Lauren
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Lauren Leggett is a licensed teacher, who received her Bachelor of Education Degree from Mississippi State University in 2011. Her degree concentration was middle level education, with an emphasis in both Language Arts and Social Sciences. Her first teaching position was a unique opportunity, where she served as Supervising teacher at Jackson Elementary, a rural school in the Big Hole Valley of Montana. The school’s population of 10 students was divided into two classes, grades k-3, and 4-8. Lauren taught the “Big Room,” grades 4-8, all subjects. During her time at Jackson, she was responsible for planning the rural school basketball season and spelling bee for all the small schools in the county, as well as wearing the hats of student council sponsor and editor of the student newspaper, The Jackson Monthly. It was during her time at Jackson Elementary that she developed an appreciation for small group learning with multi-age classrooms. Lauren is a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teachers’ sorority and Purvis Woman’s Club. She and her husband, Jed, live with their 8-year-old son, Wylie, on a 40 acre Grassfed Beef farm, which now includes The Country Schoolhouse. Enrichment education with hands-on activities has been Lauren’s passion throughout her teaching career. Two years ago, when she began homeschooling her son, she looked for homeschooling support and resources in the area, and realized a need for this in the community. From this need, and the experience at the rural school in Montana, Lauren and Jed developed the concept of The Country Schoolhouse. They both look forward to the opportunities this facility can bring to the families of the surrounding area.
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Parker McMullanClasses: Juniors Drama k-4th grade
Middle and High School "Bigs" Drama (5th-12th) |
Parker McMullan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and a Masters of Education, with an emphasis in gifted education, from William Carey University. She is certified by the state of Mississippi to teach drama, speech, special education, and gifted classes. Parker has taught middle school gifted, reading, and drama classes, as well as high school drama, speech, and oral interpretation classes. During her time as a drama/speech teacher, Parker received the Star Teacher Award and was selected by the American High School Theatre Association to direct a show for their annual festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Among Parker’s other accolades, she is a member of Alpha Psi Omega Honorary Theatre Fraternity, International Thespian Society, and the National Forensics League. She has received All-Star Cast awards for acting, on both high school and community theatre levels, from the Mississippi Theatre Association. Parker has served on the boards of Just Over the Rainbow Community Theatre and the Mississippi Theatre Association.
Most recently, Parker has devoted the past three years to homeschooling her son, Evan. She plans to continue homeschooling for the remainder of Evan’s school career.
Most recently, Parker has devoted the past three years to homeschooling her son, Evan. She plans to continue homeschooling for the remainder of Evan’s school career.
Maggie
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Maggie West, grew up in the New Orleans area as the youngest of six children…… learning early there is
always a story to be told. She moved to the Hattiesburg area to attend Southern Miss, where she
graduated with a B.A in Psychology and a B.S in Counseling. She went on to become a certified
Elementary Education teacher through William Carey University while working in the world of non-
profits. Her work experience includes counseling runaway and homeless youth and families, drug and
alcohol prevention for students, crime victim advocacy, and over 2o years of grant writing, for many
non-profits and health care, team building, and program management.
Maggie West is currently the Ministry Coordinator at Purvis United Methodist Church and is involved in
the community through Purvis Show Choirs, the Lamar County Education Foundation, United Way Funds
Distribution, and PTO. She has been married to David West for over 20 years and is the mother of two
children, Jordan , 14 and Jacey, 8.
always a story to be told. She moved to the Hattiesburg area to attend Southern Miss, where she
graduated with a B.A in Psychology and a B.S in Counseling. She went on to become a certified
Elementary Education teacher through William Carey University while working in the world of non-
profits. Her work experience includes counseling runaway and homeless youth and families, drug and
alcohol prevention for students, crime victim advocacy, and over 2o years of grant writing, for many
non-profits and health care, team building, and program management.
Maggie West is currently the Ministry Coordinator at Purvis United Methodist Church and is involved in
the community through Purvis Show Choirs, the Lamar County Education Foundation, United Way Funds
Distribution, and PTO. She has been married to David West for over 20 years and is the mother of two
children, Jordan , 14 and Jacey, 8.
