Forest Path Academy

Helping families on their homeschool journey

Owner, Friendswood Music and More

Music, History, Language Arts

Sarah Hames is the proud owner of Friendswood Music and More / Forest Path Academy.  Sarah was home-schooled through high school and after working for several years as the manager of a comic book store, attended North Harris College where she received music and academic scholarships and was named Outstanding Music Student of the year.  She then transferred to HBU where she received a full Endowed Academic Scholarship and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, with piano as her secondary instrument. Sarah served as the organist and music director/choir director at St. Luke's Lutheran church for a number of years, and is also a fully licensed Kindermusik educator.  She started Forest Path Academy for her three children- Arwen Elizabeth, Nathan Joseph, and Emma Rebekah.   Sarah welcomes you to our program and hopes to see you soon!

Bridget Berry

Science, Math

 Originally born in Germany, Ms. Bridget moved to the US at the age of 10. She didn’t speak a bit of English but learned very quickly! Bridget has a Master’s of Science in education, and has over 25 years of teaching experience. She has taught a variety of classes including 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science as well as English and study skills. She is the proud mother of 5 children and grandmother of 18.

Kawanna Holmann

Band, Piano, Music, Spanish

Ms. Kawanna comes to Texas from New York. She has a degree in Music Education and Jazz Composition from Five Towns College. Kawanna has performed with the Nassau Symphony, Long Island Pops, Coast Guard Auxiliary Band, and at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Disney World.

Beverly Flance

Language Arts


I retired  from Clear Creek Independent School District after teaching 30 years. I have taught grades 3-8, but most of my experience has been in middle school. I taught general education classes and Gifted and Talented classes, led a Drama Club, was the Student Council sponsor, and ended the last years of my career as the Department Head for English/Language Arts in grades 6, 7, and 8. I spent time writing curriculum for the district and presented ELA teacher educational sessions at state conferences.

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi and have worked toward various certifications since that time. I taught three years in Mississippi, then moved to Texas where I taught nine years in Aldine ISD. I finished my career teaching 18 years in CCISD. Since then, I have endeavored to continue educating children through tutoring and working part-time in a school setting.

Reading is my lifelong passion. Even as a child, I preferred reading a book to watching TV, and this is still true today. I believe in creating a love of learning in children along with developing structure for life-long success.


Leigh Anne Marx

Elementary Art


Leigh Anne Marx has been painting and drawing since the age of seven. She grew up watching students learn about art in her grandmother's art studio in Houston.  Samples of her watercolors have been seen on display at Friendswood Frame and Gallery, and students can also see some of her art on the wall in our art room.   Mrs. Marx earned two degrees: a Bachelor's Degree in Art and a Master's Degree in Education with a specialization in Art.   She was an art teacher with Friendswood ISD for thirteen years.  Ms. Marx enjoys sharing her love of art with the students at Forest Path.  













Ms. Holly 
Holly Ayala is a graduate of Texas A&M Galveston with a bachelor’s in Marine Biology. Upon graduation she gained employment at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab, as a Dive Operations Specialist, supporting astronaut spacewalk training. Holly is a Texas certified science teacher with 8 years of experience at Clear View High School. Her course work includes Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics & Chemistry, and Aquatic Science. She also has an extensive background in animal care through her work with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Moody Gardens Aquarium, and two different veterinary clinics. Holly enjoys SCUBA diving, maintaining aquariums, aquaponics, upcycling, art, and spending time out in nature with her daughter. She is a big believer in following dreams and passions though using immersive learning to engage and inspire students. Holly is currently developing an app that will allow students to design and prepare for life beyond high school.

Johnny Reed

Technology, Math

Johnny Reed comes from a family of teachers and received his BS in Physics from the University of Houston.  A former Space Shuttle communications instructor and ISS flight controller, he currently works in IT at NASA.  He enjoys spreading his love of programming, engineering, and technology to the local community, while getting outdoors with his three sons as much as possible.  Johnny teaches both the Lego and Teen Robotics classes and has also taught upper level math classes.

Carla Reed

Spanish, Math

Carla Reed holds a degree in archaeology from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked a wide variety of jobs from local archaeological consulting, to oil and gas, and lab work with the meteorites in the astromaterials lab at NASA.  Carla is our field trip coordinator, event planner, and school assistant that helps keep families and teachers communicating and connected. Carla shares her love of the outdoors with her husband Johnny Reed and their three sons.

Cynthia Howison

Cynthia is an education major with a specialization in Special Education.  She also has a Masters degree in Teacher Leadership as well as 21 years of teaching experience with first grade students!  She worked for the Alvin school district from 2013-2020.  She is excited to be working with the first graders here at Forest Path this year and spending more time with her granddaughter. 

Kristen Kilpatrick

English, Math 

Bio coming soon!

Allison Sumrall
PreK, Music, Theater
Ms. Allison has many years of experience working as a professional actor with Masquerade Theater as well as teaching for their Tribble School.  She also works as a professional voice actor.  Ms. Allison has been the preschool teacher at Forest Path since 2017 as well as teaching music and theater. Ms. Ali enjoys helping our youngest students grow and learn.

Ms. Jamie Michel

Kindergarten, Elementary Science


Ms. Jamie has a degree in child development as well as a Texas Child Care Center Director license. She previously has been the director of childcare at Hope Lutheran and has many years of experience working with young children.   Jamie enjoys creating developmentally appropriate activities for her students. 

Elizabeth Ford


Ms. Elizabeth has over 20 years of teaching experience teaching history to middle and high school students in multiple school districts .  She has  traveled extensively throughout Europe and Central American and  has experience working on archaeological sites.   She has a BA as well as a MA in Anthropology and Archaeology.  She is a certified teacher in TX with lifetime certification in secondary social studies.  

Amy Keels


Amy has a BS in Psychology and Anthropology as well as a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology.   

Arwen Hames

Preschool Assistant, Animal Care

Arwen is Ms. Sarah's daughter, and a home-school graduate.  She enjoys assisting with the preschool students and showing off her reptiles during our summer camps and animal care classes.