TORCH Network Leaders

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

Bob and Jeanette Cohn have been married for 22 years and have seven children ages ranging from 3 to 21. They have been homeschooling for more than 10 years. Jeanette is a degreed Special Education teacher with a specialty in Behavior Modification and Early Child Development. Bob is a degreed Electrical Engineer and has been working in the Power business for 25 years. The Cohn's joined TORCH the summer before they began to homeschool their first child. They have been actively involved in TORCH activities and are co-founders of JPII Academy, a Homeschool Coop in Severna Park, MD where they currently reside.

Bob and Jeanette share a love for music and sing in the choir together. Jeanette has also developed a Musical Stations of the Cross production at their parish. They became Associate Directors for TORCH after 7 years of service as the District Directors of Familia of Baltimore where they helped numerous Catholic adults come closer to Christ through a better understanding of the Church's teachings on Marriage and Family.

Bob and Jeanette look forward to working with the Regional Coordinators to assure that the needs of their chapters are being met and to help the Coordinators find ways to make sure that TORCH chapters serve as effective tools for advancing the Catholic homeschooling experience.

Rick is a native of Northeastern Ohio and Carmen Ana is from Puerto Rico. Work with the federal government brought both of them to the Washington, DC area, where they met and married. Rick and Carmen began their homeschooling journey with children in 3rd and 6th grades. As their family grew, they experienced all facets of schooling, from homeschooling through high school to participating in umbrella homeschool high schools to boarding schools.

Co-founders of a homeschooling support group in Annapolis, MD, they became involved with TORCH in 1993, leading this TORCH chapter until they moved to Rochester, NY, in 2000. Homeschooling has been an answer from God as they wrestled with educating their growing family. They did not feel called to public or private schools. When they found homeschooling, they felt God strongly moving them in that direction. As with many homeschooling families, they revisit their decision every so often, but there has never been a call to anything else. Homeschooling, as well as their involvement as TORCH Regional Coordinators, is what God has intended for their family.

Tim and Mary Becker have been married for over 26 years and are the proud parents of five adopted sons ages 14 to 21. They have been home schooling for 16 years, supported in part by Mary’s job for the past six years at a Catholic school that incorporates home schooling curricula. Mary’s background and degree in Accounting, supported by Tim’s work with computers and finances for a plumbing company, make her uniquely qualified to be TORCH Treasurer.

Mary also encourages Catholic reading and the Church Militant through her website www.seatofwisdom.net. Two Becker sons (twins) are in the military—one Army and the other Air Force—which is motivation for Mary’s work with Catholic military chaplain Fr. John Hannigan to get Catholic materials into the hands of our soldiers. Mary’s website is currently linked to Amazon, which sends a referral fee to Mary when any item is ordered through the www.seatofwisdom.net portal, in turn supporting her efforts in addressing the spiritual needs of our soldiers.

The TORCH advisory board is comprised of individuals who can offer practical and/or spiritual support and mentoring to current TORCH leadership based on expertise derived from their own TORCH leadership experience (e.g., at the national and regional level); personal homeschool experiences (e.g., as homeschooling mothers and fathers); association with homeschoolers (e.g., priests and religious); and/or a particular area of expertise (e.g., business, education, counseling, etc.) that assists TORCH in realizing its mission. The often hidden support offered through daily prayer and sacrifice for the leaders and members of TORCH is the most valuable work the advisory board can perform.

Bob and Mary Beller have five children and have been homeschooling since 1993. They have homeschooled three children all the way through high school (so far). Their oldest two children are graduates of Christendom College in Front Royal, VA and their third is a freshman at Christendom this year. Their youngest children are in 9th and 6th grades this year. They joined TORCH in 1993 as it formed chapters and Mary was the inaugural chapter coordinator for the Mother Seton chapter in Montgomery County, MD, serving as Coordinator for three years. They were the Registrars for TORCH National for ten years and moved to the Advisory Board in 2008. Mary has a BA and MA in Early Childhood Special Education and Bob is a Fire Protection Engineer with a small consulting firm. They are active members of St. Bernadette's Church in Silver Spring, MD and serve as Treasurers for the Mother Seton TORCH chapter. They enjoy camping, hiking and canoeing, especially in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

Ron and Becky George have been married for over 27 years. They have 6 children (ages 6 to 26) and 2 grandchildren. They started homeschooling when their oldest child was entering 3rd grade and have been at it ever since – a total of eighteen years and counting! The Georges (along with their good friends, the Klostermans) started a support group for Catholic homeschoolers in their area, becoming a TORCH chapter a few years later. After serving their chapter as coordinators for several years, Ron and Becky became the TORCH National Treasurers serving TORCH in this capacity until April 2009.

