About Connections Board of Directors Instructor FAQ Instructors

About Us

Founded in 1994, Connections is a non-profit organization that seeks to empower homeschooling families to educate their children. Our mission is to partner with parents to educate and equip students by providing arts and academic classes from preschool through highschool in a supportive, Christ-centered community.

Experts in their fields, our instructors are passionate about their subjects. They are deeply committed to the support and care of their students. As one parent voiced, “They are still smiling at the end of the day!” Hand-picked by homeschooling parents, they are the teachers we want for our own children.

Everything we do at Connections seeks to fulfill our vision of a world of well-prepared young adults who pursue Christ and courageously impact their world.

We look forward to welcoming you into our Connections family with open hearts and arms!

Board of Directors

The Homeschool Connections’ volunteer Board of Directors adheres to the Statement of Faith and Beliefs. Instructors are not required to sign the Statement of Faith and Beliefs but agree not to teach or speak contrary to them to students or families. While on-site, every family agrees to be respectful of the beliefs and values reflected in the Statement of Faith and Beliefs.

FAQ About Our Instructors

Q: Are your instructors “real” teachers?

A: Yes! Every one of our instructors  is a highly-qualified expert, passionate about the subject they are teaching. What makes our instructors special is that they desire to partner with parents to ensure the best level of individual learning for your child.  Many of our instructors have been, or are currently homeschooling parents themselves, or even were homeschooled growing up, so they understand the unique needs of our students. Because you choose the classes your children are enrolled in, there is no “tenure”. That means that our instructors are teaching because they are great teachers, and students want to learn from them!

Q: Are your instructors employees?

A: Our instructors are not employees of Homeschool Connections; they are independent contractors who determine the course content and tuition for each class. This essentially means that when you enroll in class, you are hiring the instructor. Parents are solely responsible for their students’ academic oversight and ensuring their child meets specific grade and graduation requirements. Students in high school classes will be given a grade each semester. Per parent request, the instructor will provide a grade for a middle school class. We encourage you to directly communicate with the instructor, but our Instructor Liaison is here to help facilitate that if you have need.

Q: I’m interested in teaching at Connections.

A: That’s great! We’d love to hear from you. We take class proposals mid-October through mid-December. To find out more, contact our Instructor Liaison.

    Instructors

  • Parent-Led Playroom Coordinators

    The Parent-led Playroom is so much more than a typical class. While there is not an assigned teacher, we have a team of playroom coordinators who oversee a rotation of parents with students registered for each hour of playroom. Parents share in the opportunity to supervise and care for our youngest learners. Every parent takes turns contributing time and providing simple enrichment activities. Please contact a playroom coordinator if you have any questions.

     

  • Cydney Adler

    My name is Cydney Adler, and I live with my husband Tom in Burien.  I worked for over 20 years as a biologist, biochemist, and finally, a manager in the pharmaceutical research industry.  My first job was at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  From there I joined Genetic Systems/Oncogen and then Bristol-Myers Squibb.  When the Bristol labs moved to New Jersey, I decided to take the opportunity to be an at-home mom and homeschool my daughters (who are now SPU graduates with careers of their own).  In 1999, the girls and I helped a friend start The Horsemanship School in Redmond where we worked through 2012.  There I taught riding and horsemanship to over 100 students a week ranging in age from four years old to adults.  I have been privileged to teach a variety of science and geography classes at several homeschool groups and a private school.  I look forward to teaching at Connections in the upcoming school year.  I love our Lord and enjoy teaching.  I am passionate about teaching to multiple learning styles and in helping students understand science from a Christian worldview.

  • Bella Albers

    Hello! I’m Bella Albers, and I’ve had a passion for theater and storytelling for as long as I can remember! I spent hours acting out elaborate stories with my sister as we were growing up. I was thrilled to perform in my first play at eight years old, when our church put on The Follower – a musical based on the life of Peter the Apostle. Shortly after, our family joined Connections. I enjoyed taking seven years of drama and participating in four summer intensive theater camps – performing in a total of 11 shows. I have a huge passion for bringing Scripture to life through theater! In 2020, I directed a summer drama camp for twenty-two students, acting out the book of Daniel while diving into its historical background. In the summer of 2022, I officially launched a ministry called Come Alive – Seeking to Bring Scripture to Life in the Hearts of Children through Theater! I run theater camps during the summer acting out different Bible stories, as well as teaching during the school year. My heart is to share how we each have a place in God’s Story and are made in His image, as He is the Master Storyteller! I love children, teaching, theater, creative writing, Shakespeare, and stories. It’s my absolute joy to teach drama at Connections in the 2024-2025 school year!

  • Debbi Anderson

    A Perfect Essay Virtual Tour

    In high school, I hoped I would be a teacher. In fact, everyone was certain I was going to be a teacher. My idea of good fun was creating curriculum and forcing my little brother and sister to sit quietly while I overwhelmed them with lessons and homework. One thing stood in my way. College. Funds and choices stopped me from signing up. Instead, I took a long way around. From Spokane Community College and a Paralegal AA Degree to years working in a downtown Seattle law office, to working in a church office and as a youth pastor for 13 years at a local church, to becoming an accountant, I finally went back to college.I received my Bachelors in Behavioral Science at Northwest University and then received my Masters in Counseling at Seattle Seminary. My senior thesis was published by the college. I was set to join the world as a therapist/counselor. Right, still not a teacher. The chance to own a rockery was dropped in my lap so I did that until it was sold. I opened up shop as a part-time accountant and part-time therapist until finally, 30 years after my high school dream of being a teacher, a teaching position came my way. I was asked to teach English and History (my passion is Presidents) at a co-op. I loved it! 

