Meet our team

Every MOHS student is supported by a dedicated team of educators, advisors, counselors, and support staff committed to their success. Drawing on experience in both traditional and online education, our team provides the guidance, encouragement, and expertise students need to thrive.

Leadership

MOHS Vice President

Lisa Smith

Lisa has over 30 years of experience in education, spanning classroom teaching, educational publishing, and leadership roles. She began her career as a secondary mathematics teacher, where she developed a deep passion for student success and a strong understanding of the needs of both learners and educators. Since 2005, Lisa has worked in the educational publishing and ed-tech space, supporting nationwide implementation of math and reading programs through consulting, training, coaching, sales and product marketing. She holds degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Math Teaching from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a Master of Education in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescent Mathematics. Based in Shorewood, MN, Lisa enjoys life with her husband and two dogs. She feels blessed that her two adult children live nearby. Outside of work, she spends time boating, attending outdoor concerts, curling, snowshoeing, and relaxing with a good book or a paper crafting project.

Head of Systems, Compliance, and Special Projects

Tim Phelps

Tim received his B.A. in English from Western Kentucky University and his M.A. in English with focuses in creative writing and rhetoric from the University of Louisville. Tim has taught high school English for public and private schools, introductory English courses at the University of Louisville, and Communications and Social Theory for the prestigious Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. He likes to read, repair vintage watches, travel, play chess, and play old-school Mario games. Tim lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, and has two grown children.

Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Hallie Barker

Hallie has 5 years of experience teaching math and science, and loves helping students develop critical thinking and a love of learning through these subjects. She has her bachelor's in astrophysics from Whitman College and her master's in teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. When she isn't teaching, Hallie loves reading, going on hikes, and baking yummy treats. Hallie lives in the mountains of Colorado with her partner and 2 cats.

Administration

Administrative Manager

Anna Kytonen

Anna earned her Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Master of Public Health from Portland State University. Now a resident of South Carolina, she comes to MOHS with over a decade of experience in higher education administration, social services, and healthcare. In her spare time, she can be found chasing after her two dogs and two cats, reading and writing fantasy, or coming up with her next inspired art project.

Administrative Support Associate

Jordyn Karr

Jordyn spent 19 years in the classroom as an early childhood special education teacher, where she dedicated her career to supporting diverse learners and building inclusive communities. She brings that same care and attention to her role as an Administrative Support Associate for MOHS, helping students, families, and staff feel supported and connected. Jordyn enjoys creating smooth systems behind the scenes so that learning can shine at the center. Outside of work, she loves her dogs, hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors in her home state of California.

Administrative Support Specialist

Bianca Tejeda Mendoza

Bianca graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University in 2023 and has several years of experience in administrative support within the healthcare field. Through her patient-facing work, she developed a strong commitment to helping others feel supported, confident, and cared for. Inspired by her own academic journey, Bianca is passionate about supporting students and families by creating an organized, welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. She is dedicated to ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly so students can focus on their growth and success. Outside of work, Bianca is a Southern California native who enjoys going to the gym, journaling, crafting, playing board games, and spending time with family and friends. She also founded a local journaling club that now has over 30 members.

Registrar

Kiley Cox

Kiley Cox has spent her career supporting students and families through education, communication, and organization. With a background in both teaching and operations, she is passionate about helping families feel confident and cared for as they navigate their student's academic journey. Kiley holds a Bachelor's degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Elementary Education and a Master's degree from Northwestern State University in Curriculum & Instruction. She enjoys balancing work and family life, cruising, taking care of her homestead and finding creative ways to make everyday life a little more joyful.

Administrative Support Associate

Bri McDaniel

Brianna brings over 20 years of experience working in education and with children, guided by a deep passion for supporting students and families in meaningful ways. She holds a bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and draws from both her professional background and her life as a mom of four to approach her work with empathy, understanding, and care. In her role as an Administrative Support Associate for MOHS, Brianna is dedicated to helping students and parents navigate their educational journey, ensuring they feel confident, supported, and connected every step of the way. Brianna currently resides in Michigan, enjoying the beautiful lakes and outdoor life. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, writing, playing board games, tackling escape rooms, grilling, and cheering on her kids in all their sports.

Teachers

Instructional Manager for Humanities

Gerald Dessus

Gerald is a seasoned educator with 12 years of experience teaching English and Social Studies in charter and private secondary schools. Holding a Bachelor's degree in English Education from Lincoln University of PA and a Master's in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of Kansas, he's committed to fostering inclusive educational environments that ensure every student has access to personalized resources and support. With a passion for guiding students to transformative "Aha!" moments, Gerald believes in the diversity and joy of learning. Gerald currently resides in Pennsylvania with his partner and pets. He enjoys writing and producing music, hiking, and exploring new places in his spare time.

