Chair: Amy Beeman
Family Liaison: Jana Salvatori
Jana has homeschooled for 13 years, she owns her own business as a hairdresser, and is a mother to two daughters. She has volunteered in various ways over the years in the church with Bible studies, children, and women. Jana loves the freedom and flexibility that comes along with thinking outside the box when it comes to schooling, work, and living life. When she is not busy working or homeschooling, Jana enjoys using her creativeness in her home and yard, such as flipping furniture and growing her flower gardens. She loves to bring out the fun in life and enjoys time with her family and friends.
Treasurer: Leslie Raupp
Leslie attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, receiving both a Bachelor's and Master's in Urban and Regional Planning. After graduation, she worked as a City Planner for a local government and spent much of her time there managing a program to mitigate the negative effects of mass foreclosures on the community. When she found out she was expecting her daughter, God called her away from this career to be a full-time mother. Leslie has homeschooled for 3 years and is the mother to one daughter. Her love of lifelong learning and improvement has led to many interests, including growing a native flower garden, natural living, deepening her spritual growth with God, and massage therapy. She finds great joy in volunteering her time alongside other homeschooling families to create community and fun learning experiences for children.
Teacher Liason: Cheryl Peterson
Cheryl obtained a BA from Millikin University in Elementary Education, a MA from the University of Iowa in Educational Psychology and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Curriculum and Instruction. Most of her career was in gifted education and she served as an adjunct professor in the Gifted Education Graduate Certificate Program at Hamline University, MN. As an educational consultant and blogger @drcherylpeterson.com, she uses her 30 years of teaching experience at all levels to support families and teaches with an education philosophy of play, practice and purpose.
Amy began her academic endeavors studying English Literature and Fine Arts Education at Southern Illinois University. She went on to further her studies in Fine Arts, specializing in ceramics and glassblowing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Later, she completed a master's degree in Education from the American College of Education.
Amy worked in youth recreation early on in her career, but eventually took a position at Lane Tech College Prep High School, a selective enrollment institution on Chicago's north side, where she was an educator for 15 years. At this school, she created a thriving sculpture program that served over 300 students annually.
Amy's faith called her away from serving in the public schools, and she chose to enter the world of homeschooling. She has 4 children and is currently homeschooling her two youngest. Amy has a deep love of nature and spends much of her free time hiking, gardening, and fishing.
Event Planner: Timyra Starkman