Meet The Tutors

Alisa DeBorde

I tutor English classes, World History, and Apologetics.  From elementary to masters-level students, I have been teaching for over twenty years. I hold a BA in English Education and an MA and a PhD in Literature and Composition. I was a certified educator in the state of Florida for over twenty years and held certificates to teach English, social studies, and exceptional student education. However, my greatest qualification is successfully homeschooling my own four children. While there are certainly things I would improve if I were to homeschool them again (three are in college; one is a college graduate and teaches a DA), I would not change my decision to educate them at home for the world. What a blessing we have in sharing in the education of our children!

I began tutoring other families' homeschool students because of my passion for inspiring young Christian thinkers to do all things well! Believers can and should glorify God through academics and the arts—we should be at the front of every pursuit! I also believe that all students have God-given gifts, and education should help them discover and explore those gifts. It is my great pleasure and blessing to support the homeschooling families of DA. 

Heather Murias

I teach Algebra and Geometry. I love the kids at DA and I love knowing I may be relieving some moms of some of the work and organization of homeschooling. For me, homeschooling is important because as parents, we should have the right and tools needed to have more control of our children's education.  We should be able to trust they are in an environment closer to what we had when we grew up and, hopefully, even better!

Karen Wood

I teach Spanish, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 2, Finite Math, Art History and Production, 7/8 Math. At DA, I love the collaboration of godly people seeking to find Christ in the academic world. Homeschooling is important because all students don't fit into the 7-3 public school model. We must have the option to educate our children the way they learn best. 

Lannette Calhoun

​ Lannette is a graduate of Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa (BME) and the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (MME). Lannette recently moved to TN from WI.  After a career as a music teacher in public and private schools, she became a music professor in the University of Wisconsin system.  In addition, she has directed over 75 musicals, many church productions, and kept up a private music studio in her home for 25 years.  Lannette sees music as a lifelong sport, and loves to hear believers in Jesus of all ages “making  a joyful noise” !She is excited to be part of the DA team.  Time spent with her husband, children and grandchildren rounds out her days.

Ash Enders

I will be teaching Physical Science, Personal Finance, Government, and Economics. We've been a part of DA for the past three years and appreciate the high level of education our kids are receiving with a Christ-centered focus. The classes I teach are passions of mine and directly align with my career and personal interests. I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest in the students and a career allows me the flexibility to be here!

I believe homeschooling is important because it enables students to learn in their learning style and at a welcome pace is invaluable. Parents are able to incorporate so much in our child's education- from the arts to our faith. Being the primary influence in your child's life in this day and age is crucial. I truly believe homeschooling is an investment that will pay eternal rewards.

Mariva DeBorde

I am a recent graduate of Gordon College. While I was there, I studied English Literature and the Old Testament. I love the Bible classes I'm teaching this fall at DA because they will help more students understand the redeeming power of God throughout the entire Bible! I also love my English classes because they help another generation of students understand proper communication and the value of literature. I am so excited to be a part of this tutorial for many reasons, but the primary one being DA's emphasis on Christ. 

Matthew Murias

I teach guitar and music theory, and have been teaching at DA for four years.  I am trained in classical, jazz, and commercial guitar, as well as drums.  I am currently pursuing my passion as a musician in Nashville, while I further my musical education through Berklee School of Music Online. I have really enjoyed working with the students at DA and every year I look forward to inspiring and training new guitar players.

Grace Anne Lofton

This year, I will teach theatre at DA. I am excited to tutor at DA because I believe using good literature (classic plays written for the stage) and disciplined acting techniques from some of the greatest modern acting instructors (Stanislavsky, Hagen, etc) can not only help students develop skills in acting, but can also help them better understand themselves, the world around them and the role God has given each one of them in this world. Homeschooling is important to me because it allows me to educate my kids from an unapologetically Christian worldview, engaging them at an early age with concerns for people all over the world and exposing them to wonderful literature and history that help them see God for who He is. Also, I am able to tailor certain work to each child’s needs while enjoying community as a family learning together. 

Katy Smith

I am a graduate from Lipscomb University with a major in business and a minor in marketing.  I have a passion for art and design.  I studied for a semester at Parson’s in New York City planning to get my master’s in architecture but motherhood took priority.  I have 7 children (two of whom we are in the process of adopting through foster care) and my oldest graduated from Deborde this last year.  She is attending Belmont University and pursuing a degree in Music Therapy.  I have two teens at Deborde now and I love the community and the social events provided.  

This is my fifth year teaching at Deborde.  Over the years I have taught different classes depending on what I want my girls to have before they launch.  I used to speak for Voice of the Martyrs and I curated a class called Prayer and Persecution where we discussed and prayed for the persecuted church and read Foxe’s book of the Martyrs and Wurmbrand.  The next year I taught Cults and World Religions, where we studied the 8 largest world religions.  Last year I taught High School Health.  This year I am teaching 7th -12th Arts and Crafts.  We will learn some basics in sewing, watercolor, sketching and lots of pinterest crafts that never seem to make it out of the saved boards!

