Who We Are
We started as three homeschool moms in Phoenix, Arizona with a vision for a Christ-centered homeschool community for our kids and ourselves. We each come from different backgrounds and paths in life, but we’ve been brought together by our love for Jesus Christ and our passion for our families and our kids’ education. We believe that, with our children, comes a responsibility to be their primary educator. Part of that is teaching them to participate in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12-31) and the community in which we live (Jeremiah 29:7). We also want to make the most of our different gifts, and recognize our own need as moms to have community and encourage each other.
Hi, I’m Sharon Rodriguez. I am a missionary kid from Africa who was homeschooled on and off for most of my childhood. My husband, Steve, and I have been schooling our three boys at home for 13 years. We just launched our oldest son into the college years and are headed into HS with our second and MS with our third. We love the Lord and we love people!! Community and hospitality are huge priorities. We love helping others find their God-given giftedness to use in the Body of Christ. I love reading, sewing, organizing, teaching and THEATRE!
Sharon Rodriguez
–Director
Valerie Denny
-Registrar
Hi, I’m Valerie Denny. I love coffee, mystery novels, all kinds of art, and jogging. I was homeschooled from 1st grade all the way through high school. My husband was also homeschooled for most of his education, and so it seemed the natural choice for us to homeschool our own children. We have two boys, both of whom have now reached the high school years and will soon be ready to launch. I’m passionate about teaching the Bible, acting, literature, and handicrafts.
Hi, I’m Candace Hershberger. I am a pastor’s kid who was homeschooled just a couple years while growing up. Back then I thought it was the worst thing ever, but now I am so grateful for the time my parents invested in that way of schooling. We have been homeschooling our three kids since COVID and cannot be more thankful for that very big God nudge to do it! I have written a devotional called, Miraculous Joy, all about our family’s 7 year journey through my husband’s cancer. I believe even in the hard times of life Jesus is working and we can find joy in it all. I love coffee or tea, reading, doing puzzles, crafting and hiking. I have a BFA in photography and love mixed media art. Also all of us Hershbergers are black belts in taekwondo!
Candace Hershberger
–Administrator
Katie Lanting
-Secretary
Hi, I’m Katie Lanting. I am wife to Cooper and mom of two boys and have been homeschooling since my oldest was in kindergarten. Although I went to public school and public university, I love homeschooling and Christian education. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Elementary Education, and a Masters from the same institution in English Creative Writing. I teach 6th grade part time at Highlands Latin School. I’m obsessed with Jane Austen and all things British, chocolate, coffee, and nerdy pastimes. When I’m not teaching, you can find me in community theater productions (I’ve been in close to 30!), or with my nose stuck in a good book.
Koinonia 