Incredible & Exciting Changes!

Please note:  This email was sent out to our Classical Conversations Community here in Pinellas at midnight.  It is fun watching God grow HIS organization! 

 


Happy New Year Classical Conversations, Pinellas County!


"The FAITHFUL love of the Lord never ends! His mercies NEVER cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning!" Lamentations 3:22-23



We pray that this next year draws each of us closer to the lover of our soul, the giver of knowledge, the source of our strength!  We are so deeply grateful for the opportunity to walk with such incredible, loving, gracious, families.  We really are better together!




It is with great joy and overflowing exuberance  that we release our Fall 2013/2014 plans for Pinellas County!




Please know that our servant team has spent a great deal of time in prayer, seeking the Lord with all of our hearts to discover HIS will for our next school year.  Over and over again, we are reminded of Leigh Bortin's vision to have smaller communities.  Leigh's focus is never numbers - it's all about relationships!  Education simply cannot exist without rich conversations, deep discussions, and hearts connecting.  Smaller communities  allow us to walk out discipleship. You are never alone! 




So, with that in mind I'd like to roll out our new and exciting updates:






1-  We are opening two brand new communities!   


In addition to our long standing Largo and St.Petersburg communities we will now also offer a South St.Pete AND a Clearwater campus.  Both campuses will be Foundations/Essentials only.  Our goal is to build into Challenge! 




2-  Fall registration opens for all current Classical Conversations Families on January 21st.  

We will open registration to the public beginning March 4th.  Stay tuned for more detailed information regarding registration.



3-  New communities, New Directors, (and returning) New Beginnings!



South St.Petersburg Community




Brook Maturo  



Foundations & Essentials Director


Brook has been married to her best friend, Dave, for 17 years and they have two children – Samuel (10) and Lilia (6).  Her family has been involved in Classical Conversations since 2007 and she finds it a joy to be part of a community that is both supportive and challenging.   Brook and her husband run the Church Network Hub, which provides churches and nonprofits with administrative support and they lead a microchurch together through the Underground Network.  When she isn’t working or learning Brook enjoys playing with the kids, long Russian novels, the beach and lots of good tea.




Clearwater Community




Melissa Maser



Clearwater Foundations & Essentials Director


Melissa has been married to her best friend Jonathan for over 10 years. Together they have 5 (one through adoption) crazy kiddos. Elijah (9) Brianna (8) Jacob (6) Addison (4) and Caleb(2).

As a family, our heart's cry is that everything we do, see, and love would have Jesus at the center. We have been homeschooling for four years and with the Lord's help plan to home school until college. Classical Conversations entered our lives over a year ago and has brought so much joy back into Homeschooling; Something we didn't even know was lacking!! CC has caused us to slow down and truly focus on why we are doing what we are doing and for that we are grateful.



Largo Community



Christi Panek

Foundations & Essentials Director




Christi has been married to her husband Tim for 10 wonderful years.  Together they have 4 children ages 9 to 3.  Christi has been home schooling since 2007 and intends on continuing through high school.  She has been with classical conversations since January of 2009 and sees biblically based home education as essential to passing on the faith to the next generation.   It brings Christi no greater joy than to see her children and others walking in the truth of the Christian faith. (3 John:4)




Christi has a love for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Whether it is through serving in her local church, providing a meal for a family in need, or just being there for a friend, she has a heart to serve.  She also has a passion for shepherding young families as they begin their journey in home education.  She is committed to the classical model of education, and committed to Classical Conversations method of teaching.  Christi looks forward to serving your family as the director of the foundations program here at Classical Conversations Largo.





Anne Eide


Largo, Challenge A Director

Anne has been married to her best friend Brian for 16 1/2 years and is more in love with him than ever.  They have 4 wonderful and energetic boys--Jeffery (12), Jonathan (10), Joshua (8), Elijah (2 1/2), with Baby #5 is due in mid June. :)  The Eides began their homeschool journey in 2006 and were overjoyed when the Lord led them to Classical Conversations in 2010.  Both Brian and Anne have a passion for children to know Truth and to live in the good of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." 



