Carrie has combined her love of cooking and traveling since her first childhood attempt at recreating European rolls that is remembered by her brothers as “the bullets.”  After graduating from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA and spending a year with Youth for Christ in South Africa, she became the second third-generation pilot in her family before meeting her future husband, also a pilot.  Marriage brought extensive shoe-string budget traveling and the delight of bringing new tastes and cultures and friends into their home.  Raising three kids and home schooling have been added to her passions during the past 15 years.  When not at the library or in the kitchen, Carrie prefers being outdoors: xc skiing, paddle boarding, camping,exploring and gardening. She’s always on the lookout for edible berries and mushrooms in the woods and will definitely stop to pick them!  

 Maranda has over 17 years of teaching and classroom experience within public and residential school settings.  She graduated from Tulsa University with her Deaf Education degree for grades pre-K through 12, specializing in Mathematics.  Maranda stepped out of her teaching role in Anchorage, Alaska to start her homeschooling venture in 2021.  Her family moved to Wisconsin after her husband retired from the Air Force and she has continued to stay home full-time to homeschool their three children.  
     This is Maranda's first year with Faith Christian Home Educators and she is excited for the new adventure!  She loves to find ways to spark an interest in learning for her students and is encouraged when they are asking questions and getting involved.  Maranda is fluent in American Sign Language and often uses it as an incentive in the classroom.  She hopes to share other interests in the class, such as 4-wheeling, camping, and music as well. 

Emily Brewer is a saxophonist and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Norbert College, and a Master of Music/Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She has performed in various ensembles affiliated with the National Band Director Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the American Saxophone Academy, and the Minnesota Music Educators Association. As an educator, she has taught Woodwind Techniques at the University of Minnesota and currently maintains a studio of private lesson students in the greater Twin Cities area. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and her dog, Duke.

Heidi Buschbach majored in music and has been homeschooling her 4 children with Charlotte Mason’s methods since 2009. She loves gardening, music, nature walks, mentoring disadvantaged teens and moms and serving at church. After being inspired by Nancy Kelly, her Charlotte Mason mentor, Heidi started Spread the Feast - a CM community co-op for families in the Twin Cities, MN. This fall they are starting their 14th year. Heidi has stepped away from the co-op to focus more on mentoring, her Charlotte Mason Music business and ministry and is excited to bring Nature Study and Music to the FAITH homeschool community! She has found great joy in learning and growing with children as she has taught Solfa ear training, folk dance, picture and composer study, Shakespeare, Plutarch, science, and much more!

Janet has been working in Deaf Education at the K-12, undergraduate and graduate level for over 15 years in various capacities. Janet is proficient in ASL and is grateful to the Deaf community for continually sharing their expertise and partnership. Janet earned a dual B.A. in Elementary and Deaf Education from Augustana University in South Dakota and an M.A. in Bilingual Deaf Education from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

Janet is passionate about being part of people’s growth and fulfilling God’s purposes in their lives. Regardless of what subject she teaches, she values establishing a positive work ethic and developing strong character. She is an encourager, a lifelong learner, and strives to meet the needs of individual learners in fun and creative ways.

While families are a child's first and most important teacher, she is excited to come alongside parents to develop and deepen new skills in students' lives. Janet is married to John, and they have four children they are currently home educating. It is a privilege and opportunity that she is thankful for. When not teaching, Janet can be found reading, outdoors, listening to a podcast, cooking, playing games or on an adventure with her friends and family.

Hola! My name is Ivonne Christensen. I am a native Spanish speaker, born and raised in the coastal city of Acapulco, Mexico. While attending Law School at the Autonomous University of Guerrero I was an English Teacher from K-9th grade. After graduating I worked for a law firm and eventually was a tax auditor for Gerrero State. I met my husband Jason in 2008 and immigrated to the US in 2010. 15 years later I am homeschool mom of 2(Elijah and Arianna), a wife, and a devoted Christian. I love teaching and I am very exciting to be a part of FCHE!

Our family joined FCHE in 2022 and have loved our experience. I am excited to be a part of FCHE as a tutor for a 2nd year teaching Creation Exploration and To Every Nation. My husband, Mark, and I live in South Maplewood with our 3 kids. We have a daughter Makayla (13), and 2 sons Jack (12) and Silas (9). I have been a SAHM since 2014 and a Homeschool mom since 2020. I love reading, BSF, and a clean house (which sometimes happens)! I have a passion for sharing and teaching God's word to all ages! I believe strongly that kids are never too young to read or study scripture. I also believe it's important for Christian adults to come along side children as strong role models in their lives as they grow and navigate life. I look forward to shepherding the children in my class. Thank you!

