About us
LightSail is proud of the talent we bring to K-12 literacy
Vida Mercer
Second-Generation Homeschooler
Manager - Homeschool Advisory Team
I know from first-hand experience that when value is placed on literacy in the home the results are life-changing. My parents made the bold choice to homeschool me in a time when few people had even heard about it.
This choice was so impactful that I not only homeschool my own daughters but make it my life’s work to empower others who want to homeschool. I know from first-hand experience that when value is placed on literacy in the home the results are life-changing.
My parents made the bold choice to homeschool me in a time when few people had even heard about it. This choice was so impactful that I not only homeschool my own daughters but make it my life’s work to empower others who want to homeschool.
Frequently, I hear from parents who feel powerless to help their children improve their reading and writing because they just don’t know where to start and don’t have anyone to guide them.
Too often, I have seen them completely at wit’s end and ready to wash their hands of the whole homeschooling business, when all they are lacking are the right tools and the right content for their children.
This is why I believe in LightSail. LightSail is the most powerful and dynamic tool I have ever seen put into the hands of parents to help grow their child’s literacy skills from home. It is holistic in that LightSail integrates the elements of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling together, something that is crucial to developing fluent, masterful users of a language.
The magic of homeschooling lies in the ability to give each child the education that fits their unique interests and abilities rather than being beholden to a timeline and a curriculum that is one-size-fits-all. This is why I love to help parents and homeschoolers discover LightSail. With a wealth of engaging, multimedia content that children love and state-of-the-art technology that assesses and adapts to the child’s individual level and pace, LightSail is a paragon of homeschooling at its best.
I so clearly remember my mother telling me as a small child, “If you know how to read, you will be able to learn how to do anything.” LightSail helps make that “anything” possible for children and gives parents the support and tools they need to meaningfully support their literacy growth. I look forward to sharing LightSail with parents and children and its limitless potential to unlock the power of reading and writing.
Vida Mercer, Homeschool Team Leader
Meet the educators who contributed to our modules.
Vida Mercer
🎓 Homeschool Evangelist
As a second-generation homeschooler, Vida has over 25 years of active experience in the homeschooling community as both a student and parent. Vida retired from a career as a litigation paralegal to homeschool her own daughters and discovered that assisting and encouraging others in their homeschooling journey was her true calling.
She has written locally and nationally on the topic, edited and developed curriculum, and helped countless families make homeschooling work for them. Now, she is delighted to share LightSail with homeschooling families and come alongside them in their quest to raise fully literate, lifelong readers.
🎓 Homeschool Evangelist
As a second-generation homeschooler, Vida has over 25 years of active experience in the homeschooling community as both a student and parent. Vida retired from a career as a litigation paralegal to homeschool her own daughters and discovered that assisting and encouraging others in their homeschooling journey was her true calling.
She has written locally and nationally on the topic, edited and developed curriculum, and helped countless families make homeschooling work for them. Now, she is delighted to share LightSail with homeschooling families and come alongside them in their quest to raise fully literate, lifelong readers.
Chrsitine Roman-Lantzy (Ph.D)
🎓 Behaviors Characteristic of CVI and SPED Teacher
Christine Roman was raised in Michigan and received degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education/Visual Impairment at Michigan State University. She worked as an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area for 17 years prior to becoming a Research Assistant in the Vision Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, she completed studies in Orientation & Mobility and received a Master’s Degree in Medically Fragile/High Risk Infants.
Her doctoral studies were also completed at Pitt where she completed a Ph.D. in 1996; her dissertation, Validation of an Interview Instrument to Identify Behaviors Characteristic of Cortical Visual Impairment in Infants revealed that caregivers of infants can reliably report regarding the presence or absence of the characteristics of CVI.
Dr. Roman is the Director of The Pediatric View Program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and a former Project Leader of the CVI Project at The American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, KY.
She has lectured extensively regarding the CVI educational materials she has developed. These materials include: The CVI Range an assessment of functional vision, and The CVI Resolution Chart & CVI/O&M Resolution Chart used to plot and monitor progress both of which will be available in a book in press (working title, CVI: Identification, Assessment & Intervention) with The American Foundation for the Blind.
