Administration
Holly Husser
Head of School
Bio
Holly Husser
Natives of southern Louisiana, Holly and Alex Husser have been married since 2007. Holly and Alex seek God first, strive for excellence in everything they do, and work diligently to instill these values in their four children. Their background reflects these truths. Alex graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and then worked in Venezuela for Schlumberger. Holly met Alex when he transferred to Lafayette. She moved to Beaumont and earned a degree in dental hygiene from Lamar University. After marrying, they moved to Texas, worked with non-profit organizations, and found River Pointe Church in the Richmond area. Alex joined Alta Mesa and they continued to grow their family. They also created Indigeo Virtus to provide SAAS for the O&G industry. In April 2019, after much prayer, Alex and Holly moved back to Louisiana. Alex is currently a partner with Diamond S Builders, a general contractor. Called to start Louisiana’s first University-Model® school, Holly passionately leads Adolesco Prep as Head of School. God knew what he was doing when He beckoned them back to Louisiana!
Elizabeth Cash
Principal
Bio
Elizabeth Cash
As a professional educator for the last 17 years, this Tangi native has an extensive background. She earned her Master’s in Special Education from UNO after graduating from Southeastern University. She classically homeschooled her son and daughter until their involvement with APA where she oversees student assessments, teacher training, and our Classical curriculum to name a few of her many operational responsibilities.
Elizabeth’s time working in Washington Parish showcases her dedication, expertise, and ability to create positive change. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2011. While teaching at Franklinton Primary School, she created and directed various policies while developing professional training and Parish-wide curriculum standards. In 2015, Elizabeth moved to Georgia where she taught at a distinctly Christian school where she implemented their first virtual classroom and successfully launched their ASL program. Elizabeth brought her love for ministry into her professional realm by developing a young ladies’ mentoring program called “P31 for Teens.” Elizabeth was also a valuable asset to parents as a one-on-one consultant for students’ individual needs; she crafted instructional plans that she helped fellow faculty incorporate into their curriculum.
Veronica Leto
Director of Programs
Bio
Veronica Leto
Veronica and Michael Leto are co-founders of Adolesco Prep. Both are from SE Louisiana and have been married since 2012 residing in Tangipahoa Parish. Before meeting, Veronica lived in Washington, DC, working for non-profit organizations and earning her Master’s in Theology at Regent University. Before this, she studied art history at LSU. Meanwhile, Michael studied Classical and Jazz Performance at the University of New Orleans and then Business Management at Southeastern University. Michael enjoyed his last year at SLU studying in Italy at the University of Verona. Since being married, Michael and Veronica have been active leaders in the local church and enjoy ministering to others through prayer. Michael is a Vice President of IPSC, while he and Veronica raise their five young children. Both have a love for traveling, international cultures, missions, the arts and have an excitement for learning. They hope to instill these passions into their children and the families of Adolesco Prep while inspiring their community to strive for excellence and see that Beauty truly abounds.
Teachers & Staff
Paula Cutrer
Pre-kindergarten
Bio
I love working with the little ones and seeing the excitement in their faces when they master a skill and/or a lesson. My priority to my students is to provide a safe and loving environment, as many students are attending school and away from home for the first time.
Who is Jesus to you?
He is the son of God and Savior who died for our sins. It’s through His unconditional love, obedience to His teachings, hope, peace, much prayer, faith and grace that helps me navigate through the ups and downs in life while remembering to stay humble. He is a faithful friend and Father to me.
What is your teaching background?
I have taught preschool to Kindergarten ages for over 15 years. I am trained in and utilize Montessori methods, the Classical approach, and multi-sensory activities to engage students and create enjoyable ways for them to learn.
Dera Hughes
Kindergarten
Bio
Why are you passionate about what you teach?
My love for learning inspires me to instill that same love in young minds. Learning is liberating and satisfying, as well as empowering. I am inspired to guide young minds to discover their God-given abilities. I love to help children know and believe that they can succeed, and the beauty of seeing them when they discover they can achieve those things they first thought were impossible.
How do you spend your spare time?
I enjoy time with my family, reading a good book, four-wheeling, and discovering new places across the country. I also like visiting beautiful tea rooms with family and friends and Sunday mornings in the Word with my pastor.
Educational/ professional background?
I have taught elementary grades for over 40 years, including working one-on-one with children with disabilities. I have training in both the Classical and Montessori Methods. I have taught many different grade levels, but my love and heart are in teaching younger students. I am currently in my 4th year as APA’s kindergarten teacher.
