Who we are
Succeed with our support. Our online educators are highly trained, hold a deep understanding of culture, and stay committed to you and your students.
Our expert teachers hold years of experience in schools across the world, including Japan, China, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Germany, France, Argentina, the US and Canada. All of us are passionate about learning and building into the lives of young people.
Our key team
Randy Attaway
Head of School
Randy Attaway
Head of School
When I was in elementary school, I had three dreams: have a family, become a teacher, and travel the world. I know that I am blessed because my childhood dreams are an everyday reality.
My wife, son, and I currently live in South Carolina, USA, which is where my teaching career began at a public high school. Between 2015 and 2020, I had the privilege of serving as teacher, academic service support, and a principal at International School of Qingdao in China, which gave us the opportunity to travel through many countries in Asia as well as a few in Europe.
Since returning to the States in 2020, I have been honored with the opportunity to continue working with curious students and inspiring families throughout the world through online education. I absolutely love the process of learning and believe that everybody is created to be learners. Thankfully, the internet allows us to learn together now more than ever!
Location
South Carolina, USA
Education
MA Educational Leadership
University of Texas, Permian Basin
BA Secondary English Education
Southern Wesleyan University
Patty Blanchard
Science Teacher
Patty Blanchard
Science Teacher
Patricia Blanchard has been teaching high school science for more than 20 years. She has worked at international schools in South Korea and China, as well as in the US. Prior to entering teaching, she practiced medicine in the US as a physician assistant, working primarily in general internal medicine and pulmonary/critical care for adults.
She has bachelor’s degrees from Wheaton College and East Carolina University, a Master of Health Science from Duke University, and a post-graduate diploma from the University of Gloucester.
Patricia lives with her husband in Raleigh, North Carolina and continues to enjoy the global classroom by teaching online for LifePlus Academy and NorthStar Academy. She has five grown children who have all lived internationally, and seven TCK grandchildren who supply her with giggles and hugs whenever they are in the same country.
Debbie Sue Blanks
Science Teacher
Debbie Sue Blanks
Science Teacher
I am a South African who has worked for Life Plus schools for more than 20 years, 15 of them in China. I began as a science teacher at ISQ and then became the high school principal. I continued in school leadership taking on the role of Chengdu International School head principal. I returned to South Africa to be with family but remained with Life Plus in various roles as a consultant, interim principal for ISW and Yantai International school, as well as teaching for LifePlus Academy. I currently work for ACSI as the assistant director for the South Africa office. I have a BSc in Chemistry and a masters in educational leadership.
Location
Johannesburg
Education
MA of Education Leadership, Columbia International University
Matias Celi
Computer Science Teacher
Matias Celi
Computer Science Teacher
I am a 37 year old Argentinian teacher who loves learning new things and helping people to discover and develop their talents. I am passionate about my family, traveling, and anything tech-related that can help the world be a better place. In my free time I enjoy playing sports (paddle is my favorite one lately!). I currently live in Cordoba, Argentina, together with my wife and two kids. In the past we have lived in Cambodia and in Tianjin, China! Asia is in our hearts and in our kids—our oldest boy is a Tianjin-rén :)
Location
Cordoba, Argentina
Education
B.Ed Instructional Technology
National Technological University
Physical Education Teacher
Provincial Institute of Physical Education
Annie Fan
IT Support and Registrar
Annie Fan
IT Support and Registrar
I hold both BA and MA from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications. I have worked for IBM for 16 years in the field of IT, project management as well as customer communication. I am good at effective communication and trouble-shooting.
My husand and I have two lovely daughters and we live in Chengdu. I am highly interested in education and echo with the learning approach of LifePlus. I look forward to serving with you!
Alessandra Hansen, Ed.D
Capstone and Psychology Teacher
Alessandra Hansen, Ed.D
Capstone and Psychology Teacher
Ciao! Bonjour! Hóla! Hello!
From Europe to the South Pacific to North America, I have lived on several continents and taught multiple languages, from high school classes to college courses on site and online. Most importantly, my husband and I have raised five wonderful adults who have given us seven precious grandchildren. We currently live on the East Coast of the United States, close to Boston, where we enjoy the numerous historical sites of early America. I love to read detective novels and poetry; if I could, however, I’d live on the Italian alpine ski slopes during the winter and on Dana Point Beach in California during the summer! But in the end, I am happiest close to my kids and grandkids.
Location
Boston, USA
Education
Ed.D Organizational Leadership in Higher Education
Abilene Christian University, USA
MA Philosophy and Literature
California State University, USA
BA Journalism
BA French Literature + Philosophy
University of Southern California, USA
Work experience
Director of Student Services
LifePlus Online Academy
Research Fellow, Center for Vocational Formation
Abilene Christian University, USA
Adjunct Professor
Northwest University (onsite + online), USA
Adjunct Professor
Biola University, USA
Curriculum Consultant/Teacher
Kim McElroy
English Language Art Teacher
Kim McElroy
English Language Art Teacher
After years of working as a global project manager implementing computer systems around the world, I became a stay-at-home mom for five years. During that time, I was also a foster mom for 12 children, living with them and my family in a group home setting.