    I’ve been teaching for quite a few years now and I’m where I should have always been. The journey has been circuitous but I have learned and grown every step along the way. I can talk to you with knowledge about geology and rocks, accounting principles, the law, the Bible and Christian studies, and counseling theories, and I’m enthused about that, but nothing beats the a-ha moment when a student understands something finally or is shocked to discover they love to write. I love the students. At Connections, I teach Psychology, A Perfect Essay, and Current Events to senior high and Short Stories and Presidents to junior and middle school. I now run my own accounting business but my love is and will always be teaching. Thank you for honoring me with your trust as I work with your kids.

  • Heather Angelo

    Around the World with Literature Part 1 Virtual Tour

    I am so excited to be starting this year as a teacher at Connections. I had originally planned to begin a career in child psychology but really felt God leading me down a different path into the wonderful world of education. For three years after earning my Master’s Degree in Teaching, I taught at both public and private schools and now take such joy and fulfillment in homeschooling my own kids. When I have some free time, you’ll likely find me curled up with a good book while our dog Darcey sleeps at my feet, doing some woodworking, cooking up something delicious, or having an outdoor adventure with my family. My husband and I have been married for 18 years and have three children currently at Connections. I feel so lucky to be part of the teaching team this upcoming year.

  • Lisa Bailey

    Shurley Grammar Virtual Tour

    I am very blessed to have been part of the Connections community since 2002, and this will be my 22nd year here! My wonderful husband and I celebrated 31 years together, and have been homeschooling our seven children since 1995. We graduated our first four children from HOME/Connections, and are totally enjoying the journey with our 17, 15, and 12 year olds. 

    Children are amazing and precious, and I love teaching my own as well as others. I have always enjoyed reading aloud, and the Five in a Row curriculum makes that a delight. Whether reading a story or classifying a sentence, I think learning should be fun, memorable, and interesting!

  • David Banks

    History Virtual Tour

    Dave Banks was lead pastor of Lakeview Free Methodist Church for the last 18 years. Recently Dave took on the role of Greater Seattle Fellowship of Christian Athletes Metro Director. He is a native of upstate New York. He has a B.A. in history from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and M. Div. degree from Asbury Seminary. 

    Dave coaches football at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. He attended Marshall University on a football scholarship in 1974. Dave and Linda, his wife, an OB nurse at Evergreen Hospital, have four children: two adult boys and two young adult girls.

  • Heidi Barnes

    Psychology Virtual Tour

    Our family has been homeschooling since 2013 and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Educating my two boys at home has been an incredible blessing.

    I thoroughly cherish encouraging students to become lifelong learners through an approach to teaching that instills confidence in their abilities and potential. I am a huge fan of project-based learning and am eclectic with my choice of curriculum. To be sure, I am passionate about crafting classes that reflect a wide range of students.

    After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, English, and Spanish I spent years as both a private and public high school teacher, as well as a cheerleading coach. Then once I completed my Master’s degree in Counseling/Psychology, I practiced as a mental health therapist in a variety of settings. Without a doubt, I have an equal love of psychology and education, and am thrilled about the opportunity to participate in the education of this community’s students!

  • Alex Binz

    History Through Games Virtual Tour The Ancient World Virtual Tour

    I started homeschooling when I was in the third grade, and continued until I entered college at the age of fifteen. After a year in community college, I entered Seattle Pacific University with a four-year full-tuition scholarship. I graduated in Spring 2010, magna cum laude, with B.A. in Political Economy and Rhetoric. I originally planned on a career in public policy, but gradually realized my vocation lay in teaching. 

    This will be my 11th year teaching at various homeschool coops, and my 10th year teaching at Connections. I primarily teach high school history and literature, though I also teach middle school and have branched out to such subjects as Physics and Latin in the past.

    I grew up in an evangelical Christian household; I read and memorized Scripture from an earlier age, and was baptized at the age of nine. While I was active in my church – I served as director of the adult choir at the age of sixteen – my first ‘mountaintop experience’ with God came when I was seventeen. It changed my life and drove me to dive deeper into theology. After years of reading and reflection, I was surprised to discover how much my beliefs aligned with Catholic doctrine. I formally entered the Catholic Church on Easter 2016.

  • Annie Borrero

    My name is Annie Borrero, I am married to Michael, and we have three children. I was born and raised in Germany before coming to America 24 years ago. Growing up with a mom as a foreign language teacher, learning many different languages was kind of normal – five in my school career alone, and I added a few more later in my life. I have taught German and French in different environments and in my home to my children. 

    I believe speaking another language opens doors to communicate with people from around the world. It connects two human beings with different backgrounds, different cultures, and different life circumstances to understand each other. I saw that when I spent a school year in France and made life-long friends – friends whose kids are now my daughters’ pen pals. Combined, our family speaks four different languages fluently, which makes traveling so much fun.

  • Hingdi Brown

    Jesus is my passion and He put a passion for teaching in my heart from the start. I started teaching piano and also Sunday school in high school and became a children’s pastor in college. God pulled all the pieces of my education to equip me to homeschool. I obtained my Bachelors in Biochemistry and Masters in Teaching from the University of Washington. I then taught middle school math and science in the Seattle Public School District. My desire to be a missionary brought me to Taiwan where I taught middle and high school science at Morrison Academy.

    I married and had my son – two of the best things that ever happened to me. Our family moved back to Seattle. I built up my piano studio and was president of the Greater Seattle Federated Music Club and also Vice President of the Washington Federated Music Club. I stepped back from teaching music to focus on homeschooling my son.

