2024-2025

Kristeen Holtz, co-founder of Village Academy has been teaching the upper elementary class for seven years. 

     She has an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and English Literature. Originally from New York State, she worked for several years as a newspaper reporter and editor in Ohio and Massachusetts. Since 2001 she has been a stay-at-home, homeschooling mama to seven children, ages 22-8.

Adele Miller, co-founder of Village Academy, is entering her 17th year teaching homeschoolers. Adele has her BA in English, as well as a teaching certificate in 6-12 education. She has worked as a public school educator, a freelance writer, a reporter, a private tutor, as a teacher in the homeschool world, and as a positive psychology life coach. With more than two decades of teaching, as well as educating her own children, Adele believes that differentiated education and meeting students where they are is the key to providing a successful environment for all. Adele's own children are: two homeschooled graduates and a current home educating high school student. 

Sheramy Keegan-Turcotte has her Masters of Science from Laban/Trinity Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and her BFA from Shenandoah Conservatory. She is an adjunct professor in the Dance Studies department at Dean College and at Rhode Island College. Her scientific research in the dance field has been published in the Journal of Medical Problems of Performing Artists, and has received an award from the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. She is also certified in Pilates Mat and Apparatus training and has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years. When she is not teaching she is a taxi driver and chaos coordinator for her four homeschooled boys, ages 9-17. 

Jackie Johnson is an artist by education with an Associates in Applied Visual Arts, by career, and by passion. She has worked in an artistic field as both an employee and as a business owner, with skills ranging from graphic design, photography, web design, cake design, murals, custom portraits, and business branding. She continues to be an eager life learner and strives to better her understanding of creation. While Jackie does think degrees and certification can offer proof of education, she is a firm believer in self guidance and that with dedication and discipline most things can be learned. "I will also strive to give my imagination and creativity freely to the world and people around me. In times of hate, war, and political strife I am offering myself to help give humanity a better and brighter future." 

Señora Emily West has been teaching Spanish for more than 20 years, working with students at all age levels. She received her BA in Spanish and Second Language Acquisition from Brigham Young University in April 2000. She subsequently received her Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education in May of 2001. Emily is a Massachusetts licensed teacher of Spanish and ESL. She taught in traditional public schools from 2001-2011, then moved to a public charter school for one year before leaving full time teaching to raise her family. She worked in a Waldorf-inspired elementary school for five years before the school closed down at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. She started working with homeschool students and has offered Spanish classes to students from K-12 for the past three years. She is excited to return for another year with Village Academy. 

Jennifer Lade has a B.A. in English from Providence College. She worked as a newspaper reporter after college and is now a homeschooling mother of seven children, ages 15 to 5. For the last 11 years, she has taught children from preschool to high school at various homeschool classes and co-ops. This is her fourth year teaching at Village Academy. Jen loves the outdoors and hiking. She is also involved in community theater, most recently performing in Rhode Island Stage Ensemble's production of "The Addams Family" in the role of Morticia. A native of Hopedale, Jen now lives with her husband and children in Upton.

Kelly St.Gelais has an Associates degree from Dean College in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Forensic Psychology.  She is a stay at home mother of eleven children and is the owner of her own children’s custom clothing business, Jujube Boutique. Kelly is an active member of her parish of Saint Agatha’s as a catechist, leader and volunteers countless hours with the youth ministry. She is the past PTO president for the Millville Elementary school and is passionate about being involved in childhood education. 

Kelly enjoys sharing her creativity, skills and passions with others. In her free time she enjoys reading, sewing, and creating whatever inspires her. 

Peggy is a multi-passionate woman, a lifelong learner, and a lover of all things creative! In addition to her continued self development as an artist, Peggy has earned a B.S. in Marine & Freshwater Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and an M.A. in Personal and Organizational Wellness from Plymouth State University. She also holds a Professional Coaching Certificate, and has previously worked as a virtual health coach in a group setting for Noom. It’s no wonder her passions lie at the intersection of health and well-being, nature and the environment, continued education, and creativity. 

Peggy is a mother of two homeschooled children, ages 12 and 15, and is grateful to be a part of the Village Academy family. She has enjoyed helping in the upper elementary class during the 2023-2024 year, and is looking forward to expanding her involvement. By bringing her own talents and skills to the community, she hopes to contribute to the cultivation of an environment where learning is gratifying, purposeful, flexible, and fun!

Matthew is a sixth-year educator who has worked in both public and private schools; in addition to this, he tutors independently and homeschools his two children, Zale and Zuri. He has a background in exercise physiology, early childhood and elementary education.  

Diana Byron, RYT 200 is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher, meditation coach and founder of Dhyana Yoga and Wellness, where she offers adult and youth classes. Having earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Diana values connection with nature and a sense of caring for our environment. Diana completed her yoga teacher certification at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and she specializes in gentle yoga, meditation and breath work instruction. As a homeschooling mom, Diana enjoys bringing mindful movement and nature exploration to the homeschool community. 

Danielle is a homeschool mom, wellness practitioner, and lifelong student, living and breathing in Central MA.  She holds a degree in Human Services, and is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Grief Counselor. Danielle is also a Meditation teacher, Breathwork Practitioner, and CranioSacral Therapy practitioner.  She believes in a holistic approach to wellness and loves empowering others to work through their stressors and hardships in a way that balances mind & body. 

 Outside of work Danielle can be found engaged with her children’s activities (as a chauffeur and snack dispenser), enjoying a book, gardening, or being active outdoors with her family and their homeschool community. ​

Andrew St Gelais is a diverse musician; playing bass, guitar, saxophone, euphonium, and more! Having started music while in Elementary school, Andrew has played in various bands and ensembles throughout all school levels. He has participated in Drum Core, and aside from school performances, has played in multiple Jazz groups performing in many public environments. Being the oldest of 11, Andrew loves to spend time with his family. He has worked for Millville Elementary School in Special Education. 

Vicki Duguay is a music educator with a bachelors in Music from Wheaton College. She has been a pianist for 13 years. Vicki has most recently been an Elementary Music Teacher at Harris Elementary and Coleman schools in Woonsocket. She teaches piano lessons at White's Music Education Center, as well as her own private lessons. As a musician, she is part of the Precious Blood music ministry playing for masses, and occasionally plays for weddings and other gigs. She loves to spend time with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Winston! 

Corrie is the mother of two homeschoolers, ages 13 and 11.

From working as a private nanny, a teachers aid, even owning and operating her own home child care (and of course being a mother), she has worked with children of all ages for over 20 years and loves all stages of growth. 

One of her favorite homeschooling perks is watching the children grow and thrive, completely immersing themselves in what they find interesting and love to do. That ‘a-ha’ moment is pure gold when watching the kids learn new subjects.

Prior to educational and child care work, she worked as a residential architectural drafter for 6 years after having studied architectural and mechanical drafting throughout high school.