Taylor Barclay
Director and Administrator
Taylor Barclay is a wife and mother of four who brings both heart and leadership to her role at HOPE High. Originally from the Twin Cities, she moved to the La Crosse area during her high school years and has since developed deep roots in the community.
Taylor serves as the lead administrator of HOPE High, managing everything from behind-the-scenes operations and website coordination to class setup, registration, and on-site supervision—often wearing many hats to keep things running smoothly. Her passion is to create a supportive and flexible environment that serves a wide variety of families, each following their own unique educational path.
She attends Bethany Church, where she is actively involved in serving with the youth group. Outside of her work, Taylor enjoys music, cooking, and spending time at home with her family. Each summer, her family looks forward to vacationing up north, a cherished tradition.
Having grown up in a community similar to HOPE, Taylor was inspired to bring that same sense of support and connection to the La Crosse area. She is grateful for how God has guided the journey of HOPE High and continues to trust Him with each step forward.
Kimberly Barton
Director and Language Arts Tutor
Coming Soon
Rachel Vik
Director and Science Tutor
Rachel Vik is a wife and mother of three who plays an integral role at HOPE High as part of the director team and a lead tutor. She specializes in the sciences and also enjoys teaching math, bringing both enthusiasm and clarity to her students.
Originally from the Twin Cities, Rachel made the La Crosse area her home after college and has fully embraced the community. Outside of teaching and family life, she has a deep passion for horses and spends much of her time riding and caring for her two horses, Barbie and Dylan.
Rachel attends Bethany Church, where her heart for loving and serving others is evident. She is dedicated to investing in students both academically and personally, creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
Amy Etrheim
Spanish Tutor
Coming Soon
Sarah Anderson
Math and Science Tutor
Sarah Anderson will be tutoring math and science this fall, bringing both experience and enthusiasm to her work with students. She holds a degree in mathematics from Saint Mary’s University and has several years of experience tutoring, along with past teaching experience in a group home for teenagers.
Sarah is passionate about making math approachable and even fun, helping students build confidence as they learn to tackle challenging concepts. She loves seeing students realize they are capable of more than they think and strives to encourage both academic growth and personal confidence.
Outside of tutoring, Sarah enjoys biking, playing soccer, fitness instruction, and planning events and retreats for her church. She also serves as a youth group leader for 7th–12th grade students, where she loves creating engaging games and meaningful experiences.
Sarah is dedicated to reminding students that their value goes far beyond academic performance, while also equipping them with the skills and encouragement they need to succeed.
Eva Ewers
French Tutor
Coming Soon
Michele Miller
Domestic Arts Tutor
Coming Soon
Savannah Cravillion
Photography Tutor
Coming Soon
Paula Havisto
Art Tutor
Art has been a meaningful part of Paula's life since childhood, with early interests nurtured through high school and college art classes. While she initially considered pursuing a degree in fine art or medical illustration, her path led her to earn degrees in nutrition and later a master’s degree in medicine. Along the way, she built a fulfilling career, working as a dietitian for 20 years and as a Physician Associate (PA) for 15 years, while also raising a family with her husband.
In 2014, she rekindled her passion for art by studying watercolor, eventually expanding into drawing, soft pastels, and other media. Her renewed creative journey now comes full circle as she shares her knowledge and enthusiasm with students. She is excited to teach art at Hope High, fostering creativity while continuing to grow and learn alongside her students.
Tara Dummer
Band Tutor
Coming Soon
Alex Pehling
String Ensemble Tutor
Alexandra Pehling grew up in a musical family and began Suzuki violin lessons at age four. She studied at the McPhail Center for Music and later earned a full scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy, where she double majored in violin and voice. She continued her studies at the College of St. Scholastica, focusing on Early Music Performance.
While Alexandra performed with orchestras and ensembles throughout her training, she discovered her true passion was teaching. She has spent the past 30 years investing in young musicians, including work with the Hamilton Strings Project, Viterbo Preparatory Arts Department, UW-La Crosse String Academy, and her own private studio.
Alexandra is Suzuki-trained through the American Suzuki Institute and loves the method’s focus on both musical growth and character development. She brings a joyful, structured approach to lessons, using encouragement and clear progression to help students succeed.
She lives in La Crosse with her husband Greg and their dog Finnegan. Outside of teaching, she enjoys gardening, composing music, and playing electric violin with her church worship band.
Kirk Stoa
History Tutor
Kirk Stoa brings a lifetime of real-world experience and a passion for mentoring students into confident, capable thinkers. While not formally trained as a teacher, Kirk has spent decades investing in the lives of his five children and now eight grandchildren, taking a relational, everyday approach to learning and growth.
Kirk’s areas of interest include American and world history, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, all viewed through a biblical worldview. He holds a BA in Accounting and Finance with a minor in Economics and has continued learning through additional coursework in business and finance.
He especially enjoys helping students develop into proactive problem solvers—those moments when something “clicks” are what drive his passion for working with young people. Kirk believes these skills are increasingly valuable and essential for the next generation.
Outside of teaching, Kirk loves spending time with his wife and growing family. You’ll often find him on the golf course or out on the water enjoying boating and watersports.
Bear Yard
Nursery Lead
Bethany (Bear) Yard brings both experience and genuine joy to working with young children. With a minor in Early Childhood Education and three years of experience in a Montessori preschool setting, she has a strong foundation in helping little learners grow through exploration and discovery. She also served as the lead toddler teacher at Cottage Garden Homeschool Co-Op in Tyler, Texas.
Bear especially loves spending time with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, creating a nurturing environment where curiosity and learning go hand in hand.
At home, she is a mom to four children and enjoys a full, active life with her family. In her free time, she loves playing card and board games, sewing and quilting, as well as hiking, running, and traveling.