<p>Teach Co-op<br /><span style=
 

MEET OUR 2022-2023 TUTORS!

Mrs. Laurie Gentrup, B.A.

· Preschool

Laurie Gentrup grew up in rural central Wisconsin. She attended Northwestern College, St. Paul (now the University of Northwestern) and earned a degree in Elementary Education. Since then she has taught middle school, worked as a legal secretary, and operated a home daycare. She and her husband John homeschool their four children (Will, Brenna, James and Samuel). She has served on the Teach Homeschool Board since 2016 and also volunteers as a youth leader for American Heritage Girls in Minnetonka. Laurie and Soni look forward to creating hands-on experiences with our younger elementary students.


Mrs. Gretchen Gramenz, B.S.

· Gameschooling-Learning Together

Gretchen Gramenz-Adamich grew up in the Chicagoland area. She gravitated toward the arts, and especially graphics as far back as high school when she served on the yearbook committee and, was the senior editor of the school's literary and arts magazine. She attended college at L.I.F.E. Bible College in Virginia and received a bachelor degree in Theology, becoming a licensed and ordained minister. As an associate pastor in Kenosha, Wisconsin she taught kid’s classes, lead small groups and served as Music Minister. Upon moving to Minneapolis, Gretchen volunteered at a local church while earning her Associates Degree in Graphic Design from Minneapolis Community and Technical College. She went on to work as a Photo Imaging Technician at the Star Tribune, and freelanced at advertising agencies in Minneapolis and Chicago in the areas of photo work, magazine page layout, poster design and contributing to advertising campaigns of companies such as Target, Best Buy and Accenture! Currently, Gretchen spends her days home-schooling and learning with her twelve-year-old, Trace. She loves growing plants indoors and gardening, practices piano, volunteers at Scouts and tends to the needs of a precocious pug.


Mrs. Carla Taepke

· IEW Prep: Writing Fun (K - 3rd)

· IEW Fundamentals & Fundamentals Plus (4th - 7th)

· IEW Advanced Writing (7th - 10th)

As a young girl, Carla often noted in her school memory book that she wanted to be a teacher. That desire began to be realized as she homeschooled her daughter. During that time she taught writing, grammar, and homemaking to her daughter and several other girls for six years. Currently she tutors several students in the arts of language. Carla graduated from Northern State College with a degree in Accounting and Computer Programming. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, sewing, and playing board games. Carla and her husband are involved as small group leaders at church. She looks forward to teaching this coming year!


Roach, Alison

  • Art, Mixed Media (K-3rd)
  • Art, Mixed Media (4th-6th/7th)

Alison grew up in the Twin Cities and attended the U of MN (Twin Cities) where she earned a B.S. After working for several large food companies, she earned an M.S at Kansas State University. Marriage took her to the east coast and then Chicago where she worked again for several food companies. Nowdays, she enjoys being a homeschool mom most of all. She is excited to be channeling her energy into classes this coming year!


Mrs. Rebecca Wahl

  • U.S. Government and Economics (8th - 12th)
  • Upper Elementary Science (6th - 7th)
  • Middle School Speech and Communication (5th-6th/7th)

Rebecca is excited to be a part of the team at Teach Co-op this year. From an early age, she knew had been given a heart to teach. As a young adult, God led her to pursue her dream, earning a Master’s in Secondary Social Studies Education from the University of Minnesota. She taught at Edina High School and St. Croix Preparatory Academy before being called to leave the public school life to spend her time teaching at home with her four children, Sophia, Sarah, Sydney and Shelby, which is a work still in progress.  She is eager to enter a classroom where she can share both her excitement for the content and her faith freely. Her passion for teaching has not been limited to the social studies classroom, but has extended into teaching Sunday school, leading women’s Bible study, and developing broader prayer ministries at her church.

Rebecca was born and raised in St. Louis Park where she continues to reside with her husband, Matthew, their four daughters and one African Cichlid. While faith, family and teaching are her main passions, Rebecca also loves to make time for long walks, cooking from scratch, drinking dark roast coffees, and reading good books.


Mrs. Heather Whyte, B.S.

· Science Fun K-2

· Science Fun 3-5

Heather Whyte loves working with children. She has homeschooled her four wonderful children for fourteen years, which has been an adventure. Heather loves hiking, playing games, and making maple syrup with her family. For many years she has been actively involved with the children’s ministry at her church. Heather graduated from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern, St. Paul) with a degree in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement. She looks forward to teaching this coming year!


Ms. Erica Woytcke, B.S.

· Apologia Chemistry (9th+)

· A Beka Biology (9th+)

Erica graduated from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She was homeschooled through high school, and now has many years of experience teaching science to students of all ages, from preschoolers to college undergraduates. She also works part-time as an adjunct professor at Northwestern teaching biology. Erica loves to be active outdoors, and has taken groups on trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for research and studies in biology. Her passion is to teach others about God’s incredible creation, leading them to a greater excitement about what surrounds them, and pointing them back to our amazing Creator!