Our Instructors and Staff
Char Aune
Char Aune is married and has 2 daughters, a son-in-law, and 4 grandkids. After being born and raised near Seattle, Washington, she has lived in 7 states and spent two years in Bermuda and two years in a motorhome, traveling the country. As a young child, she was taught by her mother, both about Jesus’ love and how to sew. Sewing experiences include helping a customer at Stages Theater and designing and sewing costumes for her grandkids’ school. Her favorite projects take old clothes and make something new out of them. She has taught several sessions of sewing classes to homeschooled students over the last several years. She is recently retired as a certified massage therapist and is excited and passionate to be investing in your children, passing on skills that have been all but lost to our society.
Rachael Chernyavsky
Rachael Chernyavsky is a Monart Instructor and homeschooling mom since 2003. She studied at the University of Minnesota as well as at Trinity Bible School. While living in Washington, she started her art education at Issaquah Monart School, where she taught for three years before moving to Minnesota. Since returning to Minnesota, Rachael has had the opportunity to continue teaching art classes at Minnetonka Center for the Arts and provide art enrichment programs for the Minneapolis Public Schools. In addition to art, Rachael loves science, writing and storytelling. She is a creative and enthusiastic teacher, whose passion is to engage students to become lifelong learners by providing an interactive and creative environment. An outdoor enthusiast and lover of nature, Rachael enjoys gathering her nine children to travel and have adventures. She loves sunshine, having a passport, camping, dogs, lots of kids, gardens and Jesus.
Chris Depoian
Chris grew up hearing his dad play guitar around the house and at live shows. He “caught the bug” around age 13 in 1999 and hasn’t stopped playing since! Right around that time he encountered God in a real way and has been a Christian ever since. He’s been teaching guitar since 2003, received his Bachelor of Arts in Music at North Central University in 2008 where he studied jazz, blues, rock, classical, songwriting, and worship leading. He’s taught about two dozen one-on-one lessons a week since 2011; from beginner to advanced, hobbyist to college-prep or gig-ready, from age 5 to retiree. He specializes in blues, rock, improvisation and songwriting. What he loves most about teaching is being able to pass on everything he has learned and continues to learn on his journey as a musician, helping students take step after step to achieve their musical goals. As an active musician, Chris has been the lead singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist for a rock band and has performed and recorded as the lead guitarist for a number of other bands. He currently plays lead guitar for a blues-rock band, is a part of his church's worship team, and is working on writing new music of his own.
Katie Euken
Hi Truth Academy families! My name is Katie Euken. I have been married to my husband, Bret, for almost 16 years. We have four kids; Mollie (age 12), Claire (age 9), Luke (age 7), and Leah (age 4.5). I have a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I taught preschool and kindergarten for 5 years before staying home with our children. We have been homeschooling our children since 2016.
I accepted Jesus as savior as a young child, but didn’t live life with Him as my Lord until I was in college. I was involved in a college ministry at Iowa State that shaped my relationship with Christ in a profound way. I learned the importance of being a lifelong, and yet daily, student of the Bible. My husband and I moved our family to MN from Iowa to be closer to family after my sister passed away in 2014. We have been attending Grace Church since 2014 and members of Grace Church Chaska since 2017. My husband and I serve as Sunday School teachers, Awana teachers, and small group leaders there.
I am passionate about training, equipping, & challenging the next generations to:
-live life from a Biblical worldview
-find their identity in God alone
-to passionately love God, His Word and His people
-to be able to defend their faith against the shifting, faulty views of culture
I really love to try new recipes as I cook and bake. I love to watch Iowa State football and basketball. I love to cheer on the Buffalo Bills and play fantasy football. I love reading historical fiction, Christian fiction, and apologetics. To recharge, I like to go on walks alone and listen to apologetics podcasts.
Laura Glassel
Laura grew up in the New England area, Germany, and Minnesota. She received her associate's degree in Aircraft Maintenance, her bachelor's degree in Missionary Aviation, and her master's degree in Bible Translation from Bob Jones University. As part of her education, she earned both her aircraft mechanic's and pilot's certificates. During her college years, she tutored high school students and learned a lot about teaching techniques and learning. She has been tutoring and teaching junior high and senior high homeschool classes in the Twin Cities since 2008.
Bonita Jerome
Bonita Jerome is a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom. She has been homeschooling her own three children for the past ten years, while continuing to teach and tutor part time. After graduating in 1995 with her Bachelor's degree in education, Bonita's experiences in a variety of private schools allowed her the opportunity to teach a wide spectrum of subjects to students all the way from first grade to high school. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling, and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue sharing these passions with the students at Truth Academy.
