Our Staff | Solas Academy

Meet our Founders!

Kat Wada - Co-Director

Hello! My name is Kat Wada. I am first and foremost a redeemed sinner saved by grace for God's glory. My husband Marcus and I have been married for 15 years and we have 6 wild but sweet children. Our lives are full but we wouldn't want it any other way. We are so thankful for the ups and downs that have shaped our walk with the Lord. We started homeschooling when I was a new believer in California and when my oldest was 5 years old. We were so blessed by wise friends and a community of other homeschoolers, The Lord knew we needed to be poured into in that season and I am forever grateful for those friends. We moved to Arizona in 2020 without the safety net of our mentors. The Lord grew us immensely as a family. In 2022, my 5th son, Zion, was diagnosed with Autism and we knew we had to make a change in our lives and especially our homeschool day. I searched for a way to accommodate his special needs into our current co-op and home but it wasn't working. I didn't want to separate our children during their days since we have such a short precious season with them. I wanted to be able to keep them together as much as I could. Lori Castillo, my wonderful co-director and I decided to try out our ideas with a soft open in Spring 2023. It was such a blessing to have all of our kids together learning in one place. We pray more than anything that our Branches Special Need class will be able to provide an enriching, appropriate, and loving environment that is enabled by our own love for the Lord, who loves and cares for his people. Solas Academy also wants to provide families with a strong pre-k-12th grade school. We want our families to be challenged and edified, our moms to grow and be encouraged when days are long. We have a special mom's time portion where we can be equipped so in turn will be able to pour into our children. We continually pray for our current students and future families to come to know the Lord. Leadership continually depends on God to give us wisdom as we make decisions for this Solas Academy. We are not here to take your place as an educator but rather help parents to be more present and excited to homeschool their own families with one day of instruction, electives, and a schedule to follow at home. We have schedules to follow along from home for new families or for families that need a little extra help in different seasons. We pray for a year filled with learning and fun! Check out our calendar and email us to visit or for any questions you may have.

Lori Castillo - Co-Director

Hello, my name is Lori Castillo, and I get the privilege of serving as the Solas Academy Co-Director. My hardworking husband Joe Castillo and I have four wonderful children: Ricky, Rey, Olivia and Ezra. As parents, we are committed to an education that is built on God's inherent word and a biblical worldview. We began our homeschooling journey in 2020 as many did, and the Lord opened doors that ultimately led to the beginning of Solas. It is vital for us as directors to provide an environment that is Christ honoring, Christ centered, and gospel focused. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve your families and support you throughout your time here at Solas Academy.

Meet our Teachers!

God has blessed us with an amazing staff of teachers that love the Lord and empower children to grow at their own pace and honor the Lord.

Mrs. Christie Brooks

Sprouts Teacher

I was born in Illinois and have lived in Gilbert, Arizona, with my husband since 1994. Together, we have been blessed with a wonderful family that includes two daughters, a son, a daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, scrapbooking (both paper and digital), kayaking, and working with students both in the classroom and in Sunday School. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and my Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University. I have taught a variety of grade levels and subjects, including Discovery Science and reading intervention in a traditional school setting for six years. I also spent seven years teaching grades 3–6 in a virtual school, where I worked closely with students in reading and math intervention groups. In addition, I have had the privilege of teaching Sunday School at Gateway Fellowship for more than 13 years. I am excited to work with students at Solas Academy, helping them explore new ideas, discover their God-given strengths, and grow in both their academic abilities and their knowledge of Jesus.

