Tutor Bios
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” - Socrates
Level Up Tutorials is dedicated to providing knowledgeable & passionate tutors who enjoy teaching & encouraging their students. Our tutors are committed to sharing their enthusiasm, experience & knowledge.
Health & Nutrition, Human Anatomy
Lynn Pierre Jones, Jr., P.T.
Lynn Pierre is a veteran homeschooler of 16 years and a father of 5. His educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in the Science of Physical Therapy, experience as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and a Personal Trainer. As a therapist, he was awarded “Best in Physical Therapy” in Union County for two years straight. Lynn is a 5-time published book author on fitness, marriage, and rehabilitation. He serves as a very enthusiastic presenter/teacher for the medical staff and community. Mr. Jones has also served as an on-the-job Clinical Instructor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Wingate University for several years. He believes you will either pay the price it takes to live healthy and fit, or you will pay the price of fatigue, illness, and living a life without being all you can be! Lynn is also our LU Ed Academy President. Click here to learn more.
Tutorials Co-Principal, General Science & Geography
Marilynn Bonner
Marilynn is originally from Buffalo, NY, has always loved science, and loves to see students learn. She always looks for fun and innovative ways to bring a topic so students can understand it while preparing them for the next level/grade. She taught crafts and experiments in the Co-Op for 4 years. She has taught in various after-school programs. She also teaches children at AWANA (13 years) and is an Assistant Scoutmaster in her Scout troop, where her son earned his Eagle award, and her daughter is working toward it. She loves the outdoors, backpacking, and hiking. She is a black belt in Universal Karate and is a level 1 certified Climbing instructor…Marilynn lives in Charlotte with her husband and two children. She has grown up in ministry, is a “preacher’s kid,” and currently serves in a children’s church at Joy Christian Fellowship in Matthews. She homeschooled her two children, a son, and a daughter, through graduation at Level Up. Marilynn is also our LU Tutorials Assistant Principal. Click here to learn more.
Spanish 1, 2 & 3, Geometry
Paula Bostrom
Paula has a B.S. in mathematics with a minor in Spanish from Calvin College. She has an M.S. in mathematics from Purdue University and an M.A. in linguistics from the University of Texas, Arlington. She and her husband, Mark, served with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Colombia, S.A., for about seven years. Paula homeschooled their daughter, Andrea, who graduated in May 2014. Paula has done private tutoring and tutoring several years with Classical Conversations in Foundations, math, and Latin I. She has been the debate club facilitator since 2011.
Honors Grammar & Composition, BritishLiterature
Jack Gale
Jack grew up in Charlotte, N.C., and attended public schools there, graduating from Myers Park High School in 1962. He enrolled at Clemson College, transferred to UNC-Charlotte in his sophomore year, majored in English, and went to The University of Tennessee for graduate school. Mr. Gale “fell into” teaching in the fall of 1968 at Parkwood High School in Union County. He apparently enjoyed the experience enough that he continued at Parkwood, teaching English, including all levels of English courses, until his retirement in 1998. In the fall of 1998, he joined Tutorials, began working with homeschoolers, and has been doing so ever since.
Literature and Composition
Michelle Myers
Michelle is an experienced writing instructor, veteran homeschool mom, and self-professed bibliophile. She believes great writers read great books! Through living books, her classes focus on literary analysis, grammar, and formal writing concepts. Michelle’s passion is to teach young writers how to find their written voice and to know the joy of reading deeply. Most of all, Michelle aims for her students to know they can write confidently and that their words can change the world! Michelle has lived around the country, but her family has called Matthews, NC home for ten years. You can find her in the garden or on the front porch with her husband and a cup of coffee when she isn’t reading or teaching. Michelle started her career with a Master of Forensic Accounting degree, working in litigation and fraud examination. However, the Lord called her to homeschool over a decade ago, and she never looked back! Over the years, Michelle has taught at various homeschool co-ops in the Charlotte area and specialized as an online English grammar and writing instructor for over 1,500 students around the world! She is also a teacher-author who designs literature and language arts curricula for middle and high school students.
Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Advanced Math, Personal Finance/Consumer Math, Bible Study/Theology
Shawn Hill
Shawn has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bryan College. He has 19 years of classroom experience. He has his license to teach math in North Carolina. Currently, he works as a private/group tutor and homeschool tester. He has taught Algebra 1 and Algebra II for 14 years. He also has taught Advanced Math for 7 years. Shawn, and his wife, Shannon, have three children.
Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Shari Kaiser
A lifelong interest in learning led Shari and her to homeschool. She finds it a pleasure to be personally involved in molding the individual strengths and personalities each of our children that she believes was given to prepare them to serve God’s purpose. She has four successful homeschool graduates, and became actively involved in the homeschool community in 1995. She served as Director of a support group (GRACE) for 13 years and Director of an area association (CHEA) for 8 years. These opportunities allowed her to interact with many fellow homeschoolers, both seasoned in the journey and just starting out. She enjoyed learning from and supporting each other in the community. She continues to enjoy serving as a mentor when the opportunity arises. She has also been able to share her strong interest in Science with the community since 2007, beginning with Chemistry classes. She's taught Science classes in various enrichment facilities in the greater Charlotte area annually since then. She looks forward each year to helping her students see that Science is fascinating, fun, and understandable.