Cindy Larson
Cindy has a long history in the theater. She is excited to be sharing her wealth of knowledge and passion for performing and teaching. She has studied theater at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, MacPhail Center for the Arts and the Jewish Community Center, under Rueben Singer. She is employed at River Valley Dance Academy as musical theater teacher and receptionist. The past eight years she has directed their year-end theater productions. Cindy is looking forward to another year at Truth Academy. She teaches through creativity and spontaneity and shows the students they all have what it takes to be great actors and actresses. Lights, Camera, Action!
Sara Mehlhaff
Sara is no stranger to Truth Academy or Calvary Memorial Church! Her roots go deep, attending the school and becoming part of Calvary Memorial when she was 8. After graduating from college with a degree in elementary education and a minor in preschool, Sara taught Pre-K and K at Calvary Memorial Christian School. She married her handsome, hardworking husband, Erik, and they now have 5 children. They’ve been married for 21 years in August. Sara’s days are now filled caring for her family, homeschooling their children, and serving the Youth, 6-12th grade, together with Erik at Calvary Memorial. She enjoys long walks, gardening, shooting hoops, and time with family and friends. Sara is looking forward to partnering with Truth Academy and parents in encouraging students to know, love, and follow Christ, ground them in God’s Truth, while adding to their tool belt of practical skills and knowledge.
Andrea Merboth
Andrea Merboth has a BA degree in Occupational Therapy. Andrea has taken various art classes in watercolor and oil painting and has been involved in several art shows, art exhibits, and canvass painting parties with small and large groups. She has taught art classes for 15 years to varied age groups, primarily to the homeschool population. In addition to enjoying painting on canvas, Andrea paints furniture, walls, fabric, room murals, a 10’x20’ mural in the library in McGregor MN, a mural in Ciudad Juarez with locals and done set painting for full-length plays with AGLOW-a homeschool theater experience. With her husband they have helped young people in the Christian faith, realizing that all forms of communication, including art have the ability to either draw you towards or away from the truths of God. She believes that beauty is a reflection of God, and art classes can empower students to find creative ways to share God with the world.
Rachel O’Brien
Rachel O’Brien has been involved with teaching students for over twenty years. She has worked on staff in both church and parachurch organizations. She is currently on staff with Cadre Missionaries and invests into Homeschool families and women around the country who seek to live a disciple making way of life. She enjoys helping students take ownership of their learning while incorporating a creative hands on approach to learning.
Annie Ogazi
I'm a teacher by day and an artist by night (although, really an artist all the time--paint doesn't dry on a schedule). I graduated from Bethlehem College & Seminary with a History of Ideas degree--essentially, I just love good books. I'm newly married to a fun loving Nigerian who is wrapping up his final year of his MDiv. I'm a born and raised Minnesotan and enjoyed all the various pets our family took care of on our hobby farm. I grew up with faithful Christian parents who introduced me to Truth Academy (TA) my first year of high school. Last year I was the second grade teacher at a classical school; however, TA was a core part of my high school experience and I'm excited to teach here this coming fall!
Andrea Orem
Andrea Orem has bachelor’s degrees in K-12 Vocal Music Education, Music Composition, and Bible from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She has been teaching music to young people in one-on-one lessons, small groups, school classroom settings, and homeschool groups for 14 years. Andrea is also mama to a beautiful baby girl who was born in October 2022. In her free time, she enjoys organic gardening, singing in Two Rivers Chorale, helping people navigate TMJ issues naturally, reading, mentoring new freelance music teachers, and serving in various ways at Antioch Community Church with her husband, Gabe.
Ann Pearson
Hello, Truth Academy Families! My name is Ann Pearson. Born and raised in Spring Park on Lake Minnetonka, I am a true ‘lake girl’. I taught at the elementary level, primarily in private schools, for 14 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom once my oldest child was born. This has always been my dream job! I hold an M.A. in Education from the University of Minnesota, and I particularly enjoy teaching history/social studies, especially American history. My family consists of my husband Carl and our three children: Abby (14), Nolan (12), and Evan (10). We’ve been homeschooling for three years now and are grateful the Lord changed our educational path. In my free time, I enjoy boating, swimming, reading, writing, nature walks, and spending time with my family.
Hayley Plaisted
Hayley is a young college student passionate about pursuing the call of God on her life. Currently, she is working on a Diploma in Bible and Doctrine through Global University’s Berean School of the Bible. In addition, she works part time as a PCA and is the editor for an in print and online weekly newsletter. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, Hayley has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents in ministry, specifically in working with and ministering to kids of all ages. She has many years of experience working with children and young people in children’s church, youth group, teaching Jr. High discipleship classes, counseling at kids camps, leading dance ministry, teaching ballet classes, and substitute teaching. Hayley was homeschooled for all of her primary education. She believes that learning should be both fun and educational. She has always loved writing and it is her opinion that it is not only important to teach the structure and style of writing but also the joy of creativity.
