Tutor Biographies
Michele Herring (English)
Homeschooling for 16 years, Michele Herring has learned that she loves teaching and sharing her joy of various subjects. She dove right into learning alongside her four kids during their homeschool journey. Three of her four kids have already graduated and moved onto their college studies. She tutored for 6 years with Classical Conversations and 5 years for Bridge Tutorial Ministries. Even though she received her business degree at the University of Maryland, some of her favorite classes included art history and Shakespeare. She looks forward to teaching the English and Social Studies classes next year at Bridge.
Kym Kent (Algebra I and Pre-Algebra)
"Master the fundamentals and everything else will follow." "The Formula is your friend!"
These are just two of several "math mottos" for Kym Kent, who teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 at BTM. Homeschooling for over fourteen years, and having graduated two of her six children, Kym has been involved in classical Christian homeschool tutorial settings for over eleven years, taught elementary and middle/high school math in homeschool tutorials for over six years, and in 2017 launched Bridge Elementary Tutorial, where she serves as Director and also teaches math. While her degree is in Economics with a minor in Sociology, her passion lies in training, motivating, and challenging young minds for the Kingdom of God. She lives in Bowie with her husband and six children.
"Master the fundamentals and everything else will follow." "The Formula is your friend!"
These are just two of several "math mottos" for Kym Kent, who teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 at BTM. Homeschooling for over fourteen years, and having graduated two of her six children, Kym has been involved in classical Christian homeschool tutorial settings for over eleven years, taught elementary and middle/high school math in homeschool tutorials for over six years, and in 2017 launched Bridge Elementary Tutorial, where she serves as Director and also teaches math. While her degree is in Economics with a minor in Sociology, her passion lies in training, motivating, and challenging young minds for the Kingdom of God. She lives in Bowie with her husband and six children.
Christina Rafter (Science)
“Inquiring minds want to know” was a phrase that Christina Rafter picked up from one of her favorite college professors and it has been a slogan for her ever since. To Mrs. Rafter, it’s come to represent learning simply for the joy of learning,which is something she strives to pass on to every student. Mrs. Rafter was homeschooled and is currently homeschooling two of her three children. She tutored throughout college and went on to work two years in Anne Arundel County public schools. After her oldest daughter was born she left the school system to raise her children and later began working again as a private tutor. Mrs. Rafter is very excited about her first year with Bridge Tutorial Ministries, and is looking forward to introducing her students to all the wonders of God’s creation.
“Inquiring minds want to know” was a phrase that Christina Rafter picked up from one of her favorite college professors and it has been a slogan for her ever since. To Mrs. Rafter, it’s come to represent learning simply for the joy of learning,which is something she strives to pass on to every student. Mrs. Rafter was homeschooled and is currently homeschooling two of her three children. She tutored throughout college and went on to work two years in Anne Arundel County public schools. After her oldest daughter was born she left the school system to raise her children and later began working again as a private tutor. Mrs. Rafter is very excited about her first year with Bridge Tutorial Ministries, and is looking forward to introducing her students to all the wonders of God’s creation.
Trina Ferguson (Writing)
Trina has a B.S. degree in Psychology and has worked with children ages 2 – 17 since 1996 in schools, day care centers, church, homeschool co-ops, as well as through internships in Child Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She began homeschooling in 2009 and resides in Bowie with her wonderful husband, her three children, and their Yorkie. Trina loves working with children and having fun using games and hands on activities to teach about God through various subjects. She wrote and published a book, in 2016, about her homeschooling journey and how God used homeschool to change her life. Trina believes, every body has a story to tell and something to share. She is looking forward to combining this belief with her love of teaching to usher young people into a world of their own creation through Creative Writing.
Trina has a B.S. degree in Psychology and has worked with children ages 2 – 17 since 1996 in schools, day care centers, church, homeschool co-ops, as well as through internships in Child Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She began homeschooling in 2009 and resides in Bowie with her wonderful husband, her three children, and their Yorkie. Trina loves working with children and having fun using games and hands on activities to teach about God through various subjects. She wrote and published a book, in 2016, about her homeschooling journey and how God used homeschool to change her life. Trina believes, every body has a story to tell and something to share. She is looking forward to combining this belief with her love of teaching to usher young people into a world of their own creation through Creative Writing.
Nicole Kennedy Green (Middle School English)
Nicole is a former Pre-school and Kindergarten teacher and has homeschooled her own three children
for fourteen years. A self-proclaimed extreme extrovert, Nicole enjoys homeschooling in environments
where she and her children have ample opportunity to share educational and social experiences with
other families. In addition to homeschooling her children, Nicole also finds pleasure in being actively
involved in her church, cooking for her family and friends, reading, writing, public speaking, and date
nights with Damon, her husband of 23 years. The Green family lives in Bowie, Maryland.