    That is when I discovered the homeschool community, of which I am forever grateful. My son attended Seattle Christian Homeschool Co-op for 10 years. I taught a range from Chemistry and Forensic Science to Research Report writing and Worship Band. Throughout this time I also taught math and finished this last year teaching Calculus 2. 

    One of my favorite things to hear from my students’ parents is, “My son/daughter never used to like math and now they do!” That is my hope, that every student that passes through my classes learns what it feels like to be successful at math and even sees the beauty in it – and all of this through God’s help. I recently sent my son off to the army, I am so proud of him, and now find myself with more time to devote to ministry and also to teaching. I am excited to join Homeschool Connections and hope to be used by God to bless the community here.

  • Robert Campbell

    Piano Virtual Tour

    Robert Campbell began playing the piano at a young age while growing up in northern California.  Since then, he has earnestly followed his goal of becoming an excellent pianist. Prior to his move to the Pacific Northwest in 1991, Robert earned both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in music from the University of North Texas.  He has performed in Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, and Washington. He has played for many special events in the Seattle area, performing a large repertoire of music.

     In addition to his performing skills, Robert is also an experienced piano instructor, having taught private piano lessons for more than twenty years.  His desire is to make piano lessons fun and meaningful for all his students. He strives to help his students learn the skills that will enable them to be successful and enjoy their piano playing for years to come.  Students are invited to learn in Robert’s piano studio, where he is happy to respectfully answer their questions and encourage their musical growth.

  • Theresa Caproni

    I have been homeschooling my kids since 2009. I love homeschooling and I believe in the wonder and amazement that it can bring to any child. I have seen the benefits and blessings in my own children and in the children that I have taught in previous years. With the support of my husband Stephen of 18 years of marriage, this journey has taught us so much about ourselves as much as our children. I love teaching and bringing out the best in kids and discovering the ah-ha moments of learning. My background is in theater arts, and it has been such a joy to partner with the kids to grow and learn in that area.

  • Steve Carrier

    Down to Earth Virtual Tour

    For more than thirty years, I have been involved in a variety of ministries, including two mission trips to Mozambique, and a decade of service at a church with the primary assignment of ‘children’s education’. For the last fourteen years, it has been my privilege to share with high school students at two home school co-ops. My formal education led me through Seattle Pacific College (University) and the University of Washington where I majored in marketing. My wife and I live in Monroe, and attend Revive Church in Redmond.   

  • Pam Delaney

    Science to me is the study of God’s handiwork; His amazing creation shows us over and over again His attributes. The study of science should make us more and more awestruck. We can be amazed and awestruck and have fun too – we learn better that way.

    I have a degree in biochemistry and have worked in labs at biotechnology companies Genentech and Immunex. I have also served as a biomedical technical writer, taught outdoor education in the California Redwoods, and have taught previously at Connections (life science, chemistry, biology, introduction to science, and PE).

    I live in Lynnwood with my husband, Charley. Our two homeschooled sons are now college graduates. In addition to teaching, I enjoy coaching and playing sports, hiking, and traveling.

  • Sharon Duguay

    Born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, I ventured west in 1979 and settled in Seattle in order to attend Seattle Pacific University where I graduated in 1982. Prior to coming to Seattle, I attended Spring Arbor College in Michigan.  My areas of study at both colleges were physical education and biology. I currently live in Shoreline with my husband. We homeschooled our three children for 16 years and attended Connections for most of those years. Our family participates in a variety of church and recreational activities including camping, bicycling, road trips, and other outdoor activities. My personal hobbies include reading, gardening, woodworking, and knitting. 

  • Ashely Enriquez

    Science of Food Virtual Tour

    Hello, My name is Ashley Enriquez. My family and I are transplants from California. We were so excited to join Connections three years ago. I’ve been a homeschool mom for six years, where my love for learning has been transformed into a love of teaching. Before kids, I owned a Personal Health Chef business in Orange County. Understanding our bodies’ functions and wellness has been a driving force in my continual education and research which has led to multiple certifications on the matter. The kitchen is my happy space where I can get lost in the science and creativity of recipes that are intentionally crafted for functional health while still being beautiful. Inviting kids into the kitchen to learn a subject that covers a multitude of real-life skills that they can use for the rest of their lives is just as exciting to me as it will be for your kids. 

    Something new, with much prayer and through God’s provision I was able to start a homeschool program at the Bothell Community Bible Study where I have the role of Youth Director. My growing love for the word and the richness it brings to our lives is what drives my love for sharing knowledge. Knowledge in the word and in God’s delightful creations, us!

  • Jason Fouts

    Understanding the Times Virtual Tour Understanding the Time Class Overview PDF

    As I grow older, my desire is to see people (including myself) think clearly about the world. This desire has brought me to a place of wanting to help others clearly articulate why Jesus, Jesus’ teaching, and God’s Word are relevant in today’s culture and hold the truth about reality. That in Him, when we live and move and have our being, we can be truly human as He created us to be. I want to help equip people to think well in this life, so they can live joyfully and peacefully with themselves and others. 

    My wife Patty and I have lived in the Seattle area for 27 years. We have five children attending Connections, four grown young adults, and three grandchildren. I am currently working as a Human Factors Researcher working on medical devices. My educational experience includes obtaining a master’s degree in psychology, teaching Introductory Psychology at Bellevue Community College (now Bellevue College), and recently graduating from the Colson Fellows Program, a 10-month program that explores Biblical worldview and teaches Christians how to live out their faith and beliefs wherever they find themselves within this cultural moment.

