TAMPA BAY HEAT HAS DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN AND GROW.
Angela Adams
Bio
With over a decade of experience in education and creative instruction, I bring a dynamic blend of hands-on expertise and a passion for lifelong learning. I earned my degree in Communication from the University of Central Florida and have homeschooled my four children for 12 years, fostering academic growth across a wide range of subjects including Geography, Mathematics, and Kitchen Science.
Since 2019, I’ve provided private and group sewing instruction, and currently teach Sewing 1 & 2, Entrepreneurship, Girls’ LEGO Engineering, and STEAM. My commitment to nurturing creativity and critical thinking shines through in every classroom and workshop. Whether guiding students through the art of embroidery or introducing engineering principles with LEGO bricks, I strive to make learning engaging, meaningful, and empowering.
My approach combines practical skills with entrepreneurial insights, encouraging learners to explore, innovate, and build confidence in their abilities. I am deeply committed to cultivating an educational environment that is both inspiring and inclusive.
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Mishal Ahuja
Bio
Mishal Ahuja is the Chess coach for Board One Chess Academy. Mishal learned Chess at an academy during his elementary school years, and have been in touch with the game ever since. He has 5+ years of experience working with children in Chess, Soccer, and
Flag Football. Mishal hopes to do his best to help the next generation excel in Chess, as well as in any other field of their choosing.
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Pamela Armel
Bio
Pamela Armel is a gymnastics coach for HEAT. She has coached competitively for 23 years. She was the compulsory team director at different gymnastics training centers for more than 15 years. Pamela coaches at the Heat preschool, beginners and intermediate classes. She also provides private lessons on tumbling, steed ,agility and strength. Pamela homeschools her two kids 11 and 8, and she is a part of a teaching community. Pamela is also a member and volunteer at her church, Fellowship, in Lithia. She loves what she does!
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Angie Bailey
Bio
Angie Bailey has been homeschooling for ten years. She graduated from Texas Tech University and received her Masters from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Angie is married to Patrick Bailey and together they have four children. Aiden and Anthony are HEAT graduates (’23 and’25), Abby is a sophomore, and Andon is in 8th grade. Angie has been the Athletic Director for the HEAT since January of 2021 and enjoys praying over every athlete.
Patrick Bailey
Bio
Coach Patrick is a dedicated cross country and track coach with a passion for developing athletes both physically and spiritually. Since 2019, he has coached with the Tampa Bay HEAT and served for two seasons as the assistant track coach at Tomlin Middle School. His coaching style is personalized, aiming to help each athlete pursue their goals while challenging them to exceed their own expectations. To guide them toward these higher goals, Coach Patrick consistently points his athletes to Jesus, encouraging them to draw strength from their faith both on and off the course.
Jackie Blatterfein
Bio
I’m Jackie. I have been married for 16 years and am a mom of 3. I graduated from Rutgers University with my Masters in Education, with dual certifications in Elementary and Special Education. Before having children, my husband and I decided we wanted to homeschool and we have been blessed to be able to do so from the beginning. Now that I am out of the “diapers and naps” stage of life, I feel ready to get back to my passion for teaching in a classroom setting. In my spare time, you can find me on the sidelines rooting for my kids at sports events, walking my dog, and going to country concerts and theme parks.
Lauren Cliff
Bio
Lauren Cliff is a wife of 15+ years, mom of three awesome kids, homeschooler, teacher, coffee enthusiast, and professional people-person with more than 20 years of customer service experience from places like Starbucks and Lakeshore Learning. She studied Humanities at HCC and later attended forASU Interdisciplinary Studies in English Literature and U.S. History.
For the past four years, Lauren has been homeschooling her kids while also teaching with Tampa Bay HEAT, where she’s heading into her second year teaching Middle School English Literature, Public Speaking, and Intro to Psychology and Sociology. When she’s not lesson planning or grading papers, you’ll probably find her reading, watching anime with her kids, talking about Jesus, or enjoying a strong cup of coffee. Lauren loves helping students grow in confidence, curiosity, and character while making learning meaningful and fun.