Mrs. Julia Frohlich

Administrator / Journalism and Yearbook Teacher

My name is Julia Frohlich and I give my Savior Jesus Christ all the praise and glory due His name! I am so thankful Jesus saved me from my sins and has given me a new life in Him. I have been married for 19 years to my sweet husband Bobby. I was born in Oregon and moved to Washington for college until moving to Arizona in 2022. I have a Communications degree which I have used in Human Resources positions. I have two beautiful daughters, Aubrey and Keira. I have been homeschooling for 12 years. I am excited to teach the Journalism and Yearbook class this year and to see the students grow in their love for writing articles, improve in their interview skills, and use their creativity in creating the newsletters and school yearbook. I am also the administrator for Solas and have enjoyed being able to help our wonderful directors continue to serve and love our Solas families and community. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing games and sports, hiking, going for walks and jogs, reading, singing and time in fellowship. I look forward to continuing to see God work through Solas and I pray more are brought into God’s family. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10

Mrs. Riley Jones

Literature and Writing Teacher

My name is Rylie Jones, and I will be teaching Literature and Composition this year across multiple grade levels. Growing up in California, alongside my two younger siblings, I received a classical Christian education, which God used to develop my love of reading and writing. In 2023, I graduated from The Master’s University with my B.A. in Spoken Communication. During my time at TMU, I learned how to study literature through a biblical lens and developed my skills in debate, as well as persuasive and creative writing. After graduation, I followed my family to Gilbert, AZ, where I met my husband, Noah. For the past two years, I have been working for Great Hearts Academies as an Assistant Teacher (2023-2025) and Art/PE Teacher(2024-2025) for grades K-6. I am thrilled to begin teaching at Solas, pointing students to Christ and supporting parents in the education of their children. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25

Mrs. Brie Olvey

Science and Math Teacher

Hello! My name is Brie Olvey, and I am delighted to get to teach math and science at Solas this year. I was raised as a believer in Christ and know that it is only by His grace that we are redeemed. I’ve been an educator for 9 years, both as a private tutor and as a teacher in the classroom. In 2017, I graduated from ASU with a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Bioscience and Biotechnology, and in 2021 from GCU with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education. My husband and I have been married for 7 years, and we have two beautiful girls. Our eldest, Eliza, went home to be with the Lord 4 years ago, and our youngest, Lily, is 2 years old. Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family, reading, sewing, crocheting, and hiking when the weather is nice! I am looking forward to meeting all of our families and seeing what the Lord is going to do in our students this year!

Mrs. Aly Padrnos

Geography/Memography Teacher

My name is Aly and I’m so grateful for the steadfast love of my Savior who saved a sinner like me! I’m a mama, and specifically a homeschool mama, of my three children. I’ve been homeschooling for fourteen years, and along with Christ being our foundation, it has become a central part of our families identity and a huge source of joy. I’m so excited to get to teach more friends at Solas now alongside my own kids!

Mrs. Noelle Rymer

Science and Adventure Club Teacher

My name is Noelle Rymer, and I have had a passion for teaching, science, and homeschooling for as long as I can remember. I was homeschooled for the majority of my childhood, and I could not be more grateful for the education I received. I feel privileged to be teaching science for the stems and vines, as I have always had a heart for creation and the beautiful world our God has created. I believe understanding God as our Creator is fundamental to studying the world around us and pivotal to one’s understanding of the gospel. As such, I seek to magnify Him in my teaching and provide an environment where students are as excited to learn about His creation as I am. As Roman 1:20 says, if we have witnessed His creation, we are without excuse if we fail to offer Him the recognition and praise He so clearly deserves. Favorite verse: Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!"

Mrs. Patty Tyler

Spanish Teacher

My name is Patricia Tyler, but everyone calls me Patty. I have been adopted in God's family by the grace and love of Jesus Christ. He gave me a love of learning which I am forever grateful. Since I remember, I have been in a school related environment. Either because I was a student or I was teaching. I have been married to my husband Brady for almost 23 years. Even before we had kids, we knew we wanted to homeschool them, so I have been in the homeschool world more than 15 years. We are a family of four, we have two boys, Jared and Owen. My husband works from home, and I am a happy stay-at-home mom, always serving my homeschool communities and my church in one way or another, but mostly by teaching in some way. I am so excited to teach Spanish to the students at Solas Academy. I am looking forward to getting to know the students and their families. I know we will have fun learning together!