The Arete Collaborative Academy Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers who donate their time and talents.
Heather Magnuson
Heather has a degree in Plant Science from the University of Missouri and a master's in Bilingual/ESL Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has taught dual immersion first grade, ESL and Spanish in public schools. She has classically home schooled her two sons for the past six years. Heather is fluent in Spanish and has lived in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Japan. She is passionate about literacy and languages and enjoys tutoring ESL students.
Diem Presley
Diem was born in Vietnam and raised in Panama City. She received a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Florida and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. She completed a Clinical Pharmacy Practice Residency with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington, KY. She maintains certification as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. She has five children and began homeschooling seven years ago.
Stephanie Howland
Stephanie earned a degree in Elementary Education from Berry College in Rome, GA and then a M.ED. in Reading Instruction from the University of West Georgia. She taught first grade in Georgia public school for 8 years before starting a family and moving to Florida. She has been homeschooling ever since. Stephanie and her family volunteer with the Friends of Camp Helen State Park, the Lake Powell Community Alliance, Audubon Society and the South Walton Turtle Watch.
Regina Smith
Regina Smith and her husband, Gregg, live in Panama City Beach with their children Saylor (a student at Valdosta State University), Zeke (Arete student), and Nora (Arete student). She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Elementary Education. Regina was an educator in Walton County School district, teaching for seven years at Bay Elementary School, where she also had the honor of being awarded teacher of the year. After the birth of her son, she resigned from public education system to be a full-time mom. This is her fourth year homeschooling, second year as a part of the Arete family, and her first year being an Arete instructor. Regina also enjoys being an active part of both the children’s ministry and the worship ministry at her church, The Rock of Bay County.
