Aquinas Writing Advantage
Your Instructors
Learn to Write with the Experts...
Your instructors are experienced, qualified, amazing teachers -- and they’re also expert writers, university-level professors, published authors, and skillful communicators committed and wholly dedicated to help your student learn to write clearly, powerfully, and with ease.
AWA Instructors

ERIN M. BROWN, MA, MFA

Experienced University Writing Professor
Writing Curriculum Development Specialist
Professional Writer of 20+ Years
Multiple-Book Author and Book & TV Story Consultant
Speculative Fiction Writer (Genre Fiction Specialist)
Conference Presenter
Your AWA Program Creator, Developer, and Director
Your AWA LIVE Writing Courses Instructor
About Professor Brown
Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka Erin Brown Conroy/EB Conroy) is the Creator-Director of the Aquinas Writing Advantage program – a complete online writing program for students ages 3rd through 12th grade. She has been a professional writer and editor (30 years) and is the author of 20 books (children’s, fiction, and nonfiction), including Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success. She is also a professional writer and senior content strategist for major worldwide corporations and has served many years as an adjunct university professor of writing, research, communications, and leadership and management. Professor Brown has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in a health sciences field, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in education.
Professor Brown has designed programs and curriculum for multiple universities, colleges, and online schools. At Western Governors University, she led the Communications Content for the General Education division (writing, communications, critical thinking). As a member of the Authors Guild (AG), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she enjoys working as a story consultant for books and television; speaks online and at conferences regularly; and is a writing contest judge for multiple regional and national fiction writing and novel contests. She is also the Creator and Director of True North Reading: The Complete Mastery Reading and Spelling Program™, a multi-sensory online reading program perfect for students learning at home.
Professor Brown homeschooled 10 of her children and brings that personal knowledge to her role as the Director of Aquinas Writing Advantage. When not working with AWA, you can often find her drinking coffee, walking her dogs, writing, and speaking online.
Professor Brown is the instructor of all writing program recorded courses; the Middle School Music courses (Mastering Rhythm and Mastering Melody, Parts 1 and 2); Middle School Health and Wellness; Test Taking and Standardized Testing courses; middle and high school Spelling Workshop courses; the high school Leadership and Interpersonal Communication course; and the How to Be an Excellent Student: Note Taking, Test Taking, and How to Get an A course.
Professor Brown teaches most of the writing courses in recording and teaches one live course each year. Check the current LIVE catalog to see Professor Brown’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses. To get access to Professor Brown’s recorded courses, get Unlimited Access here.
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Professor Brown’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
LEARN WITH PROFESSOR BROWN IN UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
Writing: Many recorded writing courses in Unlimited Access are taught by Professor Brown, including all foundational Aquinas Writing Advantage courses.
Professor Brown also teaches the following courses:
School Success: How to be an Excellent Student: Note Taking, Test Taking, and How to Get an A (middle and high school students)
Test Prep: High School ACT and SAT Test Prep
MS Health: Health, Fitness, and Wellness
HS Leadership: Leadership and Interpersonal Communications
Spelling: High School and Middle School Spelling Bootcamps
Fiction Writing: All advanced fiction writing and screenwriting courses.
Here’s what families are saying about Professor Brown’s teaching and courses…
SHARON HAMRIC-WEIS, JD