Instructional Manager for Math and Science

Kelsey Morgan

Kelsey has had the pleasure of sharing her love of mathematics for 9 years at the secondary level as a public school teacher. She earned her B.S. in Applied Mathematics and her M.A. in Mathematics Education from California State University, Northridge (go Matadors!). In her free time, she enjoys learning piano pieces that are much too challenging based on her ability level, as well as baking.

Science

Sukhvir Dhanda

Sukhvir has been teaching a variety of science courses for 12 years now, with experience in private, public, and online schools. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology with a Chemistry minor from CSU Stanislaus and a Masters in Educational Leadership from CSU Sacramento. Sukhvir lives near Sacramento, CA with her husband and three girls. In her free time she enjoys doing arts and crafts with her kids, reading, bike rides, spending time outdoors, bowling (very rarely scores over 100), and taking weekend trips with her family.

Math

Whitney Cornelia

Whitney has 5 years of teaching experience and loves giving students the tools to be more confident in math. She loves engaging with students to help them be tomorrow's problem-solvers! Whitney graduated with her education degree from the University of Idaho. She recently moved across the country to Nashville, Tennessee. When she isn't teaching or exploring her new home, she is either enjoying the outdoors, exercising, or curled up on the couch binge-watching tv shows.

Programming

Tiffany Brand

Tiffany has enjoyed sharing the excitement and creativity of computer science and technology throughout her 20+ years as an educator. She earned an M.Ed. in Secondary Education and a B.A. in Zoology, both from the University of New Hampshire. As a middle and high school teacher, she loves helping students grow their problem solving skills to bring their programming creations to life! In her free time, she enjoys tap and jazz dancing, hiking, scrapbooking, and traveling the country with her husband in their RV.

Spanish

Emily Zimmerman

Hola todos! Emily has been a live virtual Spanish teacher for the past two years and spent the 6 years before that as an in-person Spanish teacher for both middle and high school. She is based out of Atlanta but also travels often to Ecuador to visit her partner's family. Emily learned Spanish as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala for two years and continuously bettered it by living and working in Ecuador for over 6 years before becoming a teacher in the states. Emily is passionate about language learning and how it can open doors to perspectives and ideas one may have never known otherwise! In her free time, she enjoys writing and reading poetry, dabbling in photography, spending time with her family (especially at the beach) and watching way too much soccer.

English, Student Engagement Specialist

Drea Lee

Drea has been a secondary educator and teaching artist for the past 17 years. She holds a BA in Literature and Writing and a Masters in Educational Technology. She has taught a variety of subjects, but her primary focus is on literature, writing, and theatre arts. When she's not teaching you can find her working on creative projects, playing with her three dogs, or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Life Skills and Humanities

Courtney Clapper

Courtney has six years of experience teaching a variety of middle school and high school social studies courses in both public and virtual school settings. Before stepping into the classroom, she spent eight years in the health and wellness field, providing culinary and nutrition education to children and adults. She attended Florida Atlantic University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Secondary Social Science Education and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction. Courtney currently lives in Stuart, Florida with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, spending time outdoors at the beach or local parks, and making memories with her family.

Math

Gina Prowell

Gina was born and raised in Hawaii and now calls the Kansas City area home. With 30 years of experience teaching secondary mathematics in both public and private school settings, she brings deep expertise and passion to her work. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Connecticut College and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Avila University. Gina loves helping students discover the why behind mathematical concepts, believing that true understanding leads to lasting knowledge. Nothing is more rewarding to her than witnessing those "a-ha!" moments. In her spare time, Gina enjoys Zumba, swimming, dog walks, baking, reading, and making memories with family and friends.

English

Jennifer Makaiwi

Jennifer has four years of teaching experience and has taught ELA in various grade levels at the secondary level. Born and raised in Hawaii, she earned her Bachelor's degree in English Education from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, crocheting, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter.

Math

Eddie Peña

Eddie has been teaching mathematics since 2013, with experience in both in-person and online schools. He earned his bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M International University and has taught a range of math courses from 7th to 12th grade. Eddie lives in San Antonio, TX, with his wife and their three dogs. When possible, he enjoys traveling, having visited 20+ countries, discovering new cultures, food, and languages along the way.

