Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Verity Schoolhouse is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

We have a wonderful, diverse, community-minded board!

Mark Risley

Darren Johnson

Julie Underdown

Ryan Risley

Teachers

Hope Risley

Director of Education

I have homeschooled for 23 years, enjoying the flexibility to learn and travel together as a family while pursuing individual interests and academic goals.
By God's grace, my husband Mark and I have been married for 30 years. We are blessed with six children, a wonderful son-in-law and an adorable grandson.
Hospitality, encouragement, and teaching are my primary spiritual gifts, which I have used in various ways. Since 2009, I have directed homeschool co-ops and led a Classical Conversations community until 2021.
Recognizing the importance of community in homeschooling, I am excited to be part of a much-needed hybrid homeschool program in the Washington area.

Alura Thomas

Elementary Teacher

My name is Alura Thomas, I am an elementary teacher and I am so excited to be working with Verity Schoolhouse! I was homeschooled until the 9th grade, where I was enrolled in Crosspoint Christian School and graduated in 2018. I have my AA in Teaching from East Central College and my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from College of the Ozarks. I love Jesus Christ with all of my heart and I believe that teaching is a calling in life. I am excited to be a part of Verity’s journey!

Emily Jameson

Elementary Teacher

I have been a mixed-age elementary classroom teacher for 6 years in both public and private schools. I have my Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders and Master’s in Elementary Education from Truman State University. I believe in personalized, project-based learning that meets each child where they are. I’m passionate about learning who my students are and partnering with their parents to help them grow in their God-given talents and interests. I have 3 daughters who will be joining me at the schoolhouse, and we also foster children as a part of our family’s mission. In my free time, you can find me caring for my chickens and garden, studying trauma-informed parenting, or crafting and painting. What a joy and blessing it is to get to join the Verity Schoolhouse family!

Academic Tuesday/Thursday Team

Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Risley, Mrs. Leahy, Mrs. Jamison

Having four teachers during on our Academic Days allows us to have smaller, level-based clusters for Math and Language arts. Morning Time and History/Literature are taught family-style with mixed age groups. Our academic days are structured enough to provide routine and accountability while also keeping learning gentle, flexible, and fun!

Christian Homeschool Hybrid

Supporting homeschool families

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Verity Schoolhouse is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

We have a wonderful, diverse, community-minded board!

Mark Risley

Darren Johnson

Julie Underdown

Ryan Risley

Teachers

Academic Tuesday/Thursday Team

Christian Homeschool Hybrid

Supporting homeschool families

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

​

Verity Schoolhouse is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

We have a wonderful, diverse, community-minded board!

​​

Mark Risley

Darren Johnson

Julie Underdown

Ryan Risley​

​

Teachers

Academic Tuesday/Thursday Team

Ryan Risley