  • Cynthia Gillam

    Financial Building Blocks Virtual Tour WA State Wise Virtual Tour

    As a former public school teacher, my path into homeschooling and teaching at Connections has been an interesting journey. God’s fingerprints are all over it! After graduating from Appalachian State University in NC, I taught for five years in Atlanta, GA. I LOVED it! Other teachers kept telling me I was in the “honeymoon” stage of teaching, but to this day my love for students and teaching hasn’t diminished. I married, moved to WA with my husband, had three children, and began homeschooling. My youngest graduated from Connections in 2020. I have been teaching at Connections for eight years. I’m excited to continue teaching an updated finance class and continue as a WA history class. On a personal note, I’ve been married for 31 years, love gardening, baking, studying the Bible and trying to apply it, walking with friends, and playing games with my family.

  • Elizabeth Grace

    Our family has been a part of Connections for over 18 years. I was involved with the Playroom for over seven years, taught sewing for the 2011-2012 school year, kitchen skills in 2017, and have taught Yearbook for five years.

    I received my degree in clothing, textiles, and merchandising at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, and also worked in design and marketing at a manufacturer in Quito, Ecuador. For the past 20+ years, I have dedicated myself to being a mom, and I still do some sewing and alterations from home, among other ventures.

    Yearbook is an exciting adventure for me, and I enjoy combining my administrative and creative skills to bless the students and families of our community. Each year has brought different challenges, but it is extremely rewarding watching the skills grow and teamwork build in the Yearbook class.

  • Pearl Gu

    My name is Pearl Gu and I was born in China. I grew up speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, and other local dialects. When I was in high school, I aspired to major in early childhood education but never imagined I’d homeschool my own children. In 1999, I moved to the US, got married (22 years!) and had three children. I have been volunteering to teach Sunday school for over 17 years at my church and homeschooled my children for 10 years. Homeschooling of course had it’s challenges especially for an Asian mom who had no concept of homeschooling. Through this journey, by God’s grace, my family and I grew closer to Him and His desires. Two of my daughters are now in university, and youngest is here in high school. When I look back, my journey of homeschooling truly has been a “path overflowing with abundance.” (Psalms 65:11). Glory be to God! I thank the Lord for homeschool connections, which opened this unique way to raise our children. I’m happy to share with the Homeschool Connections community by utilizing both my unique background of Chinese cultures and experiences of homeschooling.

  • Veronica Huffines

    I’m the product of 2 generations of teachers. I grew up talking about education theory around the dinner table. In college, I started off majoring in technical theater, emphasizing set and lighting design, before realizing that I missed math too much. I switched over to engineering and worked as a peer tutor for math (I’ve been tutoring upper-level math ever since). I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. I am passionate about the study of Art and Math–they are fun and exciting and more related than you probably think. They both give us unique insights into the truth of God. Art is not just a hobby, Math is not something to be endured, they are both ways of life, ways of thinking, ways of looking at the world and of seeing God in it.

  • Sandi Hull

    I graduated from Northwest College (University) in 1998 with a degree in Secondary Education/English and then taught sixth grade at Providence Classical Christian School for two years. After my first two children were born, I was recruited to teach at a small homeschool co-op in my church.

    My four-year-long experience at that small home-school co-op informed the direction of our family: We launched ourselves into homeschooling as soon as we could — which was way too soon. My three-year-old endured my Ed degree and a little too much direct instruction before I finally embraced the freedom, flexibility, and beauty of homeschooling. 

    Over the years, my teaching commitments followed the needs of my children in once-a-week co-op settings. Our family attended The Christian Language Center for seven years where I taught high school writing, and we have been at Seattle Classical Co-op now for four years, where I teach middle school humanities.

    I am married to my husband of 25 years. We have six children, ages 22-9, one daughter-in-law, and a sweet, newborn grandson. We have been deeply blessed by the uniqueness of each of our children, by their educational challenges and strengths,and by their talents and choices. My greatest sorrows and my greatest joys have manifested juxtaposed in the task of homeschooling and parenting.

    I have a passion for ideas and the expression of them. I love playing advocate and audience to students making connections, discovering relationships between the ideas, internalizing those ideas, discerning them, and amplifying them. I believe human formation is at the heart of liberal arts studies, and I am excited to grow with the Connections community.

  • Laura Jarrell

    I love art, and I love the Lord! I’ve been creating art of all kinds for as long as I can remember. I graduated from UW with a degree in Graphic Design, later got married and had our three kids, and then started our homeschooling journey. Two of our three have graduated and we’re down to just one now. It was the best decision we ever made! My goal in teaching art is to encourage students to experience the joy of the creative process while learning the fundamentals of art, so that they can grow in their own creative journey. The Bible tells us we were created in the image of God. Since He is the ultimate Creator, that means we were made to create, too. His inspiration is all around us and there’s no end to the fun we can have when we create!

  • Buffy Johnson

    I have found that teaching and spending time with students is a passion and a privilege. I started my career as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital in Seattle as a floor nurse. After some years home raising children, I went back to school and got a Master in teaching and an elementary education endorsement. I worked the next ten years as an elementary classroom teacher and also got my professional certification and an endorsement for a reading certification. I began to work with children with reading disabilities, but also worked with students who were above grade level and those whose first language was not English. It was a rich, rewarding experience. I am excited to continue teaching in a new environment, using a multisensory, creative style that engages and interests students. I believe that my job is to help them be successful in learning about the subjects Bible, geography, and reading. I also hope to encourage them to always be a learner who is curious, creative, and an analytical thinker.

    I am an avid reader and cook who loves to travel and snorkel. My days are anchored by church and women’s Bible study. I have a Portuguese water dog named Hamish who is in his teen years right now and keeps me active! I will be happy to trade crazy stories about pets and teenagers! I am a widow with three grown children who are married and have children of their own now. Life is good.

