Chair: Kelly Laschinski
Vice-Chair: Cecilia Johnson
Jen Payne Secretary
Jen has lived in Schaumburg for 19 years, is married and has 4 daughters. She has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management a background in management, finance, hospitality and real estate appraisals. Along with homeschooling, Jen enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, scrapbooking, baking, sports, camping and traveling. Jen loves working with kids and seeing their creative side come out while learning new things
Angel Oakley: Co-Treasurer
Angel has served as a strategic marketing partner for corporations both big and small, while also serving on boards for various non-profits over the years. She served as a US ambassador in Germany for the Congress-Bundestag Program, graduated summa cum laude from Judson University with a major in Management and Leadership and a minor in Management Information Systems, and worked in marketing management, before leaving corporate to run her full-service marketing firm. Her graduate studies, at Judson University, focused on organizational leadership with a servant leadership mindset. Due to personal health challenges for herself and her family, she has devoted 18 years of personal study in human biology, health, and wellness.
Angel and her husband of 21 years have raised their 3 children in the Chicagoland suburbs. Angel recently began homeschooling her youngest son, removing him from public high school. “The environment has changed, so we need to change as well. We’re following in faith.”
Teacher Liason: Leslee Dirnberger
Leslee, ('Mama D' to her families) is the Founder and President of Aspire Educational Consultants. She is a graduate from the College of William & Mary and Washington University School of Law. Following her litigation career, Leslee chose to homeschool her 4 children through high school. Three of her kids have graduated from college with very successful careers and her "baby" is studying Finance and Data Analytics in college.
Leslee is thankful that God led her to homeschool and is a firm believer that a homeschool education strengthens families and empowers parents. She also loves to teach and spread her love and knowledge of the US Constitution. In her "spare time", Leslee loves to spend time with her family traveling, kayaking, hiking, and playing games, Leslee lives in Barrington with her husband of 31 years.
Cecilia has lived in Aurora for 18 years, married with three kids (12 year old boy/girl twins and a 10 year old). She is a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time she likes to learn about heath, nutrition, and cooking.
Kelly grew up in St Louis, Missouri and have been married to Jeff (teacher/coach at Addison Trail High School) for over 25 years. She is the proud mother of Caleb, Benjamin, and a golden retriever named Beau. She's been a leader in church women's ministries and Bible studies, core team leader and small group leader for over 20 years. She loves teaching and tutoring Spanish to kids from K to 12th grade.
Logo/Website Designer: Amelia Johnson
Amelia is a 12 year old homeschooler who is passionate about reading, writing, and anything Wings of Fire. She also enjoys drawing and learning about websites and designing her own digital characters. She is happy to help in any way she can, and support the leadership team with managing the website.