Our Tutors
The administrators select tutors to teach at Bridges who: exhibit expertise in their subject area, are able to express evidence of an active Christian faith, and have a willingness to work with students and parents of homeschooling families. We appreciate and understand the work and commitment involved in obtaining a degree, but also recognize and honor the importance of knowledge and passion for teaching homeschooled students. These factors are taken into consideration when hiring all tutors. The administrators interview all prospective tutors and review his/her class and materials before accepting him/her to teach.
If you are interested in tutoring at Bridges, please download our tutor packet (.pdf 1.78 mb).
Tiffany Ayres
Tiffany Ayres is passionate about teaching. A 1996 graduate of Villa Julie College in Stevenson, MD, with a degree in Liberal Arts and Technology, she has taught a variety of ages in many different learning environments. Her favorite thing about teaching is the moment when a child's eyes light up with a greater understanding of the would around him or her. A member of the Chespeake Bay Maritime Museum and a former yeoman, youth leader, and Sea Explorer of the Year for the Sea Explorers of America ship 320 out of Manchester, MD, she especially loves conveying her passion for local maritime history.
Tiffany, believing the computer is a fascinating tool for information and communication in the modern world, has educated herself in a variety of practical home computer uses, including household bill paying, paid writing assignments, communication with faraway family, and even the education of her two young children. A Liberal Arts and Technology graduate of Villa Julie College, she uses Windows and Linux products and is proficient in using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher. She looks forward to passing her knowledge and experience on to another generation of thinkers and achievers.
Tiffany lives in Grasonville, MD with her husband and two young children.
Dan Dresser
Dan Dresser is a Ph.D. chemist with over ten years of classroom experience as a general/introductory chemistry instructor. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Shenango Valley Campus of The Pennsylvania State University and at Anne Arundel Community College. In addition, during his graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, he was a graduate teaching assistant. Dan and his family reside in Chester.
Cheri Hoffman
Cheri, a home educator who is passionate and devoted to homeschooling, desires to share her love and knowledge of hands-on learning with other homeschool families. She is an honors graduate of Hood College and has a B.A. in communications, focusing on graphics, English and literature. Completing Hood's honor program in English/lit and in communications, Cheri explored many different avenues in the communication field including print media, television and graphic arts. Aside from homeschooling, Cheri and her husband Michael own and run all aspects of the Update, a local newspaper serving Queen Anne's County and Easton. The Hoffman family resides in Centreville.
Diane Lenzi
Diane Lenzi, a Centreville resident, recieved her bachelor's of science degree in English from Clarion University in Pennsylvania and a M.Ed. degree from Loyola College. Diane is a certified teacher in grades kindergarten through 12 and taught for 33 years in the Annapolis school system. Her teaching experiences include teaching language arts in grades 6,7,8,9, and high school honors English. Diane has also taught as an adjunct instructor of graduate education at the College of Notre Dame and Loyola College.
Diane's teaching methodology is based upon the philosophy of presenting "integrated language arts skills" to her students, and her long list of acting roles with community theaters brings a passion for performing arts into her classroom. Her goal as a teacher is to teach each student to become a life-long learner.
Among Diane's accomplishments as a teacher include her being recognized as The Washington Post's Educator of the Year and her appointment as a Fulbright Memorial Teacher to Japan.
Amy Rendulic
Amy received a B.S. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Indiana University of PA in
1994. For the next 5 years, she taught high school mathematics in Baltimore County Public
Schools at Lansdowne HS. She then spent a year teaching in Springfield, Missouri with her
new husband, Josh. In 2000, Josh was offered a position as Pastor of Hope Fellowship in
Chestertown, MD. As a result, Amy began working at Kent County High School in their math
department. During her 10 years in the public schools, Amy taught every subject from Pre-
Algebra thru Calculus. She left Kent County HS after 4 years to focus her attention on her
growing family of 3 daughters. Since then, she has tutored mathematics privately and given
piano lessons. Amy has been working with Bridges Christian Tutorial for the last 2 years.
Beyond mathematics, Amy is currently the worship leader and choir director at Hope
Fellowship. She also loves reading, crafts and spending time with her family and serving God.
Toni Cooper
Toni and her family have traveled the world and now reside in Centreville. She possesses a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Delaware where she enjoyed two years of hands-on science research under a National Science Foundation Grant. Her philosophy of education is to instill and inspire the joy and love of learning into young people. She believes an appreciation of science with regards to how our world is made and operates can best be understood and enhanced by all of us participating in and sharing our experiences together. As an experienced teacher in both private and public schools and a homeschooling parent of four she is excited about being a Bridges Tutor.