Chris is a husband, father, teacher and entrepreneur. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Katie, since 2009 and has 4 kids; Lily, Addie, Emmett and Caleb. He attended UW-Stout to get his undergrad degree in Technology Education and later got his MA at Bethel University in Emotional Behavior Disorders. Chris started teaching in 2009 and has taught classes to 7th-12th graders in a wide range of Tech Ed classes including: Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Robotics, Wood Working, Metals, Small Engines, Autos, Electricity, Graphic Design and Photography. In 2015 he became a teacher trainer over the summer, training teachers with a curriculum company in the area of Computer Science and App development. In 2022 Chris started designing and producing products to sell online mainly in the baby and pet proofing product areas. In 2024 he joined another teacher and teacher trainer to launch Fiddler Crab STEM Lab to create STEM curriculum and services for homeschool families.

Karla's professional career includes studio painting and drawing as well as commissioned murals. She has been an artist and teacher throughout her career, and her work has been traditional and representational. Her teaching includes painting, drawing, fundamentals of art, art history, art appreciatiion, sculpture, and courses in creativity. She bases her teaching in art history both in imagery and materials. Karla has taught all levels and ages of artists from children to seniors, professionals and beginners. She has taught in a variety of settings including public schools, private schools, Universities, community education, professional schools, and museum programs. 

In retirement Karla continues to pursue her love of art through producing artwork and teaching. 

Born, raised and educated in Canada, primarily. Certified in Piano History, Theory and Performance through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Vocal training at NCU and with local opera teachers here in Minnesota. Homeschooled my own three grown daughters. Love imparting excellent technique, expression and improvisational skills to students!

Sandi Grotewold has years of experience being with children of all ages. She taught German for ten years in a public high school, then stayed home with her two boys and did several years of nursery volunteering at her church. Most recently, she dabbled in Montessori schools and substitute teaching for a private school. She homeschooled her son in 2020-21 and will be homeschooling again this year, the first time at Faith! She and her husband, Greg, and son, Eli, live in Oakdale. Sandi enjoys walking, biking, reading, traveling, playing games, and photography. She is excited to be with the preschoolers and kindergarteners in their joy of learning!

Calyssa Hall has worked professionally for over 12 years as a theatre producer, director, educator, and public speaker. She was homeschooled from second grade through high school and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. In 2013, she founded the company "Only a Dim Image Dessert Theatre" that performed in Minneapolis. She then converted the company into a non-profit, where she served as Executive Director for The Zephyr Theatre for seven years. In November of 2022, she became Founder and CEO of her own Frosted Glass Productions - a company that focuses on unique and creative ways to tell stories.

Cassidy Hall graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls with degrees in Creative Writing, Music, and Musical Theatre. She has been actively involved with the arts for many years, and is trained in acting, singing, dance, public speaking, drawing, painting, and the various styles of technical and creative writing.  She works as a director and instructor for The Zephyr Theatre, and a director for ACT Theater in the South Saint Paul Tri-District.  She is also a professional photographer and a published writer. She worked as a writing tutor for UW-River Falls in the past, and currently works as a writing and performance mentor for StoryArk, and volunteers as an editor. Cassidy loves working with students, and plans to continue following her passions of teaching and helping students cultivate their own unique voices.

Hey, I’m Jason Harms. I’ve enjoyed singing for as long as I can remember. Since my college days in the early 1990’s, I’ve had a jazz quintet that I sing in and play guitar with and, by God’s grace, we have had the sweet opportunity to play all around the world singing the Gospel and listening to people from other cultures. There is always music, and I love how a melody can connect people where a language barrier may exist. Since 2001 I’ve been directing the Jazz Orchestras at Bethel University. Feel free to visit www.jasonharms.com for a better introduction. My wife and I have homeschooled five kids and we love the opportunities that this mode of education allows for with the attention given to the individual development of each student’s skillset and interests. I hope to foster new musical friendships with your students.

Tracey Hillquist and her husband have been homeschooling her daughter since 2018. Tracey has a bachelors degree in Social Work (BSW). She is passionate about horses. and has been running a small business, Appletop Acres LLC, to teach about horses and offer horse experiences through camps and lessons. Tracey is excited to teach students about horses and share her enthusiasm about learning new things.