Secondary English and Writing Specialist
Former Lawyer and Assistant Counsel
Writing and Research Specialist
Published Law and Business Writer
Learning Differences and Special Populations Teacher
Your AWA High School Foundations Instructor and
Your AWA Advanced/Pre-College Skills Writing Instructor
About Ms. Hamric-Weis, JD
Sharon Hamric-Weis, JD, earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Secondary English Education from the California University of Pennsylvania and taught both middle and high school courses at the Palm Beach County School system. During her last year of teaching, Mrs. Hamric-Weis converted to the Catholic Church and was confirmed. Upon her acceptance to the Dickinson School of Law, she and her husband then relocated to her home state of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Hamric-Weis has her JD degree and practiced law as Assistant Counsel for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. She has been published in the Dickinson Journal of International Law, as well as working as a decision writer for the Pennsylvania Board of Workers’ Compensation. After working in law, Mrs. Hamric-Weis left her employment to raise her children and homeschool for several years before returning to work as a paraprofessional, teaching and caring for a student with multiple disabilities. She has taught English as a Second Language in a prison setting and is also presently working in the field of mental health. She is happy to be homeschooling her youngest child and teaching writing courses for Homeschool Connections.
Mrs. Hamric-Weis is the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assistant Director for High School and teaches Foundational writing courses (9-Series courses, including Punctuation and Grammar, Simplified Writing, and Paragraphs and Essays courses); Vocabulary and Writing (10-Series courses); and Advanced/College Preparatory Writing courses (12-Series courses). She also teaches Book to Film courses, analyzing film adaptations of classic stories.
LEARN WITH MRS. HAMRIC-WEIS IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE COURSES:
- HS 9-1, High School Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I
- HS 9-2, High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
- HS 9-3, High School Writing Essentials 2: Essential Paragraphs & Essay Writing
- HS 9-4, High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
- HS 10-1, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 1
- HS 10-2, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 2
- HS 12-1, Advanced Rhetoric and Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers
- HS 12-2, Advanced Rhetoric and Writing 2: Research Writing (College Prep)
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mrs. Hamric-Weis’ LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS WITH MRS. HAMRIC-WEIS IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- Book to Film, Part 1: Analyzing Film Adaptations of Fantasy and Science Fiction
- Book to Film, Part 2: Analyzing Film Adaptations of the Classics
Here’s what high school students and their parents are saying about Mrs. Hamric-Weis’s teaching and courses…
BONNIE DONLON

English, Literature, and Writing Specialist
Your AWA Middle School Foundations Instructor
About Mrs. Donlon
Mrs. Bonnie Donlon earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Literature from the University of Virginia. She taught writing at the Charlottesville Writing Center summer camp, then taught multiple subjects at The Covenant School in Charlottesville, Virginia, with Pre-K through 4th-grade students, including reading and writing in the classroom and in the after-school programs. Mrs. Donlon also co-taught with her husband for the elementary level religious education program at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. When not teaching and grading student work, Mrs. Donlon enjoys reading, exploring the natural world with her children, and spending time with her extended family, including her sister-in-law, Mrs. Eleanor Nicholson, who is the High School Victorian Literature Instructor for Homeschool Connections.
Mrs. Donlon is the Assistant Director for Middle School with the Aquinas Writing Advantage program; teaches the LIVE 6/7 Series Middle School Writing courses, and is the Middle School Assessment Coordinator.
LEARN WITH MRS. DONLON IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE COURSES:
- MS 6/7-1, Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation & Grammar I
- MS 6/7-2, Writing Essentials 2: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing I
- MS 6/7-3, Writing Essentials 3: Punctuation & Grammar II
- MS 6/7-4, Writing Essentials 4: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing II
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mrs. Donlon’s course offerings and sign up for her courses.
DONNA GRAZIOSE, MA, MS

Masters Level Instructor
Academic Librarian
Library and Research Specialist
Fine Arts and Photography Specialist
Private Writing and Microsoft Word Tutor
Editor
Your AWA Instructor Access Mentor
About Mrs. Graziose
Donna Graziose, MA, MS, is a teacher with experience teaching across all levels—elementary through college—and a professional book editor for the Simplified Writing series of books and Word Mastery Skill Building workbooks. For many years, she has been working as an academic librarian for universities in New York, teaching writing, literature, research methods, and art history. Donna has also enjoyed teaching local homeschoolers for over 10 years in writing, literature, and history.
Donna, a homeschooling mom, is grateful for the homeschooling lifestyle where she can focus her children’s education on faith and family.
Here at Homeschool Connections’ Aquinas Writing Advantage program, Donna is an Instructor Access (IA) grading services instructor for the 7/8 Series Middle School and the 9 Series High School Foundational writing courses and the Advanced Punctuation and Grammar course.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MRS. GRAZIOSE IN THE FOLLOWING MIDDLE SCHOOL UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- MS 7/8-1, Simplified Writing for Middle School 1: Foundations of Composition I
- MS 7/8-2, Simplified Writing for Middle School 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
- MS 7/8-3 Simplified Writing for Middle School 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
- MS 7/8-4, Simplified Writing for Middle School 4: Writing Form and Style
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MRS. GRAZIOSE IN THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- HS 9-1, High School Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I
- HS 9-2, High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
- HS 9-3, High School Writing Essentials 2: Essential Paragraphs & Essay Writing
- HS 9-4, High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
- HS X-5, High School Writing Essentials 5: Punctuation & Grammar II
ROBIN CONLEY, MFA