Social Studies

Saskia van Wees

Saskia is a Social Studies teacher at MiaPrep Online High School with over 10 years of teaching experience. She enjoys helping students think critically, connect what they learn to the world around them, and recognize their ability to shape their own lives and communities. She also loves supporting students as they build confidence in social studies skills including research, writing, and analysis. Saskia holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Florida as well as a BA and MA in political science from Ohio University. She has taught both high school and university-level courses in social science and the humanities. Outside the classroom, she lives in Rhode Island and enjoys learning about history, hiking, doing yoga, and spending time with her friends, family, and her fluffy cat, Holly.

Social Studies

Kayla Schachter

Kayla is a social studies educator from Minneapolis, Minnesota, with several years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Concordia University, St. Paul, and a Master of Science degree in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to teaching, she has worked in curriculum development and archival research, further strengthening her commitment to clear, accurate, and engaging learning. Kayla believes learners thrive when they feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and considering multiple perspectives. Outside the classroom, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family. She loves beachcombing with her mom on Vashon Island and spends her days exploring new restaurants, playing video games, painting, and relaxing at home with her husband and pets.

American Sign Language

Jackie Riggs

Jackie is an American Sign Language teacher from Southeast Texas with 14 years education experience. She taught high school ASL for 7 years and then transitioned to an elementary librarian position for 7 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Educational Interpreting from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Library Information Science from University of Houston - Clear Lake. Outside the classroom, Jackie runs a successful photography business, specializing in portrait photography. She loves thrifting, reading, anything crafty and spending time with her family, 2 dogs and 3 cats!

Science

Makayla Brown

Makayla graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas with a degree in Neuroscience. Her background in the subject helped her realize how much she enjoys the science behind learning, leading her to the field of education. She's always loved asking "why?" and helping students discover that science is a lot more interesting (and way less scary) than it sometimes seems. She is also currently pursuing graduate school in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. When she's not teaching, you'll probably find her traveling, exploring national parks, reading, playing violin, piano, singing, or hanging out with her two cats, hamster, and betta fish. She also loves a good science experiment - especially the fun, messy kind - so, you may see her making slime in her spare time.

Science

Dave Taebel

Dave received his B.S. and his Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dave has taught a variety of science courses throughout his career, covering a wide range of topics across the scientific disciplines. He enjoys kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, playing golf, and playing basketball, as well as stand-up paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, and camping. Dave has three grown children. Dave lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with his wife and golden retriever.

Student Support

Academic Counselor Manager

Nicole Twohig

Nicole has over a decade of experience working as a counselor in multiple educational settings across the country. She received her B.S. in Social Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and her M.A. in Counseling from Saint Mary's College of California. Nicole loves working with students from a "whole child" perspective to help them thrive as they engage with their educational journey. Her goal is to help students successfully navigate learning about themselves, the world around them and how their unique skills, values and perspectives can contribute to a better world. She currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, son and dog. When she is not working, you can find her at the beach or the baseball field with her family. They love exploring new places and their hometown.

Advising Manager

Alison Lazo

Before joining the MOHS team, Alison was a social studies teacher at international schools around Latin America. She holds a Master's in Teaching and is TEFL certified. Alison is passionate about making students feel confident, empowered, and excited about their future, and she is deeply committed to promoting equitable education for all students.

Student Support Specialist Manager

Mich Guilman

With 17 years of educational experience, Micheline holds a B.S. in Movement Science from Springfield College and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education. She has worked fully online for the past 13 years serving as a lead teacher, curriculum specialist, and learning success coach. She is dedicated to inspiring students through the development of a growth mindset and essential academic and life skills. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys flipping houses, interior design, and engaging in health and fitness activities. Originally from Connecticut, Micheline now resides in Florida with her son and family. She is also a homeschooling mom who loves paddle boarding and exploring new places in her down time.

Academic Counselor

Mark Messaris

Mark has over a decade of experience in education, including eight years of teaching high school English in Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Additionally, he has spent some time in college admissions at Johnson & Wales University. Mark has a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and English from the University of Maryland and a Master's Degree in Education from East Carolina University. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, playing video games, exploring New Orleans with his wife, and spoiling his dog.

Student Advisor

Allie Donahue

Allie lives in Portland, Oregon with her partner and stepsons. She studied Rhetoric at Whitman College and holds master's degrees in Education and in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has eight years of teaching experience, including four years working with high school-aged English learners and three years teaching 8th and 9th grade English. She has also served as an 8th grade advisor for three years. Outside of work, you can find Allie running, hiking, and cross-country skiing, chasing after her stepsons, reading, knitting and working on house projects.

