Instructors
We bring our passion and enthusiasm, add innovation and creativity, and combine our knowledge and experience to create exceptional classes.
Katie Gannon
Art
My goals are for my students to incorporate creativity and their own personalities into their work. I like to have discussion-based classes with lectures and hands-on activities. As students are gaining skills and knowledge they are also learning about the creative process and how the mind works.
Laura Geggis
History
History is endlessly fascinating. I engage the students’ interest by making history hands-on and interactive. I encourage their curiosity as we delve deeply into major events and lesser known civilizations. I don’t just want to read about history, I want to immerse them in the cultures, conflicts and lives of the people.
Christa Mente
​Literature
I am interested in sharing my love of literature and how it relates to our lives. Using Socratic-style discussion exercises, I hope to enhance the students' understanding and enjoyment of the texts, and to build their verbal expression skills.
Andrew O'Brien
Writing
Writing is a fascinating discipline that relates to every other subject. My approach to teaching writing makes use of the tremendous freedom afforded by fictional assignments--students are invited to write about what interests them and what they feel is important. Grammar, nuts and bolts, academic writing, and everything else come along the way.
Grace Magnant
​Web Designer Consultant
I am a professional digital artist and a web designer. I enjoy challenging myself with new artistic projects.
Elisabeth Geggis & Nathan Mente
​Student Advisors 2012-2015
Leo Geggis
​Science and Math
I want all of my students to enjoy and understand science. I work closely with the students to ensure that each one has a thorough understanding of the concepts. We solidify their understanding with numerous labs and hands on activities that allow the students to interact with the concepts covered in class.
Leeann Albano
Chemistry, Critical Thinking
I am excited to join the OCC staff! I love engaging students in hands-on group activities to make learning fun and memorable.
Andrea Albano
Biology
I am looking forward to sharing my love of science with others. My experience with biology was I really loved the labs, so I want to make this a lab based class with as many labs as possible. I want the class to be as fun as possible.
Elisabeth Geggis
Consultant
I am happy to stay involved with the teachers and students in an advisory role at OCC. I am so glad that I can be a curriculum and community consultant.
Sofia Quinci, Nathan Mente, Elisabeth Geggis, Sal Albano, Grace Magnant, Jeffrey Mente, & Andrea Albano
​Student Advisors 2014-2015
Sofia Quinci, Sal Albano, Grace Magnant, Jeffrey Mente, Andrea Albano, Andrew Rollins, Jack Hanigan, Tabita Doujad
​Student Advisors 2015-2016
Past Staff
Student Advisory Board
Tabita Doujad, Jeffrey Mente, Andrea Albano, Sam Clewley, Sofia Quinci, Noah Clewley, Jack Hanigan, Ethan Dickman, Andrew Rollins
​Student Advisors 2016-2017
Staff
Founder & Director
Orchard Community Classes was founded by Laura Barrett Geggis.
I saw that there was a need in the homeschool community for small group classes that provided both high quality academics and a positive social environment. There were other opportunities to take academic classes, but they lacked a supportive community in which the students could grow and thrive. I envisioned an educational environment which cultivated a love of learning, incorporated all learning styles, and fostered positive social interactions.
Orchard Community Classes has grown from this vision into an amazing community of students and families. Our students are actively engaged in the learning process and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own educations. They develop confidence, independence and critical thinking skills. Our instructors apply innovation and creativity to develop their own curriculum. They are passionate and enthusiastic, and empower their students. Our community is guided by principles of respect, courtesy, integrity, compassion, gratitude, self-control, and perseverance. We support and bring out the best in each other.
Orchard Community Classes nurtures intellectual curiosity, experimentation, research, and scholarship. Our classes are project based, experiential, and multi-sensory to connect with all learning styles. Students are engaged in active learning. They are encouraged to learn how they learn and to develop their unique talents. Instructors facilitate thought-provoking discussions in an environment where students can explore, learn, and express themselves. Orchard Community Classes combines academic excellence with a strong supportive community.