Michelle Cullum



Largo, Challenge B Director


Michelle was swept off her feet by Kyle Cullum June 2002 in Kolkata, India.  July 2003, Kyle and Michelle began their adventurous journey of married life together.   After 2 years serving in Kolkata together, and welcoming 4 children into their life, Kyle and Michelle often reflect on the adventures God has led them through with much laughter and gratefulness for the ways each circumstance has refined their character.  Each adventure has been a force in revealing God's TRUTH and GOODNESS. 

For four years Classical Conversations has been a part of the adventure God has used to refine their family in finding God's TRUTH and GOODNESS.  The Cullums are so grateful for the amazing curriculum and community that comes with being a part of Classical Conversations.   When the Cullum family is not studying CC or playing, you will almost always find them working on a home project or running, swimming or riding bikes together.




St.Petersburg Community




Mary Arnold


Foundations & Essentials Director


Mary married the man of her dreams back in 1988 and together they have 4 precious sons, (10-21) whom they love and adore!  She has homeschooled her boys since 1998 and loves it more now than when they first began! After graduating her oldest son in 2010 God began to stir within her a hunger for something new in her homeschool and He faithfully fulfilled what He began by leading her to Classical Conversations.  Mary found CC gave her accountability through community, (Proverbs 27:17) and consistency through the simplicity and layout of each program.


She is passionate about Jesus, Classical Christian home education, parenting, and encouraging others to walk in their God given strengths!  Her greatest hope and desire is that her children will grow up to be passionate about their Lord and their LIFE!



Terri Ulrich


Challenge A Director


Terri Ulrich is wife to Kurt and mom to Britton (24), Shelby (21), Kali (16), and Weston (11). She has been homeschooling for over 12 years and has been a CC Foundations tutor for over 4 years. She loves to worship, talk about the Lord, be with her family, hunt and fish and is an artist by profession.



Kimberly Johnson


Challenge B Director


Kimberly has been married to her best friend and partner in adventure for nearly 25 years. When their children ages 20 and 23, completed their homeschool journey, Kimberly’s passion for education led her to seek further learning and teaching opportunities.  She found a group of brilliant minds in Challenge III, where she tutors Chemistry, Algebra 2 and Advanced Math. Kimberly strongly believes in the giftedness of every child (Romans 12:4-5) and has spent many years equipping students of every age and ability with tools for success.


When she isn’t tutoring students or serving in the deaf ministry at her church, Kimberly can be found exploring God’s marvelous creation and investigating the world around her. Whether it’s through a camping trip or curled up with a good book, Kimberly loves to explore new places, learn new cultures and embrace the diversity of God’s finest masterpieces: His children!



Brenda Sain


Challenge II Director


Brenda is a wife to her best friend and husband of seventeen years, and a homeschooling mother of five children.  She has homeschooled for eleven years using the classical method, and she plans on homeschooling their children through high school.  She believes that homeschooling is a lifestyle of learning.  She has always been passionate about helping other moms stay encouraged and equipped.


You will often find Brenda reading and learning right along with her children and inspiring others to seek knowledge, wisdom and beauty.  She believes that there are no dumb questions and that the Bible always points to the truth. Brenda is new to Classical Conversations, and is excited to be a part of a community that is seeking a classical Christian education for themselves and their children.




Lynn Doto


Challenge IV


Lynn Doto, affectionately known as Mrs. D on campus, is honored to be a daughter of The King, wife to Mr Doto, and mom to two fine young men.


Her Challenge studies and students keep her on her toes with ideas and questions that focus on the world from God's side of the sky. When not learning something new, her favorite activities include helping her husband in the kitchen, taking forever walks on the beach, curling up with a book and deep discussions with friends.




Let us leave you with a precious promise as you walk into a brand new year!!!!


"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Ephesians 3:17-19

Stay tuned for details.....coming soon!