Academics at Guidepost Academy Online

After obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, Emma immersed herself in educational studies and research. Joining Teach for America Delaware and enrolling in Relay Graduate School of Education's Master of Teaching program, she completed a two-year journey that equipped her with skills, real-world experiences, and certifications. Following this commitment, Emma began teaching at First State Montessori Academy, obtaining Montessori certification and embracing a philosophy of student independence. Now, Emma joins the Virtual School Team at ATI and looks forward to continuing to hone her skills. Throughout her career, she has undertaken roles in curriculum development, leadership, management, mental health awareness campaigns, and practical life curricula. Emma and her husband, along with their three dogs (Penny, Ruby & Atka) and a profusion of plants, have relocated from Washington, DC to Illinois. They share a love for hiking, reading, strong coffee on snowy mornings, and advocacy work. Her professional journey has affirmed her ability to craft tailored supports for students within established curricula. Her aspiration is to bring a sense of individualism, independence, pride, and leadership to Virtual School at ATI.

Erin studied Elementary Education at the University of Mary Washington, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Continuing the path of education, Erin discovered Montessori education in 2016 when she joined our Northern Virginia campuses. Erin’s previous classroom and administrative experience brought her to our Virtual School in 2020. She is now fortunate to not only be a part of bringing Montessori education and the Guidepost community to families around the world, but also witnessing the amazing benefits through her own children.

Jeremy is a fifth generation teacher who can trace his family's teaching history back to a one-room schoolhouse in rural Kansas in the late 1800s. He earned his Bachelors of Science Education in physics in 2009 from Emporia State University and went on to get a second Bachelors of Science in Geology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2013. He completed his Masters of Science in Educational Leadership in May 2015 along with an additional 18 hours towards an Educational Specialist in Educational Administration from Fort Hays State University. Jeremy brings 9 years of experience teaching secondary science and a great enthusiasm for the Montessori educational philosophy. In his free time he is a keyboard player for three bands that pay tribute to three great Rock n' Roll bands: The Cars, REO Speedwagon and Bon Jovi. Jeremy is married with his first child expected to be born in summer 2021.

Jennifer earned a bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a minor in Education Studies from UCLA in 2010. She returned to UCLA to earn a Master of Education degree through the Teacher Education Program in 2012. Jennifer's journey as an educator first became clear when she worked to support middle-school students in an after school program at her local Boys and Girls Club in 2007. That experience inspired her to further her work uplifting youth in the Greater Los Angeles area, which ultimately led her to becoming a teacher. Jennifer is a life-long learner who finds opportunities to grow as an educator so that she can contribute to transforming lives, elevating education, and creating a more just society. She can typically be found in nature observing local wildlife, at home cuddling with her dogs, or in the kitchen trying out new recipes when not working.

Sharon has been guiding students through the college admissions process for 40 years. Her experiences include serving as Director of College Counseling at Head Royce School; Associate Director of Admissions at Mills College; Consultant for the College Board; Instructor for the UC Berkeley Extension College and Career Certificate Program and other counseling roles. She has read applications for Cal Berkeley and UC Davis, and served on national committee for the National Association of College Admissions Counselors.With all that said, she really considers herself to be a matchmaker. Sharon thinks that there is no bigger thrill than to match a student with the right college.A native of the Bay Area, she is the very proud mom of 2 grown daughters. Her new passion (thanks to the pandemic) is cajun cooking.

Ian is a lifelong thinker, writer, and explorer whose academic interests have taken him across academic disciplines. He receive a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, but then left the sciences behind to explore an intellectual trajectory into English and Comparative Literature in a master's degree at the University of Chicago... and then he got restless and decided to pursue a second master's degree in Religious Studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School! He delights in the discovery of new knowledge, and he brings that delight to ATI Virtual School as a Liberal Arts and Literature guide. In his free time, Ian enjoys spending time with his family, working on a variety of writing projects, and teaching an occasional college rhetoric course.

Education is a second career for me. Had I listened to my mom (lesson learned) when I graduated high school, I would have been a math teacher all this time! I entered my freshman year of college as a Biology major, with the intention of becoming a doctor. After a year, I wanted more math in my life so I changed my major to mechanical engineering and, ultimately, graduated with a degree in Construction Management. My first career was that of a project manager/design engineer for a commercial construction firm in my hometown of Lexington, KY. After some time, I moved to Eastern Kentucky and found a desperate need for quality math education in the area. Math had always been a passion of mine and I felt led to share this passion with the young men and women in my community. I went back to school and earned a new degree in Mathematics, followed by a M.S. in Applied Mathematics, and a M.A. in Teacher Leadership. Since that time I have been teaching high school math (Geometry, Algebra II, Dual-Credit Pre-Calculus, Dual-Credit Statistics, Dual-Credit Calculus I, and Dual-Credit Calculus II). I have also served as adjunct faculty for Galen Nursing College, Kentucky State University, and Eastern Kentucky University. Long story short, I truly love math and I love sharing this with others. When I am not doing math for fun (that is a thing, right?) I enjoy camping in East Tennessee, riding my motorcycle through the hills and mountains of Eastern Kentucky and East Tennessee (sometimes with my little dog, Jasper, riding with me). I currently live in Hazard, KY and I have also recently gotten engaged. I am so very excited to join the Guidepost team and to bring my love of mathematics to my students.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Utah State University in 2009. Through AF ROTC, I also earned a commission in the US Air Force. I served four years on active duty at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California working in developmental engineering and information assurance for ground systems dedicated to the safety of space and missile launches. After moving back to Utah in 2017, I decided to back to school and pursue a long held dream to become a mathematics teacher. I completed a Master’s Certificate in Teaching from Weber State University in 2020, and became a full-time junior high math teacher shortly thereafter. Through an inspired dream and vision of raising our family in a mountain valley surrounded by nature and open space, Sarah and her husband built a home in Eden, Utah. We love raising our seven vibrant, determined, creative children in Eden. You will usually find me playing board games, enjoying food, planning a summer camping trip, or geeking out over yet another way to solve a math puzzle.

My name is Rachel LaRoche and I am thrilled to be part of Guidepost Academy Online. As someone who attended virtual school myself from 6th through 12th grade, I know firsthand how impactful the virtual learning experience can be. I earned my bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education from the University of North Georgia, and I've had the privilege of teaching middle and high school social studies in Georgia for over five years. Along the way, I've gotten the opportunity to score AP exams, earn my gifted endorsement, and take on leadership roles that allowed me to collaborate with colleagues and support student success. Recently, my husband Daniel and I relocated to Richmond, Virginia with our two sweet dogs, Trixie and Dudleigh. In my free time, you can usually find me reading, exploring museums, or watching college and elite gymnastics. I'm deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections and being a positive presence for students, staff, and stakeholders. I believe every students deserves the opportunity to feel supported and empowered, and I'm excited to bring that energy to Guidepost Academy Online.