Matthew Racine
Matthew grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota and loves being in God’s beautiful creation. Through the faithfulness of two friends, God drew Matthew to himself and saved him right before college. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Indiana University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Exegesis at Bethlehem Seminary in Minneapolis. Before coming to seminary, Matthew served as a Youth Intern at a church in Indiana. He desires to pastor God’s people, teach the Bible, equip Christians for ministry, and engage unbelievers with the gospel. He also teaches trumpet and piano lessons. He is a member at Bethlehem Baptist Church, South Campus in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Debbie Stenzel
Debbie earned her B.S. degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. As well as homeschooling her own children, she taught in the St. Paul public school district, served as a substitute teacher for her local public school district, and was a math tutor at Anoka Technical College Adult Basic Education. Debbie has a passion for helping students earn college credit via CLEP/DSST testing and PSEO to make the most of their high school years and reduce future college debt. Debbie seeks to encourage and guide all of her students to reach their full potential and takes great pleasure when students exceed their own expectations through their educational accomplishments. She knows that for her personally, serving the Lord includes helping her students reach their full academic potential so they can be prepared for whatever doors the Lord opens for them in their future. Debbie and her husband Paul have homeschooled their children through high school and college while owning and operating a landscape/nursery business in the Northern area of the Twin Cities.
Terri Wood
Terri has been teaching Apologia Science classes at the high school level since 2001. She has a passion for science and is able to explain difficult concepts in an organized and understandable way. Her classes are well-planned and enjoyable, and she takes a special interest in every student. She first pursued her interest in science by becoming a Registered Medical Assistant and being employed in a medical clinic in Minneapolis. She homeschooled her own three children from kindergarten through graduation and has tutored dozens of math students at all levels. When she isn’t teaching science classes, you might find her riding her tandem along Rebecca Park trail with her husband.
Meagin - Administrator
Meagin has homeschooled her 3 children since 2013. Born and raised in Minnesota she appreciates the outdoors in every season. She views nature as one of God’s best classrooms. She loves gardening, reading, and sharing/teaching those hobbies with her children. Meagin and her husband have been married for 18 years.
Erin - Administrator
I was one of the original homeschool children being taught by my parents and participating in a co-op in Eugene, OR (my hometown) in 1985-1988. Knowing that I had turned out OK gave me the inspiration to give homeschooling a try when my kids were school age and we have been figuring it out since 2011. We live 5 minutes away from Truth Academy where my husband Travis attended school at Calvary Memorial School until 6th grade. I am a mix of rigid and spontaneous, loving boundaries and rules while also loving to launch into new territories of creativity when we all feel moved. I have a BS from the University of Oregon in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship which has never helped me file our taxes. Our family has been strong on history, the arts and literature, and less proficient in the cursive and math department. We own a family marina business which keeps us in a crazy work schedule but we spend every spare moment outside or adventuring on bikes, boats, trails or road tripping in the Sprinter camper van. I am passionate about supporting other homeschool families, but especially about supporting those who give their time and energy to leadership as it is a heavy but crucial yoke to help many people succeed with their homeschool journey. I am deeply loyal, love to laugh, (mostly at myself), and am committed to the homeschool experience and supporting people starting, trying and finishing.
Becky - Administrator
My journey in the homeschool world began very early in my life. My parents attended one of the very first Mache meetings in the early 1980s, and committed to homeschooling me and my four siblings. I grew up attending church here at Calvary which is how I met my husband! Andy and I got married in 2003, and we live in the St Boni area where we are raising our 4 children. Our decision to homeschool was a natural one because of my past experience. Andy and I also really liked the idea of being able to control the learning environment of our children and most importantly, what they were being taught. And so our homeschool journey began in 2010. We were blessed to be a part of a small homeschool group consisting of four families that met twice monthly for several years. We have also enjoyed taking classes at Wings coop, and now love being a part of Truth Academy as our children begin High School. My Husband is an Operating Engineer, and because of his work schedule, we get to have him home with us a lot in the winter months. I am a Cosmetologist by training, and after years of working in the salon, I retired in 2009. I am also a staff member of a local BSF group that has a homeschool program. I love that my children and I can attend and study the Bible together! Our family enjoys playing games, reading books, listening to audio stories, playing musical instruments, and just spending time together. I am excited to be a part of Truth Academy’s Admin team! I look forward to partnering with TA families, and supporting them as they raise the next generation of disciples for Jesus Christ.