Nicole Cohn
Bio
Nicole lives in Valrico with her husband, daughter, and spoiled dog. She homeschooled her daughter, who graduated in 2024 with HEAT and is currently at SEU. Her background was in mostly the veterinary field and as an EMT. Along with running the STEAM program, she leads the High School group, Prom/Hoco, Events, and teaches 7 classes at the HRC. She loves theme parks, concerts, sunsets, fishing, thrifting, pumpkins, and anything vintage.
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Amy Crosby
Bio
Amy is the Piano and General Music instructor for the HEAT. Amy has been teaching private piano lessons for over 30 years. She attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, to study Piano Pedagogy before transferring to the University of Florida, where she earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Elementary Education. In 2013, she began home-schooling her own children. Now her daughters are both out of high school and working through college. Amy’s philosophy about piano lessons is that they should be FUN. She strives to keep the atmosphere relaxed and encouraging. Students are rewarded for their personal achievements and encouraged to develop positive practice habits that will lead to a well-rounded music education.
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Sarah Folks
Bio
Hello! My name is Sarah Folks and I am thrilled to be teaching for the HEAT! I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Education and English. I also have my Lutheran Christian Teacher’s Diploma which means I have additional credentials for teaching in Christian schools. I have taught and tutored for many years in schools throughout the US and I also had the fun opportunity to teach English while living in Belgium. My husband and I have been married for seventeen years and we have two elementary-aged children. I absolutely love teaching literature and encouraging students as they develop into lifelong learners and readers! I am looking forward to getting to know your child, it’s going to be a great semester!
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Lauren Foster
Bio
Lauren is thrilled to join with HEAT and offer classes this year. She is a seasoned homeschool mom to three children. Her career brings a master’s in education to the table, in addition to years of experience in published writing and directing a children’s ministry for a mega church. Lauren is also an independent contractor for the Florida Parent Educators Association and develops their curriculum entitled Musings.
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Nicole Golden
Bio
Hi, I’m Nicole Golden! I have a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education and another in Biblical Studies. I taught for three years at Lakeland Christian School, which is a college preparatory school in Lakeland, Florida. I started my own tutoring business about a year ago, and have enjoyed working with over 15 students. I just completed my first year of homeschooling our four kids, and I love getting to combine my passion for teaching with our family life. My husband and I have been married for 15 years and we have one girl and three boys: Brooke (13), Ryder (11), Braxton (9) and Case (6). We live in Valrico and own a mini farm with 4 Nigerian Dwarf Goats, 4 Holland Lop Bunnies, 2 Mini Potbelly Pigs, 3 ducks, and over 10 hens. We also have a dog, cat, and Bearded Dragon.
Hal Granholm
Bio
Hal has been with H.E.A.T. since the beginning of 2010 as the drama Director. He has seen the program grow from a handful of students to 120+ students today. The talent he has seen go through the program is amazing. He brings everything he has learned in the local community theater (Village Players, Plant City Entertainment, The Frenzy, and Macbeth & Cheese) and shares them with the students here at Tampa Bay HEAT.
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Jen Holmstrom
Bio
Ms Jen is the HEAT Theatre Coordinator, Musical Director, Show Choir Instructor, and the ITS Troupe Leader. Ms Jen is a mother of three and has been unschooling for 10+ years. She has a lifelong background in musical theatre and performing arts as a singer, dancer, and actor. Ms Jen has an Advanced Diploma in Theatre & Acting and is currently training to be certified as a Drama Therapist. She has enjoyed participating in many choirs over the years and enjoys all types of music. Ms Jen has experience as a director, choreographer, and film producer for Hollywood music videos, community stage productions, and short films. In other miscellaneous fields, Ms Jen has a degree in Criminal Justice, three years experience as an insurance fraud investigator, 7+ years as a preschool/daycare teacher, and is skilled in computers and technology. She has a passion for learning about all subjects, but a special interest in the arts.”I believe performing arts are a gift from God and a powerful form of artistic expression. My hope is to inspire everyone to enjoy and develop their artistic abilities regardless of skill level.”
