Meet the instructors of Sound Learning! All of our teachers have extensive experience in the educational world. All have homeschooled their own children and have also been classroom teachers. They are dedicated to making Sound Learning an environment steeped in academic excellence as well as a Christian Worldview.

Joy Pope, Instructor of English, since 1996

Joy’s education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary English Education (grades 7-12) and continued education in the teaching of writing.  She has taught for over twenty-five years, including teaching in public school, homeschooling her own children, and teaching homeschool classes.  Joy loves to teach students to be curious about literature and to be capable writers.  Besides teaching, she may be found either inside reading a book by C.S. Lewis or outside enjoying plants and small creatures.  Her newest joys are playing with her grandchildren and traveling to far-away or not-so-far-away places. Available by e-mail at jpopecreekside@msn.com or by cell phone @ 360-710-1810

Tess Doornink, Instructor of Science and Sound Learning Administrator, since 1996

Tess earned her BS in Elementary Education and taught 5th and 6th grades, and Jr. High Science for 5 years. For the past 30 years, she has been teaching Science to homeschool students., Tess is passionate about teaching about the natural world we live in. Tess is mom to 5 grown children, who were all homeschooled and grandma to 8. When not busy with grandchildren, classes, or administrative duties for Sound Learning, Tess can be found teaching folk dance to 1st-5th graders, working in the Awana ministry, volunteering at North Kitsap Fishline, or exploring distant forest service roadways off the beaten path with her husband, John. Email –  mrsdoornink at gmail.com

Charisse Bryant, Instructor of Math, Social Studies, since 2020

Charisse received her Bachelor’s degree from Grace Christian University in 1992 and her K-8 teaching certificate from Seattle Pacific University in 1994. She currently lives with her husband, Corey, and kids in Kingston. Corey and Charisse have 6 kids, 3 grown and out of the home, and 3 still living at home. (You might just find 2 of her kids on campus at Sound Learning.) She has been teaching for over 20 years from private school, to substituting, homeschooling, and lately Sound Learning. She enjoys substitute teaching for Gateway Christian Schools, teaching children and youth in church related ministries, reading and studying the Scripture, sunny vacations with family, reading historical fiction, researching home-schooling curriculum, kombucha, walks, and hikes, and crazy enough- Beachbody work-outs. (not necessarily in that order) Charisse is energized when teaching her students and loves watching them discuss, process, and share new information. She is passionate about sharing God’s truth with her students and integrates it into her classes.
Contact info: reeserene8@gmail.com

Alisha Anunson, Instructor of History, since 2022

Alisha Anunson earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College in 1998. She then went on to teach at Christ the King Academy in Poulsbo Washington, and then as a substitute teacher both at Kings West in Bremerton, and Christ the King in Poulsbo. She then took a break from teaching to start a smaller classroom by homeschooling her 3 girls for the past 20 years, with all three eventually attending Sound Learning. As a homeschooled kid herself Alisha appreciates the way homeschooling looks different for each child and family, and the flexibility that homeschool provides. Alisha teaches Norwegian folk dance with Poulsbo Leikarringen, leads an Awana class, and works as the Venue Rental Coordinator at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway. She and her family are active in their church Port Madison Lutheran, where she also currently serves as a deacon. Some of her favorite hobbies include playing Trivia with friends, reading all sorts of things, drinking tea and spending time with her family.

Dr. Jennifer Floyd, Instructor of Biology, since 2021

Jennifer received her BS degree from Duke University in Biology, and her graduate degrees from NC State University in Botany, where she researched huckleberry plants. She has been teaching biology at the college level for 23 years, including many Running Start students. She is married to a US Navy sailor and has enjoyed living in Hawaii, Guam, San Diego, Virginia, and Washington! She has 2 children, one of whom she is now homeschooling. Jennifer also loves teaching women’s bible studies and Awana. At other times, she can be found hiking, gardening, reading, and painting furniture.
Contact info: jwfloyd13@yahoo.com, or 858-337-9544

Holly Anderson, Instructor of Math since 2022

Holly has been a certified teacher since 1995. She earned her degree through Seattle Pacific University. As a classroom teacher, she taught at King’s West (now called Crosspoint) in Bremerton. When she became a mom, the decision was made to homeschool her own children. She has been doing that as well as tutoring others for years. She has 6 children, three are now adults, and three are in the process of becoming adults while learning at Sound Learning. Holly is active in her church, especially in prayer and missions and enjoys discovering more about God and the adventurous plans God has for each of us. One of those adventures God took Holly on was missions work in Liberia, West Africa and several other short term mission outreaches. Besides a fascination with numbers, Holly loves interacting with different cultures and is fascinated with languages, so much so she has hosted foreign exchange students—one she will be visiting soon in Spain! She will soon be renewing her credentials for teaching English as a Second Language. When not teaching, you will most likely find her in the kitchen where her creative outlet expresses itself in cooking.

Karen Kilpatrick, Instructor of Drawing and Design since 2024

Karen Kilpatrick received her B.A. in Graphic Design in 1993 and started working in the animation industry for the next 8 years. For the past 20 years, she has continued to work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator while homeschooling her 3 children. Karen has taught beginning and intermediate level drawing & design classes to homeschool students throughout the years. She loves studying and teaching God’s word as well as inspiring students to discover their artistic abilities and how we can reflect our creative Creator. 

Email Mrs. Kilpatrick at ourhomeroom5@gmail.com