Nicole is a former Pre-school and Kindergarten teacher and has homeschooled her own three children
for fourteen years. A self-proclaimed extreme extrovert, Nicole enjoys homeschooling in environments
where she and her children have ample opportunity to share educational and social experiences with
other families. In addition to homeschooling her children, Nicole also finds pleasure in being actively
involved in her church, cooking for her family and friends, reading, writing, public speaking, and date
nights with Damon, her husband of 23 years. The Green family lives in Bowie, Maryland.
Cherisse Bracey (Middle School Math)
Cherisse grew up in New York City , where she studied engineering, and worked as a senior medical examiner for 14 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield. After marrying her husband Michael, 26 years ago, she moved to Maryland. They have a very creative son, Graig, whom they homeschooled for 15 years. Cherisse has had the opportunity to tutor and teach mathematics at various levels, ranging from first grade through Calculus 2, and looks forward to sharing her appreciation for the subject with others. In addition to enjoying a student’s “Eureka” moment, she also loves books, enjoys working jigsaw puzzles, tinkering, and learning new things.
Cherisse grew up in New York City , where she studied engineering, and worked as a senior medical examiner for 14 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield. After marrying her husband Michael, 26 years ago, she moved to Maryland. They have a very creative son, Graig, whom they homeschooled for 15 years. Cherisse has had the opportunity to tutor and teach mathematics at various levels, ranging from first grade through Calculus 2, and looks forward to sharing her appreciation for the subject with others. In addition to enjoying a student’s “Eureka” moment, she also loves books, enjoys working jigsaw puzzles, tinkering, and learning new things.
Cathy Kolb (Geometry)
I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Towson University. I taught in the PGCPS system for 8 years and prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a CPA for 16 years. My husband, Bill, and I have 5 children. We also have 4 wonderful grandchildren with another coming in May. This will be my third year at Bridge Tutorial Ministries and I love it here. I love teaching and I especially love math. When not teaching, I like to spend my time with family and friends, especially my children and grandchildren. A few of the things I enjoy are reading, puzzles and playing games.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Towson University. I taught in the PGCPS system for 8 years and prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a CPA for 16 years. My husband, Bill, and I have 5 children. We also have 4 wonderful grandchildren with another coming in May. This will be my third year at Bridge Tutorial Ministries and I love it here. I love teaching and I especially love math. When not teaching, I like to spend my time with family and friends, especially my children and grandchildren. A few of the things I enjoy are reading, puzzles and playing games.
Jenny Simonson (Middle School Social Studies)
Jenny and her husband have homeschooled their two girls for the past 7 years. She grew up in Wisconsin where she completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education at UW Stout. After moving to Maryland, she taught for DCPS and AACPS for 14 years in a variety of positions including classroom teacher, interventionist, ELL teacher and science lab teacher. She completed her Masters Degree in Reading and School Administration from Johns Hopkins. She enjoys traveling to new places, reading and relaxing at the beach. Jenny is looking forward to her first year of teaching at Bridge.
Jenny and her husband have homeschooled their two girls for the past 7 years. She grew up in Wisconsin where she completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education at UW Stout. After moving to Maryland, she taught for DCPS and AACPS for 14 years in a variety of positions including classroom teacher, interventionist, ELL teacher and science lab teacher. She completed her Masters Degree in Reading and School Administration from Johns Hopkins. She enjoys traveling to new places, reading and relaxing at the beach. Jenny is looking forward to her first year of teaching at Bridge.
Myneko Broadhurst (Art and English)
Myneko holds a B.S. in Communications and a M.S. in Communications Management from Morgan State University. She has a background in public relations, professional fundraising and project management. Myneko is currently homeschooling her two children, ages 9 and 13 years old and has enjoyed watching their growth. She is gifted in administration and loves organization and all types of crafts, especially knitting, painting, and sewing. She is the 7-year owner of an arts and crafts business known locally as Kreative Crafts. Her business specializes in personalized gifts, arts and crafts classes, and paint party events. She loves children and enjoys watching their little "aha" moments. Born and raised in Prince George's County, Mynekoresides in Upper Marlboro with her sons and her loving and supportive husband of 18 years, Kennon.
Myneko holds a B.S. in Communications and a M.S. in Communications Management from Morgan State University. She has a background in public relations, professional fundraising and project management. Myneko is currently homeschooling her two children, ages 9 and 13 years old and has enjoyed watching their growth. She is gifted in administration and loves organization and all types of crafts, especially knitting, painting, and sewing. She is the 7-year owner of an arts and crafts business known locally as Kreative Crafts. Her business specializes in personalized gifts, arts and crafts classes, and paint party events. She loves children and enjoys watching their little "aha" moments. Born and raised in Prince George's County, Mynekoresides in Upper Marlboro with her sons and her loving and supportive husband of 18 years, Kennon.
