Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma

I am excited to begin my 5th year teaching at Aspire, and I am thrilled to be teaching Claritas Classical this year. I was a public school teacher for 10 years before starting our homeschool journey. I love teaching, and specifically watching kids learn to read. I have been married for 19 years and we have 3 children that also attend Aspire, Gabby 17, Jay 11, and Gwen 9.

Hi! My name is Amber Andrews, and I am teaching the Montessori Class at Aspire Academy this coming up school year.

I grew up in Rowlett TX, and graduated from Rowlett High School in 2001. In 2003, I was an assistant teacher at a Montessori school in Frisco, TX and taught ages 3-6. After one year of assisting, I was offered a scholarship to take the training to become AMS certified, and received my American Montessori Society certification in 2004. I love teaching, and creating new lessons.

I married my wonderful husband James in 2007, and we were blessed with our first little girl, Autumn in 2013, and our second little girl, Skylar in 2017. We enjoy spending time together, visiting new places and spending time with family.

Hi! My name is Lindsey Arrington. My husband, Chris, and I have been married 16 years and have two boys - Colton (15) and Wyatt (12). I previously taught preschool for 8 years, and have a passion for early childhood education. I’m excited to join the Aspire team this year, and I can’t wait to get to know each of your sweet kids. 

Hi, I’m April Ball. I’ve been married to my husband Mark for 19 years and we have 3 kiddos, Drextyn age 11, Everlynd age 12, & Zaavan age 13. I’ve worked as a massage therapist for 19 years. It truly is a blessing to love what I do and bring healing to my clients everyday! I’ve served with kids at church through every age. My passion and hobbies include love of marine life, crafting and reading! I’ve taught at Discovery for 2 years and am excited to join the Academy side!

Molly is returning to the Claritas Classical team this year as the Middle School Tutor. She is looking forward to pouring into the classical program. She has taught for 20 years, and while most of her experience is in the dance studio, she is excited to be able to develop deeper relationships and support her students more with having a core morning block with middle school students.

Molly began dancing at age 7, and hasn’t stopped since! She began teaching while in high school, and has since taught in studios in PA, MD, TX and now Oklahoma. While here, she also found a passion for coaching Pom. Her favorite style of dance is jazz. Molly’s favorite thing about teaching is when it all “clicks”, and seeing the students joy when they master a new skill. You can find Molly hanging with her family (Jillian, Erin, Crew & husband Caleb) or watching her students perform, especially at Blazer Home Games. Molly is thrilled to lead and grow the Aspire Dance & Pom program, having almost tripled the program last year. 

Brad is Pastor of Good News Church and has been serving in ministry since 1998.  He has a MA in Ministry Leadership and BA in Church music.  He has the heart of a teacher and a great passion for helping students grow in their faith.  Brad is skilled in voice, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard.  Brad is married to Julie and together they have three children who have been in Aspire since 2016.

Jessica Cargill is a NADOI certified dog trainer with a Master's degree in behavioral ecology, running with her husband a successful dog boarding,  training,  and grooming facility as well as a regenerative small acerage farm and trying to keep up with a whip smart five year old. Her passion for teaching landed her at Aspire, and she hopes to share her love of hard work,  animal husbandry, and the spiritual pursuit of quality science with the students there.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Child Development, with over 15 years of experience supporting children and families. My background includes 10 years in preschool education, five years as a parent educator, and over a decade of homeschooling my own children.

I have also served as Mayfest KidZone Chair for three years and have taught art at the academy for the past four years. I am passionate about fostering creativity and supporting student growth in a structured, engaging environment.

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Hi, my name is Emily Chacon, and I am the Claritas Kindergarten tutor this year! I am so excited to be back for my fourth year at Aspire, after a two year break due to my studies. Previously, I have been a kindergarten teacher's assistant and an assistant in Montessori. I have also taught kindergarten classes in the summer for two years outside of Aspire.

