Meet Our Team

Ashly Barta is the Special Education Program Director for the Military Homeschool Association, where she brings over a decade of experience in education, specializing in special education, curriculum development, and educational technology. With a Master of Science in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and more than 10 years of homeschooling experience, Ashly is dedicated to helping military families navigate the complexities of education for children with diverse learning needs.

A mother to a child with special needs, Ashly has firsthand experience designing and implementing individualized educational plans to support her son’s unique learning journey. This personal insight allows her to deeply understand the challenges military families face when educating children with special needs.

As an Educational Consultant at Empowered Strategies and Consulting, Ashly supports parents and educators with IEP/504 consulting, offering customized activity recommendations based on thorough evaluations. Her background also includes serving as a Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher, Early Childhood Evaluator, and the owner/teacher at Puddle Jumpers Preschool, where she developed tailored curricula for children with varying abilities.

Ashly believes in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where all students can thrive. She is committed to empowering students by integrating the latest educational research and technology into her teaching approach. Beyond her professional roles, Ashly enjoys reading, photography, and traveling with her family, discovering new places through their military life. She is continuously striving to improve her expertise to make a lasting, positive impact on education.

I’m a dedicated advocate for military homeschooling families, serving as the Partnerships Program Director for the Military Homeschool Association (MHA). With nearly a decade of homeschooling experience, I’m passionate about building strong, supportive communities that help military families thrive in their educational journey.

I lead the Ft. Eisenhower Military Homeschool Group and the Monterey MilitaryHomeschool Community, creating opportunities for connection through co-ops, field trips, and tailored resources. As a committed advocate, I work to ensure military homeschool families have access to the support and tools they need, regardless of where duty calls.

As a proud Army veteran and spouse,  I understand the unique challenges of military life and education. Through leadership, advocacy, and community-building, I’m dedicated to empowering military homeschoolers and strengthening their educational experience.

Jessica has been a military spouse for 15 years and a homeschool parent for 5, so she’s no stranger to navigating change, juggling schedules, and making the best of new adventures. Growing up in a military family—her father served 20 years in the United States Navy—Jessica gained a firsthand understanding of the unique challenges military children face.

Inspired by mentors throughout her life, she pursued a master’s degree in social work from Boston University, and over six years later, she now serves as the Homeschool Support Facilitator at MHA. In this role, Jessica is passionate about connecting families with resources and creating a supportive, welcoming community.

When she’s not homeschooling her son or coaching recreational sports, you’ll likely find her on an outdoor adventure with her family.

Kisha Rahming is a former home educator of 17 years to her three college-aged children. As an active duty military spouse, she is proud that homeschooling was the one constant in her children’s lives. Over the years at different duty stations, she has been a member of several homeschool support groups. She currently volunteers with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society as both a Client Services Assistant, who provides financial counseling and no-interest loans to Sailors and Marines, and an External Communications Coordinator, who manages the social media content on various platforms for the society. She looks forward to working with Military Homeschoolers Association and providing support for this community.

William “Bill” Noddin, a native of Skowhegan Maine is an active duty service member serving for the last 12 years in the United States Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, VA.  Prior to his time in the Navy Bill was an Apple Support Technician and Web Designer. Bill is married to his Wife Julie for 17 years and they have three children; Ainsley (11), Gabriella (11) and Westin (4).  They began their home school journey in 2019 while stationed in Okinawa Japan.  In their free time Bill and his family enjoy giving back to the community primarily through volunteering with the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and are advocates for home schooling in the local military community always willing to sit down with people and answer questions they may have.

My journey has been shaped by a rich tapestry of experiences, blending military life, family, and a passion for education.

Military Background: I understand the unique challenges and strengths of military families, having grown up as an “Army Brat” during the Vietnam Era, instilling in me a sense of bravery and tenacity. My upbringing included eight formative years in Germany. Later, I became a retired Navy Military Spouse of 23 years, further solidifying my connection to the military community.

Family and Relationships: I’m a devoted wife of nearly 46 years, sharing a bond with my husband for 49 years. As a mother of three, I dedicated 16 years to homeschooling, witnessing my children achieve academic success with two earning bachelor’s degrees and one an associate’s. I’m also a proud grandmother of nine, ranging from 5 to almost 23 years old. Six of my grandchildren have been homeschooled, with two graduating from HEAV in 2021 and 2024, and another set to graduate in 2025.

