Team and Board of Directors

WEST began in 2009 and is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization offering tutor-based weekly classes for home-educated students in 5th through 12th grade.

Our class schedule allows parents and students to choose from a variety of tutorial courses taught by skilled and passionate tutors.

WEST allows for 90-minute academic sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in Maple Grove, MN.

WEST is led by a team and Board of Directors

WEST Team

Robin Fraser, Director

Robin desires to support homeschoolers as they seek to teach and influence as well as love and empower their children. As a homeschooler herself, Robin sees the need for homeschooling families to have educational options. Opening the doors of WEST has been a long time vision of Robin’s. She enjoys using her leadership experience and skill set at WEST.

Robin holds a degree in education – has taught in the inner-city public schools at the middle/junior high level. In 1993, Robin won the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year Award for Wisconsin. She has also served as an inner-city youth director, worked in the corporate world and has served in church: council member/teacher/event planner/ministry lead and more.

Robin is a home educator of 16 years. She is the founder of the homeschool co-op Fellowship In Christian Homeschool Education (FICHE), co-founder of WEST and has earned certification as a Spiritual Director.

She and her family live in Maple Grove where they serve in their church, neighborhood and wider community.

Robin’s heart is to engage, encourage and empower parents and students in a variety of ways – one being WEST.

Rebecca Eastman, WEST Office Assistant

Rebecca began homeschooling her two daughters and son in 2015. Homeschooling has completely changed their life and God has truly blessed them in this journey.

Rebecca has had the opportunity to serve as a Vice Coordinator and a Troop Shepherd for American Heritage Girls, a Board member for Patriotic Heritage Allegiant Honor Guard, and lead Children's Ministry.

Rebecca has worked at Unity Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant and as a Customer Service Representative for Connexus Energy. For 18 years she has taught Tiny Tot dance for 3-4 yr. olds at Anoka Hennepin Community Education.

Rebecca and her husband run their Recycling Business in Elk River. Additionally, her family is enjoying their new home in Zimmerman since fall 2020.

Rebecca has been a part of the WEST Community since 2017. On top of that, she has a heart for children, with a desire to serve and mentor our next generation in a positive direction.

Julie Kippley, WEST Nest Assistant

Julie started the homeschooling journey with her two sons in 2013. Her sons were public schooled through 6th grade and 2nd grade respectively. The desire for a closer family relationship and lifestyle flexibility were the driving factors for this decision. WEST provided a wonderful opportunity and learning structure for her boys to thrive in. They have been very pleased with WEST and have never looked back.

Julie graduated and worked as a chiropractic technician for many years and continues to have a passion for natural health and helping others.

Julie stayed home to raise their boys while supporting her husband in their landscape business. She is grateful for the opportunity to be an integral part of her children’s education.

In her role as WEST Nest Assistant, Julie enjoys assisting where she is needed and thoroughly enjoys interacting with the WEST students and staff.

Dacia Olson, Registrar

Dacia Olson has been homeschooling since 2009 and has been a part of the WEST community since 2016. She and her husband, Andrew have five children and live in Otsego. Their oldest three students are current WESTies.

Dacia graduated from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern - St. Paul) and worked at New Life Family Services before becoming a mom. Now she works as a part-time independent Labor Doula and has a passion for helping women through the process of labor and birth.

In the homeschool community, Dacia has served in different leadership roles in a co-op that meets in Anoka. She most recently served on the board for five years as Treasurer. Though it was a smaller group, it gave her some experience using the same website set up that WEST uses.

In her church, she has served on the worship team for 18 years and has encouraged other moms in marriage, parenting, and homeschooling.

She is excited to join the WEST team to serve as the Registrar.

Julie Burkstrand, Treasurer

Julie Burkstrand has been a part of the homeschooling community since the year 2000. She is pleased to join the WEST team and hopes to encourage fellow homeschoolers in their journey.

After graduating from Bemidji State University, Julie worked as an exercise consultant for 5 years at a local health club, before leaving that position to be a stay at home mom. She and her husband, Todd, have four children and have made their home in Osseo, MN for the past 27 years.

Julie has served in a variety of roles in her community, church, and homeschool co-op, the latest of which has been on the leadership board as treasurer for the past 9 years.

Tiffany Pavlish, Website Communications

Tiffany Pavlish has been a part of the homeschooling community since 2005. She is thrilled to be a part of the WEST team and continue supporting the homeschool community by maintaining WEST's website and encouraging families on their homeschool journey.

Tiffany graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus with a degree in Business Education. Currently, Tiffany tutors a couple classes Fall semester at WEST: PSEO Introduction to Computer Applications through Crown College and a general WEST Study Skills class. Tiffany and her husband, Andy, have four children and have made their home in Rogers, MN since 1996.

Tiffany has served in a variety of roles in the homeschool community and church encouraging women to forge ahead even when life seems bleak.

Board of Directors

Robin Fraser, President

She and her family live in Maple Grove where they serve in their church, neighborhood and wider community.

Robin’s heart is to engage, encourage and empower parents and students in a variety of ways – one being WEST.

Sheri Simmer, Treasurer

Sheri Simmer is pleased to serve on the WEST Board of Directors. She has been part of the homeschool community for over 20+ years and appreciates WEST and its mission to come alongside parents in their homeschool journey.

After her time at Northwestern College in Roseville, MN, Sheri spent many years in administrative and executive assistant work in Minneapolis. She and her husband started a home business in which Sheri has helped in various roles over 25+ years.

Sheri has served in a variety of teaching roles with homeschool groups. Her and her husband, Jack, live in Buffalo and have five children.

Gail Gray, Member

Gail Gray watched other families around her start homeschooling and witnessed good character qualities in the children and a lifestyle that supported a desire to build a strong Christian foundation in children. She jumped into homeschooling in 2007 when her oldest started Kindergarten and has been homeschooling ever since. Her 4 kids have enjoyed being involved at both Wings and WEST for many years.

Gail graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a degree in Retail Marketing and Management. Her and her husband and 4 children have lived in Maple Grove since 1999. Their family actively serves in the homeschool community, and in their church.

She enjoys encouraging homeschooling families and is excited to be a part of the WEST board.