Professional Book Author and Screenwriter
Book and Screenwriting Story Consultant
Speculative Fiction Writer (Genre Fiction Specialist)
Professional Editor
Technical Writing Specialist
Your AWA Middle School Writing Instructor
Your AWA Instructor Access Mentor
Robin Conley, MFA, was born and raised in Michigan, USA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and World Literature from Western Michigan University and a double Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Screenwriting and Genre Fiction from Western Colorado University. She has over ten years’ experience working as a professional writer, including as a technical editor and content creator for businesses on the ground and on the web; as a publication editor for books, curriculum, websites, and more; and as a transcriptionist for film and television, including work for the Food Network, HBO, FX, and A&E. Ms. Conley has also served as a writing contest judge, and her professional book editing includes ghostwriting for romance, mystery, and fantasy novels. As a writing coach, consultant, and editor for published novelists, short story writers, and award-winning screenwriters, her students and clients have gone on to win awards and become accomplished in their niches.
After spending a few years in Hollywood working as a writing consultant and editor, she now lives in Brazil with her husband—a home base where she teaches, edits, and is a coach for writers while continuing to develop her own projects for publishing. Ms. Conley is the Instructor Access grader for the middle school creative writing course that she developed for Aquinas Writing Advantage.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MS. CONLEY IN THE FOLLOWING MIDDLE SCHOOL UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- Creative Writing for Middle School, Part One (MS-CW1)
- Creative Writing for Middle School, Part Two (MS-CW2)
Here’s what parents and students are saying about Ms. Conley’s teaching and courses...
RUSSELL DAVIS, MFA

Science Fiction Writer
President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Your AWA Science Fiction Instructor
About Russell Davis
Russell Davis, MFA, has written and sold numerous novels and short stories in virtually every genre of fiction, under at least a half-dozen pseudonyms. His writing has encompassed media tie-in work in the Transformers universe to action-adventure in The Executioner series to original novels. He’s published short fiction in anthology titles like Under Cover of Darkness, Law of the Gun, and In the Shadow of Evil. In addition to his work as a writer, he has worked as an editor and book packager, and created original anthology titles ranging from westerns like Lost Trails to fantasy-like Courts of the Fey.
He was the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 2008–2010, and has been a member of numerous other writing organizations including the Western Writers of America (WWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), and the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
His most recent releases are a re-issue of the four-book Jenna Solitaire series (WordFire Press), and he’s currently working on a new collection, Written in the Scars on Our Hearts, and a middle-grade novel with well-known author Fran Wilde. You can find Mr. Davis co-teaching the science fiction and fantasy short story course here at Aquinas Writing Advantage.
Mr. Russell can be found co-teaching in this course: Write Your Own Science Fiction/Fantasy Short Story (X-19)
DOUG HUGHES, MA

Your AWA Grader for Screenwriting
About Mr. Hughes
Doug Hughes, MA, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication (with courses in Radio, TV, and Film) and a Master of Education degree from Bowling Green State University. He has worked professionally in video production in both Ohio and Los Angeles and has taught three different filmmaking courses with several different homeschool co-ops in the Columbus, Ohio, area. In 2014, Mr. Hughes’ homeschool class won Best Student Film at the International 168 Film Festival in Los Angeles. Two years later, the students won a Student Production award for Best Short Film at the Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Awards. Currently, Mr. Hughes works as a multimedia instructor at Marysville Early College High School as well as teaching the Screenwriting I and II courses with Aquinas Writing Advantage here at Homeschool Connections. Mr. Hughes lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife, Amy, and twin daughters, Hannah and Emily, who are both attending college in Florida.
LEARN WITH MR. HUGHES IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:
- HS X-23, Writing for Video Production, Media, and More, Part One: Secrets of Videography and Writing to Help You Become a Great Visual Communicator
- HS X-24, Writing for Video Production, Media, and More, Part Two: Creating a Video Production Project (Coming soon!)
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mr. Hughes’ LIVE course offerings and sign up for his courses.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MR. HUGHES IN THE FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSE:
- HS X-23, Writing for Video Production, Media, and More, Part One: Secrets of Videography and Writing to Help You Become a Great Visual Communicator
- HS X-24, Writing for Video Production, Media, and More, Part Two: Creating a Video Production Project (Coming soon!)
SARA KEEFE, MA

