Our Mission
The Homeschool Hive is committed to delivering high-quality evaluations, testing, and homeschool support across the state. We provide multiple options—from portfolio reviews to standardized assessments—all with a friendly, professional touch that makes families feel supported and confident.
Whether you're unschooling, following a classical model, or doing your own thing, our team is here to guide you with insight, encouragement, and care. Meet our founder and the Mini Bees—the dedicated educators behind the services we proudly provide.
Meet Our Mini Bees
Our Mini Bees are a hand-selected team of Florida-certified teachers with years of experience in education and homeschooling.
Each evaluator is thoroughly vetted, compassionate, and committed to supporting families with professionalism and care. From portfolio evaluations to standardized testing, they make the process stress-free, friendly, and tailored to your unique needs.
Lauren Vaughan
Client Support Specialist, Administrative Assistant
Lauren's journey in education spans various roles, from a certified classroom teacher in Florida for a decade to a Learning Design Specialist with Pasco County schools. Additionally, she has served as a private tutor for children with unique abilities and contributed to early childhood blogging.
Inspired by her son and daughter, Lauren found her calling within the homeschooling community, where she champions individualized learning. With a focus on integrating nature, fun, and adventure into education, she strives to instill a sense of wonder in her children and those she supports. Lauren is deeply committed to nurturing child-led learning and fostering family culture, guiding families across Florida to discover the joy and purpose in their homeschooling journey.P
Jennifer Imam
Portfolio Evaluator, Consultant and WRAT-5 Administrator
Jennifer is a Florida certified teacher and seasoned educator with over a decade of experience in the Cleveland Public Schools. Jennifer honed her skills as both a classroom teacher and an Intervention Specialist in Cleveland before embracing homeschooling in Florida in 2012. Inspired by the commitment of homeschooling families to provide exceptional education for their children, Jennifer is enthusiastic about leveraging her expertise to support families in their homeschooling journey.
As a passionate advocate for education, Jennifer is dedicated to fostering an environment of collaboration and empowerment within the homeschooling community. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that homeschooling entails, Jennifer is committed to ensuring that families receive the support and resources they need to thrive in their educational endeavors. Jennifer strives to make a positive impact on the homeschooling experience of families across Florida.
Amber Rodgers
Portfolio Evaluator, PIAT-R & WRAT-5 Administrator
Amber is a seasoned educator with a Bachelor’s Degree in K-6 Elementary Education and years of teaching experience, dedicated to guiding students to success while igniting a love for learning. Specializing in instructional leadership and certified in Reading K-12 Endorsement and English Language Learners instruction, Amber has a proven track record of engaging parents and fostering collaborative learning environments tailored to each student's needs.
Amber extends her passion for education by homeschooling her own children while also offering her expertise as an educator to the community. She creates an effective and safe environment for all children during homeschool evaluations and testing. Her dedication to providing quality education and guidance is a testament to her belief that every child can flourish in a supportive learning environment.
Cat Wood
Portfolio Evaluator & WRAT-5 Administrator
Cat brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her role. As a dedicated homeschooling mother of four and wife of nearly 16 years, Cat has immersed herself in the world of homeschooling for the past six years. Alongside her husband, Buddy, she cherishes the freedom and flexibility that homeschooling offers, actively participating in her children's everyday life and fostering a vibrant learning environment.
Beyond her role as a homeschooling parent, Cat holds certification as a teacher in Florida and boasts extensive experience teaching high school math and coaching volleyball. Her background, coupled with her personal dedication to homeschooling, uniquely equips Cat to provide insightful and empathetic portfolio evaluations. With her warmth, expertise, and understanding of the homeschooling journey, Cat is committed to supporting families as they navigate their educational path-
Patricia Way
Portfolio Evaluator, Consultant & WRAT-5 Administrator
Patricia is a former public school teacher with a Master's in Education and brings her passion for homeschooling to Florida Homeschool Evaluations & Testing.
Transitioning from traditional education, Patricia's student-led approach, mixed with Charlotte Mason principles, offers a dynamic learning experience. She believes in fostering a love for learning through hands-on experiences and exploration, allowing her children to pursue their interests and develop critical thinking skills.