Student Support Specialist

Kimberly Chapman

Kimberly has over 20 years of experience as a high school English Language Arts and Humanities teacher and instructional coach. She holds a B.A. in English from Spelman College and a Master's in Education from Georgia State University. Throughout her career, she has worked to empower students through mastery-based learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and authentic, real-world projects. Kimberly is passionate about fostering reflection, critical thinking, and independence in learners, and she believes every student has the potential to take ownership of their education. She resides in Georgia, just north of Atlanta, and enjoys traveling, crafting, reading, investing in the stock market, and exploring the art and science of perfumes. Kimberly is active in her community, sings in her church choir, and loves spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Academic Counselor

Shannon W.

Shannon is excited to bring over a decade of experience as a school counselor to support our MOHS students. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Ball State University and her M.A. in Counseling with a speciality in K-12 from Marymount University. Shannon believes that every student has greatness within them and that educational environments can be the very tool that ignites the fire within our students to unlock their greatness and dreams, even at a young age! There is no need for young people to wait until an older age to experience their dreams, if we can help them embrace their gifts, interests, and goals! She currently lives in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area with her husband, son, daughter, and Morkie "Cody". When she is not working, you can find her chauffeuring her children to gymnastics and track events, salsa or line dancing, catching a good 90's sitcom, and eating some delicious food somewhere with family and friends!

Student Advisor

Kassie Sinkoff

Kassie is from Long Island, New York, and has five years of experience teaching middle school and high school science. While she has a deep love for science, her greatest passion is helping students discover their potential and guiding them toward their own unique paths in life. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Adelphi University and her Master of Arts in Teaching Science from Stony Brook University. In her free time, you can find Kassie spending time with her family, playing video games, reading, or watching a good TV show.

Student Advisor

Alina Szaro

Alina was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. With a background in teaching, she has always been passionate about helping students learn and grow. As an Academic Advisor, Alina is dedicated to supporting students and helping them feel confident and prepared throughout their academic journey. She also enjoys being involved in her community and is always looking for ways to help others. Outside of work, you can find her thrifting, playing video games, reading, or spending time with her family.

Academic Counselor

Rachael Sutter

Rachael has over nine years of experience in education as both a teacher and a counselor. She began her career in California, where she taught 7th-grade English and Social Emotional Learning for four years before transitioning into school counseling. Since then, she has supported students at both the middle and high school levels. She is passionate about supporting students' social-emotional growth and helping them navigate academic, personal, and postsecondary goals. Rachael holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and an M.S. in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne. She recently relocated from California to Florida with her family, including her two dogs and two cats. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her daughter and exploring new places with her family. She enjoys taking her dogs on adventures, hiking, reading, and catching up on her favorite TV shows. She is also a big fan of concerts and enjoys almost any kind of live music.

Student Support Specialist

Alexis Panther

Alexis has a background in counseling and behavioral support in education. She has worked with middle and high school students in a fully virtual learning environment, providing academic interventions focused on executive functioning, engagement, and long-term success. She has implemented Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions in school-based settings, supported student goal setting, and used data to monitor progress and guide individualized support. She has also supported students in developing self-regulation skills, improving engagement, and navigating academic and behavioral challenges while building strong relationships with students and families. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling with her daughter and husband.

Student Advisor

Jordyn Moses

Jordyn is a Student Advisor at MOHS and a licensed school counselor in Indiana with more than 10 years of experience in school counseling and student support. She is passionate about helping students and families navigate their educational journey with confidence while building meaningful relationships that encourage academic and personal growth. Throughout her career, Jordyn has been committed to creating supportive, student-centered experiences that empower learners to thrive.

Student Advisor

Lyndsey Hernandez

Lyndsey has worked in education for 13 years. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education from Colorado Christian University and her Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University. Lyndsey began her education career as a Middle School and High School Choir and Theater teacher, but over the years has had experience in high education recruiting, as well as advising students in the online setting. Outside of work, Lyndsey spends a lot of her time exploring the outdoors with her family in Durango, Colorado. As a family, they enjoy skiing, camping, hiking, paddleboarding, bike rides, and off-roading. She has been married to her husband, Brian, for 7 years and has three boys: Bryson, Blayne, and Bellamy. Lyndsey is a true advocate for Miaplaza and has utilized Miacademy while homeschooling her own family for the past 2 years.