Meet the Village Home instructors!

• Anthony Alvarado

  
  Anthony taught high school science at Listos Academy, a private non-profit school tailored to meet the needs of Latino students, where he was responsible for the entire science curriculum, which covered Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Health. His passion is to provide a classroom where students felt that learning was exciting, and where the dialogue was open-ended and fun. He prides himself on awakening the spirit of inquiry and discovery in learners through science.
  
  

• Tara Atkinson

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Jane Bowman

  
  Jane is an experienced art teacher, camp director, and homeschooling parent.
  
  

• Bobbi Burton

  
  Bobbi Burton earned an engineering degree from CalPoly, but her life took her in other directions. Prior to having a family, Bobbi was a preschool teacher. She spends her extra time these days homeschooling her children and leading a girl scout troop.
  
  

• Alice Cotton

  
  Alice Cotton is an architectural artist and educator and author and illustrator of the book When Buildings Speak. She incorporates interdisciplinary projects using her expertise in architecture, art, history, and mathematics. With ideas that are challenging and engaging, learners create beautiful works of art using mathematical and architectural structures. Alice loves the homeschooling model and believes homeschooled learners make model learners. They know how to take the initiative for their own learning: a skill that is paramount to successful living. Alice has been an artist-in-residence for Young Audiences and several schools, and has many years' experience teaching in public school, college, Saturday Academy, and of course Village Home.
  
  

• Wendy Dana

  
  Wendy Dana has always loved teaching and has been heavily involved with her three children’s education; she is homeschooling her youngest daughter, Betsy. She has an Associate of Science degree with emphasis in Early Childhood Education and taught pre-school through Portland Parks and Recreation for three years. Since having children, Wendy has volunteered her time with Sunday School, co-op pre-school, and public school. She helped start the Co-op Elementary School at Sunnyside and is a past member of the Village Home Parent Executive Board.
  
  

• Stephanie Eden

  
  Stephanie is a native Spanish speaker from Argentina raised in the United States. She has been teaching Spanish for five years, and enjoys working with all ages. Stephanie is the mother of two, and her family speaks Spanish in the home daily. Stephanie believes that learning a foreign language early in life using engaging games and activities solidifies a love of learning the language over a lifetime.
  
  

• Emily Edwards-Schofield

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Gretchen Ermer

  
  Gretchen Ermer has more than 10 years teaching experience, and she has also been a travel agent, carpool guru, daycare manager, tutor, tour guide, sales person, and editor. She has experience teaching children with learning disabilities and gifted children in private and public settings. She has a bachelor's degree from Texas A & M. Notes from Gretchen, "I think a teacher’s job is to inspire a lifelong love of learning in all her students. I strive to show students that learning is a joyous experience and give them the tools to explore for themselves."
  
  

• Mark Fitzgerald

  
  Mark Fitzgerald and his wife Ami have teamed up to homeschool their children over the past six years. They both hold MBA degrees and have five years' experience coaching competitive robotic teams together. Mark is a professional software developer and also teaches programming classes at the University of Phoenix. He is qualified to assist students with Java, JavaScript, HTML, Flash, XML, and most database programs.
  
  

• Erica Forrest

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Jennifer Forrester

  
  Jennifer Forrester received her Masters degree in Education in 2000 from Portland State University and since that time, she has been a substitute teacher in Portland Public Schools, Hillsboro Public Schools and has taught in a number of other settings as well, including homeschooling her own daughter.
  "I enjoy meeting new people bringing dignity to every learning situation."
  
  

• John Goalby

  
  John is an active member of Toastmasters, and attributes his improved communication and leadership skills to his involvement in Toastmasters. As part of the Toastmasters mentoring program, John wants to inspire students to become better communicators and leaders through the excellent program that Toastmasters has developed. Professionally, John develops PowerPoint presentations for corporations.
  
  

• Amy Grant

  
  Although my real education credentials are my two home-educated children (one in college, one age 15), my paper credentials are an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Guelph (Canada), a law degree from the University of California Hastings College of Law, and 20 years of legal practice in technology licensing. In addition to 12 years of home educating, I have taught adult continuing education through the University of California Extension program, technology licensing seminars for corporations, and was a Girl Scout leader for 10 years. I founded the CHOICE program at Village Home in 2005 to provide a private school option for home-educated students.
  