  • Cameron Kyle

    I am blessed to have the opportunity to teach your children. I have been a martial arts instructor for 8 years now. I graduated through Connections and have devoted my life to being the best example I can to those around me. Our Christian valued life skills are the center of everything I teach. I strive to build confidence and best effort in every kid!

  • Danielle Lankester

    Problem Solving in Elementary Math Virtual Tour

    Hi, I’m Danielle! My journey of following God’s plan led me to Connections as a parent, and I’m happy to be teaching and serving on the board this year.

    After earning my BA and Teaching Certification at Whitman College, I taught for over 15 years (a range of elementary grades and a bit of eighth-grade math). Additionally, I earned a Masters in Teaching from Grand Canyon University and a math certification for grades 4-9. In 2021, I felt God calling me to leave the world of public school for the “even more full-time job” of homeschooling my two boys.

    Relationships are central to all learning experiences, and I strive to know my students so their needs can be met in a collaborative community. My goal is for students to grow in their confidence and critical thinking skills that are called on as they live God’s plan for their futures. My favorite part of teaching is the AHA lightbulb moment when kids’ perseverance pays off and when they link new ideas to their existing knowledge and grow new connections in their brains!

  • Emily Lorelli

    As a former public school teacher, I never thought I’d be homeschooling. But when Anthony (my husband of 25 years) and I were contemplating how to address the problems we saw with our oldest daughter’s experience in public school, God revealed the possibility of homeschooling through the example of several respected families from our church, St. Katherine Orthodox Christian Church in Kirkland. The choice to homeschool, which seems so obvious from our present position, required a tremendous leap of faith and has borne good fruit thus far – glory be to God! That “oldest daughter” has just graduated from OTIS College of Art and Design and our son is entering his last year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he is studying biomedical engineering. Our two youngest daughters are currently high school students at Connections and the older of the two will be graduating this year. 

    Homeschooling, while challenging in many ways, has been a natural development for a former high school English teacher who has been “teaching” ever since she was eight and “playing school.” Fortunately for my students and my children, my skills have improved since that time. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in literature in 1997 and a MA in education in 1999. I taught ninth and tenth-grade English at a public high school in Northern California for five years until the birth of my son called me home to spend my energies there. However much I loved being at home full-time, I missed the particular energies and inspiration of interacting with students in the classroom. I have been blessed to teach at Connections for the last twelve years and am excited to have the opportunity to teach again this coming year.

  • Marna Marteeny

    Pre-Algebra Virtual Tour

    Marna has shared her love of math with Connections students for the past 13 years. She graduated with a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Washington. She went on to conduct risk analysis at the National Reactor Test Station and nuclear power plants in the US and abroad. After a prolific career in Nuclear Engineering, her most important career move was homeschooling her two children Benjamin and Naomi through 12th grade. Both went on to be Huskies! 

    Math class is intentionally designed to be an open space for learning where ideas and participation are welcomed. No child is left out and everyone is empowered to step into their best self. Because every child’s perspective is valued and heard it creates a sense of camaraderie and connection to the whole group.  

    Marna’s teaching methods help reluctant math students become avid fans. Math enthusiasts will also have opportunities to unlock a deeper love of math in Marna’s classes. In addition to teaching and tutoring Math, Astronomy, and Python Programming, Marna enjoys raising service dogs, biking, horseback riding, and camping with her husband of 33 years, Alexander.

  • Ed Morin

    I discovered homeschool co-ops and their desire for more STEM classes in 2015. In 2017, I started teaching approximately 90 homeschooled students at five different co-ops using a curriculum I developed from scratch. It has been many years since I could honestly say “I love my work”. I am so thankful to the Lord for leading me to these opportunities to teach subjects that I love.

    Since I was about eight years old, I have loved everything to do with electricity and electronics. I had the privilege of taking Electronics Shop classes every year since seventh grade, eventually becoming a teacher’s assistant in high school. My interest in electronics also led me into Amateur Radio, which I have enjoyed since earning my FCC license while in middle school and eventually achieving the highest, “Extra” class license.

    During my junior year in high school, my electronics teacher recommended me for an internship at Tektronix. That became the start of a professional career in the high-tech industry for over 20 years. Since graduating from Portland State University, I have held positions at all levels including highly technical, managerial, and executive positions as well as launching several businesses.

    I first became involved with teaching in 1985 tutoring reading to a few elementary school students. When our first child began attending elementary school in Redmond, I often volunteered as a classroom assistant and field trip chaperon. When he joined Boy Scouts, I began teaching challenging, one-day intensive classes for both the Radio and Electronics Merit Badges using a curriculum I helped develop.

    My wife and I have been married for over 34 years, and have two sons (26 and 18) and a rescue dog named Lily. We currently live in the Redmond area and attend Eastridge Church in Issaquah. I have been a Christian for about 40 years since growing up in a Catholic family in the Portland area and learning about — and believing in — God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit for as long as I can remember. In 1983, as a young adult, I came to know the Lord and the redemption that we have through Jesus Christ, in a more personal way. I also believe that science complements our faith and provides us with tools we can use to explore and better understand God’s marvelous creation.

  • Addison Nohr

    God Bless America Virtual Tour

    From a young age, God has guided me towards my passion for working with children. I have been fortunate to embark on many teaching opportunities throughout the years. Even in middle school, I spent my summers independently teaching sewing and social classes in my home. Then I had the joy of going from being an assistant teacher for American Girl History to having the privilege of taking it over in 2020. For my classes, I have created curriculums tailored to our co-op’s specific needs. These include a large range of subjects such as All Around the World Geography, American Girl History, ABC’s Colors and More, God Bless America (the 50 States), Dr. Seuss S.T.E.A.M., Fancy Nancy Vocabulary and Manners, Social Graces SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and WOW History. Each curriculum has been made with care and compassion, aiming to strengthen the development of young minds.

