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Executive Director
Kara Kavka
Kara is a second generation homeschooler raising a family with her husband Adam in the vast countryside of Susquehanna county. Kara will be homeschooling her first son in the Fall of '22 using a combination of Charlotte Mason and classical methods. Kara believes that education is more than turning out the next generation of students simply to meet the demands of industry, but that each child is born a person with a voracious appetite for ideas and knowledge. Education at it's very core is an atmosphere, discipline and life and these tools have the ability to nurture the whole child, developing all faculties from moral to mental and physical to emotional in order to present the very best of manhood and womanhood.
Kara has served in child and youth ministries since her early teen years and currently runs the Children's Church program at her church. After graduating high school Kara lived at a missions hospital in Central America for over a year while completing her Associates in Early Childhood Education. During this time she assisted in tutoring several missionary kids and as a teacher's aide at a bilingual elementary school. Back in the states Kara continued her education by obtaining a B.S in ECE while working with a variety of age groups at an early childhood center in the Back Mountain area.
Despite over a decade in education, it wasn't until several years ago Kara was challenged with her beliefs on what education truly is. It was answering this question that led her to seriously consider her philosophy of education and ultimately led to being a founding member of Thrive Academy. Kara has served in the board of directors at Thrive Academy since it's start and currently fills the roll of executive director.
When Kara isn't working on Thrive related things you can find her (normally with a child or two in tow!) working in the garden, juggling too many projects, studying more about Charlotte Mason and classical education, biking or running country roads, crafting a quality cup of coffee or spending time together as a family. Kara loves being a part of Thrive Academy and looks forward to getting to know and serve your family!
Kara has served in child and youth ministries since her early teen years and currently runs the Children's Church program at her church. After graduating high school Kara lived at a missions hospital in Central America for over a year while completing her Associates in Early Childhood Education. During this time she assisted in tutoring several missionary kids and as a teacher's aide at a bilingual elementary school. Back in the states Kara continued her education by obtaining a B.S in ECE while working with a variety of age groups at an early childhood center in the Back Mountain area.
Despite over a decade in education, it wasn't until several years ago Kara was challenged with her beliefs on what education truly is. It was answering this question that led her to seriously consider her philosophy of education and ultimately led to being a founding member of Thrive Academy. Kara has served in the board of directors at Thrive Academy since it's start and currently fills the roll of executive director.
When Kara isn't working on Thrive related things you can find her (normally with a child or two in tow!) working in the garden, juggling too many projects, studying more about Charlotte Mason and classical education, biking or running country roads, crafting a quality cup of coffee or spending time together as a family. Kara loves being a part of Thrive Academy and looks forward to getting to know and serve your family!
Board Members
Liv Conroy
Liv and her husband, Mike, have four daughters and live in Wyoming County, PA. She has been homeschooling her children for over a decade using a combination of Classical and Charlotte Mason methods. She has an extensive home library and enjoys reading books, researching books, sharing books, collecting books, and buying books. She also enjoys travel and learning about different cultures. Understanding what true education ought to look like is a deep passion of hers. She strives to surround her own family with Truth, goodness and beauty and is excited to share this passion through her involvement with Thrive Academy.
Genevieve Boecker
Genevieve is a homeschooling mom of four girls since 2013. She loves to stay active & busy by leading a weekly hiking group with other homeschooling families and serving others in unique out-of-the-box ways. She has been married to her husband Bryan since 2006 and they live in Tunkhannock. Bryan and Genevieve love spending as much time together as possible and as a family. The Boeckers enjoy riding their golf cart around town; swimming in pools, rivers, and oceans alike; and attending concerts and other live events.
Meghann Gaudet
Meghann has been married to Ivis for 21 years and they have 5 sons together. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Southeastern University. She has taught in public school, private school, co-ops, children’s church, and VBS. Meghann has home schooled for a total of 15 years using Classical Education and Charlotte Mason methods. In her free time she enjoys reading poetry and studying books on education. She finds great joy in learning about true education and guiding children to truth, goodness, and beauty in the world around us. She looks forward to being more involved with Thrive Academy by serving on the board.
Cherith Sheridan
Cherith resides in Wyoming county, PA with her husband, Ryan, and their young daughters Claire and Willow. She has an Associates of Arts degree with a focus on Bible Studies and Administration. She also holds a Holistic Nutrition Certification. Cherith enjoys learning new things, spending time in nature through hiking, backpacking, camping, and travel. She is also passionate about playing the piano, cooking, and pursuing health through holistic ways. After discovering and learning the beauty of what education can and should be to a child, she was inspired and motivated to provide a ""feast of ideas" for not only her own children, but to help other families provide that for their children as well. She is currently homeschooling her oldest daughter and fulfills the role of Treasurer on the board of directors of Thrive Academy. Cherith feels that God has led her to being part of the startup of this hybrid school over the course of several years through His grace, His Word, and His Spirit's leading. She is grateful and humbled to have this opportunity to serve families in this capacity.
Teachers
Jen Measley (K)
Jen lives with her husband, Mike, and their 4 children in the beautiful countryside of Wyoming County, PA. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in early childhood education. Jen was a teacher in a Christian school in PA, and then at Ethnos360's mission school in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Her soon-to-be husband was also in PNG serving as a church planter and bible translator in the remote tribe called Malumanda. After marriage, Jen joined her husband in the tribe and focused on language learning and relationship building, while raising their one-year-old son.
After returning stateside, Jen happily took on the challenge of teaching her own children. She counts it a privilege that she has been able to homeschool her children over the past 15 years.
