Faculty & Staff
Cindy Marler
Co-owner: CHEC Director
The Director of CHEC oversees all aspects of the program. They set the schedule, seek counsel and make decisions that align the offerings each year with the Mission and Vision of the community.
Born and raised in South Florida, Cindy had the privilege of attending one of the finest private schools in the state for 9 years. At that institution she developed a passion for learning that is never satiated. As an adult, she realized how much of that was due to the environment cultivated at school. When your passion collides with your gifts and talents you have found your place. Children, education and homeschooling are her passions and organizational leadership is her gift.
“I pray for God’s guidance over CHEC and firmly believe that He is our true leader. I strive for CHEC to maintain a standard of excellence in all we do and that everything we do bring as much value to the students as possible on a part time basis. It is very special to be part of a group where everyone is committed and focused on what is best for their children and their families.”
Lorianne Porcelain
Co-owner: Artistic Director
CHEC’s view of Fine Arts is that it is fundamental to a whole education, which distinguishes us in Palm Beach County homeschool communities. Our artistic director teaches an array of subjects and classes to the students and coordinates the yearly schedule to guarantee exposure to as many skills as possible in the arts.
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Lorianne graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Theatre from Union College in Kentucky and received a 2nd bachelor’s degree from PBA in Ministry. She has been a professional actress for over 30 years working in New York, abroad and all over Palm Beach County. She lives in Lantana with her husband, Daniel, and their two children.
Jessica Figueroa
Co-owner: Director of Operations
The Director of Operations manages the center's budget, assists in the admissions process and coordinates the master school schedule. Preparing students to be competitive in the college admission process starts well before high school; our Director of Operations oversees the school’s role in assisting families through this process.
Jessica and her husband, Javier, are from Puerto Rico and met in college on the island. After graduating from University of Puerto Rico as engineers, they both left Puerto Rico and headed to California to pursue their master’s degrees in engineering at California Polytechnic State University. Jessica worked as an engineer moving around the country for different opportunities until they made their home in Lake Worth shortly after welcoming their daughter. Jessica oversees CHEC's STEM program and ensures our students are preparing themselves for STEM careers if that is their area of interest.
Giuliana Sisk
JH/HS Math Teacher
Giuliana has had a passion for working with children since a young age! She attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education (Go Gators!). She is Endorsed in Reading, ESOL, Teacher Leadership, and Instructional Coaching.
After graduating from the University of Florida, Giuliana wanted to experience “big city life” and moved to Atlanta, GA where she was a First Grade Teacher for 3 years and then a K-5 Math Interventionist for 3 years. During her time teaching in GA, she took on numerous leadership roles and learned that she also has a passion working with teachers. After moving to Palm Beach in 2021, Giuliana became an Instructional Math Coach for grades K-7.
Giuliana lives in West Palm Beach with her husband—Zach, their baby girl—Giada, and their dog—Ty! She feels so welcomed into the CHEC Family and is enjoying every second learning more about the world of homeschooling and the positive culture it holds!
Justina Costandi
Elementary Math Teacher
Justina graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and a Master's in Medical Science. She has a passion for learning and teaching about God's creation. An active member in her Church community, Justina has been teaching children for over 15 years. She is a proud mother of 3 beautiful children and devoted wife of a pastor. She also shares her love with her sweet canine Kenya. In her spare time, she loves to train for races and bake (and eat) yummy cookies.
Tracy Rye
Elementary Math Teacher
Tracy found her passion for teaching while attending Florida Atlantic University for a degree in Graphic Design. It was impossible to ignore that wasn't where God wanted her and in 2007 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from FAU with her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her passion is helping kids determine their strengths, and to build confidence in themselves and in their ability to learn.
She taught for 10 years for the School District of Palm Beach County, ran a small homeschool coop, and homeschooled her youngest.
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Tracy enjoys spending time with her family and is very excited to share her love for learning with the students at CHEC.
Laura Schuum
JH/HS English Teacher
Laura graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic where she earned a Bachlor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught in education for 18 years and also homeschools her three children. Her desire is for her students to love reading!
Laura is a Florida native and enjoys spending time with her husband and kids in nature, fishing, and boating.
Kerstyn McNally
Elementary English Teacher
Kerstyn has been with CHEC since 2020. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palm Beach Atlantic University with her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Before determining her major, she was a substitute teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County. While attending PBA she spent time in Guatelamala with a group of colleagues. Their mission was to share God’s word through songs and stories in a newly established and constantly expanding school in Escuintla. She has a passion for having a hand in developing young human minds and being a strong supporter to them in the process. She was born and raised in Palm Beach County and now lives in Lake Park. She is dedicated to her students, plants and animals and in addition hopes to have children of her own in CHEC one day.
Virginia Kraljevic
History & Enrichment Teacher
Virginia Kraljevic is a contemporary artist, designer, and educator, hailing from New York City. She is known for her whimsical pen and ink line drawings and has collaborated with a diverse array of clients, including the L.A. Times, IKEA, Lacoste, Vans, West Elm, BAM, Virgin Air, Suzuki, and Whole Foods. These partnerships have brought her art to life on various mediums, ranging from clothing, fabric, books, and wall decor to stationery, giftware, accessories, and even automobiles.
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Her artwork, which has been sold worldwide in stores, galleries, shows, and to private collectors in over 80 countries, is represented by Rosenstiels based in London, England, and has garnered recognition on various media platforms, such as ABC, HGTV, Apartment Therapy, The Jealous Curator, and TimeOut New York. Virginia has lectured at The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, participated in panel discussions at various art, design, and industry conferences, led creative classes, and made guest appearances on numerous podcasts, social media livestreams, and pop-up events.
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As an advocate for experiential learning, Virginia's educational journey has taken her from studying in France at the American University of Paris to The New York School of Interior Design and Fordham University in Manhattan, with a variety of internships along the way. She has also gained valuable experience while working behind the scenes on photo shoots (photography, videography, digital editing, set design, prop styling) with notable names such as Chanel, The New Yorker, Vogue, Miss Universe, Bulgari, Volkswagen, and Victoria's Secret.
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Her contributions include creating artistic window displays, interior designs, and visual merchandising for Anthropologie and writing editorial copy and covering events for Elite Traveler. She has also served as the Design Director of The NewNew, a non-profit dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, retail opportunities, and event organization in both New York City and Boston. Virginia has consulted on a myriad of creative projects for Etsy, which involved craft project development, visual display/merchandising for events and photoshoots, product design, illustration, and hosting several episodes of the DIY video series, “How-Tuesday”.
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In 2021, Virginia relocated to the Palm Beach area with her husband and two children, whom she has homeschooled since they were toddlers. She is delighted to be a part of the CHEC family and share her immense passion for visual arts and education with its close-knit community.