About Us
OUR HISTORY
Lighthouse Homeschoolers started in 1991 with about 10 families. Over the years the group structure and leadership has changed to accommodate its growth. Though there have been many changes since its inception, Lighthouse is a cooperative of parents that strives to meet the needs of the families within the group. Field trips, educational events, social activities, and parent/teacher support are the major focus of the group.
OUR BOARD
Our board is made up of volunteer homeschooling parents who are here to help you!
Lighthouse Homeschoolers is a Christian led organization. Our Board of Directors is required to sign a Christian statement of faith, and we seek to glorify God in all we do. We are not an exclusively Christian group, meaning that our general members are not required to sign a statement of faith. It has always been our goal at Lighthouse Homeschoolers to be a light to all homeschool families in our community, and we welcome you to join us on this journey!
Feel free to reach out to any of our board members for help!
SYLVANA SPANGLER // DIRECTOR
Sylvana serves as Director for the Lighthouse board. She is involved in a variety of things going on at Lighthouse including membership and FPEA.
Sylvana began her homeschooling adventure in 2011 after leaving her full time career to be home more. She enjoys quality time with her husband Gary and their two children and exploring new things together. She loves helping other moms and dads “go Green” affordably and loves arts and crafts.
GARY SPANGLER // TREASURER
Gary serves as treasurer for Lighthouse. His servant heart has him involved in a variety of other things going on at Lighthouse too.
Gary began his homeschooling adventure in 2011 . He enjoys quality time with his wife, Sylvana and their 2 children, and exploring new things together.
JOANNA TAYLOR // SECRETARY
Joanna is our new Secretary of Lighthouse. She processes applications and greets members who sign in at the teacher meetings as well as keeping us all recording all of our minutes during board meetings. She and her husband Tim have been married since 2001 and together they have two children; Ellie and Ethan. They have been homeschooling for 9 years and have lived all over the northeast but have been enjoying the Florida sunshine since 2017. While it has been great not having to shovel snow, she admits to missing the changing leaves in the fall. She has a masters degree in Library Science and enjoys coffee, reading aloud and traveling with her family.
HEATHER WISE // FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR & BEACON EDITOR
Heather publishes the monthly newsletter, The Beacon and is also our Field Trip Coordinator. She has been serving Lighthouse since 2012. She enjoys reading, bargain hunting, attending the theater, and experiencing life's adventures with her two children.
LIVING ARTS LIAISON
Rebekah Edwards is The Living Arts Coordinator for Lighthouse, she oversees group attendance to local performing arts shows, secures contracts with theaters, assigns individual arrangers for each show, as well as ensures that Lighthouse maintains an impeccable professional relationship with the theaters. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Robby, since 2002. They have 5 blessings, Abigail, Wyatt, Henry, Jonathan and Olivia. They started their homeschooling journey in 2009. Rebekah, herself was also homeschooled K-12th grade! They enjoy country living, gardening, raising chickens, a goat and a horse. They like hiking and camping and just being outside. They strive to serve God in all that they do, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
STEPHANIE WILKERSON // SOCIAL ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR
Stephanie is our new Social Activities Coordinator. She facilitates social activities such as the children’s activities at the meetings, the Thanksgiving Social, and the end of the year program. Stephanie began her homeschool journey in 2012. She has been married to her best friend and husband since 2007 and together they have 3 children; Adelynn, Loraina and July. She became a stay-at-home mom in 2017 after working in the veterinary field for 15 years. She enjoys spending quality time with her family painting, crafting and enjoying nature while tending her garden, chickens and rabbits.
MARCIA BUTLER // PRAYER/CARE COORDINATOR
Marcia serves by overseeing the Lighthouse Keepers committee. She has been married to her husband, Mark since 1998 and they have three children that she has been homeschooling since 2010. Both Marcia and Mark are ordained pastors and actively serve in their church teaching both children and adults. In her spare time, Marcia enjoys spending time with family, crafts, scrapbooking and decorating cakes. Her God-given mission is to show the love of God to everyone she meets through relationship, connection, prayer and care.
Lighthouse Keepers volunteers strive to encourage and uplift Lighthouse members by actively supporting the spiritual and physical needs of Lighthouse families. They are devoted to praying for each individual family, helping provide meals for families during times of need, and providing individual support and encouragement.
LORI MEADOWS // WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR
Lori serves by overseeing the Lighthouse website. She has been married to her husband Larry since 1991. God blessed them with a son, Keaton and beautiful daughter-in-law Sarah, (both Homeschool Graduates 2012) and three precious grandbabies! Now God has called Lori to homeschool a new foster daughter and remain active with the homeschool communities in both Pinellas and Polk counties. Lori also cares for her elderly mom.
Her favorite verse is Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope give you all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lighthouse Group Coodinators
Melissa Allen, Little House
Aime Wood, Little House
Heather Wise, Middle House
Natasha Sawyer, Teen Titans
Laura Rains, Teen Titans
Sylvana Spangler, Senior Graduation