Academic Support
We recognize that not every homeschool parent was designed to be a homeschool parent and can always use some academic support. Our academic instructors will support the parent's efforts at home by covering the core concepts, engaging the students in group discussions, providing suggested assignments, and being available via MySchoolWorx Messages throughout each week.
Click "Scope & Sequence" to view our 4-year academic plan for each grade level.
Meet The Teachers
Chelsea Davis
Language Arts | 1st-2nd Grades
Science | 1st-2nd Grades
Writing & Grammar | 3rd-4th Grades
Chelsea moved to Lakeland from Rockford,Illinois in 2013 to attend Southeastern University. She graduated with honors in 2018 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Teaching English as a Second Language. She has spent her life pouring into the hearts of children and youth through the calling God has given her. Chelsea has traveled to England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with Royal Servants as a missionary.
She worked as a classroom teacher at Parker Street Ministries in Lakeland as well as a third-grade reading teacher in the Polk County Public Schools and most recently as a private reading intervention tutor. Her passion is to instill the love of learning in the hearts and minds of her students and help them to walk closer to Jesus.
Of all the roles that Chelsea has ever had, her most treasured joy is being a mom to her four-year-old son, Chandler. She and Chandler love to hike through the Florida forests with their golden retriever, Joey, relax at their favorite beach in Anna Maria Island, and watch magic come alive at Walt Disney World. She is overjoyed to be a part of the Integrity family and is so grateful for the opportunity to teach your students.
Brooke Johnson
History | 3rd-6th Grades
Bible | 3rd-6th Grades
Brooke was born and raised in Southern California, where she attended a Christian school. Her mother was a math teacher, which is how she fell in love with teaching from a very young age. She continued her education at Point Loma Nazarene University and California Baptist University earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Then she went on to complete a master’s degree in education along with her California teaching credential. After about a year of teaching math in California, she moved to Tennessee, where she met her now husband and continued to teach math for 3 years there. In the summer of 2020, she and her husband moved down here, and she taught at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy for 2 years.
After taking a couple years to work remotely and be home with her son, Sterling, who is now 2-years-old, she is excited to get back to doing the job she loves most, teaching! She is passionate about making learning fun and meaningful, and is thrilled to be a Bible and history tutor at ISA. Outside of work hours, she enjoys serving in the early childhood rooms at Access Church on Sundays and spending time with her family. Some of her hobbies include going to Disney and concerts, playing tennis and pickleball, reading, and riding horses.
Charie Farris
Literature & Writing | 3rd-6th Grades
Charie discovered her love of literature as a young college student in Kentucky. She especially loves fiction but occasionally you will find her with a good auto-biography in town as she is running her errands. She has been tutoring Elementary Literature at ISA for the past 2 years. This year, she will also tutor Elementary Bible and Financial Literacy for middle and high school students.
Charie has been married to Chad for 24 years and she has a daughter, Meghann, that attends ISA. Chad’s ministry vocation has taken their family to 3 states, finally settling in central Florida 18 years ago. Charie holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Management and Leadership from Polk State University and has over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance. In her free time, Charie loves to quilt, read, spend time with family, and attend sporting events. She truly is a blessing to have at ISA.
Diane Berthold
History | K5-2nd Grades
Diane moved to Lakeland from Colorado in 2022 with her husband Mark and their 2 children, Kian (11) and Eshin (9), who both attend ISA. She has an eclectic background in education, performance, and career paths that have led her to happily land at ISA to work with our K5-2 homeschoolers this year.
Diane was classically piano trained for 13 years as a child and young adult. She picked up violin, clarinet, and guitar along the way, and played in several rock bands, most recently with her husband, and now enjoys playing with the whole family. She developed a passion for theater in middle school and that led to her working and performing at a dinner theater for 10 years with her father and sister.
Throughout her career, she has worked in various aspects of leadership, finance, and coaching in multiple industries. Currently she is working as a COO for a call center: Booked by PSP, and the Director of Quality Assurance for a customer service coaching company: Power Selling Pros. Her whole family loves the beaches, springs, weather, parks, fellowship, and everything else about Central Florida, except for the traffic. She’s very excited to work with our children this year, and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of our growing, faith filled homeschooling community.
Madeline Woody
Writing & Grammar | 7th-8th Grades
Madeline is a native Floridian and has lived in the Sunshine State her whole life. She is the oldest of three sisters. Madeline is a Junior at Southeastern University. She is studying History and English to receive a Historical Literary Studies degree and is hoping to complete a second degree in creative writing. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, poetry, and art. Madeline sells her art at Southeastern’s market days and is working to create a small business.
She has an interest in fashion and has had the opportunity to model in a fashion thesis presentation. This summer she took a two-week humanities study abroad trip to England and traversed across the country learning about its rich history and famous literary figures. Madeline has always had a passion for the creative and took advanced English and Art classes throughout her school career. She volunteered to teach at her Church in the kids department and was a teacher's assistant in high school. Madeline’s passion is to teach others the things that she enjoys and help those she reaches grow their passions and talents.
