Who we are
Hi! We’re Matina Hunnell and Carole Parker, the mother-daughter team behind Evergreen Academy.
We always knew our children would be okay in traditional school. But deep down, we were searching for something more—something excellent. We wondered: What if there’s a better way to help children learn, grow, and flourish?
Matina’s journey began as a music educator for 12 years, where she experimented with Socratic teaching and witnessed the power of curiosity-driven learning. The turning point came after attending a professional development event where Laura Sandefer, co-founder of the original Acton Academy, shared the vision of learner-driven education. That moment lit a spark—there was a better way.
Carole, a long-time educator and Matina’s mom, shared the same dream. We began imagining a school that honored each child’s unique potential, respected their agency, and reignited the joy of learning. In 2019, we opened Evergreen Academy out of Carole’s home. We quickly outgrew that space and moved to our current location in Goldsby.
Since then, our school community has continued to grow and thrive. Our children—and the many learners who have joined us—are developing grit, curiosity, independence, and a love of learning. It’s been the most rewarding adventure of our lives.
If you’re ready to reinvent education for your family, we invite you to request our free info kit and attend an upcoming Info Night. We’d love to meet you!
With joy,