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Jed
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Jed Leggett is a lifelong learner and teacher and spent most of his life on the farm where The Country Schoolhouse is located. He received undergraduate degrees in Physics, Philosophy, and Mathematics, as well as a Masters degree in Physics, from Mississippi State University. Jed currently works as a Research Scientist for Innovative Imaging and Research at Stennis Space Center and is a Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Physics at MSU. Jed taught Physics at The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science from 2013-2016, where he was named a Mississippi STAR teacher in 2015. While at MSMS, he coached or sponsored many academic teams and clubs including: Rocketry Team, Robotics Team, Physics Club, Engineering Club, Cryptocurrency Club, Science Olympiad team, and Science Bowl team. Jed also served as the ACT Test coordinator for MSMS for 2 years. When he’s not busy working on his Ph.D. or taking care of cows, Jed serves as a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 101 in Purvis. Jed and his wife started The Country Schoolhouse to bring outside-the-box educational experiences to families and kids in their area.
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Susan Hartfield Class: Littles S.T.E.A.M. (pk4-1st Grade) Juniors S.T.E.A.M (2nd-4th Grade) (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) |
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Susan Hartfield received her Bachelor of Education degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2005 and her Master of Education degree from William Carey University in 2008. Her endorsements include Mathematics, Career Discovery, and Computer Discovery. Susan taught elementary and middle school grades at McLain Attendance Center. After teaching 6.5 years, she came home from her teaching position to be a stay-at-home mom. Susan and her husband, Brandon, have two children. They are currently homeschooling and are are looking forward to the wonderful opportunities at The Country Schoolhouse.
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Daniela
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Ms. Pardo’s musical experience includes fifteen years with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela. For 15 years, she taught violin and viola at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory in Caracas. Daniela has coached young musicians in several cities of the country within “El Sistema,” Venezuelan Youth Symphony Orchestras. In 1996, she founded and directed the Tabor Strings Summer Course in Caracas. In 1998, Ms. Pardo was commissioned to create the Youth Symphony Orchestra in Lima, Peru.
In November 2000 she joined the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee as violin/viola teacher, department head, and Suzuki Program founder and director. She was also one of the coordinators of the chamber music program at this institution and Orchestra Specialist at the Milwaukee Public Schools. In February 2008, she joined the Merit School of Music in Chicago, where she taught at the Alegre Strings and preparatory programs. During her eight-year tenure as the string department chair at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Ms. Pardo organized and performed in several chamber music faculty recitals, camps, and festivals.
Daniela relocated to Hattiesburg in 2010 to become an orchestra teacher at the public schools. From 2012 to 2018, Daniela was also an adjunct music faculty at William Carey University where in 2013, she founded the Suzuki Institute and My First String Camp. Ms. Pardo is an active teacher, performer, administrator, and music contractor. She performs regularly with the Gulf Coast, Meridian, Mobile, Pensacola and Mississippi Symphony Orchestras as well at the the Natchez and FestivalSouth Musical Festivals.
In November 2000 she joined the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee as violin/viola teacher, department head, and Suzuki Program founder and director. She was also one of the coordinators of the chamber music program at this institution and Orchestra Specialist at the Milwaukee Public Schools. In February 2008, she joined the Merit School of Music in Chicago, where she taught at the Alegre Strings and preparatory programs. During her eight-year tenure as the string department chair at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Ms. Pardo organized and performed in several chamber music faculty recitals, camps, and festivals.
Daniela relocated to Hattiesburg in 2010 to become an orchestra teacher at the public schools. From 2012 to 2018, Daniela was also an adjunct music faculty at William Carey University where in 2013, she founded the Suzuki Institute and My First String Camp. Ms. Pardo is an active teacher, performer, administrator, and music contractor. She performs regularly with the Gulf Coast, Meridian, Mobile, Pensacola and Mississippi Symphony Orchestras as well at the the Natchez and FestivalSouth Musical Festivals.
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Adolfo
Pardo Classes: Spanish
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Adolfo Pardo is a native from Arequipa, Peru. After graduating from Colegio la Inmaculada in Lima, Peru and subsequently from a two-year attendance at the Catholic University of Peru, he travelled to Switzerland, where he was to stay for the following three years. During his time there, Mr. Pardo had the opportunity to teach his native language, Spanish, to a number of foreign students and co-workers. Near the end of his stay in Europe, he participated in
an Executive Development Course sponsored and presented by the Swiss Watchmaking Federation. Mr. Pardo was recognized as the first ever American participant to graduate from this course. Furthermore, he finished by translating the course in its entirety into Spanish for the interested members of the Swiss Latin American Community.