Presently, her husband, Mike, is the senior pastor at Evangelical Free Bible Church in Clarks Summit. One of Jen's greatest joys is serving alongside Mike. They long to see everyone, from children to adults, growing in their faith in Jesus! Colossians 1:28
When they are not serving together at church, she and her family love to just be together. Whether it is entertaining friends and family, tending the garden, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, sitting around the campfire, playing a game, or just watching a movie.
Teaching has always been one of Jen's passions, and she is really looking forward to returning to the classroom. She is excited to serve the families and students at Thrive Academy. She is looking forward to seeing how God will use her and the opportunities it presents to herself and her children.
After returning stateside, Jen happily took on the challenge of teaching her own children. She counts it a privilege that she has been able to homeschool her children over the past 15 years.
Presently, her husband, Mike, is the senior pastor at Evangelical Free Bible Church in Clarks Summit. One of Jen's greatest joys is serving alongside Mike. They long to see everyone, from children to adults, growing in their faith in Jesus! Colossians 1:28
When they are not serving together at church, she and her family love to just be together. Whether it is entertaining friends and family, tending the garden, listening to Adventures in Odyssey, sitting around the campfire, playing a game, or just watching a movie.
Teaching has always been one of Jen's passions, and she is really looking forward to returning to the classroom. She is excited to serve the families and students at Thrive Academy. She is looking forward to seeing how God will use her and the opportunities it presents to herself and her children.
Evelyn Conroy (1st-2nd)
Evelyn is a recent high school graduate who grew up in Pennsylvania. She was homeschooled through all of school in a Charlotte Mason style. Evelyn has a deep appreciation for classical, literature-based education and is excited to teach this year at Thrive Academy. She spends her time traveling, being outdoors, working her other part time job, and learning Korean. Evelyn is also a member of Grace Fellowship Church and is serious about her faith.
Denae Young (3rd)
Denae was born and raised just outside of Clarks Summit, PA where she still resides today with her husband, John, and two daughters. A hairstylist by trade, she’s owned her own salon for the past 17 years and most enjoys the relationships she has been able to build through meaningful conversations with her clients.
Growing up on a farm, she’s always had a natural love for nature and the “great outdoors” and desired to foster that same appreciation for God’s creation in her children. She was motivated to homeschool simply so that her and her husband could have more quality time with their children and have the freedom to educate how, when, and where they wanted, but little did they know that God had bigger, richer plans for their childrens’ education in the works! That same year she discovered Thrive Academy at its start in 2021 and was excited to find a program that encompassed a Christ-centered, gentle, learn-at-your-own-pace, nature-focused, rich education for homeschooled children and knew it was exactly where her children needed to be! This year she is honored to be able to step into the role of teaching and be a part of Thrive’s incredible educational mission!
In her free time you may find Denae hiking or biking local trails, studying natural health and fitness, planning their next family adventure whether it’s camping or overseas, or simply taking an early morning farm walk with her loyal pup, “Buttercup”. She loves Jesus, deep conversations, an occasional adrenaline rush and being present with the family God has richly blessed her with.
Growing up on a farm, she’s always had a natural love for nature and the “great outdoors” and desired to foster that same appreciation for God’s creation in her children. She was motivated to homeschool simply so that her and her husband could have more quality time with their children and have the freedom to educate how, when, and where they wanted, but little did they know that God had bigger, richer plans for their childrens’ education in the works! That same year she discovered Thrive Academy at its start in 2021 and was excited to find a program that encompassed a Christ-centered, gentle, learn-at-your-own-pace, nature-focused, rich education for homeschooled children and knew it was exactly where her children needed to be! This year she is honored to be able to step into the role of teaching and be a part of Thrive’s incredible educational mission!
In her free time you may find Denae hiking or biking local trails, studying natural health and fitness, planning their next family adventure whether it’s camping or overseas, or simply taking an early morning farm walk with her loyal pup, “Buttercup”. She loves Jesus, deep conversations, an occasional adrenaline rush and being present with the family God has richly blessed her with.
Joni Seboe (4th)
Joni is a veteran homeschooler, having homeschooled her four children for 20+ years. She considers her homeschooling years to be one of the great joys of her life and desires to see other homeschooling families find that same joy. Joni has worked in children’s ministries ever since she was a teen. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Calvary University in Kansas City, MO, and a teaching license in Iowa, where she previously lived. Joni serves in her church alongside her husband, who is a pastor. In her spare time, she enjoys making clay earrings, spending time with her grandchildren, and visiting with family who are spread out across the US. Joni resides with her husband outside of Tunkhannock.
Hannah Merkh (5th-6th)
Hannah and her husband, Stephen, make their home in Lackawanna County with their four children. A second-generation homeschooler, Hannah was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade and began homeschooling her own children in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and brings 18 years of experience teaching children through Sunday school, Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, and various children's ministry programs.
Hannah is passionate about cultivating a love for truth—both in her home and within her community. She strives to spark curiosity and encourage students to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and grow in wisdom. Her heart is to support and strengthen fellow homeschool families through shared learning, encouragement, and faith-based teaching.
Hannah is passionate about cultivating a love for truth—both in her home and within her community. She strives to spark curiosity and encourage students to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and grow in wisdom. Her heart is to support and strengthen fellow homeschool families through shared learning, encouragement, and faith-based teaching.
Kristen Hibbard (7th-8th)
Kristen, her husband Ben, and her three children live in Factoryville. She has been homeschooling since 2011 and desires to be able to raise her children to know and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Her education and experience as an American Sign Language Interpreter steered her choice to pursue home education. She has found it a delight to serve and live life with other homeschooling families in the area. Kristen is involved with children’s ministries at her church, a board member of the local homeschool group SALT & LIGHT, and has taken many opportunities to instruct young people with her skills in ASL. She loves God and loves people to the best of her ability and has a heart for hospitality. Kristen is excited for the opportunity to serve at Thrive Academy and get to know the families that attend.
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