Your AWA Instructor for High School Writing
About Mrs. Keefe
Mrs. Sara Keefe, MA earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Mrs. Keefe brings nearly 30 years of experience teaching in traditional classrooms, homeschooling co-ops, and working as a private tutor both in person and online. She is currently homeschooling the youngest of her four sons and is active in her parish, St. Matthew Catholic Church. Outside of class, Mrs. Keefe enjoys baking and experiencing the outdoor beauty of Northern Michigan, where she and her family reside.
LEARN WITH MRS. KEEFE IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:
- HS 9-1, High School Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I
- HS 9-2, High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
- HS 9-3, High School Writing Essentials 2: Essential Paragraphs & Essay Writing
- HS 9-4, High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
- HS 10-1, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 1
- HS 10-2, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 2
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mrs. Keefe’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
VANIA KENT, MA

Your AWA Instructor for Middle School Vocabulary & High School Writing
About Ms. Kent
Vania Kent, MA is an experienced writer and editor with a history of publication that includes drafting, rewriting, and reformatting; preparing texts for publication (editing for accuracy, clarity, spelling, grammar, consistency, format, and punctuation); and ensuring that all writing meets research and style guide standards, including Chicago/Turabian, MLA, and Harvard styles. Ms. Kent has contributed to many articles, conference papers, and books with her writing and editing expertise.
Ms. Kent earned a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities with Specialisms in Religious Studies and German, an MA in Christian Spirituality with a Research Concentration, and she is currently working on her PhD in Theology in the Catholic faculty at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Ms. Kent also serves as a substitute teacher for middle school students, including 6th to 8th grade critical thinking, science, and mathematics. While most of her time is spent analyzing the texts of the 13th-century mystics of Helfta, she also enjoys reading historical novels, baking sourdough, crocheting, and tending to her absurd number of houseplants. She, her spouse, their two precious children, and two naughty but impossibly adorable dogs live in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
LEARN WITH MS. KENT IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES:
- MS WM-3, Word Mastery Skill Building 3: Champion Level
- MS WM-4, Word Mastery Skill Building 4: Hero Level
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Ms. Kent’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MS. KENT IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
Grace Maimone

Your AWA Instructor for Middle School and High School Writing
About Mrs. Maimone
Gracie Maimone earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the Liberal Arts from Thomas More College in Merrimack, New Hampshire. In addition to her excellence in writing and communications focus, she is trained in the liberal arts, humanities, and philosophical and theological disciplines, with her academic career culminating in a thesis focusing on Christ’s parables and examining the importance of storytelling in the work of education.
After receiving her degree, Mrs. Maimone taught philosophy and theology for four years at the Chesterton Academy Schools in Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she was guided by a two-fold mission: 1) to help students comprehend and rejoice in what is true, and 2) to equip students with skills for communicating the truth through clear and eloquent writing.
Mrs. Maimone is thrilled to serve as an instructor for the Aquinas Writing Advantage (AWA) 9-Series LIVE courses and to continue in the formation of students’ minds and hearts within their mastery of writing. And as a homeschooled student herself before completing her education and enjoying her career in teaching, Mrs. Maimone is uniquely qualified to connect with AWA students.
Mrs. Maimone is based in Northeastern Wisconsin, where she lives with her husband and daughter. When not teaching or enjoying time with her family, she can be found with a cup of coffee and book in hand, with her latest batch of sourdough bread in the oven.
LEARN WITH MRS. MAIMONE IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES:
- MS 7/8-1, Simplified Writing for Middle School 1: Foundations of Composition I
- MS 7/8-2, Simplified Writing for Middle School 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
- MS 7/8-3, Simplified Writing for Middle School 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
- MS 7/8-4, Simplified Writing for Middle School 4: Writing Form and Style
LEARN WITH MRS. MAIMONE IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:
- HS 9-1, High School Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I
- HS 9-2, High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills
- HS 9-3, High School Writing Essentials 2: Essential Paragraphs & Essay Writing
- HS 9-4, High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Ms. Kent’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
DANIEL MASSETT, MFA

