Our Teachers
Our amazing instructors are what set us apart!
We carefully select (collect) our teachers/educators. We look for educators who love teaching and love working with gifted, neurodiverse learners. All academic teachers must have a current teaching certificate, have (or are working on earning) their Gifted Teaching Endorsement, and have been screened through an FBI (fingerprint clearance). All of our field expert instructors (arts, martial arts, career fields, etc.) are experts in their field of study and are screened to ensure they are a good fit for gifted learners.
While hired “at will” and can be let go at any time should they fail to perform to our standards/expectations, we hire experts and empower them to do what is best for our students. Our teachers know how to teach gifted learners, both academically and emotionally. They are empowered to use the materials they choose, have a say in all curriculum, and choose the courses they want to teach. These are teachers we would hire to teach our own children!
Meet the Educators
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Alisha Young, M.Ed
Microschool 2025-26 & 2026-27
With over a decade of experience in education, Alisha Young is a dedicated teacher serving a diverse range of students, including those who are gifted or twice exceptional. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and is passionate about teaching students with multiple intelligences. She firmly believes that everyone has their own unique genius and strives to help each student discover and develop their strengths.
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Chaffanie Maye, M.Ed
Microschool 2025-26
Hi there! I’m Chaffanie Maye, and for the past 13 years, I’ve had the absolute joy of teaching and inspiring young minds. As a gifted child myself, I know what it’s like to crave deeper learning, ask a million “what if?” questions, and see the world through a lens of endless curiosity. That’s exactly why I’m so passionate about gifted education—I believe every child deserves to feel challenged, supported, and excited about learning!
In my classroom, I strive to create an environment where gifted learners feel understood and empowered. Learning should never be boring! I love designing lessons that spark creativity, encourage big ideas, and help students develop the confidence to explore their unique talents. Whether we’re diving into complex concepts, working on passion projects, or discovering new ways to solve problems, my goal is always to make learning an adventure.
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Adam C. Laningham, M.Ed.
Founder, Owner, & Lead Teacher
Mr. Laningham is life-long learner who loves working with children, learning about history & nature, and the “art” of teaching. He worked at multiple schools and with all grade levels (K-8) as a classroom teacher and gifted programing specialist for over 14 years. He later was a district manager for gifted services providing support for over 6,000 gifted students.
He is our Micro-High School Teacher and Academic Coach for the 2026-27 School Year
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Steve Sommers
Microschool Counselor
He is an innovative therapist with extensive experience working with children and families. He is skilled in meeting children and teens where they are at, no matter the area of difficulty or how layered their problems are. He also offers parent education and support in a non-judgmental and caring manner.
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Linda Hendley-Smith
Arts & Enrichment Teacher
Linda Henley-Smith is an educator, speaker, and author with a lifelong passion for helping children discover the joy of learning. She believes that learning should always be an adventure and fun! One of her books is for teachers and is titled, “Making Learning an Adventure.”
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Adam Duncan, Ph. D.
Math Enrichment & Tutor
Adam is excited about math and discussing and sharing it with others. He is anEx-Google Data Scientist with five years of experience. He has a Ph.D. in Statistics, a B.S. in Computer Science, and a B.A. in Mathematics.