Meet Our Staff

Mary Ann Auer

Mary Ann has served children with their education since she earned her BA in Education (K-8) from Mars Hill College followed by her Masters in Educational Media from Western Carolina University. Mary Ann began as an elementary teacher but served most of her career as a School Media Coordinator where she worked with a wide range of ages and grades. Since retirement, she has served in many short-term interim positions at various levels. Mary Ann enjoys seeing students grow in proficiency through established methods. She brings an organic approach allowing both student and teacher to discover areas of need and interest, moving forward naturally. 

Mary Ann enjoys coaching students who desire help in the mechanics of transition from manuscript to cursive handwriting.

Art Cacossa

Arthur received a Master’s Degree in English from Brown University, and has extensive Psychology and Education certification from The New School for Social Research and Montclair University.  He has taught English for over 15 years and was English Department chair in a prestigious public school in New Jersey, where he developed and delivered AP, College Prep and writing courses, as well as innovative English classes for Middle School students.  Arthur also has over 10 years of experience as Learning Head for Johnson and Johnson’s Pharmaceutical division, where he designed and developed online courses for medical clients globally, managing training teams in England, Belgium, India and Japan.

Arthur has a passion for international cultures and cuisine, loves to travel, and to cook, and has studied classical piano for over 15 years.

James Foust

James has been teaching all levels of math to middle and high school students for over 30 years. After earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Messiah University, he taught in private schools for 17 years. James has a passion for helping students achieve their goals for university admission and strives to help build math confidence in those he teaches. He is known by his students for his ability to apply math to real-world experiences, often bringing clarity and self-assurance to students who find math challenging. James also enjoys coaching students in the game of chess.

Karen Foust

Karen has taught grades K-8 over the last 30 years in a variety of settings including public and private school, homeschool, and one-on-one tutoring. Karen graduated with her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Cedarville University and holds a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate. A fluent speaker of Mandarin, Karen is often found sharing her passion for Asian culture with her students through hands on experiences.

Dr. Deanna Hatch

Bill Moore

Bill graduated from the University of Tennessee after returning from some time in Vietnam where he flew helicopters for Air America. His father was an airline pilot which stirred his interested in aviation from a young age. Bill has always enjoyed teaching World and American History as well as English Literature and Writing. Mr. Moore once came within one question of making it on the TV show Jeopardy.