I am homeschool graduate and currently a full-time college student attending Oral Roberts University. I will be graduating May 2027 with a bachelor's in Psychology and will go on to pursue a master's degree in Professional Counseling.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to get to know the kids and support their learning journey, and am looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Cait is a Tulsa-raised creative. Homeschooled by artists/artisans, creativity was woven into her everyday life from an early age. She is an abstract painter, focusing on floral and botanical works, defined by black linework and a doodle-inspired style. Cait holds certifications in floral design and a degree in interior design - influences that inform her organic approach to art. While she is no longer consistently producing or exhibiting work, her creative energy now centers on her greatest masterpieces: her children! Cait and her husband, Dave, reside in Broken Arrow with their three children. They are a sports family, with kids playing ice hockey, roller hockey, soccer, and Aspire basketball (Go, Blazers!). They have homeschooled for 8 years and this will be their second year at Aspire Academy.

Hola! My name is Karen Crespo. I’m originally from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. We’ve lived in Tulsa for the past eight years, and I’ve homeschooled for six years. As a native Spanish speaker, I really enjoy sharing my language and culture with others. I enjoy teaching Spanish in a simple and approachable way, so it feels clear and easy to learn.

Hi, my name is Katie. I have been part of Aspire Academy for the past year and am excited to begin my second year with the opportunity to teach in a special needs classroom setting.

Professionally, I specialize in pediatric therapy. My experience includes both outpatient pediatric therapy and school-based pediatrics, where I worked alongside special education teachers to support children with a wide range of needs. My work has focused on helping children strengthen motor skills that support learning, while also improving focus and regulation through an understanding of sensory processing and accommodations within classroom environments.

My passion for pediatrics and special education is deeply personal. As the mother of a child with special needs, I spent years advocating within traditional school settings. After transitioning to homeschooling this past year, I had the opportunity to see my son truly thrive in a learning environment that better supported his needs. That experience inspired me to help provide the kind of supportive, individualized learning opportunities I wish had been available earlier in his educational journey.

Through both my professional background and personal experience, I have developed a strong understanding of classroom accommodations, sensory-informed learning strategies, and advocacy for children with special needs, including navigating IEP supports. I am passionate about partnering with families so that both children and parents feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their learning journey.

My goal is to create a compassionate and creative learning environment where each child’s unique strengths, communication style, and sensory needs are understood and respected. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a way that allows them to feel confident, regulated, and successful.

Melissa has an extensive professional and educational background in early childhood development. It is not just a job but a passion of hers to provide a safe, fun & loving environment for young children to learn and grow in a way that meets their own individual needs. She has been a teenager working in the baby room of a daycare, a nanny, a daycare owner & operator for several years, a children's ministry leader. She became a mom in 1999 and an Aspire Member in 2016. She is often enrolling in college courses pertaining to early childhood education as a way to ensure that she is up to date in her area of interest and expertise.

Melissa enjoys spending her down-time with her husband who she is very proud to also name as her best friend! They enjoy wine-tastings, watching movies or documentaries, cooking, playing board games with the kids and being outside as much as possible.

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I grew up in Picher, OK and graduated from Picher-Cardin High School. I attended NEO in Miami, before transferring to NSU in Tahlequah, where I earned my B.A. in Education (Speech Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities).  I later returned to NSU earning my M. Ed in Special Education and School Administration. I have completed registry training in Autism, Other Health Impairments and Traumatic Brain Injury. After 36 years of teaching in public education, I recently retired.

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Kevin and I have one son, Skylar.  When we aren't watching Skylar play his guitar, we enjoy going to car shows or cruising in Kevin's classic car.

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My passion has always been working with special needs children.  I try to live by my favorite quote, "If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we teach the way they learn."

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Hello! My name is Angela Fallis and I am the Beauty Basic teacher here at Aspire Academy. This will be by 2nd year teaching. I have a passion teaching the world of cosmetology.  I have been married to my husband for 19 years and we have 3 boys that we homeschool. I have been a licensed Cosmetologist for 20 years. I love all things beauty! I look forward to teaching your students this year! 

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As a homeschool graduate, I hold a degree in Graphic Design and have years of experience teaching art to multiple ages. I am passionate about creativity, visual storytelling, and helping students develop confidence in their artistic abilities. I love to help middle school students express themselves through writing with IEW.  As a homeschool mom to three boys, I bring both professional training and real-life experience into every learning environment I create. For the past 14 years, I have been the Director of The Bible Church of Owasso’s nursery and facilitate the care of newborn to 4’s.  I am active in the local Tulsa MomCo group and manage our family business Colossal Plumbing through business administration.