Candie Knight
Science | 3rd-6th Grades
Financial Literacy | 7th-12th Grades
Candie Knight is a passionate educator who brings both heart and humor to the classroom. She holds a degree in Education from Florida Southern College and has held certifications in both General Education and Middle Grades Mathematics. Her teaching background has included roles at St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she taught math, drama, and yearbook; Southwest Middle School, where she taught math, science, and reading; and, the HUG Co-op in Auburndale, where she taught science and mock trial. Candie also contributed to the God’s Design Science curriculum series, helping develop elementary-level materials that align with a biblical worldview.
For over 18 years (and counting), Candie has homeschooled her eight children—an experience that gives her a deep appreciation for individualized instruction, creative teaching methods, and the frequent strong cup of coffee. She knows firsthand the chaos and beauty of homeschooling—what it means to juggle teaching seven kids, soothing a feverish toddler, and stirring dinner all at once—because she’s lived it.
Outside the classroom, Candie is always up for an adventure. She once helped catch a 10-foot alligator from a canoe—yes, in the canoe—behind her house; drove from Fairbanks, Alaska to Florida in under six days; and, stood atop the Ark Encounter while it was still under construction. She loves beach days, quality time with her kids, late-night laughs, coffee that’s still hot, and any moment where everyone’s shoes are actually where they’re supposed to be.
Whether she’s teaching Science or Financial Literacy, she is passionate about making learning meaningful and memorable. Candie strives to create a classroom where students are equipped, engaged, and empowered—because every great pursuit needs a bold quest and a Knight who believes learning should be an unforgettable journey.
Amber Phillips
Academics | K5 Grades
Science & Bible | 1st-2nd Grades
Amber Phillips is a dedicated homeschool educator and mom who is passionate about fostering a love for learning in all students. She has 17 years of experience in a variety of classroom settings, as a volunteer, a reading tutor, a scout leader, a substitute teacher in both public and private schools, as well as a homeschool teacher. Amber tries to create a positive environment where every child feels loved and can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She believes in the importance of nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also kind, curious, and have a desire to help others.
Outside of the classroom, Amber is deeply committed to her family, pets and homeschool community. She has been married to a United States Marine for many years. The two have three daughters and three fur babies. Amber is also a board member of a local homeschool group. In addition to teaching, she enjoys reading, learning, volunteering and outdoor activities, especially anything involving animals.
Matthew Barnett
Bible | 3rd-6th Grades
Matthew Barnett attended Southeastern University for his undergraduate after moving to Lakeland from his hometown of Cape Coral, Florida. Upon the Spring semester of his fourth year at SEU he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. Matthew has three siblings: Cody, Kristen, and Courtney. While Matthew is the youngest of his family, he is the only one yet to graduate from university. A few of his hobbies include exercising, reading, and going on leisurely walks. He loves to converse about the Scriptures and really enjoys Coffee-mate French Vanilla creamer with his coffee.
Caedmon Palau
History | 3rd-4th Grades
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Austin Green
History | 9th-12th Grades
Teaching students in high school is one of Austin Green's passions. Austin obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis, IN after attending 2 years at the Word of Life Bible Institute. He worked as a student pastor at several churches in the last 10 years and has an interest in both History and Biblical Apologetics.
Austin believes teens are like electricity: If you give them proper guidance and structure, they can be very beneficial and productive to others they influence yet if not encouraged down the right path, they can create unnecessary destruction to the world around them.
Austin has lived in Lakeland for the last 14 years and currently works as a Senior Consultant for 2 tech companies, MySchoolWorx, and Active Defender. His wife, Nicole, and children, Alea (13), Caeden (9), Sophia (9), all love the outdoors, beach-time, pool-time, springs-time, basically anything having to do with water is the great day for them.
Kelly Epperson
Literature Analysis | 5th-12th Grades
Writing & Grammar | 5th-8th Grades
College Essay Writing | 9th-12th Grades
Kelly has been teaching for nine years and spent four years as a freelance blogger and writer. She holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, both earned from the University of Tennessee. In addition to teaching with Integrity, Kelly contributes to the Ruffled Mango, a website designed to provide women with Bible study tools.
Outside the classroom, she is a proud wife to her husband, Joshua, and a mother to their two daughters. Kelly loves Jesus and loves her family. You can find her watching her husband coach women's basketball at SEU, diving into a good book, or traveling to new places. Her favorite week of the year is going to Honduras for a medical mission trip, where she gets to serve others physically and spiritually. She has definite opinions about most sports, tacos, and pens.
Kelly wants her students to appreciate the power of language. Words can create images, build worlds, heal wounds, and most importantly, lead people to Jesus. Writing and literature are two sides of the same coin, and she's excited to share that treasure with her students.
Lynn Peters
Science | 7th-12th Grades
Wm. Lynn Peters was born in the coal mines of Virginia in 1953. His family moved shortly thereafter and he grew up in Southwestern Ohio. He graduated from Trotwood-Madison High School in 1971. He attended Carson Newman College in Tennessee where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in May, 1975. He was commissioned as an officer in the US Army upon graduation and entered active duty as a Combat Arms Officer. He married Rosemary Campbell and they had two daughters. They were married for forty-four years. He served on active duty for 9 years at which time he transferred to the reserves to enter Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Masters of Divinity degree in 1987.