🎓 Behaviors Characteristic of CVI and SPED Teacher
Christine Roman was raised in Michigan and received degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education/Visual Impairment at Michigan State University. She worked as an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area for 17 years prior to becoming a Research Assistant in the Vision Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, she completed studies in Orientation & Mobility and received a Master’s Degree in Medically Fragile/High Risk Infants.
Her doctoral studies were also completed at Pitt where she completed a Ph.D. in 1996; her dissertation, Validation of an Interview Instrument to Identify Behaviors Characteristic of Cortical Visual Impairment in Infants revealed that caregivers of infants can reliably report regarding the presence or absence of the characteristics of CVI.
Dr. Roman is the Director of The Pediatric View Program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and a former Project Leader of the CVI Project at The American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, KY.
She has lectured extensively regarding the CVI educational materials she has developed. These materials include: The CVI Range an assessment of functional vision, and The CVI Resolution Chart & CVI/O&M Resolution Chart used to plot and monitor progress both of which will be available in a book in press (working title, CVI: Identification, Assessment & Intervention) with The American Foundation for the Blind.
Allison Kelly
🎓 Team Leader
Allison started her teaching career in New Jersey as a 9-12th grade English teacher. During this time, she also worked with a local community college and four-year college teaching Writing and Literature. After ten years in New Jersey, she relocated to Florida where she worked as a College Prep, IB, and ESOL English teacher for three years. As a Department Chair, she learned the power of goal setting and data-driven instruction to amplify Best Practices instruction.
While earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at American InterContinental University, she explored what motivated educational stakeholders ranging from students through administration. With this knowledge, she developed motivational strategies to drive results in her classroom, department, school, and community.
If she could be any fictional character from a children’s book, she would be Pippi Longstocking. Much like Pippi, Allison celebrates resilience, kindness, fairness, and acceptance.
🎓 Team Leader
Allison started her teaching career in New Jersey as a 9-12th grade English teacher. During this time, she also worked with a local community college and four-year college teaching Writing and Literature. After ten years in New Jersey, she relocated to Florida where she worked as a College Prep, IB, and ESOL English teacher for three years. As a Department Chair, she learned the power of goal setting and data-driven instruction to amplify Best Practices instruction.
While earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at American InterContinental University, she explored what motivated educational stakeholders ranging from students through administration. With this knowledge, she developed motivational strategies to drive results in her classroom, department, school, and community.
If she could be any fictional character from a children’s book, she would be Pippi Longstocking. Much like Pippi, Allison celebrates resilience, kindness, fairness, and acceptance.
Ashley Klewin
🎓 English Teacher
Ashley is a Midwest elementary school teacher with six years of teaching experience. Since beginning her teaching career, she has taught fourth and fifth grades, as well as elementary students of all ages in an English Language Learner classroom setting. During this time in her career she grew to identify herself as a culturally responsive teacher, and further developed her interest in literacy instruction.
As a lifelong, avid reader herself, Ashley strives to instill a love for reading in her students as she shares her love for books in her classroom. With a great passion for literacy, she recently earned her Master’s Degree in Reading Education. While earning her degree she expanded her knowledge of best practices in literacy instruction, data collection, and assessment, which she now incorporates in her student-centered fifth grade classroom.
If she could be any fictional book character, she would be Alice from “Alice and Wonderland.” Fueled by curiosity, Ashley is always ready to try something new both inside and outside of the classroom.
🎓 English Teacher
Ashley is a Midwest elementary school teacher with six years of teaching experience. Since beginning her teaching career, she has taught fourth and fifth grades, as well as elementary students of all ages in an English Language Learner classroom setting. During this time in her career she grew to identify herself as a culturally responsive teacher, and further developed her interest in literacy instruction.
As a lifelong, avid reader herself, Ashley strives to instill a love for reading in her students as she shares her love for books in her classroom. With a great passion for literacy, she recently earned her Master’s Degree in Reading Education. While earning her degree she expanded her knowledge of best practices in literacy instruction, data collection, and assessment, which she now incorporates in her student-centered fifth grade classroom.
