Originally from New York, Cathleen and her husband, Brad, have called Tennessee home since 2015. After a weekend trip to East Tennessee, they felt God leading them to make it their home, and within weeks they relocated from Palm Beach County, Florida. Their greatest joys are their children and grandchildren: Quint (married, with one precious grandson, Jack, and a sweet little girl, Lainey), Allyson (married, with their sweet son, Madden), and their youngest, Isabella, who has been homeschooled from the very beginning.

Since moving to Tennessee, Cathleen has been active in the local homeschooling community—running various Facebook support groups, teaching at Cornerstone, and serving as a field trip coordinator. Encouraging and supporting homeschooling families is truly one of her passions.

Cathleen loves spending time with her family—whether watching movies and sports (especially football and swimming), taking long drives, traveling to Florida to visit her children and grandchildren, or simply being together. She also enjoys decorating her home, cooking, and reading. The Brunné family shares their home with one sweet adopted dog, Toby, and several barn cats who have adopted them. They attend Calvary Knoxville and feel blessed to be part of such a welcoming, loving church community.

Cathleen is deeply grateful for Cornerstone. Her faith has grown through the friendships she has found here, and she is excited to see all the wonderful things God has planned for Cornerstone Cooperative!

Cassandra began homeschooling in 2014. In 2021, she and her husband, Justin, moved to Tennessee with their six children after living in several states—and even spending time in Kenya. During their years as missionaries, Cassandra became involved in the effort to legalize homeschooling in Kenya, starting a library and helping Kenyan families begin their own homeschooling journeys.

Now back in the U.S., she enjoys supporting families who are new to homeschooling and continues to partner with mission agencies to encourage and equip homeschoolers around the world. Her favorite part of Cornerstone is teaching and building relationships with the wonderful kids and teens in the community.

The Daggetts love working on their homestead, camping, hiking, paddling, and reading together.

A native of Western New York, Kelly has been married to Jeff for 20 years. Always a homeschooler at heart, she officially began her family’s homeschooling journey in 2011. Since relocating to East Tennessee five years ago, the Knapps have been richly blessed by the thriving homeschool community they’ve found through both Cornerstone Cooperative and their beloved church, Calvary Knoxville.

The Knapp family lives in Maryville with their golden retriever, Bentley, and their sweet kitty, Minnie. As a family, they enjoy playing games, snuggling, watching football, and hosting gatherings in their home. Kelly's hobbies include reading, cooking, baking, writing, and decorating, but her greatest joy is investing in her children: Jeffery, John, Katherine, and Margaret.

Serving local homeschool families—and co-founding Cornerstone with her dear friend Elena—has been a ministry highlight and a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth in recent years. Kelly counts it a privilege and blessing to serve this community she loves so much.

Go Bills!

(Elena is currently on sabbatical.)

Elena, wife to Erik and homeschool mom of 3, began homeschooling over a decade ago after leaving the banking industry. Throughout their homeschooling journey, the Lord has grown a passion in them for global missions and through this, led them to live in London for a year to open a cafe associated with a church. When they returned, God made a way for Elena to help start this amazing homeschool community we call Cornerstone Cooperative.

You can find the Nelsons serving at their church, as well as out and about as they use their entrepreneurial skills to connect with and serve the people of Blount County through one of Maryville’s beloved food trucks.

When not serving, cooking on her truck, or teaching, you can find Elena floating in the sun on Tellico Lake.

Lisa has been homeschooling her three children for the past 10 years, ever since her oldest was about to start school, and she is deeply thankful that God has called her to this journey. Before moving to Tennessee, Lisa and her husband, Armando, spent 15 years in ministry and pastoral care, serving families and walking alongside couples in marriage. They value authentic community and believe strongly in the importance of the local church.

As a family, the Serranos love game nights, hiking, their weekly family movie night, and cheering for football and basketball when in season. Though their fixer-upper home is always full of projects, they love opening it to others for meals and fellowship. One of their fun family goals is to search for the best burger in Tennessee—though they still think Dad’s burgers are the best!

Lisa counts it her greatest joy to pray over and minister to her children, and she is her husband’s biggest fan. She also enjoys her morning coffee, reading, serving, tending to their chickens, gardening, and—more recently—discovering a love for cooking. Creating a cozy and peaceful home is one of her favorite ways to bless her family and others.

Erica, wife to Sheldon, is a proud mom of five, stepmom of two, and grandma of two. She has homeschooled her children from the very beginning and is grateful the Lord placed that calling on her heart early on.

Her family attends Partnership Christian Church, where Erica serves faithfully in women’s ministry, outreach, and children’s ministry. Still, her greatest ministry is her family. Most days you’ll find her at the baseball field cheering on her three boys, or at home enjoying time outside and playing games—often a lively round of hide-and-seek.