Bethany is a homeschool alumni currently studying the intersection of business and communication at Liberty University. She lives on Fair Haven Farm with her family, where she shepherds her herd of goats. She has taught homeschool classes, including Virtuous Girls classes, for over eight years. When she is not studying or working on the farm, she enjoys long nature walks foraging for edible wild food or working on her latest novel. She is also the editor-in-chief of The Wilting Rose Project, a ministry sharing articles and encouragement for young women.

Gabriella's favorite things are woodland walks, foraging with her sisters, whipping out her paints and pencils, dyeing wool with plants, and caring for the garden and animals on her family's farmstead in Stillwater. At sixteen, she started Virtuous Girls with her sister Bethany, teaching girls ages 8-14 to follow Jesus and delight in Him. They still love teaching their students and have watched many girls grow up past fourteen, only to become some of their sweetest friends! At twelve, a formative science experiment left her ever seeking to see details in nature. She had to sit for an hour in nature and observe. She sat for nearly two. Her favorite part of school was art classes taught by April Mills, Barry Stebbing, and Heidi Nelson. She is currently taking courses from the London Art College.

Lynn and her husband, Kent, are in their twenty-first year of homeschooling. Lynn graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Communications major and minors in Political Science and Spanish. Over her time working in the private sector, she held numerous management roles.  In 2006, she left full-time work to stay at home full-time with her seven children. She has served on homeschool boards since 2004, including Faith Christian Home Educators beginning in 2016. Her family has been a part of Faith since 2014, where Lynn has been teaching classes since 2018. Lynn loves to teach and help students aquire a love for learning. She is passionate about the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Government, and the God-given freedoms they provide when operating the way the Founding Fathers intended.  She is very excited to continue working with the wonderful students and families at Faith!

Becky Knefelkamp has been teaching writing for over 30 years.  She graduated from Bethel College with an elementary degree, taught fifth grade for St. Paul schools for four years, and then stayed home with her children.  A friend challenged her to teach the writing class at their co-op and that started an adventure of digging for quality resources and checking out a variety of writing curriculums.  She has written her own writing lessons using aspects of a variety of curriculums:  The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), the Six Traits of Writing, Rhea Holtan’s research process, an excellent teaching book--Before the End, and others.  Keith and Becky Knefelkamp have enjoyed over 40  years of marriage, raised four children, homeschooled them K-12 grade, and now are loving the era of the empty nest and grandchildren!  J  She loves the Lord, loves kids, and loves to write, and is especially happy when the three can come together!  J  
 
“My philosophy of writing is to be more of the encourager. Writing is so personal.  It’s hard to trust another to read our work, so I want them to feel safe.  When I grade assignments, I mainly look to see if they have included what I asked for.  I believe the aspects of writing that I ask them to include WILL make their writing stronger.  I believe that writing is a progressive skill, most of the time taking a few years to master, just like in math and science.  But I do always see improvement in each student’s work from the beginning of the year to the end.  I love that!  
 
“I do recommend that students take a writing class for more than one year, but it doesn’t have to be from me.  And sometimes it is helpful to have a different teacher’s perspective.  I have rarely seen students grasp a strong writing skill in one year.  Each year they build on their previous year’s skills until they come to a place where they can write in a strong way, finding their unique voice.   I think of my class as a foundation of writing sort-of class, a place where we write paragraphs, then 5-paragraph essays, then a research paper.  We write poems and creative journal writings, ending with writing their own story.   Repeating my class can be a bit repetitive.  I do teach many of the same things, but I always change the assignments.  Although I think sometimes the repetition can be good as I see students really understanding concepts the second year as they relax.  They know me and my expectations, and now they can focus on their writing.   Feel free to take a year off and then come back.  The senior high class has a lot of aspects to it that I don’t teach in the junior high.  I love teaching and I love writing.   I pray  that we have a great year!!  J

Beth Kromer has been teaching for over twenty-eight years in a variety of areas. She and her husband, Scott, have been homeschooling their 4 children since 2015. Beth graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education. She is a private tutor and academic coach for students grades 5 thru 12+ and also teaches ACT/ PSAT/PreACT/SAT/ GRE prep classes for high school and college students. She is passionate about providing help to all of her students, encouraging them to explore, be creative, and have fun with writing. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, skiing and spending time with her golden retriever, Sully. Beth is excited for the opportunity to continue to teach and build confident writers.