If she could be any fictional book character, she would be Alice from “Alice and Wonderland.” Fueled by curiosity, Ashley is always ready to try something new both inside and outside of the classroom.
Kelli Trenga (Ph.D)
🎓 Educational Leadership and SPED-Elementary
Kelli Trenga, Ed.D. is the coordinator of PENNCREST Cyber Academy in western Pennsylvania. She previously taught various levels of elementary education for over 15 years, with heavy emphasis on literacy instruction and special education. During that time, Kelli was honored with the Crawford County’s Educator of the Year award. She holds degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction from Mercyhurst University and Gannon University, respectfully.
Her passion for education drove her to pursue her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Her dissertation was a phenomenological study of dental professionals’ preparedness to manage the behaviors of patients with autism spectrum disorder during dental treatment. In addition to professional pursuits, Kelli serves on local boards for the United Way and Child to Family to Connections. She resides in Meadville, Pa. with her husband and two sons.
🎓 Educational Leadership and SPED-Elementary
Kelli Trenga, Ed.D. is the coordinator of PENNCREST Cyber Academy in western Pennsylvania. She previously taught various levels of elementary education for over 15 years, with heavy emphasis on literacy instruction and special education. During that time, Kelli was honored with the Crawford County’s Educator of the Year award. She holds degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction from Mercyhurst University and Gannon University, respectfully.
Her passion for education drove her to pursue her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Her dissertation was a phenomenological study of dental professionals’ preparedness to manage the behaviors of patients with autism spectrum disorder during dental treatment. In addition to professional pursuits, Kelli serves on local boards for the United Way and Child to Family to Connections. She resides in Meadville, Pa. with her husband and two sons.
Haley Wilson
🎓 Middle School English Reading Teacher
Haley teaches high school English in the Southwest, working with students of all ability levels. She’s taught grades 6-12, both as a Special Education and General Education teacher. Haley’s pedagogical approach is rooted in empathy and ethnomethodology, allowing her to create and implement curricula designed to meaningfully engage all students across multiple mediums, reinforced by data-driven reflection.
Earning her Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching with a specialized focus in Special Education has equipped her with the tools necessary to provide equitable access to content materials for all learners. At the same time, she challenges and encourages her colleagues to do the same. A Teacher of the Year nominee, Haley’s development of heterogeneous materials has cultivated her students’ trust and excitement in their exploration of content in her classroom.
Her colleagues and administration revere her curriculum application and adaptation. Encompassed by any fictional literary character, she would be Matilda, consistently looking to reading as a stronghold in the face of a challenge, guided by strong moral ethics and a great sense of humor.
🎓 Middle School English Reading Teacher
Haley teaches high school English in the Southwest, working with students of all ability levels. She’s taught grades 6-12, both as a Special Education and General Education teacher. Haley’s pedagogical approach is rooted in empathy and ethnomethodology, allowing her to create and implement curricula designed to meaningfully engage all students across multiple mediums, reinforced by data-driven reflection.
Earning her Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching with a specialized focus in Special Education has equipped her with the tools necessary to provide equitable access to content materials for all learners. At the same time, she challenges and encourages her colleagues to do the same. A Teacher of the Year nominee, Haley’s development of heterogeneous materials has cultivated her students’ trust and excitement in their exploration of content in her classroom.
Her colleagues and administration revere her curriculum application and adaptation. Encompassed by any fictional literary character, she would be Matilda, consistently looking to reading as a stronghold in the face of a challenge, guided by strong moral ethics and a great sense of humor.
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Every family account includes two Parent Accounts.
I am part of a homeschool group and we share teaching responsibilities. How can I access those accounts?
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These content controls contain dozens of nuanced subcategories for potentially objectionable material based on both maturity and religious factors. Then, it shows parents if a book contains a reference to any of those subcategories and allows them to block or allow single titles or entire subcategories for each child individually. Our ChildSafe Content Controls offer unprecedented insight into and control over the content your children consume without the need to read every book in advance.
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We are LightSail for Homeschoolers—a complete language arts platform built on the shoulders of LightSail Education, advancing the literacy skills of K-12 students in public, private, and charter schools since 2012.
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