Meet the Board of Directors
Amanda Coate, Chairperson/Officer
Monument, Colorado
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-coate-0814a612/
https://www.instagram.com/amanda.coate/
A Boilermaker at heart, Amanda graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her professional background includes corporate sales and leadership training, as well as workshop facilitation, and consulting. Amanda has spent the last two decades in educational volunteerism with the majority of time concentrated in mainstream, alternative, and micro-schools, also serving as Vice President, President, and Advisor of a nonprofit education foundation. As a happily married homeschool veteran of eight years to their three children, two homeschooling teens still under their roof, she currently consults on homeschooling and worldschooling. Within the same timeframe, Amanda gained her certification and practices as a Master Life Coach, is presently pursuing a specialization in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and is considering the Master’s degree - the teachings of which she incorporates in her 1:1 coaching and workshops for teens and adults. Her areas of focus are on Brain & Behavior, Nervous System Regulation, Non-Violent Communication, Family Connection, Flourishing, and of course Homeschooling/Worldschooling.
Her future ambitions include Social-Emotional awareness workshops for college aged adults, Positive Education and Green Education consulting for global educational organizations, Herbalism & Forest Therapy, as well as blending worldschooling and life coaching and the above in the form of retreats for teens and adults. She is passionate about family connection, personal & social leadership, lifelong learning, cultural immersion, and global volunteerism. Amanda grew up as a musical thespian spending 17 years on stage and taking classes with the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She attributes ‘being raised on the stage’ to her love for group facilitation and leadership. She incorporates improv. into her workshops, playing with the practice of having humility and the ability to laugh at yourself. You can find Amanda active in nature or traveling, volunteering & learning with her family- and simply seeking the essence from the famous quote of Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Daniel Miyares, Officer
Lenexa, Kansas
Daniel Miyares is a critically acclaimed picture book author and illustrator. Daniel has illustrated and written over 20 children’s books that are in the homes of families everywhere. Some of his books include: Float, Night Out, That is My Dream, and Bring Me A Rock!. Daniel has been called “…a master of visual storytelling.” (Jody Hewston, Kinderlit) and “…enchanting, versatile” (The New York Times). He believes that our stories have the power to connect us all. Some of his other partners have included: Schwartz & Wade Books, Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, Simon & Schuster BFYR, Nancy Paulsen Books, FSG (BYR), North/South Books, Charlesbridge Publishing, The NY Times.
Daniel’s story currently takes place in Lenexa, KS with his wife, their two wonderful children, and a dog named Violet that gives them all a run for their money. Both of Daniel’s children attend traditional public school, and Daniel often visits classrooms to show his craft and engage children in out-of-the-box creative exercises. He has done this in the Kansas City Metro area for homeschooling families who gather to learn from him as well, and Daniel seems to have a special understanding of what families need. When children sit in front of him, he holds their attention with rapture, has them giggling, and speaks with a gentleness like Mister Rogers.
Antia Taylor, CMDR, Officer
New Orleans, Louisiana
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antiataylor/
A military veteran of the U.S. Army and homeschooling parent, Antia is a Dispute Resolution Professional adept at creating, implementing, evaluating, and managing professional and administrative community development policies, procedures, and political structures. Antia is currently Management Development Specialist II for the City of New Orleans. She is currently implementing the Healthy Homes program by creating a registry of all rental property in the City and require landlords to meet certain standards to rent a home in New Orleans. She has professional experience working in advocacy in military, hospital, and corporate settings.
Antia has extensive education and experience in community relations, project management, conflict management/criminal justice/justice studies fields. She holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Management & Dispute Resolution: Mediation & Negotiation and a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. Her ability to make sound decisions under such pressures drew the attention of the State of Kansas Corrections Department, where I was chosen one of four to create and implement a statewide supervision plan which is currently being used as a vital measuring source for validating evidence-based practices by ways of cultural and ethical treatment, knowledge, and mediation for felony probationers and the community.
As a homeschooler, Antia brings her experience as a Black mother with three beautiful children spanning ages from a launching child in college to elementary age, and her homeschooling experience is extensive! She has participated in promoting legislation that advocates for school choice and educational freedom.
Heather Stark, Officer
Corpus Christi, Texas
https://heatherstark.substack.com/
Heather Stark is the founder of Grace & Grit. Grace & Grit, her girl empowerment company, helps girls discover their worth and potential through the stories of historical women. With a master’s in school counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of North Texas, Heather has dedicated her career to inspiring confidence in girls of all ages. She is trained in crisis management and has won awards and grants during her time serving school districts, including the Girl Scouts 2018 Women of Distinction Discovery Award and the Knights of Columbus Humanitarian Award in 2019. As a former educator and school counselor, Heather understands the challenges facing teachers and counselors: not enough time, not enough resources and a growing body of young girls who need to be supported so they may overcome negative pressures and self-doubt. As a young girl, Heather believed she needed to conform to culture’s standards of what and who a girl should be: perfect body, perfect emotions, perfect face. This thought process ultimately left her empty, leading to destructive habits that held far too much control over her life. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she felt empowered enough to embrace her authentic self and charge forward into a life of helping girls.That’s why she developed Grace & Grit Curriculum and individual gift boxes. Grace & Grit’s aim is to enable counselors, parents and group leaders by providing a turnkey tool that helps them reach girls in a fun, engaging and meaningful way. Grace is the name of Heather’s grandmother, who she remembers with affection. Heather Stark is also a podcast host, public speaker and feminist writer. She is the author of "Her Story: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Conversation About Why Beauty Milestones Should Be Options And Not Expectations." She lives on Padre Island with her family, and her child attends a nontraditional “beach school”! Heather wrote this viral Huff Post article, “I've Been To Over 20 Homeschool Conferences. The Things I've Witnessed At Them Shocked Me.”
