Meet Our Tutors
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!
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.
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.
I am blessed to have received the Lord’s call to Ministry. I am an Ordained Nazarene Pastor, presently working as an Associate Pastor at the Together Place Church in Blaine, MN.
It is not my power or strength that produces any success for me, however. Rather, it is the Lord “who gives us the ability to produce wealth.” I boast of Him and nothing else! Long before any of my careers, I fervently sought the Truth! Jesus Christ is the Truth! Thus, I teach & “…preach Christ crucified: Christ the power of God & the wisdom of God.
Since 1973, I trained in various martial arts earning an 8th Degree Black Belt - Master Level in CMA; a 5th Degree Black Belt - Master Level in Zu Wei Shu Kenpo; a 3rd Degree Blue Belt - Internationally Certified Instructor in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan; and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Chuan Lu Chinese Boxing. I have taught many students for over 48 years ranging from 4-76 years of age. I competed locally, regionally, nationally, and in 1982, placed 4th in international competition on the USA Forms Team in Atlantic City, NJ.
In 2001, the Reverend, Doctor, & Sifu Chuck Jackson & I began developing CMA. Pastor Jackson is the co-founder of CMA. We had a vision. Center all of the martial arts that I taught on Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the creator of ALL! And so he & I embarked on the most enjoyable, fulfilling journey of all of my life. We began to create Christ-centered Martial Artists, or CMA. In the beginning of this journey, we called it “Christian Martial Arts.” But after Sifu Jeffrey Goodwin Jr.’s amazing Black Belt Presentation (Test) in 2005, we changed the name to “Christ-centered Martial Artists!” Allow me to explain this: Christ-centered was used to be very specific about Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God, AND the CENTRALITY of CMA; as opposed to just a Christian doing this with Jesus sprinkled over the top. And we no longer called it martial arts, because we are more interested in the person studying, or the martial artist, instead of the many styles of martial arts that exist. CMA is not about styles of martial arts; it is about the artists, the practitioner BE!-ing centered on Jesus Christ! Period!
I also retired from a successful 18 year career of Loss Prevention. I retired as a corporate Loss Prevention Director.
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 25 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 35 years of marriage, raised four children, homeschooled them K-12 grade, and now are loving the era of the empty nest and grandchildren! 
She loves the Lord, loves kids, and loves to write, and is especially happy when the three can come together!
“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. 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. But I do always see improvement in each student’s work from the beginning of the year to the end. I love that!”
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.
Karla Moseley is a small town farm girl from Tyler, Minnesota. She attended Mankato State University and received a degree in K-6 Elementary Education, a minor in Spanish and later a Masters in Elementary Education. She taught for 10 years in the public school systems in Bloomington, Morris, Shakopee, and Inver Grove Heights. Karla has a strong passion for children who struggle with learning and made it her goal to make learning enjoyable for every student. What did she learn in 10 years---parents make the most significant difference in a child’s education bar none.
On April 1, 1997 Karla gave her life to Christ while attending Bible Study Fellowship. A month later she met her future husband. They married and when her first child was born, she stayed home. (Not really, she continued to work with children at church and Community Bible Study.) Karla officially started homeschooling when her oldest child was in second grade. He came home from school and declared, “I am stupid and I hate school!” Having worked with many children who were extremely right brained and knowing the Special Education system, she and her husband opted to homeschool. What a life altering, God centering change it was for them. Karla has been married for 22 years and has two boys and two girls—all teenagers.
Karla has a passion for children and serving the Lord through worship dance. She attended classes at Worship in Motion in Stillwater founded and taught by Barb Choneire. When her dear friend was ready to serve God in new ways, Karla decided to continue the program with her fellow dancer Crissa Evanoff. She has felt God calling her to grow this ministry where children learn to praise and worship God through Messianic & Christian music with tambourines, ribbons, flags, etc. With a new branch of Worship in Motion, comes a new name: Rejoice! Dance Ministries.
Psalm 150: 4 “Praise Him with timbrel and dancing,”
A favorite quote from Revival in Belfast’s Michael Coleman: “There is one thing we do one earth that we will continue to do in Heaven. That is to praise and worship God. That is why we view life on earth, for those who love Jesus, as choir practice for Heaven. To say that praise and worship is the most important category of music today is an understatement. In light of all that, there is no more important activity of the human heart than to praise and worship God. This is the reason we exist. This is our purpose.”
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.
Nelson Penserga is a band director and percussionist based in Saint Michael, Minnesota. Currently he directs five bands with Encore Ensembles including lessons and ensembles at FCHE.
Mr. Penserga taught middle school band in Monticello and St. Michael-Albertville public schools for five years. From 2002 to 2017 he taught middle school and high school band in the Fairfax County Public Schools system, located in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He has also taught band in Delaware and Kansas.
A native of Delaware, Mr. Penserga earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. He earned his Master’s Degree in Music from Kansas State University, where he worked as one of the graduate assistants in the band program.
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.
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.
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 homeschooled her five children for over 20 years, and taught several classes for Eagles'Wings Co-op. She graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Elementary Education/ Social Studies and taught for 4 years before raising her family. For the past 9 years Cathy has been a toddler and preschool teacher at an Early Learning Center in St. Paul. Cathy is looking forward to returning to homeschooling and serving at Faith.
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.