Instructors
Mrs. Annie Alvarez
With over 15 years of homeschooling experience, I have been blessed to teach and learn alongside my children and an incredible community. My passion for art and science has shaped my teaching journey. I currently teach at three co-ops, Thrive, GROW, and CHAMPS, where I’ve had the joy of leading classes in high school science, multi-level art, and robotics. This year, a new survival skills class.
In addition to my teaching roles, I’m a dedicated scout leader and the proud mother of three amazing kids. Homeschooling has been a true blessing for our family, and I’m continually inspired by the creativity, curiosity, and growth I witness in my students. I’m excited for another enriching and joyful year ahead!
Mrs. April Haak
April began her homeschooling journey in 2020 with her two boys. She believes in providing a stimulating educational environment where students can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially while also having fun!
Ms. Kristy Haywood
Kristy started her homeschooling journey in 2023 with her two older daughters, then 7 and 10. She is focused on learning through the wonders of everyday life. She is currently homeschooling all three of her children, two girls and a boy, now 11, 8, and 5 years old. She happily joined the Thrive family for the 2024-25 school year where she started as the Classroom Guide for the Little Movers and Shakers class and the Pre-K/Kindergarten age-group. She is excited to be the little ones’ introduction to the classroom atmosphere and working with peers. Kristy is enthusiastic about getting messy and letting creative flow be free.
Ms. Erina Johnson
In her 20+ years of experience in theater, Ms. Johnson has always been passionate about unveiling the teamwork that goes into a production. She entered the realm of children’s theater education in 2020 with a strong desire to fill the need for allowing kids to understand that there
are many ways to be artistic in theater, both on stage and behind the scenes. In her many years of receiving professional coaching as a classical actor, she also has an appreciation for using acting as a tool to help kids practice making informed choices and take pride in their decisions. Ms. Johnson can also be found working with adults and kids alike as President of The Kirkwood Players, a non-profit theater that is dedicated to furthering the community through the performing arts. Ms. Johnson loves theater and theater education just about more than anything, and her excitement tends to be contagious, so students may catch the theater bug!
Mrs. Stephanie Noland
Stephanie Noland is the RoboThink Chicagoland owner and one of the many talented instructors who bring robotics, coding, and entrepreneurship to life for kids aged 6-14! She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. She had a 20-year career as a management consultant specializing in both Finance and Technology business transformation before starting RoboThink Chicagoland. Stephanie’s two favorite parts of teaching RoboThink classes are: #1: Seeing the look in a student’s eyes when their robot jolts to life or their video game characters jump into action for the first time – the sense of pride and accomplishment is priceless to witness, and #2: Seeing students’ imagination and creativity! It’s amazing to see what students come up with when you give them a little guidance, some tools, and space to create!
Mrs. Sandy Plahetka
Sandy Plahetka is an award-winning sewer who has a passion for sewing and a love to share her craft. Sandy is married and has 3 teenage boys. We love our family dog named Skyler who is a German Shepherd. Some of her interests are weekend getaways with her husband and drawing with color pencils.
Mr. Usman Qazi
Coach Usman Qazi joined Elite Chess in 2019, while he was the highly decorated captain of the Glenbard East High School Chess Team, and has taught chess ever since. Usman recenlty graduated from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and joined Elite Chess full time as the manager of the Wheaton Chess Center. He has a passion for working with kids that is evident to anyone who watches him teach. When he is not coaching, Usman enjoys making music, playing volleyball, and fishing.
Mrs. Chi-Li Quinteros
Chi-Li has been homeschooling for 13 years and is excited to be part of Thrive’s fantastic community again this year. Before her children were born, she worked for a decade as an elementary school teacher while earning a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and an ESL degree. Her passion has always been working with children and she’s been so fortunate in her life to do that in so many capacities including teaching dance, gymnastics, and soccer. Teaching is her lifelong passion and being able to dedicate time to that while her children enjoy what Thrive co-op has to offer is amazing!