Teachers
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Teacher Contact Information and Bios

(2009-2010 School Year)


Mark Abraham – Mark has been teaching Martial Arts for 30 years in the Japanese style of Shite-Ryu.  He has the rank of 5th degree Black Belt and Black Belts in Jujitsu and weapons (Kobudo).  He is also the Hampton Roads representative for Karate for Christ.  He has taught Government and local law enforcement officers, and the Marine Security Teams at Camp Allen Norfolk Naval Base.  He has 20 years of law enforcement background in fugitive apprehension teams and witness transportation adn protection, retired in 2003.

Karen Babcock - Graduated from ODU with a bachelor of science in business administration. She was a director in the children's ministry in her church for 7 years. Certifications include: RYT200 (registered yoga teacher with a minimum of 200 hours training), Registered with Yoga Alliance, Group Exercise certification through the YMCA; Pilates certified through IFTA; Yoga certified through YogaFit; A hybrid certification called PiYo through Powder Blue Productions; YMCA principles of Healthy Lifestyles and Foundations of Group Exercise; Cycle certified trough IFTA  and American Heart association Heart Saver/AED certification (CPR). Over 250 hours of yoga training including specialty certifications for children and seniors or those with special conditions, as well as approximately 40 hours in Pilates training. She played competitive field hockey, tennis and was a cheerleader in high school and played softball recreationally through her college years. She has been homeschooling since 2005 and teaches Pilates and yoga at many facilities throughout the area.  e-mail: karenbreck@verizon.net  phone 467-4146.


Elizabeth Conley – A First Degree Black Belt training intensively in martial arts for the last 3.5 years under Sensei Abraham. A Marine Corps veteran Elizabeth earned a degree form Mary Washington College with a concentration in Mathematics and Secondary Education.

Phone: 757-553-1180 / Email: dibette@verizon.net (call 6:30 am - 10:00 pm)

 

Michele Emerick - Senior at Regent University school of Communication and arts. Three years at Central Bible College. Interpreter for Deaf Net (Western Maryland).


Phone: 757-545-4423 / Email: emerick1@cox.net

 

 Anne Jester - Anne began playing the guitar after college when God was drawing her to Himself and putting it on her heart to get involve with youth ministry. She is primarily self-taught, learning through watching others and years of experience. She has led worship in small groups and churches for the past 15 years. She desires to raise up and inspire true worshippers "for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."  (Note: She also has a BS in Statistics with Minors in Mathematics and Sociology)

 

Amy Luke - B.S. in Computer Science from Old Dominion University. An adoptive stay-at-home mom with a love for arts and crafts having experience in sewing clothing, crafts and costumes, paper crafting and jewelry making. Participated in craft shows and worked vacation bible school crafts for several years.


Phone: 757-465-7240 / Email: aluke1@cox.net

 

 

 

Dyan Marshall - A stay home mom and a mother of four. Has been the Church pianist (SNCCC) for 17 years.

Email: piano@shanan-online.org

 

Marie Nelson - Born and raised in the southern part of France. Came to U.S. as an adult and earned an accounting certificate at TCC. From 1999 to 2001 - taught French to 4th and 5th grade at Cornerstone Christian.

Phone: 757-543-4016

 

Pamela Nichols - A homeschooling mother of two daughters. She is a freelance writer and editor who serves in several ministries in her church.

Phone: / Email: pammie302@hotmail.com

 

Gail Powers - B.A. in Speech, Capital University.

Phone: 757-483-4767 / Email: jongailpowers@yahoo.com

 

Danielle Smith - I have been studying violin and viola for nine years under three different, accomplished instructors.  I have been home schooled for the past three years and previously attended Great Hope Baptist School.  In 2008, I transferred to Young Musicians of Virginia where I am the principal violist in the Advanced Strings Orchestra.  I am also a member of the Flowing Tide Band.  As a member of this traditional fiddle band, I have had opportunities to perform with the Virginia Symphony, at the Virginia International Tattoo and other venues. 
 
In 2008 I was employed by the Academy of Music as a teacher's assistant for their summer music program.  My experience at the Academy of Music confirmed my calling to teach.  It is my desire to teach children the violin in a manner that is fun, exciting and geared toward individual learning styles.