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Deirdre Cannon
Deirdre Cannon is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught elementary and junior high science for several years before beginning her family. She began her homeschooling journey in 2009 with her three children. Her oldest has since graduated and she continues to homeschool her youngest two. Outside of teaching at TAFA and other co-ops, she is a private practice lactation consultant. She enjoys teaching sciences as they show just how beautiful and intricate God’s design is in every detail of our universe.
deirdre.cannon@tafa.org
Jessica Ericksen
Jessica Ericksen graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. She continued her education at University of Texas at Arlington, where she received a Master of Arts in Communication. Before starting a family, she worked as an adjunct professor for Tarrant County College, where she taught public speaking and communication courses. Since having children, she has taken on various freelance roles in the communication and media fields, but her greatest joy is working in the mission field of her home as she homeschools and disciples her children. After loving the Christ-centered community and education her kids have received at TAFA, she was overjoyed to join TAFA staff in 2024 as the Speech teacher. Jessica has a heart for inspiring students to be fearless in public speaking all to the glory of God, knowing He can use their gifts to impact His Kingdom.
jessica.ericksen@tafa.org
Ben Forbes
Ben has served as teaching pastor since 2010 and has done children, youth and family ministry in churches since college. He and his wife Shawna have five children: Megan, Samantha, Jacob, Timothy, and Elizabeth. Ben has a BA from Philadelphia Bible College, MA from Dallas Theological Seminary and is working on a DMin from The Masters Seminary.
ben.forbes@tafa.org
Whitney Fowler
Whitney is a 2006 TAFA Alumni. After graduating, she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Dallas Baptist University, followed by a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing. She was on staff at DBU as the Assistant Director of Spiritual Life and taught foundation classes for freshmen students. She served as a TAFA Board member before she came on staff as a teacher. She teaches the foundations of Christian faith, along with apologetics and the importance of a biblically based worldview.
Elizabeth Jimenez
Elizabeth graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. She has had the privilege of teaching Biology, Forensic Science, Chemistry, and AP Biology at different schools and homeschool coops through the years.
elizabeth.jiminez@tafa.org
Imelda Manzanares
Imelda Manzanares is a dedicated homeschool mom and educator with 14 years of teaching experience. Homeschooling holds a special place in her heart, and being part of TAFA allows her to continue serving the homeschool community while encouraging students to pursue their education for the glory of God.
She is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and pursued her master’s studies at Texas A&M. Imelda is passionate about teaching the Spanish language and sharing its rich culture with the next generation, with the hope of using language as a bridge to reach more people for the Lord.
imelda.manzanares@tafa.org
Brent & Keri Osterberg
Keri graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2003 with a degree in music education and taught in Keller ISD before having children. She has been homeschooling since 2011 and teaches various classes at her church's co-op as well as TAFA and EXCEL. She taught Sunday School (ages 12-18) at Calvary Bible Church for ten years and led multiple Women's Bible studies. In 2015, her husband, Brent, was called to plant and pastor a church in Mansfield. Keri currently serves as children's Sunday School teacher, Director of Women's Ministry and plays flute with the worship team at Living Hope Bible Church. She is pursuing her Biblical Counseling Certification with ACBC (Association of Biblical Counselors) and has a passion for teaching the love of Christ to young people.
Brent graduated Sam Houston State University with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2003. In his last year of college, the Lord called him to ministry and he moved to Fort Worth with his wife, Keri, to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with his Master's of Divinity in 2006 and served as the Associate Pastor of Calvary Bible Church. In 2013, Brent attended Grace Advance in California with The Master's Seminary to prepare to plant a church and in 2015, Living Hope Bible Church was planted in Mansfield. Brent earned his Doctorate of Ministry in Expository Preaching from The Master's Seminary in 2020 and continues to serve as co-pastor at Living Hope Bible Church. Brent is certified as a Biblical Counselor with ACBC (Association of Biblical Counselors).
brent.osterberg@tafa.org
Melinda Russell
Mrs. Russell holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education from Texas Christian University (TCU). She spent five years teaching in public schools before choosing to homeschool her own children. In addition to her academic background, she studied Ballet and Modern Dance at TCU and trained with instructors from the Royal Ballet.
Passionate about both the fine arts and academics, Mrs. Russell finds joy in teaching students of all ages. She is dedicated to inspiring a love of learning and encouraging excellence through a life grounded in knowing and following Jesus.
Teddy Wasik
Mrs. Teddy received her degree in office administration/management, with an emphasis in English, from Draughon Business College. She teaches the high school level literature & history classes. She has been a part of the TAFA family since 2000. As an educator, it is her desire for the students to experience a different learning adventure every time they walk into the classroom. Her class is known for book discussions and debates in a wholesome and Christ-centered environment. Each week they explore history, classic literature, and what the Bible says about issues and ideas that relate to our world.
Julie Williams
Julie graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and from The University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Education. She has enjoyed teaching math to all ages over the years. She has been a part of Tafa for many years as a parent, volunteer and now the middle school/high school mathematics teacher.
julie.williams@tafa.org
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