Hello! My name is Heather McGruder and we have been homeschooling our 2 littles since 2020. I earned my baking and pastry certificate from the Art Institute in Minneapolis in 2011, after which I had the opportunity to intern and work at an amazing patisserie in Minneapolis. I have been baking since forever and running a cottage food licensed business since 2017. 
I love to be in the kitchen baking everything from drop cookies to breads to cakes and my specialty, decorated sugar cookies. I enjoy experimenting with recipes for us to enjoy at home – using less sugar, sugar alternatives, flour variations, making recipes healthier, allergy friendly, etc. I look forward to sharing my baking knowledge with the kids and hope to inspire their baking confidence in the kitchen. I believe the best part of baking is sharing with others! 

Stephen has been an instructor at FCHE for the past 5 years as the music and vocal director of the Co-op musicals joining last minute during Newsies and has been teaching ever since. He has taught many children's shows outside of the co-op as well as soloist vocal coaching during rehearsals.  Stephen has taught voice lessons in a variety of settings including vocal tutoring for drama classes at co-op. 

Emma Ness is a recent graduate of UMD with her B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education. With many years of early childhood experience, including student teaching in Kindergarten, she is excited to teach at Faith. Emma was homeschooled in her high-school years and attended Faith as a student. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Ethan, hiking, paddle-boarding, skiing, and enjoying the Lord’s creation.

Pam has thoroughly enjoyed teaching more than 150 people to play the piano over the last 35 years.  She also plays for weddings and funerals and has been a church pianist for over 30 years.  Pam and her husband live in North St. Paul, have 3 children, the youngest is just starting college, and are actively involved at Stillwater Evangelical Free Church.

My name is Robbie Peck. I am the Youth Pastor at Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood and I love students! My wife Karly and I live in St. Paul, but we love getting out of the city to go camping along the north shore. Some of my personal passions are basketball, disc golf and music. Along with being the youth pastor, I am blessed to be one of the worship leaders at my church. I believe that we can live our lives as worship to God in everything that we do, whether in musical worship, in the words we say, or in our physical actions!

Terry and his wife, Maren, are in their 15th year of homeschooling, and have four children who have been blessed by participating at Faith. Mr. Plath is currently a Management Consultant and has spent 25 years in the technology industry, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Services at a banking software company. He received an MBA from the University of Virginia, and holds a BA in (Major: International Relations (Economics & Political Science); Minor: German) from Hamline University.

Mr. Plath has a passion for stewardship/generosity, business, and economics. He is excited to engage our next generation of Christian leaders in learning more about using their time, talent and treasure to honor God and bless His church and our society at large.

Edward Hopper was once quoted saying, "If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint."

As the art tutor, I hope to cultivate not only a love of art, but also help my students find their inner creator just as our Heavenly Father is a creator. My students should always walk out of class with a strong sense of satisfaction, along with learning and cultivating new art-related skills.

My education includes a marketing degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College and a B.S. in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin - Stout with a concentration in ceramics.
 

Home life remains busy with homeschooling, four kids and their sports activities, church, and our lovable goldendoodle, Frankenstein. I currently attend Glory Church in Lakeland and lead the Evangelism team. My hobbies include sewing, cooking, gardening, or any other creative outlet that presents itself. I've also just begun a semester of Vietnamese for fun. I expect this to be a fun school year with our students and thank all of our parents for allowing me to work with their kids.

Mallory Ranem is a wife, mother, educator, and lifelong learner with a passion for teaching and holistic health. She and her husband, Dustin, have homeschooled their six children for over a decade, have been part of Faith Co-op since 2017, and in 2024 she joined the FCHE board. A 2009 graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University with a doctorate in chiropractic, Mallory cared for patients until 2021, when she chose to focus on homeschooling full-time after the birth of her sixth child. She loves teaching, reading, knitting, crocheting, and spending time outdoors, embracing each season of life with passion and purpose.

Lori was born and raised in the East Metro area. She has three daughters ages 12, 8, and 5. She has been a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. She has a degree in Chemistry from Bethel University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Iowa. Lori has taught Chemistry Labs at Bethel University for several years. Her faith is very important to her and she loves making connections with God and Science. She enjoys bringing that excitement to students to engaging their interest in the sciences.

Lori's family attends 5 Oaks Church and she enjoys being involved in the women’s ministry there. She also enjoys gardening, reading and cross-country skiing.

Kathryn started teaching in 1981 in Tulsa at Grace Christian Academy and found a love for helping students discover and learn.  In Minnesota she homeschooled her daughter between 4th and 10th grade, and is delighted to have the opportunity to come alongside parents, who are their child's first and best teachers.  She served as a Children's Pastor and Worship pastor over the years, but being a mother was always her highest calling.