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Sheila Jones
Bio
Sheila Jones has been teaching art to children for over a decade in various venues, including a private school where she pioneered the elementary – high school art program for 4 years. She has an Associates of Art Degree in Education and is a third generation artist who has lived in the Brandon area for over 30 years. She illustrated her first children’s book, “Here’s the Deal… Moose Aren’t Real” in 2021. She loves to paint and travel to museums around the world with her husband of 25+ years. She also loves to volunteer her time when she can at the Tampa Museum of Art. She has 3 children, two of which graduated from the HEAT and one who has a degree in Graphic Design.
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Kelly Krutz
Bio
Hi! I’m Kelly Krutz.
Originally from Colorado, I’ve been homeschooling my two boys for seven years and have been part of the Tampa Bay HEAT community for the past four. Teaching is something I truly love—I enjoy creating hands-on, engaging lessons that make learning exciting and memorable.
Within the HEAT community, I also love planning events, field trips, and gatherings that bring us all closer together.
Outside of teaching, I’m a homeschooling mom and crafter who loves spending time outdoors. Whether it’s a day at the beach, exploring nature, or simply enjoying fresh air with my family, I believe learning happens everywhere—not just in the classroom!
Wendy Liller
Bio
Wendy is an elementary reading instructor at the HEAT and a mom to two boys. As a military family, she has lived in many amazing places including North Carolina, Washington State, and Okinawa, Japan. She currently holds a Florida Professional Teaching certificate, and received a Masters in Education degree with a concentration in special education from the University of Washington. She has worked as a classroom teacher, a homeschool teacher/tutor, and a reading therapist, and, combined, has over 15 years experience in these fields. Wendy absolutely loves helping children to read and to develop a passion for stories.
Megan Linsmier
Bio
Originally from Ohio and with a degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, I’ve called Florida home for the past 18 years. My first ten years were spent teaching elementary school in Pinellas County. I am a wife to an adventure loving entrepreneur and mother to two spunky girls, two poodles and three cats. (I’m terrible at saying no to furry faces!) Our family is in our fourth year of homeschooling and our third as members of HEAT. I’m a firm believer that we, as parents, are blessed to be our children’s first teachers and that learning happens all day, every day. When we don’t have our noses buried in a good book or are out on an adventure, you can usually find me fiddling in my garden or cooking in the kitchen. I’m excited to be jumping back into teaching here at HEAT to support other homeschooling families on this wonderful journey where God has called us.
Amy Loesch
Bio
Amy Loesch is an English 101, 201, Creative Writing, Public Speaking, World Religions, Old Testament, New Testament, and History Instructor for HEAT. Amy graduated in 2009 with a BA in Religious Education. She continued my MA in Teaching in Secondary English, but had to stop shy of a semester of student teaching due to deployment. Since then, she has been a substitute teacher at Providence Classical Christian Academy in St. Louis, MO. Amy has been homeschooling her four children since the winter of 2016, and has taught numerous classes with the HEAT program. Amy’s philosophy is that no student learns exactly the same as another and that learning should be hard work but FUN!
Contact Information
amynsloesch@gmail.com
Kelly Mamott
Bio
Kelly Mamott is a High School Math Instructor for HEAT. She is a Christian, and former homeschooling mom. Kelly graduated in 1988 from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Mathematics Education. She was certified in Florida for Mathematics Grade 6-12. She taught in a public Middle School until her first child was born in 1993. Her family began their homeschool journey in 2002. Kelly is homeschooling her four children. During these years, she also taught several homeschool classes, including Algebra, Geometry, and Chemistry, as well as a variety of co-op style classes. She has privately tutored students in various high school math classes. Kelly is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach high school level math courses with the Tampa Bay HEAT.
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Tanci Mishler
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Tanci Mishler was a children’s librarian who worked in libraries from the age of thirteen. She worked for the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative for eight years. During that time, she taught classes for homeschoolers for six years on a variety of subjects, including history, science, public speaking, technology, and literature. Inspired by the wonderful families she met during her classes, she left the library a few years ago to teach her own children. She continues her work with libraries by providing thematic STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programs and writing for the Collaborative Summer Learning Program, a national organization that provides summer reading programs and materials. Tanci teaches virtual classes, including Minecraft, Google Suites, Coding, and a travel class.