Upon graduation from seminary, he served as senior pastor for four churches over a thirty-year period. He retired from full-time ministry in 2017 shortly before the death of his wife. When he moved to Lakeland, he met, feel in love, and married Mia Bittinger. He is currently an Elder at Legacy Christian Church. He has served in churches since he was a youth. He loves to teach the Bible, sing, hunt and fish, as well as travel.
Kristina Lorton
Science | 3rd-6th Grades
Literature | 3rd-4th Grades
Kristina Lorton is a dedicated educator with 11 years of experience teaching third, fourth and fifth grade in public school and 6 years of experience teaching as a rockstar homeschool mom. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University (Go Cardinals!). Ms. Lorton is passionate about creating an engaging and positive environment where students can thrive. She believes in fostering a love of learning and empowering students to reach their full potential. In her free time, she enjoys restoring and painting furniture, beach days with her family, and thrifting goods she didn’t know she needed. Ms. Lorton is excited for her first year teaching at ISA!
Lacy Lain
Science | 7th-12 Grades
Health & Nutrition | 3rd-6th Grades
Lacy is a former Pre-K teacher, now a homeschool mom of three, a pastor’s wife, and a board-certified Functional Health Practitioner. A proud Texan now living in Florida, she comes from a long line of educators; nearly every member of her family has served in the public school system as teachers, counselors, coaches, or principals. That love for learning runs deep and continues through her own teaching and homeschooling journey.
Before having children, Lacy taught for several years in early childhood education, where she developed a passion for hands-on learning and nurturing curiosity in young minds. After her husband’s second battle with leukemia, God led her into the field of Functional Medicine. She has since earned multiple certifications and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Traditional Naturopathy and Functional Health.
Today, she runs three health-focused organizations: Functional Health for Women, Functional Medicine for Christian Women (a weekly health podcast), and The Lain Institute for Functional and Natural Health Sciences, where she equips Christian women to restore energy, balance hormones, and take control of their health using simple, Biblical, and root-cause strategies, while homeschooling her children.
Her goal is not only to teach women and children about health, science, and nutrition, but also to foster a lifelong love of learning. She believes learning is a gift from the Lord, and it’s a gift she never wants to take for granted. Whether she's guiding a client through a health challenge or helping students explore the world around them, Lacy sees each moment as an opportunity to grow, give glory to God, and steward the knowledge and wisdom God has entrusted to us.
Jen Williams
Bible+Math | 1st-2nd Grades
Physical Education (PE) | K5 Grades
Jen is a third generation Floridian. She grew up in Lakeland and now resides in Winter Haven with her family. She earned her Liberal Arts degree from Polk State College in 2012. She has taught Preschool classrooms, Physical Education, and is a former substitute teacher at a local private Christian School. Jen has a passion for teaching the younger grades and also serves in the nursery at her church. She is also a former athlete and helps coach any sports her children
play.
Jen has been married to her husband Trey for fifteen years. They have two children Mason (11) and Laney (10) who she has homeschooled for three years. They are a big sports family and cheer for the Florida Gators and the Tampa Bay Rays! If Jen is not watching sports you can find her at Disney World or at the beach. Her favorite hobby is finding shark’s teeth with her family.
Jen believes that ISA has created a wonderful opportunity for our homeschool community to experience education in a Christian environment.
Melissa Ballinger
Physical Education (PE) | 1st-12th Grades
Melissa Ballinger graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Fitness and Nutrition. Her career has been spent in fitness studios and vitamin stores where she thoroughly enjoyed advising clients on fitness regiments, nutritional guidelines, vitamin/supplemental needs, and general exercise physiology. In 2015 she became a mom to premature twins and had to walk away from her career to focus on their needs, she is incredibly excited to be able to share her knowledge and passion for overall health with the students at ISA. Her goal is to create a comfortable environment where all kids of any physical ability can enjoy being active and learn how to care for their bodies.
Melissa prioritizes God and her family above all else, she is very active in youth ministry programs and loves to lend a helping hands to anyone in need. She is a wife, mom, bonus mom, and most importantly a child of God, who is incredibly grateful to be a part of ISA. She loves all sports, especially the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Indianapolis Colts, and can usually be found at the hockey rink watching her son and husband compete, or enjoying a good book outside on the porch swing.
Jason Troyan
Bible | 7th-12th Grades
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Della Glandorf
Science | 3rd-4th Grades
Della Glandorf is a dedicated educator with 23 years of teaching experience in both public schools and online settings. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Flagler College and is passionate about creating a warm, engaging learning environment for her students.
Outside of the classroom, Della enjoys life on her farm, where she and her family care for chickens, a horse, and rabbits. She’s a proud mom to two children - an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter - and together they love camping, exploring new places, and cruising around the world. They are very active in 4H projects and enjoy participating in the Polk County Youth Fair each year. Della brings her love of adventure and curiosity into her teaching, inspiring students to learn with enthusiasm and joy.