    For the past four years, I have also been a theater teacher at a Classical Christian school, where I have had the privilege of guiding 24 middle schoolers in embracing their unique qualities and finding joy on the stage. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to teach select classes at Homeschool Connections on Wednesdays. –  I’ve been a member of the homeschool co-op community for 10 years now! I take inspiration from the teachers who made a huge impact on me when I was still a co-op student. I understand the power of a strong support network in shaping a child’s education. Because of this view, I not only see my role as just a teacher but also as a partner in your family’s educational journey. It is my heartfelt mission to come alongside you to assist in nurturing the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth of your children.

    My true passion lies in strengthening the foundations and moral compasses of young children, as our world can often be unkind. I firmly believe that by instilling confidence, a growth mindset, respect for others, and a deep trust in God, we can empower children with the strength they need to thrive. With every interaction in the classroom, I intend to bring joy, laughter, and the profound understanding that learning itself is a precious gift from God. It fills me with awe to witness how these young children effortlessly absorb knowledge and cultivate manners and social skills. Proverbs 22:6 beautifully articulates the significance of my mission: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

  • Emily Norton

    Spanish 1, 2, and 3 Virtual Tour

    My name is Emily Norton. I am a staff pastor at Church of the Americas, a multicultural and multilingual church in Northgate, where I am the music director and coordinator for most events at the church. I was born in Australia and lived most of my life in Medellin, Colombia. Since my father is from Colombia and my mother is from the USA our home has always been bilingual, and it is not uncommon to hear a question asked at the dinner table in one language and answered in the other language. This tradition continues in my home with my wonderful husband of 19 years, Jason, and sweet nine year old, Naomi. I am so excited to be able to share Latin culture and the Spanish language with your student at Connections.

  • Rochella Olson

    Hi friends. I am Rochella Olson, better known to my young friends as Ms. Roe! I am a second generation homeschooler to my children Malachi (11), Ezra (9), and Delphine (6). We are in our sixth year at Connections and I am thrilled to be joining the teaching roster in 2024!

    The “Just for Me” class is an expression of my love for the complexity of the human psyche and what “makes someone tick”. As a Marketing graduate from the University of Washington I have always been fascinated with how to build relationships and create services to fulfill the needs of others.

    As a parent, this interest has translated into a study of children and how to build their trust and confidence while honoring the exceptional design of each child. The more unique the child, the more I enjoy unraveling the complexities of how to understand them and build them up!

    I enjoy making messes at home with my children and filling our house with friends. We often take road trips as a family and enjoy adventuring to destinations outside of Washington. I love taking on new creative challenges such as joining the set committee for the Connections drama program and bringing our homeschool days to life with hands-on activities.

  • Mike Purcell

    My wife and I have been married for 20 years, and we have three children who are all enrolled in Connections.  We met at Northwest University in Kirkland, where I got my degree in Biblical Literature. I serve as the Lead Pastor at Restoration Road Church in Snohomish. I have previously served as a children’s pastor and youth pastor. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach students at Connections and pray the Lord will use me to help them learn and grow and, most importantly, point them to Jesus.

  • Analiisa Reichlin

    Beginning and Intermediate Latin Virtual Tour Beginning Latin - Auricoma et Tres Ursi Intermediate Latin Roman Combat Latin I, II and III Virtual Tour NYTSSC Virtual Tour

    I’ve known since I was very small that I wanted to be a teacher. When I took band in the sixth grade, I began playing the euphonium and fell in love with it. I combined these two passions and attended WWU in Bellingham for K-12 Music Ed and Music Performance, with a hiatus to study privately in New York and Washington, D.C. It was a joy to play with my own kids in Advanced Band here at Connections.

    In my 20’s I discovered my inner CEO and started several companies, including the largest Kindermusik studio in the world. I have spent many hours engaging in my passions for learning about how the brain works, writing curriculum from inductive Bible studies to child development to Latin and teaching children and adults alike in a variety of subjects. I’m thrilled to bring arts integration into the academic classroom as a tremendous tool to help students learn and better retain information.

    Fifteen years ago we came to Connections because of the excellent band program and stayed for many more classes. Eleven years ago I joined the board of directors and saw there was a need for a preschool music class. I thought, “I can do that!” A few years later the amazing Latin teacher retired and she told me I should take on teaching Latin. So I did. My Not Your Typical Study Skills Class came out of watching many of my students struggle developing their executive function skills. But at my core as an educator is my love for the Word of God, and helping people to learn to understand scripture for themselves. The book of Daniel is in my schedule for the 2024-2025 year, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this fascinating text to life.

    My husband Karl and I have been married for 27 years and have three children who we all homeschooled through high school. My oldest is Head of Product for a software startup, my middle studies composition and arranging, and my youngest is headed off to Cedarville University for a degree in English and Drama Education. Someday, she hopes to teach at a homeschool organization like Connections. If you are wondering if homeschooled kids can successfully navigate university, the answer is absolutely!

  • Bessie Ren

    Basic Elementary Math 1 & 2 Virtual Tour

    Following the Lord’s calling and the encouragement of my husband, Michael, I began homeschooling my two children in 2013. Since then, I have taught them and many other students math at home and at another homeschool co-op. It is truly a joy to watch these students overcome their difficulties and excel at math. So far, out of the six college-aged students that I taught, five were awarded either the highest available academic scholarships or full-ride scholarships.

