About Our Founder | CEO
With more than 25 years of experience in education, Tamara Hopkins (Ms. Tam) is a visionary leader and lifelong advocate for children and families. She specializes in inclusive, accelerated learning models that meet children where they are while nurturing their full academic, social, and emotional potential. Her work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.
As the Founder and Owner of Multitude of Mercies, Ms. Tam has built a learning community rooted in excellence, compassion, and high expectations. Under her leadership, the organization has become known for cultivating confident learners, fostering curiosity, and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. She is deeply committed to developing educators, strengthening family partnerships, and creating environments where children of all abilities can flourish.
Ms. Tam’s passion for early childhood education is matched by her dedication to innovation and continuous improvement. Through thoughtful curriculum design, mentorship of staff, and a child-centered approach to leadership, she continues to shape generations of students while inspiring a lasting love of learning in every classroom she touches.
About Our Asst. CEO | General Manager | Board Member
Katrena Shirrel (Marka) brings more than 17 years of excellence in early childhood education, academic innovation, and executive leadership. She is not only a senior leader within the organization — she is a foundational pillar. Alongside her mother, Ms. Tam (Founder & CEO), Katrena helped pioneer and build Multitude of Mercies Foundation from the ground up, shaping its academic vision, operational systems, and accelerated learning model. For over a decade, she has played a transformational role in elevating the Foundation to a new level of academic distinction and organizational excellence. As General Manager and Coordinator of the Multitude of Mercies Secondary Homeschool Hub (K–5), Katrena designs and produces the comprehensive academic framework that drives the organization’s accelerated learning approach. She personally writes and produces all monthly lesson plans, ensuring they are cohesive, culturally inclusive, developmentally layered, and academically advanced. Her curriculum leadership encompasses: - Inclusive literacy development beginning in infancy - Accelerated learning for preschool through fifth grade - STEM-based instruction (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) - Hands-on manipulatives and project-based learning - Edible science and interactive experiments - Sequencing, comprehension, and vocabulary mastery - Cultural and historical studies introducing all ethnicities represented within the community - Advanced mathematics integration Monthly themed literature and cross-curricular alignment - Social-emotional learning and inclusion-based practices Every monthly instructional plan is strategically aligned with a central theme and includes storytelling, sequencing, math integration, science exploration, history studies, cultural representation, and literacy development. This layered academic design ensures depth of understanding while accelerating mastery. Because of her ingenuity and structured academic model, students enrolled from daycare through fifth grade consistently perform at least two years above grade level. The Foundation’s reputation for academic advancement is directly tied to her curriculum design, instructional systems, and leadership oversight. In addition to curriculum development, Katrena: - Writes program menus aligned with educational themes and nutrition standards - Coordinates and designs educational field trips that extend classroom learning - Produces organizational newsletters - Manages daily staff operations - Works closely with HR, marketing, and grant administration - Oversees internal systems to maintain academic accountability - Serves as Assistant CEO and Board Member As a co-pioneer of Multitude of Mercies Foundation, Katrena’s leadership reflects both legacy and innovation. Together with Ms. Tam, she has helped build a model that integrates accelerated academics, cultural inclusion, and whole-child development — positioning Multitude of Mercies as a leading early learning and homeschool hub serving infants through fifth grade.
About Our Asst. CEO | General Manager | Board Member
Katrena Shirrel (Marka) brings more than 17 years of excellence in early childhood education, academic innovation, and executive leadership. She is not only a senior leader within the organization — she is a foundational pillar. Alongside her mother, Ms. Tam (Founder & CEO), Katrena helped pioneer and build Multitude of Mercies Foundation from the ground up, shaping its academic vision, operational systems, and accelerated learning model. For over a decade, she has played a transformational role in elevating the Foundation to a new level of academic distinction and organizational excellence. As General Manager and Coordinator of the Multitude of Mercies Secondary Homeschool Hub (K–5), Katrena designs and produces the comprehensive academic framework that drives the organization’s accelerated learning approach. She personally writes and produces all monthly lesson plans, ensuring they are cohesive, culturally inclusive, developmentally layered, and academically advanced. Her curriculum leadership encompasses: - Inclusive literacy development beginning in infancy - Accelerated learning for preschool through fifth grade - STEM-based instruction (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) - Hands-on manipulatives and project-based learning - Edible science and interactive experiments - Sequencing, comprehension, and vocabulary mastery - Cultural and historical studies introducing all ethnicities represented within the community - Advanced mathematics integration Monthly themed literature and cross-curricular alignment - Social-emotional learning and inclusion-based practices Every monthly instructional plan is strategically aligned with a central theme and includes storytelling, sequencing, math integration, science exploration, history studies, cultural representation, and literacy development. This layered academic design ensures depth of understanding while accelerating mastery. Because of her ingenuity and structured academic model, students enrolled from daycare through fifth grade consistently perform at least two years above grade level. The Foundation’s reputation for academic advancement is directly tied to her curriculum design, instructional systems, and leadership oversight. In addition to curriculum development, Katrena: - Writes program menus aligned with educational themes and nutrition standards - Coordinates and designs educational field trips that extend classroom learning - Produces organizational newsletters - Manages daily staff operations - Works closely with HR, marketing, and grant administration - Oversees internal systems to maintain academic accountability - Serves as Assistant CEO and Board Member As a co-pioneer of Multitude of Mercies Foundation, Katrena’s leadership reflects both legacy and innovation. Together with Ms. Tam, she has helped build a model that integrates accelerated academics, cultural inclusion, and whole-child development — positioning Multitude of Mercies as a leading early learning and homeschool hub serving infants through fifth grade.
Our Team
Multitude of Mercies is supported by a dedicated team of leaders and educators committed to creating safe, nurturing environments for children and families. Each role plays an important part in upholding our care standards, values, and daily operations.
Ms. Tomesha, Lead Teacher
With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Tomesha has served in Head Start classrooms and a wide range of learning environments. She brings patience, skill, and creativity to every child she teaches.
Dedicated to nurturing young minds, she uses engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction and supportive classroom practices to help children build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Ms. Cristie, Lead Teacher
Ms. Cristie brings seven years of classroom experience and a genuine passion for early childhood education to her work each day. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and strong relationships with students help create nurturing classrooms where curiosity is encouraged and learning feels joyful.
She is committed to fostering confidence, social development, and a love of discovery, creating spaces where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to grow.
Ms. Sanita LaGrone, Inclusion Coordinator
Ms. Sanita brings more than 20 years of progressive experience in the childcare industry, having served in both management and director roles with a strong foundation in leadership, compliance, and program excellence. Since joining Multitude of Mercies Foundation in December 2025 as Inclusion Coordinator at My School Self Learning Center, she has strengthened inclusive practices by ensuring individualized support plans are implemented with fidelity, coaching teachers in differentiated instruction, and cultivating strong family partnerships. Her extensive experience enhances classroom structure, regulatory accountability, and staff performance, ensuring every child receives equitable, high-quality support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally within our culture of excellence.