  

• Stacey Hallal

  
  STACEY HALLAL Stacey has been performing, teaching, and directing improv and sketch comedy in Portland and Chicago over the past ten years and has appeared and taught at over 25 comedy festivals across the United States and Canada. In Chicago, Stacey completed the iO Chicago, Annoyance, and Second City training centers. She went on to complete the prestigious Directing Program at Second City where she also taught improv and writing to adults and kids. Stacey recently assistant directed the smash hit Second City mainstage production, Between Barack and A Hard Place. In Portland, Stacey was a member of the critically acclaimed comedy duo All Jane No Dick and debuted her one-woman show, The Humperdink Family Reunion to rave reviews. She is the founder and artistic director of Curious Comedy Productions. Stacey uses improv to help corporations better understand and tell their brand stories with Character, LLC (www.characterweb.com), a Portland-based company she co-founded in 2001. BOB LADEWIG Bob has performed and directed improv in Chicago since 1998. He has taught adults and teens at ComedySportz Chicago and has coached improv ensembles at iO Chicago and the Playground Theater. He has also directed several critically acclaimed shows including Cathcart & Olson, 37 Foxtrot, The Panic Broadcast, Husband & Life, and directed and adapted the beloved kids’ show The Stinky Cheeseman. He has been a cast member of The Chicago Neutrino Project (an improvised film production) since 2003. He has performed at iO Chicago since 2000, was an ensemble member of ComedySportz Chicago from 2000-2007, and has appeared in many original kids’ shows including Paper Spaceship, Kid Mystery, and Wild Pecos Bill. He also writes music reviews for lostatsea.net.
  
  

• Barbara Hammond

  
  Barbara is a transplant from Canada where she worked as a Recreation Therapist with children and adults. She specialized with the older adult population, many with Alzheimer's. Finding a new passion with computers she worked in retail, corporate sales and the training department with Egghead Software. She travelled nationwide opening stores and training new employees. Barbara and her husband home educate their 3 children.
  
  

• Amy Haroldson

  
  Amy Haroldson began working with children as the children's entertainer, "Bubbles the Clown." It was in this role that she developed the skill of capturing children's attention and has used this skill to find creative ways to make learning exciting. For the past six years, she has been contracted with the Oregon Symphony to develop a program that introduces the orchestra to children with the goal of cultivating a new generation of symphony enthusiasts known as Kinderconcerts. Amy has also been a Gymboree instructor.
  
  "For me, the most gratifying part of working with children is sharing and introducing them to things I find meaningful and am passionate about. Poetry is one of my greatest loves, and it is an honor to share my enthusiasm with the young people at Village Home."
  
  

• Christine Heimbaugh

  
  Christine Heimbaugh is a veteran homeschooler of 21 years. She is one of the founding board members of Village Home, has served in the position of both Treasurer and Vice President, and was the Business Manager from 2003-2006. She is the mother of nine children; her three youngest children are currently being homeschooled, one is attending public school, and five are currently in college. Christine has a passion for education and life-long learning that is evident in her teaching experience. She has taught several classes for OSU Extension Service, numerous homeschool co-ops, children’s summer camp programs, and Village Home.
  
  

• Anna Heinrich

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Jane Hershberger

  
  Jane Hershberger is the mom of twin boys, and she has been homeschooling for three years. She has a PhD from Stanford in Microbiology and Immunology and has about fifteen years' experience working in academic biology research. Her post-doctoral research was on molecular genetics in corn. If you want to know about purple polka-dotted corn, she is the person to ask!
  
  

• Tania Humphrey

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Terry Jordan

  
  Terry Jordan is a homeschooling mother with a passion for storytelling and watching children play. She began facilitating Waldorf-inspired preschool programs in 1993 and uses a relaxed, gentle approach to invite imaginative play, cooperation, and creativity. She is an active Toastmaster and member of the storyteller's community in Portland. She has a BS Degree in Education and has extensive teaching experience in K-12 as well as adult programs and workshops (1983 - present). Terry served on Village Home Executive Board for 2 years and helped start a school in California. She also served as President for the State of MA Health Education Networking Organization. Currently, she serves on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Portland Storyteller's Guild, and is the chair of the OHEN conference.
  
  

• Rebecca Krantz

  
  Rebecca Krantz has owned her own daycare and enjoys homeschooling her children. She is currently finishing coursework to earn an associates degree in education. She especially likes to guide learning through play and exploration.
  
  

• Diana Laboy-Rush

  
  Diana Laboy-Rush is formerly the President of the Columbia River Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), whose mission includes offering programs to introduce K-12 girls to the exciting field of engineering. Diana is an electrical engineer, a former math teacher, and a parent, whose passion is exposing children of all ages to the possibilities of math, science, engineering, and technology. Since 1998, she has coordinated and participated in programs designed to introduce young people to the world of Science and Engineering.
  