Homeschooling Advocate: My homeschooling journey began in 1993, initially driven by the anticipation of frequent military relocations (which, ironically, didn’t materialize). However, it evolved into a long-term commitment due to my children’s chronic illnesses and learning challenges, allowing us the flexibility to manage appointments and therapies. We continued homeschooling through K-12 for two of my children. All three have earned college degrees, a testament to the strong foundation they received. I led a homeschool support group, “Hope for the Future,” from 1994 to 2009.

Current Role and Passion: Currently, I serve as a Military Veteran Services Advisor at Virginia Peninsula Community College, assisting students in utilizing their military education benefits. I personally utilized MYCAA and Chapter 33 Transfer of Benefits to earn two AAS degrees, graduating in 2013. My current role will conclude in June 2025. I am also actively involved with the Home Educators of Virginia Association State Convention Team as the Welcome Tour and Workshop Host Coordinator.

My personal experience, as shared on Facebook, highlights my ‘why’ for homeschooling. Growing up as a military child, I experienced frequent school changes. When my husband joined the military, I wanted to provide my children with stability. Homeschooling offered the flexibility to address their medical and learning challenges, ultimately contributing to their academic success.

Amanda Marthaler is a dedicated military spouse, mom of two, and passionate advocate for military families. A graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma, Amanda has spent the last three years guiding, supporting, and advocating for fellow military families. She has held a board position with Fort Belvoir Home Educators, taught for several co-ops, and served as the director of a co-op, further strengthening her commitment to fostering community and educational opportunities for military families. With a deep commitment to service, Amanda combines personal experience with a strong desire to make a positive impact. In addition to her advocacy work, she has homeschooled her children for five years, creating a flexible and resilient learning environment.

Maresa Kelleher is a devoted military spouse of nearly 20 years, skillfully balancing her role as a homeschooling mother to three children and a “fur mom” to three lively dogs, all of whom came to stay as foster fails. With a degree in liberal arts, Maresa has recently returned to school to pursue a degree in Animal Science and Industry, specializing in pre-veterinary medicine. Originally from Tampa, FL, she and her family have moved several times with the Coast Guard and are currently residing in Iowa.

Beyond her academic ambitions, Maresa is an active and passionate member of the
homeschooling community. She works with Homeschoolers of Maine, contributing to their
communications and social media efforts, while also serving as the organization’s Military
Family Leader. In addition, she is the Podcast and Content Manager for the Military
Homeschoolers Association, where she further supports military families on their homeschooling journeys.

A dedicated volunteer, Maresa invests her time in her local community and church wherever
they are stationed, advocating for those in need and striving to make a positive impact wherever she can. Whether by organizing events or offering support to fellow families, Maresa is a strong believer in the power of service and making a difference in the lives of others.

Music holds a special place in Maresa’s heart. As a worship leader for many years, she shares
her love for music through piano, singing, and teaching lessons when she can. She is constantly looking for new opportunities to learn and grow. She cherishes learning alongside her children and enjoys their family hikes, although she believes the ocean is an integral part of her soul and where she is truly meant to be.

Above all, Maresa’s faith is the cornerstone of her life. With God at the center of her family’s
journey, she is deeply committed to cultivating a meaningful, personal relationship with Him and prioritizing her faith in all that she does.

Rita Roberts was born the youngest of 5 children in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas where her parents owned a cactus nursery. She earned a Hispanic scholarship to Texas A&M and pursued a degree in Biomedical Science and began working in the molecular biology labs on campus. She met her husband of 32 years, Captain, USN (retired) Shawn Roberts, at Texas A&M, and after his commissioning, they moved to the Tidewater Virginia area. In 2004, Rita returned to Texas by herself, finished her last few hours, and graduated, delivering her first daughter only 5 months later. Homeschooling wasn’t the plan, but having kids with exceptional needs and abilities plus constant deployments with the GWOT, changed the plan. Rita began the journey that now has 2 kids in major universities and one entering high school as a homeschooler. Rita has now homeschooled in 5 states and PCSd with her Navy spouse 7 times. She has proactively worked with local districts to facilitate homeschool needs in the community. She has taught STEM in Girl Scouts, FIRST Lego Leagues and tutored math and science. She now resides in Texas with her family and one very spoiled basset hound.