Your AWA Instructor Access for High School and Fiction Writing
About Mr. Massett
Daniel Massett, MFA, is a professional writer who has published several short stories and a children’s fantasy novel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Le Moyne College and a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Miami University, and his experience in the classroom includes teaching high school literature at Classical charter schools and Catholic schools, as well as teaching research-driven writing and creative writing at Miami University.
Mr. Massett is a strong believer in grounding writers in the love of the Scriptures, great literary traditions, and the Catholic Tradition, and his passion is to help students express beauty in their writing to, as the Psalmist says, “be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season.”
Thrilled to be at AWA to help young writers hone their craft and achieve their fullest potential, Mr. Massett is an Instructor Access grading instructor for the Vocabulary & Writing and Fiction Writing courses.
Mr. Massett lives in Pennsylvania with his family, where he writes in multiple genres (realism, fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, western, and magical realism) and is currently writing a literary fiction novel.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MR. MASSETT IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- HS 10-1, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 1
- HS 10-2, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 2
- HS 11-1, Fiction Writing 1: Plot & Structure
- HS 11-2, Fiction Writing 2: Description & Setting
- HS 11-3, Fiction Writing 3: Characters and Dialogue
- HS 11-4, Fiction Writing 4: Theme, Style, and Point of View
- HS 11-5, Fiction Writing 5: Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel
- HS 11-7, Fiction Writing 7: Writing the Short Story

Children Fiction Author
Psychology and Christian Counseling
Your AWA Instructor Access for Fiction Writing
About Ms. McCluskey
Grace Anne McCluskey earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology and Christian Counseling at Liberty University and attended the Act One Screenwriting and Producing Program in Hollywood led by Barbara Nicolosi. Fun Fact: Grace Anne is a former Homeschool Connections student herself, completing most all the Aquinas Writing Advantage courses (academic and fiction writing) before attending university and authoring The Winter Elf, a children’s fiction book for ages 8-12, published by Morgan James Publishing. The Winter Elf is more than a fantasy story (though it is thoroughly enjoyed by fantasy readers everywhere); it is also used in therapeutic practices to proactively guide families through the healthy processing of trauma.
Grace Anne was trained as a behavioral therapist in Yorktown, Virginia, and when not writing or teaching, she works with implementing proven strategies to help children with autism build their behavioral, social, and academic skills—uplifting and transforming students’ abilities and confidence. Grace Anne loves helping young writers build their craft and looks forward to coaching young writers as she was guided to excellence in writing and publication. Currently living in the Ozark foothills of Missouri, she is an Instructor Access grader for Homeschool Connections’ 11-Series fiction courses.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MS. McCLUSKEY IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- HS 11-1, Fiction Writing 1: Plot & Structure
- HS 11-2, Fiction Writing 2: Description & Setting
- HS 11-3, Fiction Writing 3: Characters and Dialogue
- HS 11-4, Fiction Writing 4: Theme, Style, and Point of View
- HS 11-5, Fiction Writing 5: Conflict & Creating the Breakout Novel
- HS 11-7, Fiction Writing 7: Writing the Short Story
CHERISE PAPA