  In 2005, Diana founded the Gateway to Engineering program in Portland, Oregon to develop theme based hands-on invention and engineering programs for elementary and middle-school children. Since then she has offered engineering and invention programs through PCC Community Education and in-school classrooms and after-school throughout Lake Oswego and Portland, reaching over 1,200 children since its introduction. The newest programs include a Toy Inventors Workshop, a Programmable Invention Workshop, and Computer Animation camps and courses.
  
  Diana's teaching philosophy can best be describes as action learning, which allows students to learn through experience. She believes that the best way to truly engage students with engineering is to allow them to explore and discover key points through hands on projects and activities relevant to their life, rather than solely through lectures and readings.
  
  

• Bob Lenneville

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Elizabeth Lewis

  
  Elizabeth Lewis has a degree in Education and French from the University of London. She has many years of experience teaching pre-schoolers through adults. She is a Sunday School teacher, has supervised and trained teachers, and has home-schooled two of her children through the 8th grade. She teaches Creative Story Writing at Village Home and tutors students in French. If you have questions for Elizabeth, you may call her at 503-524-7228 or email: elizabeth.dsl@verizon.net
  
  

• Tami LoBasso

  
  Tami is the mother of two and has been fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom until now. A former military brat (30 homes in 5 countries and 8 states), Tami has a first-hand knowledge of art from around the world. Tami has an associate's degree in Interior Design, with additional courses in Art. She has been teaching Art Literacy for the past three years to a variety of ages, and she is also a mural artist. Her passions are art, travel, and the environment.
  
  

• Sarah Miner

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Ute Mitchell

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Ruth Moultrie-Takamura

  
  I began my Taekwondo training in 1976 at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. When I received my BA degree in Business in 1980, I also received my high brown belt rank in Taekwondo. After graduation, I started a career teaching insurance agents how to use computers. My career plus family delayed my Taekwondo training until January 2003. Since then, I received my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Black belt dan ranks and have instructed over 200 homeschool students and families, plus teach at PCC and Garden Home Recreation Center. The Way of Taekwondo teaches courtesy, integrity, perseverence, self-control and indomitable spirit. It enriches my life and creates a deep passion for me to teach others.
  
  

• Rosalyn Newhouse

  
  Rosalyn has been involved with Village Home since 2003 as a Board member, teacher, volunteer, and more. This is her third year coordinating the WordPower language skills member activity for young spellers, linguists, and vocabulary mavens. In addition to her love of words, Rosalyn loves to study, teach, and use nutritional information to improve the quality of life for her family and others. She became a Certified Nutritional Therapist in 2005, and currently practices Nutrition Response Testing and does nutrition and diet consultation.
  
  

• Denise (Denny) Nkemontoh

  
  If Denny had to choose one word that has characterized most of her adult life it would be "teacher". Her teaching experience is varied, and includes leading cub scouts and boy scouts,training adults, teaching arts and crafts, administering a childcare, as well as teaching as a licensed teacher in a traditional classroom. Most recently, Denny has been teaching online high school language arts and social studies.
  
  

• Myrna Phillips

  
  Myrna enjoys homeschooling her son and learning along with him. She believes creativity and critical thinking are vital to education, and encourages learning through games and activities that foster development.
  
  

• Terry Purcell

  
  Terry Purcell was born in Roswell, New Mexico, perhaps suggesting that he is not of this world. He enjoys learning, educating and thinking, and is happy to have found a group of like-minded individuals at Village Home equally committed to lifelong education. He is currently working on an MA in History at Portland State University. Terry believes that History encompasses all aspects of human life and its study teaches us to interact with those cultures and people foreign to us, and for this reason it will never become old or stale. He likes focusing on the personal aspect of history as a discipline, and using it to encourage students and adults alike to think about the past before making decisions about the future.
  
  

• Cerridwen Ravenwood

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Tracey Riehl

  
  Tracey has taught drawing classes since 1991 to homeschoolers and adults. Tracey also owned a preschool, and enjoys working with all ages. She has a passion for art in all forms having been taught her father to appreciate the talents and creativity of others. Her artwork passion is currently focused on glass work. The joy of teaching art is showing learners how to see and understand with artist's eyes. Tracey has two grown daughters who are her and joy.
  
  

• RaChelle Schmidt

  
  Rachelle is a single mom who is homeschooling her son. She earned a BS in Theater Arts from Portland State University, and has 20 years experience as a professional actress. She has been teaching acting to all ages for 3 years and is currently working as the Academy Director of the Portland office of John Robert Powers Acting and Modeling academy. She is passionate about sharing acting with young people mostly because it is fun, but beyond that, she knows first-hand how much acting can enrich your life.
  