Aimee Fortier
Math, 1st-3rd Grade
Bio
I love that every subject in the APA curriculum integrates a biblical worldview. This teaches our children to view the world through the eyes of Scripture, not how secular people view the world. I also love that APA is training our kids’ hearts to recognize that they must learn to love and value the things that God values.
Who is Jesus to you?
He is my Father, my teacher, my protector, my one and only Savior. His sacrifices have given me hope and so much joy. I love him so much!
Involved in your church?
My family is involved in youth ministries. We help out every year during Vacation Bible School; I teach and my kids are youth leaders.
Educational/Professional background?
I have been a teacher at Adolesco Prep since our first year. Before that, I used my Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries as a Fisheries Biologist for 16 years. I enjoyed teaching fish identification and fisheries practices to elementary-aged children during this time.
Natalie Jimenez
Latin, Logic & Debate
Bio
I started my Latin journey in Junior High and have loved language learning ever since! I am also a lover of debate and want to equip students to reason in a Christ-like way.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love to crochet (I have my own crochet business) and read. I enjoy spending time with my sweet husband, Oscar.
Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the way that leads to righteousness, the truth that sets us free from sin, and the eternal life-giver from whom all good and perfect gifts flow!
What about Adolesco Prep is appealing to you?
I love the way Adolesco nurtures Christian growth and relationships. It is apparent to me every time I am there how God is working in and through this school!
Involved in your church?
I am a worship leader and I also help in children’s ministry.
Tia Broady
History & Science
Bio
Tia Broady
Tia Broady’s love and knowledge of science and her heart for children has Adolesco Prep excited to welcome her as our third through sixth grade Science Teacher. Tia graduated from Barton College in NC with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and has since worked at the NC Natural Museum of Science and taught at Hammond’s Southeastern University as a Teaching Assistant within the School of Science. Here, she prepared and delivered lesson plans and exams and enjoyed using the most relevant technology to support and distinguish varying instructions. Tia integrates her joyous and responsible nature in a way that makes her both approachable and reliable. She is truly a disciple-maker as teaching is only one way she incorporates her passion for the Kingdom. Ms. Broady has a long list of volunteer work including time coaching a swim team, leading a Girl Scouts of America troop and working within the Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services as a Foster Parent and a CASA volunteer. Tia is most excited to teach at Adolesco Prep so she can introduce scientific concepts through the lens of a Biblical worldview. She also plans to incorporate her zeal for theater by leading a drama club and teaching Theater as an elective. Adolesco Prep loves her heart for Jesus and making him known and her encouraging and joyful spirit. Tia immediately saw the vision of Adolesco Prep and wants to be a part of the new thing God is doing in Southeast Louisiana and Adolesco Prep could not be happier to have her!
Beth Vinyard
Comp/Lit & History
Bio
I am convinced that learning how to communicate well is a necessary tool in all aspects of life. Through the study of History, Literature, and Composition, I hope that all my students will gain the knowledge and ability to interpret the events of the past and explain how literature reflects the time and culture that produced it.
Involved in your church?
I am a member of Crossroads Church in Hammond, where I help in the nursery and participate in the Women’s Ministry. My husband and I also lead a small group Bible Study in our home.
What is your educational and professional background?
I graduated from SLU in 1997 with a B.A. in English and a minor in History. I began my career as a writer; first as a reporter, then as a technical writer! Later, I worked as the administrative assistant for Restoration House. As my children grew, I really wanted to play a larger role in their education so we made the decision to homeschool. I taught writing and literature for our homeschool co-op. After doing that for about 5 years, God led me to Adolesco Prep! This will be my third year at our school.
Ashley Hines
Administrative Assistant
Bio
Why are you passionate about working with Adolesco?
I believe in the vision and mission of our school—family ministry, excellence in education, and partnering with parents. I have seen many families transformed by being a part of APA, as well as my own.
How do you spend your spare time?
My husband and I enjoy fishing together. We also like to take trips as a family with friends, sometimes even a few of our pups tag along!
Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus has many roles in my life and He covers them all beyond mastery. He is omnipotent. When I needed His saving grace, He was there waiting for me to accept His invitation. He is the ultimate redeemer. There have been many times I have needed a rescuer or even a defender and He delivers without ceasing.
Educational background?
Before becoming a mother and finding APA, I spent most of my time in school studying environmental biology and working with animals.
Brenna Felder
Science & Comp/Lit
Bio
I get excited about what I am teaching and I pour that endless excitement into my students and my lessons. We sing, we read, we reason and brainstorm, we experiment, and sometimes get a little dirty. I firmly believe these things combined produce students who love to learn and never forget. I hope to ignite the love for science in each lesson—over and over again.
Who is Jesus to you?