Upon his return to Peru, Mr. Pardo continued to collaborate with the company that had sent him to Switzerland. He then accepted a position with the Peruvian Airline Company APSA, as GEO of the International Advertising Department, which he held until the closing of the company.
In 1975, Pardo travelled with his wife Uta Kolesch, a Germain native and their three children to Caracas, Venezuela. There, he eventually founded his own advertising agency, Publicidad Altamira. He owned and presided over this company until his deliberate relocation to Mississippi in 2012.
In Hattiesburg, Mr. Pardo and his wife, are retirees and proud grandparents of four. At times they enjoy the opportunity to interact with people from other countries, giving them a helping hand with their communicational needs. Adolfo speaks fluent Spanish, French, and English, and has some knowledge of the German language. A few months ago, Mr. Pardo was encouraged by the University of Mississippi, to teach basic English classes to several groups of Latin American migrants in various towns in Mississippi. He is excited about this new educational opportunity at The Country Schoolhouse.
an Executive Development Course sponsored and presented by the Swiss Watchmaking Federation. Mr. Pardo was recognized as the first ever American participant to graduate from this course. Furthermore, he finished by translating the course in its entirety into Spanish for the interested members of the Swiss Latin American Community.
Upon his return to Peru, Mr. Pardo continued to collaborate with the company that had sent him to Switzerland. He then accepted a position with the Peruvian Airline Company APSA, as GEO of the International Advertising Department, which he held until the closing of the company.
In 1975, Pardo travelled with his wife Uta Kolesch, a Germain native and their three children to Caracas, Venezuela. There, he eventually founded his own advertising agency, Publicidad Altamira. He owned and presided over this company until his deliberate relocation to Mississippi in 2012.
In Hattiesburg, Mr. Pardo and his wife, are retirees and proud grandparents of four. At times they enjoy the opportunity to interact with people from other countries, giving them a helping hand with their communicational needs. Adolfo speaks fluent Spanish, French, and English, and has some knowledge of the German language. A few months ago, Mr. Pardo was encouraged by the University of Mississippi, to teach basic English classes to several groups of Latin American migrants in various towns in Mississippi. He is excited about this new educational opportunity at The Country Schoolhouse.
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Ruth
Slade-Seargent Classes: Sewing
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Sewing has always fascinated me. I would sit under the quilt frames of my grandmother when I was young and play, thinking to myself, “When I grow up, I’m going to quilt.” I watched my mama mend clothes and patch things, but never really sew . The only formal training in sewing I had was in home economics class at Purvis High School. And from that training, I have taught myself quilting, and just about anything else I want to do.
My brother had colon cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy treatments in the hospital, 4 days at a time. One night, I had dream of making a quilt for him. This quilt would consist of family pictures so that we could be with him while he had his treatments! So when I got home from work, I gathered pictures of him doing the things he loved most: hunting, fishing, riding in his Bronco, spending time with family and enjoying family get-togethers.
I stayed up all night , then took it to work the next day, and by that afternoon, it was done all but hemming. Since it was the day he was to be admitted for his 4 day treatment, I wrapped the quilt up and went to his house. When I knocked on the door and he answered, he had a smirk on his face and wanted to know what I was doing there! I told him I had a surprise for him. He opened it up and tears rolled down his face! I told him it wasn’t finished, it was only penned and I had just started to hem it. He said, “Well bring your needle and thread to the hospital and spend the night ‘cause you can’t have it back!!” From that time on, he took that quilt everywhere he went.
After seeing how much that quilt meant to my brother, I have made many more for cancer patients. Quilting is a dying art, and I look forward to teaching not only the skill, but the art of this craft to young people at The Country Schoolhouse.
My brother had colon cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy treatments in the hospital, 4 days at a time. One night, I had dream of making a quilt for him. This quilt would consist of family pictures so that we could be with him while he had his treatments! So when I got home from work, I gathered pictures of him doing the things he loved most: hunting, fishing, riding in his Bronco, spending time with family and enjoying family get-togethers.
