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Kelsey Skender - Co-Founder / Teacher
Kelsey Skender is a Park Ridge homeschool mom and former elementary and literacy teacher. She has been homeschooling her 6yo, 5yo and 3yo for a year and loving it. She has six years of private and public school teaching under her belt. She has an undergraduate degree in special education and a masters degree in literacy. Kelsey continues to wear her teacher hat while serving in children's ministry at her church and tutoring throughout the week. She has a passion for creating curiosity in all aspects of education and values time in nature and free play. This year, Kelsey will be teaching science in our outdoor classroom.

Laurel McAlpine - Co-Founder / Teacher
Laurel McAlpine is a Chicago homeschool mom of three children ages 7, 5 and 2. She is a former CPS teacher with experience teaching 3rd-8th grade. She has been so grateful to apply her training and experience to the education of her own kids, and she is excited for the opportunity to continue that in a larger learning community next year! She will lead our science and social studies curriculum and teaching of our elementary school. Laurel is very excited to be our art teacher for this school year.

Sabriah Floberg - Co-Founder / Dance Teacher
Sabriah Floberg was a homeschooled kid who never thought she would become a homeschool mom! After an incredible homeschool experience with her 6 siblings from K-8th grade, she attended public high school and went on to dance professionally. Sabriah began dancing at a young age and fell in love with it. By age 16, she was not only taking classes at her studio 8+ hours / week, but she was also given the opportunity to teach her own classes. Combining her passions for dance and working with children was extremely fulfilling. Sabriah taught many different dance styles to both children and adults for more than 10 years. Now, with four children of her own, she decided to take the leap and pull her oldest two out of public school to give homeschooling a shot. While it definitely comes with its own set of unique challenges, she wouldn’t trade the extra time that she gets with her little goofballs for the world.

Antonella Caporale - Music Teacher
Antonella Caporale believes in teaching the language of music through fun activities, games, singing, and playing instruments, making learning enjoyable and effective for young students. With a Masters Degree from Conservatory "F. Cilea" - R. Calabria - Italy, over 40 years of teaching experience in Italy and the US. Antonella is also a Certified Music Together Teacher, specializing in Early Childhood Music Education. Antonella has developped a deep understanding of music education and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her classes. Teaching is her passion, and music is her life. It is Antonella's hope that her enthusiasm and dedication will overflow to her students, allowing them to develop a deep love and appreciation for music.

Cathy Brait - PE Teacher
Cathy is a retired Physical Therapist who has always been active, playing college basketball and lacrosse, coaching her children’s basketball and soccer teams, gym teacher for CBS, and now hiking and biking in national and state parks. She loves to engage children in the active life and is especially interested in teaching them the fundamentals of movement. Cathy wants to teach correct technique for fundamental movements and uses games and other activities to develop balance and coordination.
She is passionate that every child develop age appropriate movement skills and achieve self-confidence through the games and activities.

Kassy Stevens - Art
Kassy is a stay-at-home mom to two wonderful children, ages 7 and 5. She holds a degree in Business Administration and Political Science from Hope College and previously worked in event sales before stepping away from the corporate world to raise her family. During those early years at home, she discovered a deep love for working with young children and found herself drawn to their curiosity, energy, and joy. Kassy is excited to bring that passion into the classroom as she works with our kindergarten-age students. She looks forward to creating a warm, engaging environment where each child feels seen, supported, and excited to learn.

Gwen Hand - Music
Gwen is super excited to teach music this year! Her experience in music education includes teaching in settings ranging from grades K-12. She has taught group and individual lessons on woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments, and directed elementary, middle school, and high school bands. She offers piano lessons as well. Gwen never thought she would homeschool, but it is one of the most fulfilling ventures in her life! This is her 8th year homeschooling and growing with her son (12) and daughter (9). Gwen encourages you to be a lifelong student, be creative, and get outside! Soli Deo Gloria.

