Our UCT Teachers

Melissa Tiebout

UCT Classes: 7/8 Pre-Algebra, 7/8 Earth Science, HS Biology, HS Personal Finance, HS Health

Melissa is the UCT Director and has a heart for helping students strive to reach their God-given potential so that He may be glorified! This year will be her ninth year teaching at the tutorial. She has a BS in Sociology from Union University, an AAS as a Physical Therapy Assistant, and a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Seminary.  Melissa and her husband, Steve, are celebrating 32 years of marriage in June of this year. Blessed with six children and one grandbaby, they have homeschooled throughout their children’s lives. Four of their six children have been students at UCT. Melissa also serves at The River Community Church alongside her husband, who is the Lead Pastor. She loves to pour into her family as well as those she does life with. Melissa enjoys studying God’s word, flowers and plants, eating chocolate in its various forms, kayaking, and going on mission trips!

Michelle Hinten 

UCT Classes: MS 7/8 English, HS English/ Classic Literature, US Government, and Economics  

Michelle is a veteran, licensed educator with 36 years of experience. Along with an Education degree, she also holds a Master's in Professional Counseling. Married for 36 years to her high school sweetheart, Michelle homeschooled all 5 of her children (all adults now with families… and 9 grandbabies! :). Passionate about people, Michelle teaches, tutors, and is both a nanny and caregiver. Some of her favorite things to do involve the great outdoors: kayaking, hiking, swimming, pickleball, and gardening. She also enjoys curling up with a good book and fellowshipping with family and friends. In teaching English, Michelle hopes to inspire a love of language, but more than that, a love for the One who, through His very words, brought the world into existence. Looking forward to another great year of God’s grace, guidance, and growth in the amazing adventure ahead!!

Becky Lowery

UCT Classes: HS Journalism, HS Algebra 1, HS Algebra 2, and HS Precalculus 

Becky started homeschooling in 2004 when her daughter was in first grade, and her son was in Pre-K. Her family moved to the Cookeville area in 2008. She has taught at the UCC Co-op for 10 years and served as Director for 3 years. After her youngest graduated in 2016, she started tutoring with a few students who mostly needed help with math. Since then, she has worked with many students from both homeschool and public school backgrounds. Over the years, she has tutored all subject areas and grade levels. This will be her fifth year teaching at UCT. When she is not teaching, Becky enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, quilting, and playing with her granddaughters.

Liz Lawrence

UCT Class: HS Visual Arts

Liz moved to Cookeville in 2001 as a high school graduate. She has been married for 21 years and has 5 children that she homeschools from ages 11 to 17. Three of her children are UCT students, and the other two plan on attending as soon as they reach 7th grade. Liz has a heart for kids and a true love of the arts. In her own home, she has used her skills to build, remodel, and decorate. Church involvement is an important aspect in her life, and she is able to use her talents teaching, decorating, and planning. She is always looking for ways to add some beauty and joy to the world around her. If she isn’t creating, then she is spending time with her children either playing games, hiking, or just having some meaningful conversations. She is very excited to share her passion for art with your children and light a spark in them to brighten the world around them through their own unique gifts.

Brandy Porter

UCT Class: HS Chemistry

Brandy is a mom of 3 children (13,11 and 8), a previous high school chemistry and biology teacher, and newer to the homeschool community. She and her family have primarily lived in Cookeville since 2009, when she and her husband Rob graduated from Tennessee Tech (with a quick 3.5-year stay in Wisconsin with Rob’s job). Brandy’s degrees include a BS in biology and chemistry and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction. She enjoys showing students that science is all around them every day and helping them see how God made everything in our universe to work together. She stays pretty busy with family activities, and those tend to include spending time at the lake, watching soccer practices/games, sewing, baking, and traveling when their schedule allows. Her family chose to homeschool after their oldest finished 5th grade and are enjoying more time together as they continue their education journey.