Sra. Liamar Young
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Young 25-year experience includes Market Research, Public Speaking, Speech Scripting, Advertising, Brochure Writing, Public Relations and Promotions for the United States, Latin American and European markets. As a result, she has done extensive international translations of brochures and presentations for the Spanish speaking population. Mrs. Young has earned many awards and recognitions for her work locally and abroad. She has had the opportunity to train many executives in preparation for appearances in TV programs such as MSNBC and interviews in publications such as the Wall Street Journal.
One of her passions is her ability to mold and train individuals to be the best they can be. It gives her great pride to see their success, as they apply the concepts she teaches. Her fondest desire is to be able to find in each student the passion to succeed, while creating a challenging and fun learning environment. It is her goal to combine her range of experience with her ability to be a compassionate, enthusiastic teacher who will make a positive contribution to each of her students.
Mrs. Young is the founder and owner of the Spanish Institute in Centreville, MD, she is an interpreter/translator for the QAC Health Department and an adjunt Spanish Professor at Chesapeake College. She is married to Ty Young (gringo) and has three children, Evan (16), Liana Cristina (8) and Kayleigh Natasha (5).
Class Descriptions
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pre-Algebra, Full year, two day a week course, Amy Rendulic
This pre-algebra course will give students a brief but complete review of all arithmetic topics, broadening many topics to include more than one approach to the correct solution. Much of the course is devoted to algebra and related topics, scientific notation, geometry, statistics, and trigonometry. Problem-solving strategies will be taught that will help students apply mathematical skills to word problems.
Algebra, Full year, two day a week course, Amy Rendulic
This Algebra course utilizes the concept approach, making a thorough understanding of math the primary goal of each lesson. Problem solving skills, systematic learning and review, Christian principles and enjoyable lessons create apt learning conditions. Algebra 1, provides a biblical reason for the study of math, and introduces basic algebra skills in logical order. Practical methods of solving problems is emphasized.
General Science, Full year, two day a week course, Michelle Stanley-Joyce
Using Abeka Science: Order & Reality, students will examine soil science, plants, the human body, principles of physical science, atmospheric science, the weather, classification, microscopy, Creation, and insects. Students are introduced to the scientific method and encouraged to apply it throughout this Christian general science text. Hands-on experiments and additional activities complete this course.
History: American Republic, Full year, two day a week course, Tiffany Ayres
Bob Jones Curriculum presents the chronological development of the United States from a spiritual perspective. The course lays out a foundational understanding of the events and policies that have shaped this country.
Grammar, Lit & Comp, Full year, two day a week, one-and-one-half hour course, Diane Lenzi
The middle school tutorial course will be taught as an integrated curriculum which include the essentials of writing, reading, and communication skills. Based upon reading classical novels, students will be taught purposeful writing, grammar, oral interpretation, and self-editing skills. Students will be required to individually produce projects and portfolios that demonstrate the application and understanding of the language arts skills taught in this course.
Spanish I, One semester, two day a week course, Liamar Young
This course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. Students will learn basic grammar, vocabulary and conversational Spanish. The goal of this class is to introduce the students to the four basic skills: speaking, reading, writing and understanding. Culture, literature and geography will be integrated into the coursework for a well-rounded understanding of the language. Students are exposed to different elements of Hispanic culture, including music, dancing, and festivals, as well as basic Hispanic history. We will practice the basic rules of Spanish grammar, via role play, classroom exercises, journaling and more. By the end of the course, you will know many “everyday” Spanish words and will be able to put them together in simple sentence structures. *Only 8th grade students may enroll in this course. Upon successful completion of this course, 8th graders will acquire one foreign language high school credit. Prerequisite: None. Appropriate course for beginners.
Spanish II, One semester, two day a week course, Liamar Young
This course a continuation of Spanish 1. The course further develops aural and reading comprehension. It is a more intense practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with special emphasis on open discussions of assigned readings that explore the diversity of the Spanish speaking world, as well as the global and local implications of gender, racial and cultural interdependence. Culture, literature and geography will continue to be integrated into the coursework for a well-rounded understanding of the language. By the end of the course, students will be expected to hold conversations and be able to write short compositions in the past and future tenses. *Only 8th grade students may enroll in this course. Upon successful completion of this course, 8th graders will acquire one foreign language high school credit. Prerequisite: Spanish 1. Not appropriate course for beginners.
HIGH SCHOOL
Algebra, Full year, two day a week course, Amy Rendulic
This Algebra course utilizes the concept approach, making a thorough understanding of math the primary goal of each lesson. Problem solving skills, systematic learning and review, Christian principles and enjoyable lessons create apt learning conditions. Algebra 1, provides a biblical reason for the study of math, and introduces basic algebra skills in logical order. Practical methods of solving problems is emphasized.