Hands-On World History
Tammy Hoffman
Growing up in Mint Hill, NC, Tammy has had the opportunity to live in a variety of places, but NC has always been home. She earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Before the blessing of marriage and children, she taught elementary classes in public and private schools and both adult and high school English language classes. The Hoffman Family homeschool adventure began in 2013 while living in a small town in Louisiana with few homeschool enrichment opportunities available. In turn, they connected with some other homeschool families and started their own tiny little Co-Op where she taught hands-on math for littles, music and movement, and PE. Tammy also enjoyed teaching enrichment Spanish classes at a local Montessori School. Over the years, she has discovered a love for history and reading about how God has always been at work in our world and creation. When not homeschooling her two teenage sons, she enjoys reading, knitting, or quilting and enjoying the great outdoors. The homeschooling journey has been a joy for Tammy, and is excited about this new venture with Level-Up Tutorials.
American & World History
Clay Broussard
Clay has a BA in Economics from the University of Texas and a MA in Religious Studies from Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He has spent over 30 years in the professional world as a sales and operations leader in the IT Services Industry. Currently, he is the Supply Chain Executive at DXC Technology. He is passionate about Freedom, Education, Christianity, History, Economics, and Politics and has taken an active role in teaching his own children as well as others. Mr. Broussard has eight (ages 11-27) children and six grandchildren and counting with his beloved wife of 28-plus years, Stacy. He has served as a pastor, elder, and men’s ministry leader in various churches and taught numerous small-group Bible studies and lay-seminary classes in a large church setting. He is currently attending Providence City Church in Charlotte. While living in North Carolina for 21 years (14 in Raleigh) and falling in love with the state he now calls home, he is, and forever will be a Texan!
Art 1 & 2
Ellen Lingo
Ellen Lingo is a fine artist and instructor born and based in Charlotte, NC. She is a mother of three and has been homeschooling since 2009 with one artist graduate. She is a founding member of Mint Hill Community Homeschoolers at Mint Hill Baptist Church and has been instructing students in art there since 2017. She has been a serving member and crafts leader at Mint Hill Baptist Church since 2004. She focused on art through high school and college and continues practicing drawing and painting at the NC Academy of Art. She has professional experience custom picture framing and working in art studios and galleries. Ellen has been drawing since she could pick up a pencil and has been making all kinds of creations all her life. She enjoys using every style, technique, and medium and is constantly trying new things. She loves learning about art, collaborating with artists, and teaching art. Creativity is a
therapeutic gift from our creator to be shared with others for His glory.
Government/Economics
Matthew Bonner
Bio coming soon!
Ceramics
Anita Moree
Anita grew up as an MK in Spain and Colombia. She lives with her husband Neil and children in Indian Trail, NC on a five acre farm. She has homeschooled her children for 14 years, launched two kids into college, and is currently focusing on discipling their younger three children (8,12,14). She has worked in women's ministry in her local church for many years, she is a Christ-centered yoga teacher and retreat leader, potter, lover of beauty, forager of mushrooms and delighted hiker and camper. She loves teens and is excited to see the creativity and vision they bring to the ceramics class. More than anything, Anita desires to guide others to the healing love and beauty of our Creator.
Academic Clubs: Envirothon
Brenda Kresak
Brenda is originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, where she and her husband met as volunteer summer camp counselors, working with abused and neglected children living in metro-Atlanta’s foster
care system. She relocated to Matthews, NC in 2012 and began her homeschool journey with her 3 oldest school age children. One year later in 2013 she was asked by the Brace YMCA to become their first Homeschool Program Coordinator and she had the privilege of designing an academic and enrichment program for the Charlotte homeschool community. From there she moved on to establish
several other homeschool co-ops and also became a licensed realtor in North and South Carolina. Now, a mom of 7 sons, she has graduated 2 from homeschool, and has 5 more still at home. She is passionate about creating unique homeschool opportunities for students that involve hands-on learning through educational field trips, collaborative group learning experiences, and outdoor activities. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with her family, travelling to her 100 year old family-built home in south Florida, singing in the church choir, and leading the hospitality committee at church for special events. Learn more about Envirothon by clicking here.
Academic Clubs: Speech & Debate
Inga Masek
Inga is a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience in teaching and administration. As a former Teacher and Principal, she has dedicated her career to shaping young minds and fostering effective communication skills. With nearly 11 years of homeschooling experience and four children of her own, Inga understands the unique challenges and rewards of educating at home. Currently, she teaches public speaking and communication, equipping students with the tools to express themselves eloquently, defend their faith, and thrive in various communication situations. Inga's passion for engaging learners and commitment to personalized instruction make her a valuable asset to her students' educational journey. In Speech & Debate, with Inga, students will learn to defend their faith through a focus on Apologetics. They will also be guided in the
composition and presentation of a variety of speeches including persuasive, expository, advocacy, and biographical. Interpretive speeches may be of a humorous or dramatic nature as a single speaker or as a duo. Learn more about Speech & Debate by clicking here.