  

• Joe Seamons

  
  Joe is a musician and teacher who loves spending time with kids. Currently, he teaches guitar and music appreciation at middle schools, and works with the SUN program through Metropolitan Family services. He plays in a local band called Renegade Minstrels. Listen to his original music at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=223321799.
  
  

• Gayle Shanley

  
  Gayle Shanley graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 2004 where she double majored in Mathematics and Theatre Arts. She currently works as a freelance teacher and tutor in the Portland area, teaching at Village, Alliance Charter Academy, Saturday Academy, and Flowerpower, as well as tutoring privately. In addition to pursuing her passion for learning through teaching, she continues to dabble in theatrical lighting design, working with theater companies such as Do Jump! and the Re-Theatre Instrument.
  
  

• Barry Shapiro

  
  Barry Shapiro has taught A.P. Biology, Chemistry, Physical Anthropology, Physical Oceanography, Marine Biology, Animal Behavior, Biological Illustration, Digital Imaging, and Vertebrate Physiology. He has taught at the middle and high school levels and at a Magnet School at the Los Angeles Zoo. Barry retired after thirty-seven years of teaching and still wants to share his knowledge with others. He is an educational consultant, biological illlustrator, nature photographer, and curriculum writer and has been awarded for his teaching at local, state, and national levels.
  
  

• Danielle Smith

  
  Danielle holds close the belief that the betterment of the community begins with positive and creative education. Danielle gives each learner room to explore. A newcomer to the Village Home faculty, Danielle says, "I really am inspired by the Village Home’s wide ranging and unique class offerings. I feel that, if given the power of choice, children will create lasting ties to their educational curiosity, and each class/experience will lead them further into understanding themselves and the world with a stronger level of self-confidence." A recent college graduate, Danielle has been a fine arts instructor at Bucks Rock Creative and Performing Arts camp, and is currently pursuing her own artistic talents while freelance teaching in the Portland area.
  
  

• Bob Smythe

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Bonni Snyder

  
  Bonni is relatively new to homeschooling and approaches it with an eclectic/unschooling style. She believes in inspiring kids to find their interests and passions. Coming into the class with a flexible plan, Bonni strives to make learning fun and follows the kids to see where the path leads. She looks forward to learning along with the students. Bonni is mom to a 4 year old daughter who she learns more and more from everyday.
  
  

• Misty Stromme

  
  Misty Stromme is a recent graduate of Warner Pacific College, where she received a BS in biological science, as well as three years of formal teacher training. A native Oregonian, she comes to us with a love of nature and a passion for education. Her strong background in natural history and experience working with children make her a capable guide for those wishing to explore the natural world. Misty has been involved in home-schooling for the past six years. She is currently working as a private tutor for the Lake Oswego school district. She dreams of one day establishing a complete outdoor education program for home-schooled children and their families.
  
  

• Suzy Taylor

  
  Although I have a lifetime Teaching Certificate in Washington State for all subjects and all grades, my favorite subjects include creative writing, SF & Fantasy, ancient history, poetry, and alternative realities. Teaching, traveling, exploring, gardening, and reading are my passions. My personal library includes thousands of books. I have taught in a wide variety of places and schools; from a small village school in Nome, Alaska to a huge urban high school of 2,800 in Anchorage, Alaska. Nurturing creativity and self-confidence in students is my goal.
  
  

• Jennifer Vail

  
  No details available at this time.
  
  

• Lori Walker

  
  Lori Walker is the president and founder of Village Home. She designed curriculum and programs for Learning Forum, an educational consulting company, and now homeschools her two children while staying involved in every aspect of Village Home life. She has eight years' experience as a professional trainer/facilitator for all ages, and enjoys creating hands-on learning in a joyful setting. She has degrees from Southern Methodist University in business and psychology, and graduated with distinction in the area of child development.
  
  

• Michelle Warila

  
  Michelle Warilla has a BA in Sociology from OSU, with a certification in Gerontology. She has been teaching folk dancing since college, where she spent recreational time folk dancing with the college club and performance classes. She also worked for Corvallis Parks and Recreation Hoolyeh (folk dance) Program, running the music, teaching dances, and programming the schedule weekly. After that, while working during the day as an Activities Director at a Long Term Care Facility, she taught classes through Special Arts to developmentally disabled adults. After a hiatus having five kids, she has been volunteer teaching to kids and tweens, since 2004.
  
  

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	Overview
	Parent Executive Board
	Meet Our Instructors
	Our Location

Village Home is a learning community providing academic and social enrichment and resources for families who choose to home educate.

The vision of Village Home is to be a community model for family centered, home-based education that inspires and supports self-directed, lifelong learning.

For more information, please call at 503-597-9100 or email us.

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