Our Teachers
Lilli Comparetto, MSEd, LAT, ATC
Classes:
Physical Education (6-8)
Bio:
Lilli is an assistant athletic trainer at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she provides sports medicine care for varsity athletics teams including track & field, tennis, and volleyball. She double majored in Athletic Training and Dance at Anderson University (Indiana), graduating summa cum laude in 2020. Lilli pursued her graduate studies at Shenandoah University while working as the athletic trainer for Northern High School in Calvert County, MD. Through Shenandoah, she earned a Master’s of Science in Education and a graduate certificate in Performing Arts Medicine. In 2023, Lilli also earned her credential as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.
Lilli credits her passion for studying to her mom, Cari, who spent over 20 years homeschooling Lilli and her five brothers from grades K-12. An “alum” of both HCA and CCT, Lilli is excited to return to HCA to teach middle school PE as a way of giving back to the homeschooling community in southern Maryland. Lilli is passionate about the human body– how it can be strengthened for performance, healed from injury, and used to create art. She lives in California, MD with her husband Nate and can often be found singing in choir (or anywhere, really), dancing around the kitchen (or anywhere, really), taking long walks outside, and reading books voraciously.
Jonnie Chesser
Classes:
Bookworks & Brain Builders (K-1)
Bio:
Jonnie was born and raised in St. Mary’s County. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Adam, and they have three children, Daisy, Violet, and Rowan. The family attends Leonardtown Baptist Church. While homeschooling was never in her plans, when it was time to think about Kindergarten for Daisy, the Lord placed it on Adam’s heart to start warming Jonnie up to the idea of homeschooling. Seven years later, they are so thankful to have been led in the direction of homeschooling their children. The Chesser family has been so blessed to be a part of HCA since the 2018-2019 school year. Thursdays are Daisy and Violet’s favorite day of the week (Rowan misses his sisters on Thursday’s but is excited for his turn to go to HCA soon).
Jonnie has a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. In her “free time”, Jonnie works on her flower farm, enjoys reading (and listening to audiobooks), loves baking, and tries to spend as much time as possible with her kids, husband, and dogs. She is excited to be able to give back to the HCA community by teaching a class this year. She hopes to share great books, fun facts, exciting stories of our country’s history and historical figures, and a great learning experience all while showing/sharing God’s love with each student.
Patty Dorsch
Classes:
Music (4-5) , Music (6-8)
Bio:
My name is Patty Dorsch. I have a BA in Music Education from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I have over 30 years experience teaching general music and private lessons. I taught K-8 grades under the Archdiocesw of Washington and am currently a substitute teacher with SMCPS. I am also teaching Sunday School at my local church. I am using a certified national music curriculum as a standard for teaching general music. I have previous experience with this curriculum in public schools. I plan to teach recorders and ukulele to the older students. I play guitar and piano. I became a Christian over 50 years ago and love sharing my faith with the children at my church. I live with my daughter and her family(three grandchildren) locally and perform music. Music is my life.
Elisabeth Gonzales
Classes:
Music (K-1) , Music (2-3), Drama (6-8)
Bio:
Elisabeth Gonzales has been a resident of Southern Maryland for 18 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Youth Ministries from Pensacola Christian College—where she studied both Speech Communication and Vocal Performance. After obtaining a Master’s in Elementary Education, she came to Southern Maryland and worked with students on the autism spectrum within the St. Mary’s County Public Schools system. As her family grew, Elisabeth transitioned to homeschooling four of her five children. She remains deeply convinced that both music and language are gifts from God, and she seeks to use their beauty to bring glory to Him.
Amy Hetrich
Classes:
Introduction to Art (K-1) , Primary Art 1 (2-3), Primary Art 2 (4-5)
Bio:
Amy Hetrich graduated from Frostburg State University in 1999 with her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Amy taught Pre-k and K in St. Mary’s County before beginning her homeschool journey. She has recently graduated the last of her three kids from homeschooling and is excited to start this next adventure teaching Art at HCA. Amy loves Jesus and serving him through the children’s ministry at Leonardtown Baptist Church and currently teaches the Pre-k Sunday school class. Amy has always been passionate about Art and has been drawing, painting, or creating her entire life. You can find her daily in her art studio creating something and she is never without her sketchbook.
Reggie McKenna
Classes:
PE (K-1) , PE (2-3), PE (4-5)
Bio:
I would like to introduce myself and thank you for the privilege of working with your children. My name is Regina McKenna AKA “Coach Reggi”. HCA has been a wonderful part of my classes since before they were officially HCA . I am an AFPA, Certified Children’s Fitness Specialist. Southern Maryland has been my home since 1993. I have been blessed with three children of my own. My ultimate goal is to provide the spirituality, confidence and knowledge to help give children the building blocks to a lifetime of health.
Cristina McOmber
Classes:
Survey of Maryland (4-5), (6-8)
Bio:
Cristina McOmber was raised between Colombia and Venezuela, where she developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, landscapes, and cuisines. Although she holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, her true passions are language, music, and teaching. In 2005, Cristina moved to the United States as an Au Pair and quickly became active in her local church, serving in Sunday School, on the worship team, and in women’s ministry.
