition is about eating and living the way God intended
us to live. Through eating and exercise, we are honoring the incredible body that God created
for us to live life to the fullest, according to His will. In many ways, mathematics is an extension
of this as we learn the structure and order God created that govern His universe. Thank you, in
advance, for the opportunity to work with your kids.
Nicole Kuzma
I attended Colorado State University and the University of Central Florida where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught 4th grade in the public school system for two years and then worked for Fellowship of Christian Athletes before starting a family. I have homeschooled my 4 children who are now grown. My youngest daughter is a sophomore in high school while my others have graduated from college, are attending vet school, and serving in the US Coast Guard. I taught IEW classes for my children and their peers in previous homeschool cooperatives. I believe it is critical during these formative years for students to have a positive experience learning to write. My desire and hope are to encourage, equip, and prepare children to become confident and successful writers.
Leanne Manzo
Leanne has been a youth group leader for close to 20 years, first at her church in California, and now at Blue Ridge Bible church. With BAs in Sociology and Religious Studies from UCSB and a graduate degree in Psychology, she ended up working as a Data Analyst at Hewlett-Packard for a dozen+ years, focusing on Program & Change Management. She left the tech world entirely in 2020, when schools went virtual and she started homeschooling her son, and she has not looked back!
She has tutored with Classical Conversations for the past five years and received her coaching certification in Executive Functioning last year, when she started coaching students in study habits, time management, impulse control, and other life skills. Leanne loves teaching and mentoring students of all ages and is excited to start at Plumbline this year, offering classes for both MS and HS.
Jordan Scharan
Jordan was raised in Northern VA and currently lives in Lovettsville with her husband and 3 kids. She currently homeschools her oldest, is pursuing her PhD in Political Science at GMU, and works in finance. Jordan received her BA in History from New York University and her MA in International Security from George Mason.
Mary Spill
Mary Spill grew up in the farmland of Minnesota. She earned a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana.
She and her husband Jeff raised their four children on a cattle ranch in Northern New Mexico. She homeschooled her children through high school, also teaching biology and coaching a speech and debate team through a homeschool co-op.
Mrs. Spill taught biology for 6 years at Loudoun Classical School. She also taught English studies and writing, natural science, environmental science, and history courses.
Mrs. Spill now lives in Round Hill and she attends Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg. Mrs. Spill loves long walks in the forests and countryside, reading, traveling, solving puzzles, and meeting new people.
Angela Stock
Angela Stock graduated from Florida International University in Miami, FL with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. She enjoyed working in Florida and California before graduating to her esteemed role as wife of John Stock, and homeschooling mom to 2 wonderful kids since 2013. She studied multiple years of Spanish in high school and college, but didn't fall in love with the language until she got to use it with the many Spanish-speaking patients and staff and saw how fascinating it was to open doors of communication!
Mrs. Stock and family are long time members of Leesburg Community Church, and are thrilled to be part of God's family with you. She enjoys spending time with family and animals.
Mrs. Stock has been teaching this Middle School Spanish class for 5+ years!
Sydney Vaughn
Sydney Vaughn is a passionate musician, music teacher and dance caller in her community. She loves to worship The Lord and lead others to Christ through the arts. A few of her credits include: (Violin) 4+ yrs of private and group teaching experience, Suzuki Violin Teacher Certification from the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute, Paul Roland String Technique Endorsement, MYMA Prelude Strings Director, Competitive Scottish Fiddler. (Ukulele) 8+ yrs of Ukulele playing, multiple gigs for theater production music. (Dance) Grew up attending community dances, Dance Caller/Instructor for Rapid Felicities Dance, 6+ yrs of Lindy Hop/Swing instruction, 4+ yrs of teaching worship dances for a youth summer camp in NC. Sydney's goal through teaching is to share the joy and beauty of the arts with others, to inspire and assist each child in reaching their goals, to encourage Christlike character and discipline, and to support each child as they learn to express their own unique creativity through the arts!
Trisha Victor
I'm a homeschool mom of 3 kids - Mady, Bayley and Ryley - and until very recently, I
also worked part-time as an environmental consultant specializing in air quality. I love
being outside especially at the beach in Corolla (OBX). In my free time (very little of
that), I like to read, work in our garden, and make crafts. I’ve been homeschooling since
COVID and love it! I also teach science at another co-op and have also taught religious
education for Kindergarten and 1 st graders at our church. I’ve realized that I really love
teaching and am excited to teach your children this year!
Angela Wade
Angela is a follower of Jesus and seeks to grow daily in His grace.
She believes every person carries God-given gifts and delights in watching them step boldly into those callings for His glory.
Angela and her husband, Rob, are the grateful parents of six wonderful humans, ages 15–31 (plus in-laws!), and, with great fanfare, the proud grandparents of two gorgeous grandsons. Their children’s mix of creativity and engineering has led to lives immersed in art, film, music, and theater, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Though Angela began her adult life studying opera performance, she found deep joy in homemaking as her family grew. Along the way, she has served as a choir director, worship leader, vocal coach, performer, drama camp leader, creative director for school productions, and teacher of elementary, middle and highschool drama, videography and art.
Today, Angela runs Wade Creatives - a commercial branding photography and videography business, created with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ by serving believers who are living out their unique gifts and spheres of influence. She thrives in creative collaboration and meaningful storytelling.
She is also the co-founder of NanaGram, a podcast and lifestyle brand for Kingdom-minded grandmothers, where faith, legacy, creativity, and joy are woven into everyday life.