Meet the Blue Willow Tutorial Team
Priscilla Bell - Executive Director
Priscilla Bell is the founder and Executive Director for Blue Willow Tutorial. She and her husband, Nathan Bell, have been married for twelve years and they have two daughters, Rory (9) and Maddie (7). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) and has experience teaching children in local public schools and private schools in various grade levels. In her years of teaching in those capacities, she became hungry for an education model that would truly meet children where they are and help them soar to new heights. Raised on the methods of Charlotte Mason, she began to dive deeper into her relational philosophy of learning and teaching and in so doing, discovered a beautiful and complete model of education that serves the whole child as God designed him – spirit, soul, and body. Priscilla and her family attend Hillcrest Church in Etowah, TN.
Lisa Ector is the Director of Education at Blue Willow Tutorial. Lisa has a long history with the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, beginning with homeschooling her own 7 children with these methods almost 30 years ago. Since then, she has immersed herself in the study of relational learning and served for three years as the Director of Education at Ingleside Tutorial in the Chattanooga area. She currently serves on the board of the Charlotte Mason Institute, a worldwide organization committed to research and development on this learning approach. In recent years, Lisa has also traveled throughout the country facilitating teacher training and helping with CM school and hybrid start-ups. At Blue Willow, she handles the day-to-day operations for grades 1-8 along with tutor training, scheduling, and curriculum implementation.
Lisa Ector - Director of Education
Tutors
Jessica Stephenson - PreK/Kindergarten Tutor
Jessica Stephenson is the play-based PreK/Kindergarten Tutor at Blue Willow. Jessica is excited and impassioned to get to be a part of the discipleship ministry that is truly going on behind the scenes at Blue Willow. She and her daughter Maddie attend Hillcrest Church and live in Etowah, TN. The two enjoy worship, singing, reading, cooking, and art. Jessica is an artist through and through and loves edifying others by making Christian themed jewelry for her jewelry line "Reflect The Son" out of The Print Studio at Fullers. Jessica praises God that He put a burning desire within her to learn His Word and know His Truth and walk in His Light after His Son Jesus Christ. She trusts God's Spirit to lead and guide her on this new exciting leg of her journey in the Lord.
Donna Lane serves as first grade tutor for Blue Willow Tutorial. She is married to Larry Lane and lives in Riceville with her husband and two daughters, Rebekah (15) and Charis (13). She has also raised four sons, ages 19-27, and now is the proud Mimi of 4 grandchildren. Donna has homeschooled her children for more than 15 years. She has also taught Sunday School and served as Children's Church Director. Currently, she is Nursery Director and Ladies' Ministry leader at Mountainside Community Bible Church in Etowah where she and her family attend. The Charlotte Mason method of teaching inspired Donna from the beginning of her homeschool journey and is what "made her love homeschooling." She loves living books and teaching children to read. She is excited that the Lord chose her to be a part of Blue Willow this year and is anticipating great things!
Donna Lane - 1st Grade Tutor
Rebekah MacIsaac- 2nd/3rd Grade Tutor
Rebekah was homeschooled through high school, and then went to Cleveland State Community College for a degree in Exercise Science. She enjoys playing a tenor drum in a bagpipe band, staying active, spending time with friends and family, being in the outdoors, and loves teaching at Blue Willow! Her greatest desire is to one day homeschool her own future children. Last year she felt God’s leading into teaching; whereas before, teaching was one of the last things she believed herself capable of. But the Lord’s ways are not our own and in our weakness He is strong. She believes that any talent or skill she has in teaching comes only from the Lord. She loves to learn and feels very blessed and excited to be working with Blue Willow and everyone involved!
Staci Rivera - 4th Grade Tutor
Staci Rivera serves as our 4th grade tutor. She lives in Cleveland TN with her husband Luis and two daughters, Aubrie (12) and Adrianna (8), who attend Blue Willow as students. In response to the calling God placed in her heart, she began homeschooling her children in 2015. She first discovered Miss Mason's educational philosophy in 2017 and has continued to be inspired by her ever since. Her greatest desire in life to serve the Lord, humbly and faithfully, in any way He sees fit. Staci is also very active in her church and serves as the Adventurers Club Director at the Ooltewah SDA Church. A lifelong learner herself, she enjoys a wide variety of hobbies including traveling, baking, crafting, gardening, and home improvement projects.
Michala Jenkins - 5th/6th Grade Tutor
Michala Jenkins serves as our 5th/6th grade tutor. She is excited to join the mission of Blue Willow Tutorial by empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. After graduating from Lee University with Intercultural Studies Ministry and a TESOL teaching certificate, she began leading the Children and Youth ministry at Mountainside Community Bible Church. Her life focus is to encourage the agency God has already given every person and equip them with tools to use it. Michala is most excited for building relationships with each student and hearing what the Holy Spirit is teaching them!
Shanan Holcomb - 7th/8th Grade Tutor
Shanan Coe-Holcomb is the 7th/8th grade tutor at Blue Willow. She is ecstatic about the opportunity to learn and grow with each child in her class. She has two daughters, Isabella (9) and Maddie (6) and she has been married to her wonderful husband, Patrick, for 10 years. They attend Community Fellowship together with their girls. They love to travel and camp in different State parks around Tennessee where they hike and enjoy nature unplugged. Shanan received her certification as an Herbalist last year from Herbal Academy. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, gardening, canning, reading, hiking, biking, and studying herbs. She is a firm believer that you can never have too much knowledge and that she can learn as much from her students as they can from her.
Blue Willow Tutorial operates as a Tennessee non-profit and 501c3 with a Board of Directors.
Interested in joining the Blue Willow Tutorial Team? Please contact us directly at info@bluewillowtutorial.com