Samantha Floyd is a homeschooling mom of 14 years. She met Matt, her husband of over 20 years, at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Northeastern State University. Together they have four beautiful daughters: Natalie-18, Brook-16, Rylan-14, and Lauren-10. Samantha has a passion for all things grammar, spelling, and language arts! In her spare time, she greatly enjoys watching her daughters play sports, coaching basketball or volleyball, reading, and playing games with her family. She has served in many different capacities at Aspire, but genuinely enjoys her role as tutor at Aspire Academy the most!

Hello, my name is Shellsea. I have been working with kids for 26 years. I homeschool my 2 youngest kids, as well as, run an after school program in Owasso. I have 4 kids, 2 grandbabies and fur babies! I am big on fostering skills in children that give them a foundation for confidence while they explore their natural interests and talents. 

I graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a BFA with an emphasis in photography. I’ve been teaching art privately for three years and now even own my own studio. I’m excited to teach classes at Aspire, and share my expertise with students. It’s always my goal to help students connect with a wide range of art so they find the kind that resonate with them. I encourage all students to flex their creativity muscle as much as possible including outside of class. 

My name is Sarah Gollotte and I live with my architect husband and three kids on a family farm in Rogers County. We moved to Oklahoma from Atlanta, GA 8 years ago to be the 4th generation living on our family land. I have had a passion for education and teaching from a young age and received my elementary education degree from Oral Roberts University. I also have an MBA with a focus in non-profit management. I have 15 years of homeschooling and teaching experience, which includes teaching elementary and middle school co-op classes and teaching 4th grade public school. When I am not teaching or homeschooling, my hobbies include gardening, my mini horses, and traveling with my kids (we are trying to see all 50 states!). I am excited to be tutoring at Aspire Academy.

Hello, and welcome to the Willows class. My name is Megan Goodman. This is my family's fourth year at Aspire Academy. This will be my second year teaching but my first year for the Willows class. I have four kids - three girls and a boy. My son is eight years old and is severely autistic, non-verbal, has sensory processing disorder, and is globally developmentally delayed. While I do not have a degree in education,  I have a lot of experience and patience with special needs children. Working with your unique children will be the start of an amazing journey at Aspire Academy.
As a parent/teacher, I want to ensure that your child with special needs engages with learning in a way that suits their abilities.

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I live on the edge of Broken Arrow with my husband and two boys. I love the outdoors, especially hiking, biking, and traveling with my family. I attended Baptist Bible College and  TCC. I have an associate in Child Development and Biblical studies.   I love learning about the world God created!!

My name is Holly Hall, and this is our 14th year homeschooling and our 3rd year at Aspire. I married my high school sweetheart, Jeff, almost 28 years ago and we have 3 children - Reid (CC grad, Junior at ORU), Hutch (CC grad, Sophomore at Liberty University in Virginia), and London (10th grade here at Aspire), as well as a 4 year old miniature sheepadoodle named Nellie Mae who is a complete mess but we love her anyway. I received my degree in Interpersonal and Public Communications from Oklahoma Baptist University. Instilling healthy communication patterns into younger generations as they grow up with so many hindrances and distractions in today’s world has become a passion of mine. I love traveling anywhere and everywhere. My favorite words are, “Ok fine, book the trip.” Nothing beats spending time with my family and friends especially if laughing is involved. I adore cheering for our girl on the sidelines at soccer games and track meets (and miss watching our boys compete since graduating) as well as spending time in the nicer weather outside on my front porch and at the lake. Anyone that knows me knows I’m always down to host any last minute get togethers or parties at our house for any kids that want to come and it’s not unusual to sometimes find our kids’ friends at our house hanging out even if our own kids aren’t home! I love photography, finding ways to create a peaceful home, healthy living and eating mixed with great desserts and reading when I have time. I’m learning more about the art of rest but still have a ways to go. I have had a relationship with Jesus since I was 9 years old and can’t imagine my life without Him.

