Meet Our Team

Kathryn Kret

Director of Microschool leadership development & supports

As the Director of Microschool Leadership Development and Supports Kathryn is responsible for composing and conducting training for microschooling leaders, hosting informational meetings for the public, and working tirelessly to get learning tools and programs into the hands of microschool leaders at a reasonable cost. However, one of the best and most fun parts of her position is the facetime and support she provides for all the member microschools!

Jill Haskins

Director of Microschool Outreach & Ecosystem Building/Indiana Field Coordinator

After teaching at and leading a microschool for 4 years, Jill has become a full time ecosystem builder working with schools across the nation and with a special focus on Indiana's innovative educational landscape. She has collaborated with 100+ microschool leaders, providing guidance and support to those launching, sustaining, or expanding their educational ventures. Jill's passion for personalized education and her extensive experience in microschool leadership and development make her a valuable asset to the educational community in Indiana and beyond. 

Daniel Suhr

senior fellow, legal affairs

Daniel R. Suhr is a senior legal fellow for the National Microschooling Center, where he provides legal advice and insights to parents, pod leaders, and policy-makers bringing innovation to education. As part of his broader legal practice, he frequently represents parents, schools, and allies of education reform in administrative proceedings and courts nationwide. Whether dealing with a local government bureaucrat or the United States Supreme Court, Suhr combines legal excellence with a comprehensive strategy integrating media outreach, coalition partners, and grassroots engagement. 

Darla Baquedano

Partnership Microschooling Field Coordinator

Darla's 25-year educational journey began as a classroom teacher and evolved into coaching as a master teacher, serving n leadership roles as an Assistant Principal, and Principal of PK-8 schools in Phoenix, AZ. Currently, Darla serves as the Director of Education Services for Spark Community Schools. Fluent in Spanish with specialized endorsements in bilingual/multicultural education and early childhood literacy, her lifelong dedication to education began when, on her first day of kindergarten, she declared her ambition to become a teacher—a dream she relentlessly pursued. Holding a Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, her expertise is a fusion of passion and formal training in specialized fields.

Tiffany Blassingame

GA, SC & AL Field Coordinator, Focus Area: Black Founders

Tiffany Blassingame is the founder of The Ferguson School, a progressive Christian microschool in metro Atlanta, GA. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator in both public and private education, Tiffany specializes in gifted education and helping students strengthen their executive function skills.

Dominque Burgess

North Carolina Field Coordinator

Dominque Burgess is a visionary educator and the driving force behind Burbrella Learning Academy Inc, a 501(c)(3) microschool network that is redefining education through its innovative approach. With 14 years of experience in the field of education, Dominique has dedicated her career to transforming the educational landscape by infusing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), nature, project-based learning, and play-based methodologies into non-traditional learning environments. 

Dr. Erin Flynn

Texas Field Coordinator

Focus: Inclusivity & Belonging

Dr. Erin Flynn founded the Hedge School Cooperative in Austin, Texas in January of
2021. Having served as teacher, department head, and principal for 10 years at a Texas
public charter school and previously taught at university in Ireland for 6 years, Doc
Flynn decided to forge a new path in education for herself and her students...

Dr. Stephanie Harper

Mississippi Field Coordinator

Dr. Stephanie Harper is an enduring educator who taught in private and public school systems. For over 26 years, she has had professional experiences in education, including being a national board-certified teacher, instructional coach, Dean of Instruction, and founder of Harper Educational Consulting, LLC and Harper Learning Academy, Inc. She has participated in many educational transformation projects focusing on improving struggling schools. She also facilitates many academic conferences sharing various research-based instructional strategies with educators across the United States.

Tonya Kipe

Florida Field Coordinator, Focus Area: Rural

Tonya Kipe is an educator-turned-edupreneur dedicated to transforming education through innovative learning models. After 11 years in the public school system, she founded Kipe Academy in Winter Haven, Florida in February 2022 to create a more personalized and student-centered approach to learning.

Michael Parsons

West Virginia Field Coordinator

Michael Parsons is the founder of Vandalia Community School in Charleston, West Virginia. Vandalia Community School is a learner-led microschool focused on hands-on and autonomous learning. Vandalia currently serves students from grades one through eight and plans to serve students through grade twelve. 

Alex Roosenburg

National Field Coordinator, Focus Area: Founder Support

Alex was born and raised in Northern Virginia, before attending the University of Virginia for a dual Bachelor's and Master's degree. She studied French Language and Literature for her undergrad and Elementary Teaching (PK-6) and a specialization in Integrating Technology for her masters. She then went overseas to work first at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) where she was one of 4 teachers hired to help open their first ever elementary day school program. She then went to the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Tanzania, and taught upper Elementary before switching to becoming the ICT coordinator. After this, Alex moved to Washington DC, as the Learning and Technology Coordinator at the Washington International School, before becoming their Assistant Principal, and earning another masters degree in International School Leadership. She then left in 2016 to pursue the opening of her own school. 

Sarah Tavernetti

Learning tool operator

Sarah Tavernetti began her career in education at 21 years old in Las Vegas, NV. She taught second grade at Title 1 schools for six years before resigning to create Bloom Academy- a microschool dedicated to nurturing the natural curiosity of every child through self-directed education. It was through her teaching experiences in the school district that she witnessed the confidence and overall well-being of her students suffer at the hands of the district-imposed curriculum, assessments, and policies. Sarah left determined to create a learning environment that empowered each child to tune into their natural curiosities and strengths and that supported them as they “bloomed” into their most happy, healthy, and authentic selves.