Most of my days are busy running kids to baseball, dance, theater, music or martial arts.  I love teaching and studying God’s word and frequently lead women’s or children’s bible classes.  We have been very involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and our family volunteers at Thompson Station Church, where we are members.  In my very rare spare time I enjoy cooking, working out, organizing, studying history and apologetics, skiing, painting, event planning and daydreaming about opening a bed and breakfast one day.

We love Deborde and look forward to another great year where I can teach what I love and my kids can take the high school sciences with a qualified teacher so I don’t have to suffer through them a second time in my life.

Sarah Paxson

This will be my second year teaching at DeBorde Academy. I will be teaching Elementary Science, MS Science, and  Elementary Arts and Crafts.  I have been teaching in a homeschool tutorial classroom for ten years, the last five of which have been in science. Before I decided to stay home and homeschool my children, I  was a nurse in neurosurgery. I absolutely enjoy teaching and cultivating a love for learning in all of my students. My favorite part about homeschooling is meeting individual children where they are academically and helping them move toward their God-given potential. I look forward to teaching your children and working with you this year!

Jen Brown

I’m excited to be an English and Creative Writing tutor at DA and to guide your children in developing a deeper appreciation for the words they use. I adore helping others realize how much power a well-constructed thought can have. Your kids and I won’t just be regurgitating facts; rather, we will seek to understand the why behind what we are learning as we make reading, writing, and grammar (yes, even grammar!) fun. 

I also love Jesus and look forward to teaching from Scripture as we take deep dives into some of my favorite books of the Bible. 

When I’m not homeschooling my three boys, I’m ghostwriting books for influencers, primarily in the success and natural medicine spaces. I’ve authored 55+ books and love that my two main careers (ghostwriter and homeschool mom) have enabled me to continue learning every day. I also taught ACT and SAT prep for The Princeton Review and developed college-level and beyond curricula for courses across multiple disciplines.

I pray that your children will be blessed by being in my classes, and I will be blessed by their growth and contributions as well. 

Melissa Vines

Melissa Vines has been captivated by both nature and art for as long as she can remember. When she began homeschooling her children, nature journaling quickly became one of her favorite subjects to teach, using Charlotte Mason and John Muir Laws as her guides. After more than a decade of homeschooling, this will be her first year teaching nature journaling at Deborde Academy. Melissa is passionate about helping children connect deeply with God’s creation through observation and artistic expression. She hopes to inspire students to cultivate a practice that nurtures their faith and creativity for years to come.

Mike Menard

Michael Menard is an inventor, entrepreneur, and bestselling author with 14 patents to his name. The products he invented generate more than $50 billion in annual revenue worldwide.

He served as Johnson & Johnson's first Vice President of Worldwide Engineering and went on to found GenSight, a global enterprise software company serving Fortune 100 clients including NASA, the United Nations, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, and Johnson & Johnson.

Mike was an original signatory of the United Nations Global Compact on Business Ethics and is the bestselling author of A Fish in Your Ear, Corporate Transformation, and The Kite that Couldn’t Fly. His latest book, Greater Than Gravity, was launched in March of 2026.

Emelie Menard

Emelie brings her experience in the classroom as a former school teacher. She will work alongside her husband Mike to ensure the workload is manageable and meaningful.

Haven Enders

 Hi! My name is Haven Enders! I will be teaching both of the dance movement classes this year! I am 17 years old, have been dancing for 14 years, and have trained in Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theater, and Modern dance. I am a competitive dancer and have traveled to both Dallas, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, for dance competitions. I am so excited to teach your kids this semester! We are going to have so much fun! 

Sophia Mammana

Sophia is originally from Connecticut but now considers the Nashville area home. She graduated from Gordon College with a B.A. in Business Administration and Spanish minor. Sophia is a marketing professional, worship leader and artist manager passionate about all things music and ministry. Her greatest fulfillment comes from creating experiences where people can encounter the presence of Jesus Christ. She enjoys reading, writing and nature and loves connecting with others, especially over a cup of coffee. She is thrilled to be teaching the Biblical Beauty class.

Ella Forster

Ella Forster is entering her sophomore year of nursing school, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing with plans to continue her education at the graduate level to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. Her academic focus centers on health, wellness, and the application of natural remedies within a holistic approach to care. She has a strong interest in understanding the human body, preventative health practices, and evidence-informed natural approaches to supporting overall wellness. Ella is committed to ongoing learning and brings a thoughtful, disciplined approach to both her studies and her instruction. She seeks to provide students with a clear, structured foundation in health concepts while encouraging critical thinking and practical application appropriate for high school-level learning.

Ricky Andrade

I will be teaching Biology and co teaching  “How To Read the Bible,"  looking at God through His fascinating world and His marvelous Word.

My wife and I are new to DA and somewhat new to Tennessee but we have been homeschooling here, and in CA for the past twenty years and have many more to go. We have always believed that in order to give our children solid biblical world views, 

and to raise them to be loving people; we needed to make that our responsibility, so homeschooling in a homeschool community has always been the best option.  We look forward to joining this 

new communtiy and learn together.

Michel Andrade

I will be teaching “How To Read Your Bible” and I am very excited to meet the new class and open the toolbox of understanding to read the Bible more deeply, the facets of its design and 

central message about Jesus.  We have been a homeschooling directors, church planters and artists for the last 25 years, this is our first year

at DA and we would love to make more friends in Franklin!