He is the air in which I need to breathe. The light in which I need to see. My stable rock, my cornerstone, my calm, my everything. I never knew how much I truly loved and needed Him, until I became a mother. I find each day a new way to love Him deeper.
Educational background?
I’ve worked in many schools throughout Tangi working with various types of students. It confirmed my desire to make a difference in children’s lives. I also worked with a non-profit counseling seniors on their plans after graduation. During Covid, I began to homeschool my children and then found APA. I began teaching within this incredible school and I never looked back!
Charlene Williams
ELA, 1st & 2nd Grade
Bio
I love watching kids learn new concepts. I love teaching our ELA curriculum because of how Biblically integrated it is and because it is strong in phonics.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love to pray and study the Bible. Spend time with our animals, mainly the cows. My husband and I do everything together whether it’s work in the yard with plants, wash vehicles, or run errands.
Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus is my redeemer! He is my best friend! He is my anchor!
Teaching background?
I taught ELA for over seven years in Christian private schools before working in Early Childhood for 20 years, eight of which my husband and I owned our own childcare business.
Marjorie Serrano
ELA 6th-8th Grade
Bio
Why are you passionate about what you teach?
I love Grammar because it provides us with tools to express ourselves clearly and coherently and honor God’s gift of language to contribute to our communities and the world.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love to spend time with my husband, our three-year-old daughter, and our dog, Dino. I love to read and spend time in nature. I love to write poems to God in gratitude for the gift of this precious life. I love to take time for journaling and contemplation.
Educational/ professional background?
I am bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish), with a background in Psychology and Theology from Bushnell University. I have an international degree from the University of INPAHU in Bogotá, Colombia, and I have authored several books, including: “El Domador de Monstruos,” “Rescuing the Child’s Soul,” “The Year of the Hurricane,” and “Rainbow Meditations.”
Kristy Preston
Latin, Comp/Lit, Grammer
Bio
What about Adolesco Prep is appealing to you?
Adolesco Prep is appealing to me because teaching in and having my children attend a school that operates in a true Christ-centered environment is my heart’s desire.
Jesus to me is unconditional love.
How are you involved in Kingdom work?
My family has partnered with Commission Mankind, an international mission organization. We spent part of our summers in 2021 and 2022 in Kenya, Africa where we helped with drilling clean water wells, ministering to villagers, celebrating baptisms, and loving on God’s people. I volunteer my time with them in the States when needed.
Monica Beddingfield
Preschool
Bio
Why are you passionate about teaching?
I love watching young minds grow and seeing faces light up when they learn something new.
How do you spend your spare time?
I love spending time with my family. We love ATV riding, especially when mud is involved, camping, being on the river and anything to do with the outdoors.
What about Adolesco Prep appeals to you?
The schedule! I love having my kids with me most of the week because it gives us more time to do the things we love together. We take schoolwork on our adventures.
Involved in your church?
We go to church weekly, and I love helping church outreaches.
Asah Hudgins, DMin
Bible
Bio
I’m passionate about the Bible because it is God’s Word. It deserves our greatest attention.
How do you spend your spare time?
I like to exercise and I enjoy reading.
Teaching background?
I taught Bible and Theology on the University Level. I love the fact that I currently get to share my love and knowledge of the Bible with high school students.
Professional background?
I am the pastor at Crossroads Church. I have a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Valdosta State University, a Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and I also have a Doctorate of Ministry in Applied Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Linda A. Richard, M.Ed.
Math, 4th-6th Grade
Bio
Linda Richard
Why are you passionate about teaching?
I struggled with math as a child, and when I got into the 9th grade, I had a teacher that made a difference for me. Through this teacher and the Lord, I came to love math and was called to teach it and help others.
How you spend your free time?
I love to spend time with my family and grandchildren the most. I love studying God’s word, playing pickleball, shopping, watching movies, and playing with my grands.
Teaching background?
This will be my 27th year teaching. I have taught all grades 1–8th and special education.
Educational background?
I hold a BA in Elementary Education 1-8 and Special Education 1-12 from Louisiana Tech. I also hold a M.Ed. in Guidance Counselling from LSU.
Interested in Joining Our Faculty?
Qualifications we look for in a prospective employee:
Born-again believers and active members of a local Christian church
Have a love for children
Self-motivated, interact easily with others and communicate well
Enthusiastic about learning and teaching
Have enthusiasm for their subject area and the classical approach
Are willing to partner with parents in the education of their children
Teachers must have a college degree, preferably in their subject area.
We prefer to hire certified teachers; however, we do consider individuals who are experts in a specific field of study or passionately driven.
or email lobby@adolescoprep.org with any questions