A lover of books and gardening, Patricia infuses creativity into her children's education, incorporating literature and outdoor activities to enrich their learning. With a dedication to supporting homeschooling families, Patricia provides personalized guidance and expertise, helping them navigate the homeschooling journey with confidence and success.
Katy Troyer
Portfolio Evaluator & WRAT-5 Administrator
Katy is a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom. She is a Florida-certified teacher with 10 years of experience and a Master’s degree in K-12 Special Education, as well as Bachelor’s Degree in K-6 Elementary Education. Through her current work as a mother, private tutor, and homeschool evaluator, Katy understands the importance of creating inclusive, student-centered learning experiences that cater to the unique needs of each child. With her dedication to supporting homeschooling families, Katy provides encouragement and personalized guidance to families, helping them to navigate their homeschooling journey with confidence.
Outside of teaching, Katy is deeply passionate about all things literacy and books. You’ll often find Katy enjoying time outdoors, whether reading a book in the sun or exploring nature with her family. Her favorite thing about homeschooling is being able to snuggle up on the couch and read with her girls.
Megan Bray
Portfolio Evaluator & WRAT-5 Administrator
Megan is a former public school teacher with 9 years of experience in Exceptional Student Education and reading intervention. She also worked as a private tutor for several years, specializing in reading support using the Orton-Gillingham approach. Trained through the Orton-Gillingham Academy, Megan is passionate about dyslexia awareness and helping students of all backgrounds develop a love for learning. As a homeschool mom, she values engagement and fun as essential parts of the educational process and believes in tailoring learning to each child’s interests. Megan brings warmth and energy to every evaluation, helping students feel at ease and excited to showcase their growth.
Heather Campbell
WRAT-5 Administrator
Heather Campbell joins the team as an educator for 25 years. She has taught in public and private schools as well as homeschooling her own children. As a certified teacher she has used her experiences and had the privilege of helping families through their end of year portfolio
reviews. It is one of her favorite things to talk about curriculum and things that work to make homeschooling the individualized, creative, and fun journey it is designed to be!
Jessica Kesaris
Portfolio Evaluator & WRAT-5 Administrator
Jessica’s diverse experience as an educator has led her to homeschooling her own children. From teaching internships in public schools in Massachusetts and a private school in Brazil, to four years as an elementary teacher in Polk County, to three years as an art teacher for K-5 in Polk County, she loves applying her expertise to home education.
With a strong passion for read-alouds and individualized, choice-based learning, Jessica finds homeschooling a joyous way to evoke curiosity and create life-long learners. Jessica loves to learn more than anything else, and can always be found researching something new. Outside of teaching and learning, Jessica loves exploring theme parks!
Kairee Whitmore
Portfolio Evaluator & WRAT-5 Administrator
Kairee is a former public school teacher for children with significant cognitive disabilities and has over 12 years of experience working with individuals who have a variety of disabilities. Throughout her career, she has concentrated on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments tailored to the unique needs of each student.
Kairee has developed a deep understanding of how to provide personalized education that empowers students to overcome challenges. Now, as a homeschool educator, she is passionate about using her expertise to help families design meaningful and customized learning experiences for their children.
As a foster and adoptive mother to medically complex children, Kairee brings a personal perspective to her work, fully understanding the challenges of balancing caregiving and education. She is deeply committed to helping homeschooling families navigate their educational journeys by providing resources, guidance, and individualized support. Kairee collaborates closely with families to ensure they have the tools and confidence they need to thrive, making a positive impact on their homeschooling experience and the lives of the children she serves.
Meet Kimberlee
With over 30 years in education and a deep love for this journey, I want to personally welcome you to The Homeschool Hive—a place built with you in mind. As a fellow homeschooler, I understand both the joys and challenges that come with choosing this path for your family. That’s why I’ve dedicated my work to creating a space where you feel supported, encouraged, and connected.
At The Homeschool Hive in Tampa, FL, we bring together community, curriculum, and resources under one roof. Whether you're just starting out or have been homeschooling for years, you’ll find tools, guidance, and like-minded families ready to walk alongside you. I’m proud to lead a team of Mini Bees—certified teachers and homeschool moms—who share my heart for helping families flourish and learn with confidence.
Homeschooling doesn’t have to feel isolating. My mission is to make it fun, enriching, and full of community. You don’t have to do it all alone—because here at the Hive, you belong.