     My vision for teaching math involves building a strong foundation, making learning enjoyable, and seeing the beauty of God’s creation through His marvelous design. With a background in engineering, I also hope to make STEM careers more interesting and accessible for my students. Unfortunately, the reality is that many students hate math. They struggle at higher levels of math because they lack the fundamental skills. I firmly believe that offering solid teaching of the fundamentals is the best way to alleviate this problem. As such, the classes I teach at Connections focus on building a firm foundation in mathematics.

  • Leslie Schmunk

    Music Workshop A Virtual Tour Music Workshop B Virtual Tour Music Workshop C Virtual Tour Music Through the Seasons Virtual Tour Voices of Praise Choir Virtual Tour Singing Through the Alphabet Virtual Tour

    I have been homeschooling my two (now teenage) children since preschool, and it has been a privilege to do so. Through parenting my own children I have been challenged to grow in many areas of my life, spiritually, as well as, acquiring new skills such as crochet, healthy cooking and teaching the Bible to children.

    I have been making music almost my entire life, singing my first public solo at age four. As a child, I studied piano and violin and sang in numerous choral groups. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Music in 1987 from Northwest College in Kirkland, WA. I have been teaching private piano and violin lessons since 1980 and have directed several choral and instrumental groups. I am also an active instrumentalist and vocalist on my church’s worship team.

    Shortly after the birth of my daughter in 2004, I began researching music education options for her. Through that search I discovered and began teaching Musikgarten’s Family Music series and Music Makers series and earned the Musikgarten Achievement Award. In more recent years, I have discovered the joy of teaching in the elementary music classroom. My passion is to instill a love of music and singing in my students.

  • Kate Smith

    Era of Westward Expansion Virtual Tour Loving Literature Virtual Tour Life Science Virtual Tour

    Kate graduated from Mills College in California with a degree in Elementary Education. While at Mills she was challenged (and greatly helped by her local church, Oakland First Covenant), to grapple with her Christian faith in the midst of many conflicting worldviews, seeing how God’s redemptive story brings beauty and meaning to all of life. After college, she married Eric and taught in public and private schools in California and Washington until she took an extended leave to have children. Kate and her husband then embarked on a twenty-five-year journey with their three children, home educating and learning much along the way. As a result, Kate loves to encourage homeschooling moms to thrive. Her family came to Connections when her oldest was in high school. The story of her journey here is a story of God’s goodness! Kate has taken on a teaching role at Connections going on six years now, and she loves it. Her Connections students keep her inspired and her heart full every week!  Her hope and prayer for each of her students is that they will learn how to approach their studies from a Biblical worldview and that they will see Jesus in all that they are learning.

  • Linda Smith

    Working with children is a joy but not something I anticipated doing. I graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor degree in English with a concentration in writing. Thinking I was going to head to law school, I came home for a break but started a different journey, motherhood. Not wanting my children to head off to school without me, I started the home school journey. Now, 15 years later, my life is so much richer. For the past decade, I have had the privilege of teaching preschool aged children two days a week. One of the greatest joys in life is helping children learn about God through His creation and creativity.

  • Robin Stangland

    Beginning Band Virtual Tour Intermediate and Advanced Band, Intermediate Jazz Band Virtual Tour

    After graduating from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, I taught band and elementary music in the public schools in Oregon for four years. I played French horn professionally with the Portland Opera Orchestra for seven years. After moving to Washington in 1991, I started the Homeschool Band in this area in 1993, so I could work part time and be home with my kids. I love to teach and inspire kids in music. Many of my former students are continuing in music by leading worship at their church, playing in community bands, pursuing music degrees, composing for films, leading homeschool music groups, playing professionally, teaching, and performing in musical theater. I have performed on French horn in the Starry Night Orchestra, Skagit Chorale, Sno-King Chorale, Northwest Chorale, Philharmonia Northwest, Harmonia, and have played trumpet in Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. I have been the French horn coach for the Cascade Youth Symphony, Fidalgo Youth Symphony, and also brass and percussion coach at the Mount Baker Youth Symphony Summer Sounds Camp. I am married to Dave who is a retired band director for the Everett public schools. We have two daughters, Amanda and Audrey, who also love music and have participated in Homeschool Connections.

  • AmyJoy Stoesz

    Draw, Write, Sculpt Virtual Tour High School English Virtual Tour Intro to Composition Virtual Tour Writing I and II Virtual Tour Writing III and IV Virtual Tour

    My name is AmyJoy Stoesz. I have been teaching for over 23 years!  I hold a Washington State Teacher Certificate and am certified to teach all subjects in kindergarten through eighth grade. I also earned an endorsement in English and am certified to teach fourth through twelfth grade English. Additionally, I am an accredited IEW instructor. I have taught in both public and private schools here in the United States, as well as overseas in China.

    In addition to being a classroom teacher, I have also been the director of Education at a Sylvan Learning Center, co-led a one room schoolhouse here in Washington and have prepared high school students for the verbal portion of the SAT. For several years, I tutored first generational high school students from Hong Kong. Currently, I teach online writing classes as well as in-person writing classes. While I have years of experience working with academically strong students, I also have over a decade of experience teaching students with learning differences. I make an intentional effort to individualize my teaching to meet students at their levels.  I start each class with prayer and strive to bring God glory in all I say and do.

  • Kay Swartwood

    Our family has been homeschooling since 2006 and we currently have two homeschool high school graduates and two homeschoolers still at home. Before I was a homeschool mom, I was an environmental engineer by education and profession, but I never lost my early love of math and science. I have been so blessed to be able to revisit math and various science subjects with my kids during their respective homeschool journeys. Astronomy, in particular, has been one of our family favorites.