Vanessa Knight, LCPC, NCC, NCMHC, Founder/Executive Director
Kansas City, Missouri
www.securecounselingclinic.org/vanessa
With the help of friend Heidi Holycross-Lui, Vanessa founded AnySchoolers after experiences in the homeschool world and seeing a need for a completely open community with no membership dues, physical, emotional and relational safety standards, and no requirements (only encouragement!) of parents to volunteer in order for kids to have access to opportunities.
Vanessa began homechooling with her four children (17-7) in 2015, after 4 years in the public school system with the oldest two kids, who are now thriving in community college and have dreams of their own. Their family travels the world regularly and enjoys the freedom of not receiving truancy warning letters or coming back to piles of make-up work.
Vanessa is a professional counselor and owner of a clinical mental health and marriage/family practice.
An advocate for safety and security of all levels of Maslow's Heirarchy, Vanessa enjoys learning and teaching sustainable living, life skills, and attachment neuroscience.
Open to Nominations
Anywhere in the world!
Open to Nominations
Anywhere in the world!
Board of Directors
Giving Momentum, Encouragement, and Accountability to AnySchoolers
The Board of Directors is concerned with governance or the vision and overall direction of AnySchoolers. Our Board defines expectations, grants our lead volunteers the authority to act, verifies the performance of our lead volunteers, and monitors our compliance with laws, regulations, and other requirements. These are generally non-participant adults who support homeschooling families and have expertise that helps drive the mission of AnySchoolers (librarians, mental health professionals, writers/authors, retired/empty-nesting homeschoolers, CPAs, investors, professors, tradespeople).
How does governance work?
Members of the AnySchoolers Board of Directors are adult community members who are willing to share their time, energy, resources, and connections with AnySchoolers as a nonprofit organization and with homeschooling families at large, nationally and in local hubs. Members of the Board of Directors serve voluntarily for limited terms. According to the bylaws, the number of members on the board at any given time is determined by the relative size of AnySchoolers unique donors.
Board members are responsible for the overall governance, accountability and truth to the original mission and vision of the organization. Board members do not run the operations of the organization, nor do they make day-to-day decisions. They are enthusiastic supporters of home education, believe in all of the AnySchoolers Values, and are motivated to use their time on the Board to serve homeschooling families with a fire in their hearts. Their work is in raising support, sharing the mission, and furthering the momentum of change.
To prevent potential dual relationships in operational leadership and participant experiences, a member of the Board of Directors is not a homeschooling caregiver participating in AnySchoolers programming. They are familiar with its mission and dreams and are AnySchoolers donors.
Candidates are nominated and reviewed by a Nominations Committee, which is appointed by the Executive Directors. The Nominations Committee is responsible for:
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Identifying and nominating non-participant community members to the Board of Directors, who will then elect from candidates provided by the Nomination Committee.
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Supporting the work of AnySchoolers by providing expertise and professional knowledge.
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Maintaining confidentiality when necessary.
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Offering advice and information to the Executive Director(s).
Adults and teens who participate in AnySchoolers programming may be voted into a one-year term on the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Council will be selected by nomination at large by emailing anyschoolers@gmail.com, self-volunteering through our Volunteer Onboarding Form (please select "representing homeschool families in an advisory role to the Board of Directors"), and general online vote by donors annually. The Advisory Council exists to advise the Board of Directors on their direct experience of AnySchoolers needs, dreams and practical day-to-day experiences, bringing the voices of homeschooling families together with the voices of those who are supportive community members.
The Advisory Council does not vote in Board of Director decisions. These are AnySchoolers from homeschooling families who are familiar with the culture and ethos of the organization. Advisory Council members are nominated and voted on annually by participants/donors. They are:
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The voices of participants, advising the Board of Directors from a position of experience and involvement.
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Responsible for supporting the work of AnySchoolers by providing expertise and professional knowledge.
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Maintain confidentiality when necessary.
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Offers advice and information to the Executive Director(s).
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May be invited to attend specific meetings with the Executive Director(s) and/or the Board of Directors.
What happens in 2024-2025 after the nonprofit board launches?
The AnySchoolers Bylaws provide that a Nominations Committee made up of participating homeschooling families will submit candidate nominations to an existing Board of Directors and the Executive Director(s).
Since AnySchoolers is a new nonprofit organization and currently forming its first governance board, the Executive Directors and a Nominations Committee of AnySchoolers participants familiar with the goals and dreams of the organization will review nominations at large.
After a nomination is submitted, it will be reviewed by the above-mentioned, the Executive Directors will reach out personally to the nominee, determine congruency and fit with our organization and invite to a meeting to review/interview candidates. The Executive Directors/Founders will take the input of the interim Nominations Committee and appoint the first three board members for AnySchoolers.
Once a Board of Directors is established, a Nomination Committee, appointed by the Executive Directors, is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors, who then review the nominations and elect new members to itself to limited terms. The Nominations Committee does not interview the candidates with the Board of Directors and can recommend as many candidates as desired. All board members are Officers with equal power to one another. AnySchoolers intentionally seeks professionals that are in support fields complimentary to home education.