After her daughter left for college, Kathryn returned to college to get her BS in Education (with a minor in science), started to teach in Burnsville School District for over 20 years, and got her Master's in Education with Saint Mary's University (focusing on how the brain learns).  She taught from kindergarten through college, as a science specialist, classroom teacher, instructing other teachers to teach science, math, reading and writing. She developed science curriculum for Burnsville and has a passion for making science student-friendly.  

Her philosophy of education is constructive, believing students learn more when they talk rather than listen (although some information to begin with is necessary), and students learn more when they "do", rather than watch.  It is her intention to facilitate Earth Science classes and Engineering and Technical writing classes that provide maximum student engagement and high, rigorous learning that is fun.  She wants to feed students' innate curiosity and develop higher level thinking through open ended questions and students' articulating their ideas and connections.  

When she is not planning lessons or teaching, she loves to garden, travel, host prayer and worship times, and do things with her eight adult grandchildren, like rock climb, hike, kayak, go to art museums, paint, camp at the North Shore or just hold and gaze at her new great grandson. 

My name is Keri Stage. I have a husband, Matt, and 4 kids ages 7-17. We have been part of FCHE for 11 years. Science has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. My father was a high school chemistry teacher, and my mother majored in physics, so we had many interesting discussions pertaining to science and it just seemed like a normal topic to talk about.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Math Education and have enjoyed teaching in various settings. My experience spans from teaching high school math to teaching kids ages 2-6 in various bible study and Sunday school classes. I have also tutored many students one-on-one in math, as well as educated my own children.

Sandy has held many positions in her career history. She has worked as a nurse, a blood service representative for the Red Cross, a medical sales manager and a business owner. Sandy has been a home school co-op teacher for many years, and loves every minute of it! She sees all of her students as precious gifts, and does her best to bring out their creative talents while showering them with the love of the Lord. Besides being a gratefully humble servant of the Lord, Sandy is a proud mother and grandmother, a loving sister, a faithful and beloved daughter, a voracious reader, consummate student, creative artist, and home schooling advocate. Sandy’s life is filled with love, joyful laughter and much happiness as she joins with creative and dedicated parents who teach their children in their own way. Sandy is humbled and considers it a great privilege to be able to share in this special time of learning and growing with our students.

Laura is the program coordinator and a band director for Encore Ensembles. Within the Encore Ensembles program she teaches band rehearsals and lessons at FCHE as well as the Northfield Homeschool Band and at St. Michael Catholic School.

Laura graduated with an instrumental music education degree from Gustavus Adolphus College. She has ample experience teaching music to homeschool students as well as in both private school and public schools. Laura is passionate about providing high quality instrumental music education to homeschool students!

She is presently a member of the National Association for Music Education, Minnesota Music Educator’s Association, Minnesota Band Director’s Association.

Cathy Van Rossum attended Bethel University where she received a degree in Elementary Education/Social Studies. She has taught in private schools and homeschool co-ops, along with homeschooling her five children for over 20 years. She also taught at an Early Learning Center for 9 years, teaching toddlers and preschoolers.

When she is not with her family, which includes her 5 kids, almost 13 grandchildren, 3 son in laws, one daughter in law, 4 granddogs, and 6 grandcats, she enjoys cooking, reading, crocheting, walking and spending time with friends.

Rebecca Wahl is excited to join the Faith community as the Writing I and Writing II tutor. As a homeschool mom of four daughters, Rebecca has had extensive experience in teaching the reluctant writer, the one whose ambition is to become a published author, and the one who falls somewhere in between. From the time she was young, Rebecca has enjoyed the art and mechanics of good writing, and has long been a proponent of the Oxford comma. Rebecca holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities; she is a former public school teacher. She has spent the past six years teaching in the homeschool co-op setting. Rebecca feels truly blessed to be able to spend her time with the students in the Faith community.

When not grappling with gerunds, promoting the polarity between possessives and plurals, or wallowing in wordplay, Rebecca might be found exploring new recipes in the kitchen, playing nerdy board games with her family, drinking copious amounts of decaf coffee, or engaging in Bible study.

Deanne is a licensed Spanish teacher in Minnesota. She has taught public and private junior and senior high school Spanish and more recently weekly home school Spanish classes. Because she believes Spanish is a means to communicate with others, she enjoys going on mission trips with students and others to translate and serve Spanish-speakers in Latin America. She has taught with the Algebra for Kids program for many years and believes it is a great way for kids to understand and enjoy math! Using this methodology with her own children as she worked with them over the years of homeschooling has been a privilege with many rewards.