Hi! My name is Taylor Hickert and I am thrilled to be teaching elementary farming and food and 

middle school and high school keyboarding, entrepreneurship and animal science.  My family 

joined the Aspire community in August of 2024 and ever since I have felt called to serve through 

Christ-centered education.  I grew up on a large farm and ranch in Colorado and in 2013 pursued 

my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Texas.  After college I moved back to the 

farm and ranch and married my husband. We have two children who attend Aspire and help us 

out on our new farm in Locust Grove. When we aren’t working, I enjoy spending time with my 

family, golfing and reading.   

  I have a Bachelors in Art Education from Oklahoma State University. While I knew I always wanted to eventually be a stay at home mom, I also had a passion for art and teaching since high school. I met my husband, Damion Hing while attending college and we married in 2017. After college, I taught all subjects for 3rd grade my first year in education and then I taught 2nd grade English Language Arts in Tulsa Public Schools.   

         God called me to be a stay at home mom when my daughter was born in early 2020. Later that year, I opened a small business making custom 3D sculpted items and sewn items to help with income while I stayed home with Alexandria and welcomed our son, Manasseh, into our family in 2023. I love being a stay at home mom as I am able to cook for my family, homeschool my children, and find creative ways to help bring income in for my family from home. I am excited to share my passion for sewing, cooking, baking, basic finances, and more this coming school year with students as they learn and grow.

Hello, I am Lisa Holcomb, and I am thrilled to be rejoining Aspire in the role of a tutor. Following a seven-year relocation to Mobile, Alabama, my family and I have returned to Broken Arrow. Prior to our move, I was affiliated with Aspire for four years. I am married to Jason, and we have three daughters, Kaeleigh, Kameryn, and Alivia.
We enjoy camping, cooking and family time.

Hello! My name is Christy Hudson and I am so very excited to be the tutor for first grade this year. I am married to my wonderful husband, Kaiden, and together we have two sweet sons, Kai and Zev. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and have experience in the public school setting. However, very quickly I realized homeschooling is what the Lord placed in my heart. I began my homeschooling journey nearly 2 years ago now, when my oldest son was entering Pre-K. I am so grateful for the opportunity to begin supporting fellow homeschooling families. I genuinely can't wait to see and meet all of this year's first graders!

Hi! My name is Sara James and I am excited to be a Claritas Classical tutor again this year at Aspire Academy! I met my husband over 20 years ago at Oklahoma Baptist University, where I got my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I taught in public schools for several years until the Lord laid homeschooling on our hearts, and that has been my main focus ever since! I have been teaching our kids at home for 17 years now, and our oldest has graduated and is now proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps! I love homeschooling and the flexibility that comes with it! I also enjoy cooking, going on vacations with my family, and learning new homemaking skills to serve my family and church. I am looking forward to another fun year of learning together at Aspire Academy!

Carrie Jones is passionate about helping others grow in faith, movement, and learning. She has been teaching dance and fitness since her teenage years and is a certified Revelation Wellness instructor and LiveWell Health Coach.

Carrie also loves books, creativity, and inspiring a sense of wonder. She lives with her husband, Jerrid, and their two children, Ireland and Israel.

Hi, my name is Samantha Jones, I am a Certified Natural Health Professional, Certified Bioenergetic Practitioner, and a Certified Traditional Naturopath. After graduating from UCO, I spent 18 years running my own marketing and promotions agency before shifting gears to focus on natural health—a path inspired by my search to support my son’s well-being.

I have been married to my husband Ryan for 18 years. We have two wonderful kids, Ansley and Ryland. Our family has been part of the Aspire community for the past 5 years. We love camping, spending time at the lake, traveling, and just getting out to explore whenever we can.

20ish years ago as a newlywed in a new town, I signed up for cake decorating courses in the evenings after work to meet people and learn something new.  Who would have thought it would grow into a wedding cake biz for many years and one of the ways I helped support my growing family while my husband went back to school!  He and I met at Oklahoma Baptist University; we were carpool buddies and taught together at Owasso High School (history for him, British Lit for me).  We’re parents to four daughters, and they are, quite certainly and without question, our favorite humans to ever exist.  I’ve had quite a few career adventures along the way (high school teacher, wedding cake decorator, social media content creator), and now I’m excited to add another experience to the list - teaching at Aspire!