Ron and Becky own two retail businesses and Ron serves in the Maryland Legislature as a State Delegate. When not busy with their business obligations, they enjoy just being with family. Most of Ron's family is in the area and they have two annual "Festivals" each year. In the winter they celebrate their Italian heritage by having a Pasta Party; spending the day making pasta, laughing, and making general merry before the feast!

In the summer, they celebrate their Cheasapeake Bay heritage (now in it's fourth generation) by having a Seafood Festival at Ron and Becky's home on the Magothy River. You never know what concoction will show up at this event. One year there was even grilled baby octopus (which their 4 year old daughter thought was great....especially when all her cousins would squeal as she bit into it).

Any other "quiet" time that they get is spent being with their two youngest who, as experience has shown, will grow up all too soon.

Jeff and Lisa have been married for 20 years and are currently homeschooling their 6 children ages 18- 7. Their children also attend classes as dual enrollment students at local universities and participate in the performing arts program at Dayspring School of the Arts.

Jeff holds a BA in Economics from University of Baltimore and an MBA from Loyola University in Baltimore. He currently works as a consultant in the mortgage banking industry after years of working as a VP of Finance for companies such as Prudential home Mortgage, Nexstar Financial Services, which he helped co found, and Bank of America. He currently serves on the Board of Dayspring School of the Arts and is also an enthusiastic adventure racer when he is not supporting our own children in their musical and athletic pursuits.

Lisa has a BA in Finance and Math from University of Baltimore and is also certified as a catechist through the Paul VI Institute in St Louis. Prior to homeschooling she was a math and science teacher at Mt. De Sales Academy and Visitation Academy in Maryland. She has continued her enjoyment of working with youth, both within the home school support group and her parish as a catechist.

Jeff and Lisa first became exposed to TORCH in 1990 when their first son was born. The charity, encouragement, and Catholic witness they encountered with those first TORCH families ignited their own deep commitment to TORCH. Since that time they have worked to begin TORCH chapters in the various places they've lived. They have served as Midwestern Regional Coordinators, national conference organizers and until recently, Lisa served TORCH as Associate Director. Their previous experience with TORCH and their continued dedication and love for its mission and philosophy, has led to their current positions as National Advisors to TORCH. They spend much of their time devoted to praying for TORCH members and those who serve them.

TORCH divides the country into seven regions.

• West Coast and Canada
• Rockies and Southwest
• Midwest
• Southeast
• East Coast
• Virginia and West Virginia
• Maryland and Washington D.C.

Each region is managed by a Regional Coordinator. The Regional Coordinators serve the Chapter Leaders. They assist them with any questions or concerns when they are beginning, and as they continue to lead their chapters. They work with the Chapter Leaders to assist the families within the local chapters, encouraging growth in all areas of formation for the family: spiritual, apostolic, human and intellectual, and serve the chapters in practical ways, as needs arise, answering questions or helping to solve difficulties.

Below is a little more information about the regional coordinators for the different regions.

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

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Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.

Paul and Theresa Carlson, parents of seven children ages 7 to 25 and Directors of the TORCH National Network of Leaders, discovered TORCH when they first began homeschooling thirteen years ago. After reading the TORCH Mission & Philosophy statement, they and a small group of families knew it was just what they needed to help their families stay close to Jesus Christ and His Church. Thus, Holy Family TORCH was born. The charity, faith-filled and creative ideas, and support of the TORCH network have truly been a blessing to their family! They also appreciate that TORCH chapters everywhere are founded on the same mission and philosophy, regardless of the location.

Paul is Chairperson for Business and Technology Divisions at Kankakee Community College in Illinois and Theresa is a busy homemaker and homeschool teacher! In the past, Paul and Theresa have been chapter leaders of Holy Family TORCH in Kankakee, and most recently, Midwest Regional Coordinators for TORCH. Paul serves as a lector, and Theresa as cantor at their local parish. Paul has also served on the liturgy committee, and Theresa on the women's interparish committee, organizing retreats and events for women in the local area. They have also volunteered with their local ConQuest, Challenge, and Little Flowers Clubs.