    Prior to joining Homeschool Connections, our family attended a small homeschool co-op in Shoreline for fifteen years. I had the privilege of teaching a wide variety of classes there and learned that I love teaching homeschool co-op classes. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to now teach at Homeschool Connections.

  • Jammie Tanton

    I’m a mom of four kids and have been homeschooling for the past 14 years. Teaching has always been a part of who I am. I led my first Pre-K class at church when I was 11 years old and have taught in some capacity ever since. I’ve worked with kids ranging from kindergarten to teens in church and the foster care system. I’ve taught GED classes for adults, math classes for soldiers, as well as all grades and many different subjects at co-ops.

    Largely because of my own childhood struggles, I have always had a heart for the neurodivergent. I love working with kids and helping them to learn important socio-emotional skills. Navigating my own neurodivergent children’s educational and socio-emotional challenges, working with foster kids, and the training I’ve attended have all given me effective tools. I have incorporated these tools in nearly every class I’ve taught over the last 15 years. I’ve found not only do my neurodivergent students benefit but my neurotypical students appreciate these tools as well. My current passion is to help teenagers learn to navigate life with confidence and joy.

  • Dan Tomandl

    Physics with Lab Virtual Tour Astronomy Virtual Tour

    I’m fascinated by how things work in our universe — things like motion and friction, stars and volcanoes. As a child, I went on many family fishing trips, but my favorite parts were playing in the sand and water – making rivers and watching erosion. I majored in physics at Beloit College where I met and married my wife. After graduation, we served two years in the Peace Corps as junior high teachers in Ethiopia. I wanted to further my education at a frontier of physics – either tiny (nuclear physics) or large (astrophysics). I decided on the large scale and earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Washington.

    While looking for positions in Astronomy, the Lord led me in another direction, for a time. I accepted a position “temporarily” at the University of Washington as a computer programmer/developer. 30 years later a door opened up for a faculty position at Northwest University in Kirkland to teach physics, astronomy, and other general science and math courses. While there I’ve co-led student groups studying ecology and geology at Mt. St. Helens and studying culture and community development from a Christian perspective in Haiti, Tanzania, and Uganda. After doing that for 10 years, I’m semi-retired. I do still love to share what I know with others, so I am teaching here, and volunteer occasionally at local schools and libraries. My wife and I followed our grandkids to Whidbey Island. We have two adult sons and four young grandchildren. We were married 54 years before my wife went to heaven.

  • Kathleen Uss

    The 2024-2025 school year will be my second year teaching at Connections and our family’s fourth year attending. I have two amazing kids who keep me on my toes, and I am so incredibly grateful for this amazing community! 

    I’ve always loved helping others learn – I started out working in my college’s writing lab, helping other students understand grammar and teaching them how to write papers. Right out of college, I taught high school literature and for the past 15 years, I’ve worked in publishing helping authors and illustrators. I have a BA in communication arts and an MS in Publishing and just love the world of writing and reading.

    I genuinely believe the more we read, the more well-rounded and empathetic we can be. The more we write, the more we practice how to communicate, which is such a strong skill for children and adults alike.

    I’m excited for the year ahead and helping students learn more about some new books and ways of analyzing and reading books.

  • Alice Wescott

    Intro to High School Writing Virtual Tour Research and Report Writing Virtual Tour

    Alice has a Ph.D. in Reading Education and is a specialist in diagnostic testing for children with reading and learning problems. She has been performing academic assessments for homeschoolers since 1988. Alice taught a variety of education classes at the university level, has spoken at many national and international conferences on various aspects of reading development and homeschooling, and has had twenty-five articles published in professional journals. Alice homeschooled all three of her sons.

    She is the owner of EduGreat, a business which travels around the state to conduct the annual testing of homeschooled students. She also operates a Homeschool Extension Program, Sno-King Academy, which develops state-approved transcripts for homeschooled high school students.

    Alice has been teaching writing classes at Connections since its inception in 1994.

  • Bronwen Wilson

    Originally from New Zealand, I grew up in a music and arts-saturated home where my siblings and I would sing for hours around the piano, dash off to dance or music lessons, and watch each other perform in a wide variety of situations. I come from a family of educators (three generations!) and following suit I have a natural love of teaching and working with students.

    I have three children and a wonderfully supportive husband. We started homeschooling in 2021 and have never looked back.  The biggest joy I’ve found in homeschooling is learning alongside the kids as well as having time to study the bible and our incredible God together – it truly is a joy and privilege.  Music and the arts are now the soundtrack of our home and there’s never a dull moment with someone singing, playing an instrument, or being dramatic – with the odd dance lesson thrown in for good measure!

    I have been teaching dance and musical theatre for well over 25 years. I studied dance and education at university earning a degree and several post-grad qualifications. My journey has taken me across countries, performing and choreographing in various entertainment spheres (including musicals like Godspell, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music). During my teaching career, I taught at schools, tertiary institutions, and many private studios with my favorite genre being Musical Theatre as it combines dance, singing, and acting.  I find great joy in teaching and interacting with my students as I work to build confidence, strong performance skills, and a love of all things theatre.

  • Meka Zieger

    Drawn to Attention Virtual Tour Drawn to Attention Picture Overview

    Hello. I raised and home-schooled four. I’m a graphic designer–but my real passion is drawing my everyday and helping folks develop this pause and pleasure in the present. Mine is a rigorous Art curriculum developed over 14 years teaching (and learning). We cover foundational and traditional lessons, but the personalized aspect of keeping a journal sparks a special attention, appreciation, aim, and well, art (I call these the “4A’s”). I’ve kept an “illustrated journal” for 18 years–I’m on #40!

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