Hi, I am Amy Kirkendall and I am so exited to be teaching at Aspire Academy this year. This is my families third year at Aspire but our 8th year to homeschool. We love the freedom that we have gained through homeschooling and the wonderful friendships we have found at Aspire. I grew up in Ft.Gibson, OK but have called the Owasso area home for the last 10 years. I have 3 kids who are 17, 13 and 12 and attend Aspire. They are all involved in sports and while it keeps me busy I absolutely love it. I enjoy being outside as much as I can in the summer with lots of pool days, hiking in the fall and movie nights in the winter. We travel as much as we can and love to explore new places. We love our pets and have cats, dogs and even a snake. We attend Collinsville Baptist Tabernacle where my kids are now all in youth group! I have taught classes at our previous co-op and have experience with all ages. I love to help kids learn by being creative. While I love books and reading I think we can also teach hands on through art, games, discussion, culinary, and experiments. So while we will have bookwork we will also have lots of other ways we are leaning all year depending on the age and class. I look forward to a wonderful school year and can’t wait to meet your kids!

Jeanette Lord is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, with a BA in Oral Communications. She homeschooled her step-daughter through the high school years and her youngest for all school years. Her family moved from Oklahoma City to Broken Arrow in 2014. She has previously led homeschool elementary and junior high co-op classes in art, geography, novel writing, and government, along with high school classes in ancient history, American history, American literature and Christian literature. Jeanette also taught AWANA counsel time for 5 years. GA’s for 3 years, and has led numerous ladies Bible studies. Along with teaching, her hobbies include sewing, scrapbooking, hiking and spending time with family and friends. Her newest addition to her family, a smooth collie/greyhound/lab male dog, gets her outside for walks and playing ball.

My name is Paula Mace, and I have called Tulsa, Oklahoma home since 2011, after moving from Austin, Texas. I have dedicated much of my life to serving others through education, working for eight years in the public school system as a professional paraprofessional with Bixby Schools. Prior to that, I was involved in education in Austin at Living Water Academy, where my passion for helping students grow and succeed first took root.

Beyond my professional life, I am deeply grateful for my family. I am a proud mother of three adult children, and my greatest joy comes from being a grandmother to six wonderful grandchildren who continue to bless my life in countless ways. My journey has been shaped by faith, service, and a love for people, and I strive each day to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me.

I have lived a majority of my life in Texas and Oklahoma, and have lived in Tulsa longer than I've lived anywhere else. I have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from OSU which is where I met my wonderful husband. We have 3 kids that I have homeschooled from the beginning. They have three very different learning styles which has taught me a lot about creative teaching styles. I am a big believer that learning should be fun!
When I'm not teaching, I am volunteering. I do a lot with my church's preschool and children's programs, as well as volunteering with activities my kids are involved in.

Hello! My name is Samantha Martinez, and I graduated from Northeastern State University with a degree in Elementary Education. I have always had a passion for teaching and helping children reach their full potential. Before joining Aspire, I taught in public schools and have experience teaching kindergarten, 4th grade and 5th grade. My goal is to build positive relationships with students and create a classroom environment where every child feels loved, encouraged and excited to learn.

My husband, Ty, and I have been married for eight years and have two daughters, Berkley and Lila. We love spending time outdoors and making memories together as a family.

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We arrived in Tulsa in 1980 and have been here ever since. I graduated from Kansas University and fell in love with being a teacher.

I love teaching and helping children explore the world  and find learning can be fun. I want them to see how important they are and that God’s good thoughts towards them are like the sand grains on a beach, to many to be numbered.

We homeschooled our 4 children through high school.  During those homeschool years I started and ran Tulsa Academic Co-op, a cooperative of over 200 students for k-12 grades. I am a founding board member  of the NOAH Jaguars homeschool sports.

I have substituted as public-school teacher and had a long-term para position in special education and worked as a senior caregiver.

I currently partner with Go Global travel as a travel guide for homeschool students and their family. I  also organize domestic travel for senior adults. Exploring  life and the world through learning, teaching, and traveling are always fun.  God has place me in a perfect place here at Aspire for me to serve you and your children as a third-grade core teacher.