Creative Writing Specialist
Proficiency in Technical Communications
Your AWA Fiction Writing Instructor
About Mrs. Papa
Cherise Papa holds a Bachelor of Science in English with a Creative Writing Emphasis and a Certificate of Proficiency in Technical Communications from Utah Valley University. She’s spent 10 years helping authors write the books of their dreams in multiple genres, including fantasy, science fiction, memoirs/creative non-fiction, middle grade, children’s literature, and short stories.
Currently, Mrs. Papa is working as a managing editor and building a small press to help authors publish series in the indie markets. She also volunteers at Fyrecon and assists several writing groups that have produced numerous award-winning authors. Mrs. Papa and her husband have three small children, three guinea pigs, and more books and board games than they can count. They live in Texas and enjoy the local renaissance fairs there. Mrs. Papa is a LIVE course 11 Series Fiction Writing teacher and Fiction Workshops instructor-teacher.
LEARN WITH MRS. PAPA IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES:
- HS 11-123, Fiction Writing & Literary Form, Part One
- HS 11-457, Fiction Writing & Literary Form, Part Two
Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mrs. Papa’s LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MRS. PAPA IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- Creative Writing for Middle School: Creating Stories with Pets and Animals as the Heroes
- HS X-9, Advanced Fiction Writing: The Hero’s Journey & Mythic Structure for Writers, Part One
- HS X-10, Advanced Fiction Writing: The Hero’s Journey & Mythic Structure for Writers, Part Two
- HS 11-6, Fiction Writing 6: Authoring a Book, Part 1: How it Works, What it Takes, and How to Succeed
- HS 11-8, Fiction Writing 8: Authoring a Book, Part 2: Perfecting your Query Letter and Synopsis Workshop
- X-13, Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 1 – Writing Villains, Antagonists, and Bad Guys from a Faith-Based Perspective
- X-14, Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 2 – Writing Characters with Superpowers (X-14)
- X-15, Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 3 – Writing Kings, Queens, Courts, and Jesters (Coming soon!)
- X-16, Fiction Writing: Developing Characters 4 – Friends, Buddies, and Teammates – Oh My! (Coming soon!)
- X-19, Write Your Own Science Fiction/Fantasy Short Story (X-19)
- X-20, Fiction Writing: Creatures, Monsters, and Aliens — Oh My!
GERALYN REA, ME

Master of English Instructor
Literature and Writing Specialist
Online Journalism Instructor
High School Tutor
Book Club Aficionado
Your AWA Journalism Instructor
About Mrs. Rea
Geralyn Rea, MA, studied English at Hillsdale College and enjoyed her BA in English so much that she decided to complete a Master of English degree with the University of Dallas, as well. She has been tutoring, teaching online and in-person, and working with the homeschool community across the United States ever since. Mrs. Rea loves literature and fostering local book clubs and readily says that she can be found chatting about literature with anyone who will join the conversation.
Mrs. Rea currently lives with her husband and three children in Indiana. Here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, she teaches the LIVE pre-college 12 Series advanced writing and rhetoric courses and Introduction to Literature and Writing: How to Read, Interpret, and Write about Literature (Parts One and Two) for middle school students – and is an Instructor Access grading services instructor for Introduction to Journalism and the middle school literature analysis courses.
Mrs. Rea teaches the Journalism courses and the “Introduction to Literature 1: Why and How to Study Literature” course. To get access to Mrs. Rea’s recorded courses, get Unlimited Access here.
Here’s what students and parents are saying about Mrs. Rea’s teaching and courses…
MAUREEN RYAN, BA

Professional Editor
Professional Writer
English and Writing Teaching Specialist
Former Executive Editor, Scholastic
Writing Editor and Consultant for Major Publishers
Your AWA Instructor Access Mentor
About Mrs. Ryan
Mrs. Maureen Ryan, BA, is a professional writer with more than twenty-five years of experience writing articles and creating content for a wide variety of news outlets, magazines, websites, and book publishers. She has taught writing across grade levels in classrooms and online for more than eight years.
Mrs. Ryan has a Bachelor of Arts in English and studied interactive learning at Teachers College, Columbia University. As the executive editor for Scholastic.com, she helped refine the educational publisher’s interactive teaching tools and web-based lesson plans for grades PreK-12 and relaunched the site’s online writing tutorials hosted by award-winning authors. In addition to writing and mentoring, Mrs. Ryan homeschools her three children. “I feel extremely blessed,” says Mrs. Ryan, “to be able to combine my love for teaching and writing with an opportunity to serve homeschool families.”
Mrs. Ryan is the Instructor Access one-on-one mentor/grader for the 6/7 Series Foundational courses (6/7- 1, 6/7-2, 6/7-3, and 6/7-4); the 10-1 and 10-2 Vocabulary and Writing courses for high school students (Parts 1 and 2); and the 11-9 course, “Business Writing 1: Professional Writing Essentials.”
To get Mrs. Ryan’s’s recorded courses and one-on-one Instructor Access, get Unlimited Access here.
GET INSTRUCTOR ACCESS AND LEARN WITH MRS. RYAN IN THE FOLLOWING UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSES:
- MS 6/7-1, Middle School Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation & Grammar 1
- MS 6/7-2, Middle School Writing Essentials 2: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing 1
- MS 6/7-3, Middle School Writing Essentials 3: Punctuation & Grammar 2
- MS 6/7-4, Middle School Writing Essentials 4: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing 2
- HS 10-1, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 1
- HS 10-2, Vocabulary and Writing, Part 2
- HS 11-9, Business Writing: Professional Business Writing Essentials
MIA SAYRE, BA

