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 21 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, 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.

Heather moved to the area 25 years ago to work for the National Park Service and stayed, choosing to raise family in the local communities in the foothills of the mountains. She and her husband, Matt, have homeschooled their 2 children since 2019. They have been involved at Cornerstone since 2023.

Heather and her family can often be found serving together, and have volunteered in a wide range of activities from food pantries to hurricane clean-up to camp counselors. They are active in the local church and all serve there nearly every Sunday.

The Wood's enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking together, and include Matt’s parents, who are also local. The family loves road trips all over the country as well as many day trips in the region. Both kids enjoy music and history and the family can often be found at a living history encampment or music function.

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.