My name is Sarah Mullins. Broken Arrow has been my hometown my entire life. I graduated from Oral Roberts University with elementary and early childhood certifications. The past 14 years, I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades at Broken Arrow Public Schools. My husband Kyle and I have a son, Preston, and a German Shepherd/Lab mix named Kistler. My husband is an avid fisherman so most of our free time is spent bass fishing! Kistler loves to go with us! We also love all things outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

Roger Nimmo taught High School Science for 21 years. He taught AP Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Earth Science, General Science, and Anatomy/Physiology.

He has a passion for this topic and has spent about 4,000 hours studying the evidence for and against the Theory of Evolution. Mr. Nimmo believes everyone who takes this class will increase their faith in God and His Word. The knowledge they gain will keep them from the unbelief they might pick up from the secular education they receive from the world.

I am married, have two wonderful daughters, and three precious grandchildren. I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, and I also hold certification in early childhood. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of teaching students of all ages, from preschool through college.

Teaching has always been part of who I am. I love coming alongside children and families to make learning meaningful and engaging. Our family was very involved in classical education through the homeschooling of our youngest. This experience strengthened my love for rich books, thoughtful discussion, and a Christ-centered approach to learning.

When I’m not teaching, I can be found at church, at a Bible study, Bible journaling, or outside. I love being outdoors and spend a great deal of time growing flowers and plants. Having fresh-cut bouquets around the house makes my heart happy! Our family loves to travel, and my happy place is the beach.

It truly is a joy and a calling to partner with families in the education of their children. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of your child’s year and look forward to walking alongside you in a season of growth, discovery, and joy.

Holly Parker is an experienced educator, trauma-informed practitioner, and advocate dedicated to helping individuals uncover root causes and achieve meaningful, lasting change. She holds a degree in Math Education from Oklahoma Christian University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education, combining analytical rigor with a deeply relational approach to learning and growth.

With more than three decades of experience in education, Holly has taught across a wide range of settings including private, public, virtual, and higher education. She began her career teaching mathematics, physical education, and Bible at Greater Tulsa Christian Academy before moving into public education with Union Public Schools, where she taught Geometry and Algebra II, served as a mentor teacher, and later became a Math Team Lead.

Holly continued her work in higher education as an adjunct instructor at Tulsa Community College, teaching developmental math and College Algebra. She then transitioned into virtual education with Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, where she supported diverse learners in an online environment.

From 2021 to 2025, Holly served as the Manager of The Demand Project Education System, where she developed and led educational programming for individuals impacted by trauma, equipping them with both academic and life skills. This role further deepened her specialization in trauma-informed education and restorative practices.

Currently, Holly works at a wellness studio, providing red light therapy and infrared therapy to support individuals in their natural wellness journeys. Through this work, she helps clients pursue healing and restoration using non-invasive, holistic approaches that align with whole-person health.

Grounded in faith and informed by the principles of The Seven Primal Questions, Holly’s work centers on helping people better understand themselves and others, creating pathways for healing, growth, and transformation.

Rachel Pogue is a native Tulsan who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Oral Roberts University. Her career in both private and public education spans two decades. She has taught a variety of students, ranging from elementary to both junior high and high school. She has also taught adult English language learners and fellow professional educators. Rachel has held administrative roles as a district-level trainer and elementary assistant principal. She has spent the last few years as the primary educator for her family and is delighted to expand her homeschool offerings to other families as an Aspire tutor!

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Rachel has a passion for Jesus and for educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs chapter one encourages us in this: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance… the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” These principles serve as the foundation for Rachel’s approach to tutoring – she’s excited to work with your students!

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Guten Tag! My name is Frau Ulrike, and I'm thrilled to join Aspire as the German Teacher this coming school year. In the last twenty years, I founded/directed a homeschooling support organization in Pennsylvania, recently retired as a paraprofessional at Jenks Public Schools, provide private tutoring, and am the Kinderdeutsch teacher at the German-American Society in Tulsa. With German being the largest American ethnic group and the language being the most widely-spoken in Europe, I look forward to teaching German culture, grammar, and conversation.