Now married to the love of her life, Cristina homeschools their four children and finds joy in the everyday moments—whether it’s cooking up feasts for friends, digging in her garden, reading stories aloud, or passionately worshipping Jesus from her kitchen or car.
During the 2024–2025 school year, Cristina taught Basic Spanish to middle schoolers at HCA, an experience she thoroughly enjoyed. Her life of travel has sparked a lasting interest in geography and history, and she hopes to pass that love on to her students—encouraging them to explore the richness of the United States and to use their unique gifts to serve the Lord.
Amy Miller
Classes:
Science in the Scientific Revolution (2-3), (4-5), (6-8)
Bio:
Amy Miller graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Sociology. She married her college sweetheart, Greg, after graduating from OSU, and they soon moved to St. Mary’s County where Greg began working on base and Amy began working at the Department of Social Services. Amy stopped working (for pay) when she and Greg began their family in order to stay home full time with their children. They have now graduated two boys, Alexander and Ethan, from homeschool. Amy found a passion for teaching elementary science, and especially watching the excitement of her kids as they performed experiments, so she has brought that love to teaching at HCA. Amy accepted the call to follow Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior when she was sixteen, and sees serving children in her community as a step in following His call on her life.
Evelyn Moltumyr
Classes:
Intro to Literature (2-3)
Bio:
Evelyn was born and raised on a vegetable and tobacco farm in Southern MD, along with her 8 younger brothers and sisters. Her parents taught her at a young age to know and love Jesus and seek to follow Him. Evelyn graduated from Towson State University in 1997 with a degree in Psychology and English Literature. In 1998 she married her husband Jon and they have four children, one daughter and three sons. A stay-at-home mother since her daughter was born, Evelyn began homeschooling her children in 2011. She has been involved in tutorials in Bowie, MD previously and joined HCA and CCT when the family moved to St. Mary’s county in 2019. Her favorite things to do with a homeschool group are to lead book clubs and use literature to learn about many subjects in a fun way.
When not homeschooling, Evelyn enjoys reading, gardening, cooking for her family, Bible study, knitting, and horseback riding. It’s her desire to instill in her own children and in others, a heart to know and follow Jesus.
Cari Morrison
Classes:
English (5-7)
Bio:
Cari Morrison graduated from Messiah College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Prior to becoming a homeschooling mom by trade, she taught in Baltimore City Public Schools and at the Lexington Park Christian School (now King’s Christian Academy). She also taught for many years in various children’s ministries—Sunday school, children’s church, and the AWANA Bible program—and in the Leonardtown Baptist Church Home School Fellowship. After 21 years on a nonstop homeschooling journey, Cari “retired” in May 2022 when she and her husband Matt graduated their 6th and youngest student. She now enjoys staying connected to teaching and to the homeschooling community through the California Christian Tutorial and the Homeschool Christian Academy.
Our Admin Team
Amber Collins
Position:
Co-Director
Email:
admin@homeschoolchristianacademy.org
Bio:
Amber is a veteran homeschool mom of 10+ years. She has a passion for serving others and has stepped into various volunteer and supporting roles throughout the county. A forever local, she can trace her county roots back to the 1700’s. She and her husband, Jason, have been married for almost 16 years and have 5 wonderful children.
Emily Yazawa
Position:
Co-Director
Email:
admin@homeschoolchristianacademy.org
Bio:
Emily and her husband Bryan have loved the flexibility, learning and growth homeschooling their three children brings to their whole family. Emily has an MBA in Organization Development; she manages marketing projects for a technology firm, actively participates in her church community, and feels lucky to be a part of HCA!
Carolyn Graessle
Position:
Chairman of the Board
Email:
admin@homeschoolchristianacademy.org
Bio:
Carolyn graduated from San Diego State University in 1989 with a BA in Math, minor in World History. She completed a Master of Library and Information Studies from UC Berkeley in 1993. Carolyn and her husband Grant homeschooled their three children since 2007, and she currently teaches Advanced Composition and SAT Prep at California Christian Tutorial.
Mitzi McConville
Position:
Webmaster
Email:
webmaster@homeschoolchristianacademy.org
Bio:
Mitzi holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, along with Certificates in Database Management and IT Project Management. Until she retired to homeschool her children, she worked as an IT Project Manager. Mitzi is passionate about using her education and experience to help grow our future leaders. She currently teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Computer Science at California Christian Tutorial. She also co-founded the non-profit SOMD STEAM which focuses on educating local youth in STEM and the Arts. Through SOMD STEAM and otherwise, she has organized and mentored an award-winning group of Destination Imagination teams since 2010.
Teresa Sills
Position:
Teacher Liaison Coordinator
Email:
teachers@homeschoolchristianacademy.org
Bio:
Teresa Sills is the Teacher Liaison Coordinator for HCA. She connects teachers to fill positions for classes needed. She been homeschooling for three years and has four children ages 1-8. She loves connecting with people, networking, organizing and baking. She holds holds a degree from Regent University and has held leadership and volunteer positions for various organizations.