Like you, I have been the one to work hard late into the night to help prepare my kids for school the next day. What a change in direction I found myself in. That was when I made the determination that a career change to education was the correct move for me.
I got busy certifying and preparing to become a teacher at a local school the following year. I would ultimately work primarily as an English teacher, among other subjects in Humanities, in Florida and Tennessee in the USA, Tianjin and Changshu in China, and teach and tutor children virtually from kindergarten to college age in various countries around the world. Though working as a global consultant and in China were life changing experiences, it is teaching children and trying to understand their specific, individual needs that has been my most rewarding work whether in person or virtually, especially when students find success.
Currently, I live in Tennessee with my husband, mother, and new goldendoodle puppy, Macaroni, and near our daughter and other family members. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, researching interesting topics online, playing with my nieces and nephews, chatting with friends, and enjoying my family being close after years of separation. I appreciate the time I spend with the children attending the Academy.
Location
Tennessee, USA
Education
BA English and Political Science
Louisiana State University, USA
Work experience
AP Literature and Composition and Philosophy Teacher
Tianjin International School
9th Grade English Teacher
Silverdale Academy, Chattanooga, USA
IB Diploma English Literature A Teacher
United World College, Changshu, China
Online Personal Humanities Tutor
Private instruction
HS Principal
Tianjin International School
HS English and AP Literature and Composition Teacher
Tianjin International School
MS and HS English Teacher
First Academy, Leesburg, USA
Wendy Poling
Statistics Teacher
Wendy Poling
Statistics Teacher
Wendy Poling lives in Kansas City, USA with her husband and her two daughters. Wendy was a big fan of distance learning before it was cool! Since graduating from Texas A&M in 2001 with her M.S. in Mathematics, she has taught for several high schools and colleges over the years and is thrilled to be joining LifePlus. Wendy also serves in her commmunity in preschool work and works with her daughters' theater company.
Glen Walenda
Science Teacher
Glen Walenda
Science Teacher
Glen Walenda is teaching Physics with the Academy this year. He was born in Louisiana in the United States but moved to Missouri at the age of 6 months. After getting his BSE Degree in Physics from Central Missouri State University, he moved to the Los Angeles area of California. He taught in California for a few years before moving to Chengdu China teaching science and theatre at Chengdu International School for ten years. He really enjoyed watching students win various awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair for many years in a row. He moved back to Missouri in the United States to be closer to family. Glen is excited to return to teaching students living overseas, this time online.
Our vision + mission
Our vision is of world-class servant leaders raised up in every vocation. Our mission is to enable transformation in every learner’s life.
Our values
Conviction
Our school is most successful when we all work as a team! Our collaborative approach to education intentionally gives parents, staff, and students a voice in the education process.
Service
Students at LifePlus Online Academy use their learning to serve others in impactful ways. Whether it’s participating in local service projects or volunteering at local organizations, our students apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges.
Transformation
There’s more to learning than gaining knowledge. Learning stretches who we are, challenges us, and offers us a fuller life. We center our focus on nurturing students’ overall development through a holistic approach to education.
Impact
Learning gives us the knowledge and skills to get out of our comfort zone and contribute something of worth. Each of our students has their own distinctive talents and skills they can use to impact the world around them.
As a LifePlus international school, we inspire our students to go and make a life-changing difference for the common good.
Being Cognia-accredited, the incredibly high standards of our work are recognized globally, and our performance continually evaluated—raising us higher, taking our students further.
Our most successful students…
See purpose in themselves and others, find purpose in their learning, and strive after truth. Show humility by knowing they have both more to learn and lots to contribute.
Discern when and how to engage with online courses – which requires checking courses and communication channels daily, asking for help, and making connections between everything they learn.
Exercise compassion to those representing other cultures and are able to see their teachers and peers as people beyond the screen.
Demonstrate curiosity by striving to connect learning with their knowledge, personal goals and passions. They’re always hungry to know more.
Connect with teachers and peers in weekly sessions, over email and through collaborative assignments, like discussions and group projects.
Serve within both the virtual community, and their own personal communities, by putting their learning into practice.
Show courage by being willing to ask for help, exploring new ideas and sharing their perspective and experiences.
Persevere in maintaining strict schedules, checking courses and communication channels daily, staying organized, and seeking help when they are struggling.
Recognized for excellence
LifePlus Online Academy is accredited by Cognia, the largest education improvement organization in the world—demonstrating our commitment to learners, teachers, leaders and communities.
A special encounter
Only the LifePlus Online Academy delivers an entire AP curriculum that grows your students, and your school, academically and beyond.