Tribute to Deborah (The “Heart” of the CCA)

We are excited to share some important news about our community. Our founder, Deborah, is preparing for a well-deserved retirement.

For many of us, Deborah has been the heart and soul of CCA. While raising and homeschooling her own children, she built this ministry from the ground up, providing the guidance and support that has empowered countless families in Central Maryland. There are many homeschooling journeys that might have looked very different—or perhaps ended much sooner—without her steady hand, her kindness, and her constant encouragement. We are deeply grateful to her for the years of sacrifice and love she has poured into our community.

Looking Ahead

To ensure that our umbrella continues to support families for years to come, Deborah has personally curated a new leadership team to take the helm. We are honored to carry the torch she has lit.

We are currently in a transition period where Deborah is working closely with us, sharing her wisdom and helping us shape the future of our umbrella. We are working together to plan for growth and new opportunities, ensuring that we continue to provide the excellence and support you have come to rely on.

We hope you will join us in thanking Deborah for her incredible service. As we settle into our new roles, we ask for your patience and your partnership. We are so excited to see what the future holds for this community, and we look forward to growing alongside your families.

Terri Wolfe
Terri WolfeExecutive Director
Terri is a devoted daughter, sister, loving wife, nurturing mother, and loyal friend who has always felt a clear sense of purpose regarding children and education. Throughout her years as a nanny, she worked closely not only with the children in her care but also with their schools, gaining a well-rounded understanding of various educational environments. After decades of dedication to her nanny families, she is stepping thoughtfully into her role as Executive Director of CCA, embracing this new season with clarity, strength, and purpose. Terri feels firmly in her stride—equipped by years of experience and guided by unwavering faith. With grace, resilience, and trust in the Lord, she continues to uplift and impact the lives of children and families in meaningful ways.
Liz Leuth
Liz LeuthExecutive Administrator
Elizabeth is a mother of six children, each with unique perspectives and learning needs. Having navigated a spectrum of challenges—from hearing loss to Autism—she deeply understands that “the struggle is real” and has dedicated herself to adapting her approach to meet each child’s mindset.

Since transitioning to homeschooling five years ago following the COVID-19 pandemic, Elizabeth has successfully graduated one child and is currently preparing her second for graduation, while her youngest is in elementary school.

Elizabeth’s involvement with the local homeschooling community began two years ago when she stepped in to digitize student records. She quickly became an essential part of the team, staying on as Secretary. Previously, she served the Arundel homeschool group on both the Graduation and Science Fair committees. To ensure students didn’t lose out on vital learning opportunities, she eventually took over the leadership of the Science Fair. With three children having participated in dual enrollment, Elizabeth is well versed on the Arundel Community College program and the various college accommodation resources available to students. She is always the first to offer a helping hand to families navigating these paths.

Jennifer Buba
Jennifer BubaDirector of Compliance
Jennifer Buba has been homeschooling for over a decade, guiding her three sons through a rich and meaningful educational journey. She has celebrated the graduation of two of her sons in 2021 and 2025, with Christ at the center of her homeschooling experience. Throughout their elementary and middle school years, Jennifer emphasized hands-on learning, field trips, and active participation in co-ops and tutorials.

She is well-versed in the dual enrollment ECAP program at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), with all three of her sons having taken part. For more than half of her homeschooling journey, Jennifer has served on various homeschool boards, reflecting her deep commitment to giving back to the community. She is passionate about mentoring and guiding other families, sharing her experience and encouragement along the way.

Jennifer is truly grateful for the opportunities homeschooling has provided her family and looks forward to continuing this journey while supporting and uplifting others.

Jeanette Newland
Jeanette NewlandDirector of Technology
Jeanette has been homeschooling her six children for 17 years, teaching them at home from the very beginning. By May 2026, she will have celebrated the graduation of four of her children, with her two youngest currently in middle and high school.

Having served on the Cornerstone Tutorial Board for six years, Jeanette is now a key part of the CCA leadership team. Through her own family’s journey, she has mastered the ins and outs of the college transition; having successfully dual-enrolled four of her children at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), she is always happy to answer questions and guide other parents through the same process. Jeanette knows that the high school years can feel overwhelming at first, and she is always available to help families navigate the paperwork and the path ahead.

Deborah Mackell
Deborah MackellFounder & Mentor
Deborah Mackall and her husband have homeschooled 7 children. The youngest just turned 18 and graduates home school high school May 2026. At the same time Deborah is taking on a well deserved retirement. Homeschooling since 1991, (and you can do the math!) Deborah explored the varied genres of homeschooling from unschooling to classical, hitting most squarely in the ‘eclectic camp.’ She was part of varied homeschool groups that ran meetings, provided fun events, wrote and edited a print newsletter [so last century!]l organized Fairs [Curriculum, Science, Arts, and History for example], and set up small co-ops, preferring to teach art and history to small groups. In CCA, Deborah especially enjoyed helping high schoolers reach their potential by navigating the transcript and graduation process in an individual way.