Geometry, Full year, two day a week course, Amy Rendulic
This course will cover triangle congruence, postulates and theorems, surface area and volume, two-column proofs, vector addition, and slopes and equations of lines, and all the topics covered in a standard high school geometry course.
Apologia Biology, One semester, two day a week course, Michelle Stanley-Joyce
Exploring Creation With Biology is a college-prep biology course that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. Heavily emphasizing the vocabulary of biology, it provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation. This course does not contain a discussion of human anatomy and physiology. Students who take and understand this course will be very well-prepared for a tough university biology course.
Chemistry I, One semester, two day a week course, Dan Dresser
The course is intended to acquaint students with basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemistry. During the course, students will investigate the importance of measurement and accuracy; the atomic structure of the atom; the periodic table; formation of chemical bonds; properties of compounds; representation of compounds and polyatomic ions by chemical formulas; mole concept; properties and formation of solutions; properties of acids, bases and salts; chemical reactions – general types, balancing, and stoichiometric relationships; application of thermodynamics (thermochemistry) to matter and chemical changes; reaction rates; and organic chemicals. Algebra 1 is a pre-requisite for this course. Designed for the upper level high school student.
Social Studies: Cultural Geography, One semester, two day a week course, Tiffany Ayres
Bob Jones Curriculum Cultural Geography provides a survey of every country of the word using a regional approach. Following the theme of a "Grand Tour", your student "travels" from continent to continent around the world studying the cultures, land forms, climates, resources, economy, religions, and government of each country.
American Literature, Early-Mid 19th Century, One semester, two day a week course, Diane Lenzi
Using "Lightning Literature & Composition," students will use classic literature pieces to expand vocabulary and comprehension, engage in thoughtful group discussions, learn about such composition practices as persuasive writing, tone and mood, conflict, character development and more. Works covered this semester will included "Benjamin Franklin," "The Scarlet Letter," "Moby Dick," "Frederick Douglas," and various poems and short stories.
Grammar & Composition, One semester, two day a week course, Diane Lenzi
This course will be taught as an integrated curriculum which will include the essentials of writing, reading, and communication skills. Students will be taught purposeful writing, grammar, oral interpretation, and self-editing skills. Students will be required to individually produce projects and portfolios that demonstrate the application and understanding of the language arts skills taught in this course.
This course will be taught as an integrated curriculum which will include the essentials of writing, reading, and communication skills. Students will be taught purposeful writing, grammar, oral interpretation, and self-editing skills. Students will be required to individually produce projects and portfolios that demonstrate the application and understanding of the language arts skills taught in this course.
Spanish I, One semester, two day a week course, Liamar Young
This course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. Students will learn basic grammar, vocabulary and conversational Spanish. The goal of this class is to introduce the students to the four basic skills: speaking, reading, writing and understanding. Culture, literature and geography will be integrated into the coursework for a well-rounded understanding of the language. Students are exposed to different elements of Hispanic culture, including music, dancing, and festivals, as well as basic Hispanic history. We will practice the basic rules of Spanish grammar, via role play, classroom exercises, journaling and more. By the end of the course, you will know many “everyday” Spanish words and will be able to put them together in simple sentence structures. Prerequisite: None. Appropriate course for beginners.
Spanish II, One semester, two day a week course, Liamar Young
This course a continuation of Spanish 1. The course further develops aural and reading comprehension. It is a more intense practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with special emphasis on open discussions of assigned readings that explore the diversity of the Spanish speaking world, as well as the global and local implications of gender, racial and cultural interdependence. Culture, literature and geography will continue to be integrated into the coursework for a well-rounded understanding of the language. By the end of the course, students will be expected to hold conversations and be able to write short compositions in the past and future tenses. Prerequisite: Spanish 1. Not appropriate course for beginners.
Graphic Design, One semester, two day a week course, Cheri Hoffman
Students will learn the fundamentals of graphic design including layout, color and typography and then apply these elements to a collections of projects. Students will build a portfolio that includes a custom logo, brochure, Christmas card, note card, newsletter, CD cover and more. Upon completion of this course, students will have a working knowledge of print design and ultimately be able to apply this knowledge to many facets of their school and work careers.
Computer: Know Your Software!, One semester, two day a week course, Tiffany Ayres
Crucial to any home, school or work environment, Microsoft Office knowledge is a must have for any high school student. Students will be exposed to and learn Word, Excel and PowerPoint through classroom instruction, activities and home projects.