I stayed up all night , then took it to work the next day, and by that afternoon, it was done all but hemming. Since it was the day he was to be admitted for his 4 day treatment, I wrapped the quilt up and went to his house. When I knocked on the door and he answered, he had a smirk on his face and wanted to know what I was doing there! I told him I had a surprise for him. He opened it up and tears rolled down his face! I told him it wasn’t finished, it was only penned and I had just started to hem it. He said, “Well bring your needle and thread to the hospital and spend the night ‘cause you can’t have it back!!” From that time on, he took that quilt everywhere he went.
After seeing how much that quilt meant to my brother, I have made many more for cancer patients. Quilting is a dying art, and I look forward to teaching not only the skill, but the art of this craft to young people at The Country Schoolhouse.
KeithAnn
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KeithAnn Carter received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Delta State University in 2003 and her Master of Education degree from Delta State University in 2005. Her endorsements include Art, Mild/Moderate Special Education, Special Education Fundamental Subjects. KeithAnn taught special education at Purvis Lower Elementary School. After teaching 11 years, she stepped down from her teaching position to be the classroom assistant in PLE's Pre-Kindergarten class. KeithAnn also hosts paint parties and teaches children's art classes out of her home. She and her husband, J.R., have two children that attend Purvis Upper Elementary.
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Valerica
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Valerica Violeta Muller began learning piano at the age of three years old at “Lycee Dimitrie Cuclin” in the city of Galati, located on the East side of Romania, with the influence of her father, a musician himself. She won several prestigious awards in Europe, including two music and arts Olympiads. Upon graduation with degree in piano performance and teaching, she moved to Vicenza, Italy where she taught piano for four years. In 2007 she moved to Bamberg, Germany where she led the development of the first piano class to be taught in “SKIES Unlimited programs”. In January 2012, she won the First Prize in Fayetteville Piano Festival in North Carolina.
In The United States, Valerica holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Music with concentration in Keyboard from Fayetteville State University, N.C. Currently, Miss Val is part of the piano faculty at Southern Miss Piano Institute at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, M.S. Also, an assistant instructor in the Music department, piano area; while fulfilling her Master of Music in Music Performance (Piano) and minor in Music Theory at the same University, under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Moak.
Ms. Muller has served as an international judge for Kiwanis Talent Night Showcase, Triangle Youth Piano Festival and multiple piano competitions in Europe. In addition, her students have taken top prizes in regional, national, and international competitions, as well as accolades in various piano activities throughout Europe and North Carolina.
Miss Val is a lifetime member and past president of the Fayetteville Piano Teachers Association, and active member of North Carolina Music Teachers Association, Hattiesburg Music Teachers League, and Music Teachers National Association.
In The United States, Valerica holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Music with concentration in Keyboard from Fayetteville State University, N.C. Currently, Miss Val is part of the piano faculty at Southern Miss Piano Institute at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, M.S. Also, an assistant instructor in the Music department, piano area; while fulfilling her Master of Music in Music Performance (Piano) and minor in Music Theory at the same University, under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Moak.
Ms. Muller has served as an international judge for Kiwanis Talent Night Showcase, Triangle Youth Piano Festival and multiple piano competitions in Europe. In addition, her students have taken top prizes in regional, national, and international competitions, as well as accolades in various piano activities throughout Europe and North Carolina.
Miss Val is a lifetime member and past president of the Fayetteville Piano Teachers Association, and active member of North Carolina Music Teachers Association, Hattiesburg Music Teachers League, and Music Teachers National Association.
Kristen
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Kristen Taylor was artistic at a young age, with a big imagination. She caught the acting bug in 5th grade while playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker for the school play. That's all it took. Winning all-star cast awards throughout high school eventually led to graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at William Carey University. At WCU, she continued to explore the arts in all aspects, including acting, set design, costume design, stage combat, makeup, sculpture, watercolor and more. After college, Kristen taught Art at Purvis Upper Elementary for 4 years, while also painting commissioned works for churches, nurseries, businesses, and homes in our local community and surrounding area. Today, her most important and cherished duty is being a stay-at-home-mom. She and her husband, Charley, have two amazing children, ages 3 years and 18 months. Kristen says, “They teach me unconditional love every day. Watching them explore the natural world in all its beauty and being responsible for these little beings is the greatest job I'll ever have. I can't wait to share my love and knowledge for the arts with your children.”