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Heidi Milliner
Bio
I am Heidi Milliner and I have been an educator for 9 years. I have taught early childhood education, but also taught High school language arts when I taught overseas in Taiwan, as well as all subjects for Middle School. I received my Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts Education from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN, with a minor in English. I am also certified in the following; general education
for K-8, Biology up to grades 10, Bible up to grades 10, and am certified to teach Project Based Learning for PreK-2nd grades. This will be entering my 10th year in education. I have a passion for teaching and providing hands-on activities and experiences for real-life application of skills/concepts being taught in class. It is my greatest honor to be entrusted with the care of the students who enter my classroom where first and foremost I strive to bring them closer to the Kingdom of God, while preparing them for the society they will one day enter.
Personally, I am married to my husband of 5 years, and we have a Bernedoodle puppy named May, and we welcomed our son in April. I pray one day to enter the ranks of a homeschooling momma. I love going for hikes, camping, road trips, and cooking. What I love most is being with my family. I look forward to working together with you as partners in your child’s development and growth!
Laura Osborne
Bio
Laura Osborne teaches Junior Achievement’s BizTown and Finance Park classes at Tampa Bay HEAT. She is also the middle school athletic director to the TBCAL League and team mom for high school cross country and track. Laura has been married to Lance Osborne for 22 years and they homeschool their four boys Luke 20, Wesley 18, Walter 16, and Adam 13. They have been Heat members since 2012. Laura has a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UAB. Her family has been active in Heat sports including cross country, track, soccer, flag football, basketball, and Heatwave sports over the years. Laura has taught BizTown for the past 8 years and Finance Park for 7 years. Laura enjoys hiking, mountain biking, running, and anything outdoors.
Hannah Stevens
Bio
My name is Hannah Stevens, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Nova Southeastern University. I taught in the public school system for four years and am certified in all subjects for grades K–6, as well as ESOL. During that time, I worked in blended classrooms serving gifted students alongside students with a variety of learning and behavioral exceptionalities, which strengthened my ability to support multiple learning styles and create engaging environments where students can thrive.
My faith is central to who I am and influences the way I teach, lead, and serve. In addition to teaching, I serve on the HEAT Administrative Team as the Elementary Principal and Administrative Assistant to Teresa Manganello, the founder and operator of HEAT.
HEAT has been a huge blessing to our family. My son has been involved in HEAT classes since he was 3.5 years old, and watching the friendships, confidence, and community built through HEAT has been incredible. My husband and I have one son, three dogs, and several other critters of varying types that keep life fun and busy!
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Jon Touchton
Bio
Jon was a Tampa street cop for over 25 years and has taught martial arts and self-defense for 40. He is a 5th-degree black belt in American Karate and has black belts also in Krav Maga and jujitsu, and that training and the experience that came from a number of real fights while working as a police officer has given him a perhaps rare outlook on reality-based self-defense.
In college, he earned bachelor’s degrees in history and physics and a Master’s in history, and after graduation, he served with the CIA overseas in undercover capacities. Following that, he taught and tutored mathematics while also instructing karate. He then settled down for a career with the Tampa Police Dept. where he often dealt with dangerous criminals and thugs, from those encounters getting shot on duty in a gunfight and having staples in his head twice from two major head injuries. Such experiences over the course of 2 ½ decades not only honed his personal skills but shaped his outlook on what other people would face in a perilous world, and those real-life lessons are inherent in the Paladin Karate curriculum.
Paladin Karate is an amalgam of styles, a mix of traditional taekwondo and karate (with forms or kata and board-breaking, e.g.) and modern reality-based self-defense (such as grappling, escapes, and disarms). Everything in it, even the ‘old’ traditions, apply to real-life use. It is taught in an eclectic, fast-paced, and hopefully fun way and is good for everyone, for all ages and abilities, kids and adults and families. It is taught under an umbrella of Christian ethics and philosophy without any mysticism. Students will learn how to handle and escape from threatening or violent encounters of various degrees and how to fight effectively, if necessary, while knowing that we are the good guys and don’t start fights but end them.
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Shelley Whisenant
Bio
Shelley Whisenant has been married to Dave for 28 years and they have 5 children who have all been homeschooled. She has been teaching since 1993 and specializes in Spanish, English as Second Language, and Math. Shelley has taught in a variety of settings- public schools, community colleges, and homeschool co-ops.