Karen Metcalf
Academic Advancement Coordinator
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Karen currently serves as the sponsor of the BHEA Honor Society and the coach of the BHEA High School Science Bowl team. During her 20+ years with BHEA, Karen has organized field trips, headed up the One-Book Blitz, and taught enrichment classes with BHEA. From 2014 to June of 2021, Karen worked with the Maryville Christian School home school program. Karen and her husband, Greg, have three sons and two daughters. Of those, Timothy, Sarah, Joshua, & Hannah, are BHEA alumni. All of them were homeschooled from preschool through graduation. The youngest, Daniel, is a senior and is a member of the BHEA Science Bowl Team and the BHEA Honor Society. Karen and her family are active in Grace Community Church, Maryville. They enjoy leading and participating in community science through the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont, have fostered several puppies through Wilderwood Service Dogs, and love to help and serve their community.

Patti Smith
Activity Coordinator
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Patti and husband, Tim, have been homeschooling since 2003. They are parents to eight children (Amanda, Ryan, Lauren, Noah, Bailey, Sarah, Rebekah and Elizabeth); four of which have graduated. During their 15 years with BHEA, Patti has participated in many events with BHEA including leading and assisting in enrichment sessions for all ages, coordinating field trips and activities for BHEA, and is currently serving at the Troop Coordinator for American Heritage Girls which is chartered by BHEA.  Patti and her family have a heart for service and enjoy serving alongside their church family at Everett Hills Baptist Church as well as BHEA and AHG. The Smiths enjoy traveling, being outdoors and spending time together as a family.

Laurie Leslie
Communications Coordinator
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[email protected]

Laurie and her husband Glen have been married for 28 years. BHEA has been their world since they made that momentous decision to homeschool some 18 years ago. They have graduated two boys through BHEA, Tristan and Grant. Their youngest is Devon, age 15 and a sophomore this year. The Leslies have been members of BHEA's BSA Troop 442 for many years. Laurie's degree is in Theology and her background is in marketing and public relations, but her true love is words! Favorite activities are hiking, traveling, reading, and playing with grand daughter Nattie when the opportunity presents itself. 

Laurie has served on the board twice before and is standing in now in a temporary capacity. 

Kristy Chudley
Enrichment Team Coordinator for High School (Mondays)
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Kristy has been a member of BHEA for nine years, and has served on the Enrichment Team for two years.  She and her husband, Keith, have been home educating for 14 years. They live in South Knoxville with their three sons: Cooper (20), Carson (18), and Campbell (17 and a senior), and a sweet, but co-dependent, beagle.

Jennifer Shaw
PreK-8 Enrichment Team Leader (Wednesdays)
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Jennifer Shaw is married to Jason Shaw and the mother of Michael (19), Abigail (15), Rebekah (10) and Patrick (10). Their family has been homeschooling since 2013.  In the past, she taught middle school special education in a public school in Florida and Kindergarten at Maryville Christian School.  Jennifer enjoys being with her family and being in the mountains. The Shaws are members at Everett Hills Baptist Church where they enjoy serving alongside amazing fellow believers.

Susan Barlow
Membership Coordinator
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[email protected]

Susan Barlow and her husband, Glenn, started homeschooling in 2002 and have been members of BHEA for 19 years. The Barlows have 4 boys, 3 of whom are BHEA alumni (Aaron, Ethan and Matthew). The youngest, Josiah, is a sophomore and member of BHEA Boy Scout Troop 442. Susan has taught several Enrichment sessions throughout her homeschool journey and is honored to serve on the BHEA Board.

Kaycie Smith
Middle School Activity Coordinator
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Kaycie Smith is in her 11th year of homeschooling her four children, Julia, Ember, Riker, and Kairi. (All 11 years as members of BHEA!) Kaycie has a heart for serving children, receiving a degree in Youth Ministry and studied Early Childhood Education at Johnson University. She has served on BHEA's Communications Team, taught Enrichment sessions, and has planned many events over the years, including Kindergarten Graduations and Spelling Bees. Kaycie and her husband Joshua love spending time outdoors with their family hiking the many trails of the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Kaycie is looking forward to working in this brand new position for BHEA and is excited about the opportunity to help our Middle School community connect with one another and have lots of fun in the process.

Michelle Laws Wright
Teen Coordinator
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Michelle is the mother of two sons and two daughters. She has been homeschooling for 17 years. Her two oldest children Justice and Cecilia are BHEA alumni. Her two younger children Tobias and Sophie are currently enrolled in high school at BHEA. During her time as a member at BHEA Michelle has taught high school literature and many art classes for various ages. She has been a leader in Cub Scouts as well as a troop leader for American Heritage Girls. She has also donated many hours of service to various organizations in our community. She works as an English as a second language tutor online to students around the world. She is also an artist. Michelle and her family are members of Vineyard Maryville.