Students at Hope United Academy
It all began with with a need.
In 2018, several families asked Angie Benner, an experienced teacher, tutor, and learning specialist, to help them educate their children more fully. All were bright children whose needs were not being met in conventional schools. Most of them required additional tutoring outside of school, and failure to thrive in a conventional setting was impacting their self-esteem and the lives of their families as well.
After many prayers, meetings, and planning, Hope United Academy was born.
Angie and the team of special instructors at HUA have the expertise to teach frustrated learners, to motivate them, and to provide the encouragement and environment needed for success in a Christ-centered environment.
Meet Angie Benner, Head of School
Angie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education and moved to Huntsville in 1992. After teaching in public and private schools for ten years, and being nominated by students and faculty for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Angie paused her teaching career to raise her three young children. She wrote curricula for churches and schools, taught in several homeschool settings, and conducted hands-on science camps across the Southeast United States.
During this time, Angie and her husband realized their second child did not seem to meet developmental milestones like others. At age five, after several types of therapy and interventions from pediatric specialists, their son was diagnosed with dyslexia. In response, Angie pursued Orton-Gillingham certification, which was life-changing.
Upon graduation, Angie and Jeff’s son was diagnosed with ADD, cross-dominance, and executive functioning issues. These challenges motivated Angie to deepen her teaching credentials, and she earned further certification with the Orton-Gillingham Association.
Angie returned to the classroom professionally while completing her Master’s degree in Education, with a concentration on reading and processing issues. It became her passion to reach children who were “falling through the cracks” educationally, children who were bright but needed special tools for academic success. She began providing specialized teaching services with several private schools and homeschool families in the area, helping numerous children and their parents find hope and success, before founding Hope United Academy in 2018.
Angie Benner, Head of School