Homeschool Connections

Aquinas Writing Advantage

AWA Recorded Course Instructor

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Ryan Starrett, MA, ThM, MTS

AQUINAS WRITING ADVANTAGE

LIVE and Recorded Course Grader

Ryan Starrett, MA, ThM, MTS

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 north Texas, he returned home to Mississippi where he has taught at his Catholic alma mater for the past ten years. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Starrett enjoys reading, writing, playing sports, and adventuring with his family.

Ryan Starrett is the author of a dozen history books and one novel. He is currently working with his friend and co-author, Josh Foreman, on another work of history celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Ryan and Josh’s work can be perused at foremanstarrett.com.

Mr. Starrett grades the Middle School 7/8-Series writing courses with Aquinas Writing Advantage.

Meet Mr. Starrett

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Reilly Starrett, BA

AQUINAS WRITING ADVANTAGE

LIVE and Recorded Course Instructor

Reilly Starrett, BA

Mr. Reilly Starrett is a proud graduate of a Catholic K-12 education and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy and a minor in Anthropology from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He has extensive experience working with ESL learners in Chinandega, Nicaragua (2008, 2009); Kathmandu, Nepal (2012); and Denver, Colorado (2015). Since 2019, Mr. Starrett has lived in Yokohama and Tokyo, Japan, as an English Conversation and Essay Writing teacher for students of all ages, from preschool through adult. He also helps English as a Second Language (ESL) students improve their proficiency in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Additionally, Mr. Starrett guides students in preparing for English proficiency tests such as the TOEIC, Eiken, and IELTS. He has also been a teacher with Aquinas Writing Advantage in 2022-2024 and 2026. When not teaching, Mr. Starrett loves reading and spending time with his family. Mr. Starrett teaches as both an Instructor Access and LIVE course instructor for the 10 Series courses.

Learn with Mr. Starrett

Check the current LIVE course catalog to see Mr. Starrett’s course offerings and sign up for his courses.

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Rebekah Sotillo, BS

AQUINAS WRITING ADVANTAGE

Recorded Course Instructor

Rebekah Sotillo, BS

Rebekah Sotillo earned her Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. While in the military, she drove the aircraft carrier, USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), across the Pacific Ocean to port in locations such as Guam, Manila, and Japan. After driving aircraft carriers, she studied to become a meteorologist for the Navy.

With over nine years of leadership experience as a Naval Officer, she works as a Leadership and Interpersonal Communication Instructor for AWA. One of her favorite pastimes is mastering the art of sourdough bread baking. A native of Southern California, she loves the outdoors and spends most of her weekends hiking. Mrs. Sotillo is the Instructor Access one-on-one mentor/grader for Leadership and Interpersonal Communication.

Meet Mrs. Sotillo

Learn with Mrs. Sotillo

Check the current Recorded Course catalog to see Mrs. Sotillo’s course offerings and sign up for her courses.

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Maureen Ryan, BA

AQUINAS WRITING ADVANTAGE

Recorded Course Instructor

Maureen Ryan, BA

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 twelve 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 has homeschooled her three children for more than 12 years. Having graduated her oldest, she continues to teach her younger two.

“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, 6/73, and 6/7-4); the 12-1 and 12-2 Advanced Rhetoric and Writing; the 11-9 course, Business Writing 1: Professional Writing Essentials; and the COLL-1 Essay Test Mastery course.

Meet Mrs. Ryan

Learn with Mrs. Ryan

Check the current Recorded course catalog to see Mrs. Ryan’s course offerings and sign up for her courses.

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Myron Manns, MA

AQUINAS WRITING ADVANTAGE

AWA LIVE Course Instructor

Myron Manns, MA

Myron Manns is a writer and educator with roots in journalism and a career that spans public policy, international law, and digital storytelling. He graduated with a bachelor’s in communications, composition, and rhetoric from the University of Michigan-Flint, and began his career covering cultural life, writing for My City Magazine and the Flint Journal. During this time, he worked part-time teaching enhanced writing skills to middle school and high school students enrolled in supplemental education programs.

He has since taught legal English in Paris and has created product marketing materials in English for several French companies. He is driven by a passion for simplifying complex ideas through clear and concise writing.

Mr. Manns teaches the Foundational Middle School Writing courses (6/7 Series) and High School Professional Writing courses.

Meet Mr. Manns

Learn with Mr. Manns

Check the current LIVE catalog to see Mr. Manns’ LIVE course offerings and sign up for her courses.