Director

Our Director, Michael Phillips, earned his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Biblical Studies and Theology from Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also studied religion and philosophy at Carson-Newman College and theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Passionate about education, Mr. Phillips has served on staff at several churches across the country in the areas of youth and education. 

In addition to his work as our Director, Mr. Phillips is the Headmaster and Humanities teacher at Smith Preparatory Academy. He is also the Director of a high adventure summer camp called VentureScape Outdoors, where campers "develop Christian character and leadership through team building exercises and extreme outdoor activities."

Michaels' wife, Melissa, who was homeschooled herself, is now busy teaching the next generation: their four children, Elise, Hunter, Ansley, and Caedmon.

Administrator

Our Administrator, Lisa Jermain, has been involved in the education field for many years. Her experience includes teaching at Kings Avenue Christian School in the Tampa area, administrating an on-going fund-raising program called Scrip for private schools in both Tampa and Orlando, and teaching and leadership roles with local homeschool support groups. Over the past several years, Lisa has had several roles at Smith Preparatory Academy, and is now the Administrator there.  

A homeschool parent for nine years, Lisa believes passionately in the God-given right for parents to direct the education of their children based on the individual child’s needs. Consequently, she has utilized many methods of schooling with her own children throughout their years of development including unit studies, on-line programs, traditional and non-traditional private schools, co-ops, tutoring, classical schooling, and dual enrollment.

Lisa has been married to her husband, Larry, for 28 years. Her daughter, Kaitlin, graduated Cum Laude from UCF in May 2011. Alex, Lisa’s son, graduated high school with several dual enrollment credits and is now enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The family is completed by an obnoxious, but lovable, long-haired miniature dachshund.