Advanced Writing Support Specialist for High School
About Mrs. Sayre
Mrs. Mia Sayre holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio Christian University and has studied at Franciscan University of Steubenville and abroad in Austria. Aside from her role as the Aquinas Writing Advantage Pre-College Writing Support Specialist, she has been a university student grader, writing coach, and course developer for pre-college writing and college/scholarship essay writing. Mrs. Sayre also holds Professional Coach Certification from Duquesne University, guiding students in success achievement, coaching families, and supporting postpartum mothers.
At home in Ohio, Mrs. Sayre enjoys spending time outside with her children, playing classical piano, and baking anything with chocolate.
Mrs. Sayre offers Advanced Writing Support for High School students.
NATALIE M. SCHIRA, BA

Middle School Writing Support Specialist
Your AWA Instructor for Middle School Writing
About Ms. Schira
Ms. Natalie Meyer Schira, BA, proudly serves as a teacher of middle school English and writing. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame in 2012 with a major in English Literature and a minor in secondary education. Since then, Miss Schira has dedicated herself to Catholic education, joyfully serving nine years teaching English in a Catholic high school in Iowa.
Miss Schira has also been featured in publications and with awards and recognition for teaching and inspiration. With a love of language and teaching, she is committed to cultivating students’ academic and emotional development and using her teaching credentials to collaborate with and support families and students. Miss Schira’s greatest loves include Christ, commas, communication, caffeine, and her beloved Chicago Cubs while living a life grounded in faith, joy, and opportunity. To quote one of her favorite pieces of wisdom from her mother, “When life gives you hold music, dance.” Here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, Ms. Schira is a LIVE course teacher for the 6/7 and 7/8 Series middle school writing courses. She is also the Middle School Writing Support Specialist.
LEARN WITH MS. SCHIRA IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES:
- MS 6/7-1, Middle School Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation & Grammar 1
- MS 6/7-2, Middle School Writing Essentials 2: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing 1
- MS 6/7-3, Middle School Writing Essentials 3: Punctuation & Grammar 2
- MS 6/7-4, Middle School Writing Essentials 4: Excellent Sentence & Paragraph Writing 2
- MS 7/8-1, Simplified Writing for Middle School 1: Foundations of Composition I
- MS 7/8-2, Simplified Writing for Middle School 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
- MS 7/8-3, Simplified Writing for Middle School 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
- MS 7/8-4, Simplified Writing for Middle School 4: Writing Form and Style
RYAN STARRETT

Published Author of Multiple books
Your AWA Grader for Middle School Writing
About Mr. Starrett
Mr. Ryan Starrett earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in History from the University of Dallas with a Medieval and Renaissance Studies Concentration, a Master’s of Theology from the University of Dallas, a Master’s of History from Adams State University, and a Master’s of Theological Studies from Spring Hill College.
After teaching seven years at a Catholic School in Texas, he returned home to Mississippi, where he has taught at his Catholic alma mater for the past nine years. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Starrett enjoys reading, writing, and adventuring with his two children.
Mr. Starrett teaches LIVE Middle School 7/8-Series writing courses with Aquinas Writing Advantage.
LEARN WITH MR. STARRETT IN THE FOLLOWING LIVE COURSES, as a grader:
- MS 7/8-1, Simplified Writing for Middle School 1: Foundations of Composition I
- MS 7/8-2, Simplified Writing for Middle School 2: Introduction to Essays and Papers I
- MS 7/8-3, Simplified Writing for Middle School 3: Writing the Excellent Essay
- MS 7/8-4, Simplified Writing for Middle School 4: Writing Form and Style