My name is Carrie Russell. I am originally from Southern California where I worked as a paramedic in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. I also volunteered on the helicopter team for search and rescue. After having my first child in 2006, I relocated to Oklahoma to pursue a career as a registered nurse. 

My name is Amy Shipman.  I have been a home-schooling mama for 10 years.  My husband of 27 years and I have 5 kids and 2 grands (+1 in Oct ’25) ranging in age from toddler to parenting adult.  I am an Aspire tutor/Homeschool mom by day and Registered Nurse/Paramedic by night.  I believe creating life-long learners is as simple as making the learning process FUN!
Things I love: Jesus - my people - watching the light bulb come on when someone understands something!  Things I like: coffee – tea – candy - summertime in a sun dress - learning something new – organizing - good conversation - having read a book.  Favorite subjects: Science, Grammar, Communication.

Michigan born Tulsa raised. My greatest gratitude is for my family. My wife Ali, son Timothy, and daughter Tamzin. Being a parent has been the most rewarding and transformative adventure. I was in theater and performing arts from early elementary through high school. Younger Kameron would be surprised by this, but I am very thankful to my mother for forcing me in Theater Arts summer programs instead of playing video games all summer. The performing arts have helped me in every aspect of my life. It helps give you quick thinking, confidence, team work, and a myriad of other life skills. 

My name is Sue Stenberg, and I have been teaching at Aspire since the 2022-23 school year. I am a "retired" homeschool mom - we taught 4 of our 5 children for 15 years, graduating all of them from our school, Anderslokken Christian Academy, between 2000-2010. I also had the privilege of homeschooling 2 of our grandsons for 3 years thanks to COVID.
Andy and I met as music majors at the University of Northern Iowa and married in June, 1979. We have 5 adult children and 9 grandchildren. I completed my Bachelor of Music Education in 1979, taught music in Iowa for several years, before moving out of state, and became a fulltime mom in 1984 after the birth of our third child. I have taught Sunday School in all of the churches we have attended in 3 states over the years - mostly in "Bed Babies" to Kindergarten, and we both have played our instruments in every church we have attended (including Eastwood Baptist) - Andy plays trumpet and french horn, and I play flute and piccolo.
We moved to Tulsa in 1987, and in 1995, our eldest daughter requested that we homeschool her, our second daughter added to that request, and that was the begining of our homeschool journey. Over the years, I have found that I LOVE teaching history, government, worldviews, and Bible! As our sons and grandsons have grown up, Andy and I have served in various Boy Scout troops in the area, and I have taught Citizenship badges (think American Government!) among other subjects as well. When I am not teaching, you can usually find me at BiblioMania Homeschooling Materials - I took it over from the founder in 1998, and I do my best to serve the homeschool community in finding quality used material to teach our children and steward our resources as homeschool families. In my "spare" time, I might be at rehearsal with the Tulsa Community Band, or with my husband at various motorcycle ministry events (Christian Motorcycle Assn, DBA, ABATE and others). My long-time hobbies include genealogy, studying history, Christian apologetics and Biblical archaeology, reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and various forms of embroidery - my favorite is Norwegian Hardanger, but I love all forms of needlework. I am grateful for the privilege of teaching at Aspire!

I am married with two children, and we all live on a farm in Claremore. I am a lifelong student and have taught various subjects from a young age. I Taught my own martial arts class when I was 15 years of age. I have been a student of multiple styles in the martial arts over the years. I hold advanced rank in several styles. I have studied with many excellent instructors and teachers. I try to pass on this honorable tradition with my own students. I am an Oklahoma native, from the Claremore area. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree for graphic design in 99 from NSU. I worked as a artist in multiple disciplines. Ceramics, metals, plastics, blown glass, wood, and mixed mediums. I have had many occupations and apprenticeships over the years. I have worked as a teacher, museum preparator, welder, carpenter, graphic designer, glass blower, and many other things I just wanted to learn to do. I try to bring all these experiences to the students I work with and let them know that all skills are valuable, and many are parallel. We never know what adventure will be waiting for us when we set our feet on the path to education! My goal is to bless the young people with patience and guidance I was so graciously and lovingly provided.

Hi, I’m Meg Sutton! Born and raised in Oklahoma, I’ve always had a passion for learning, adventure, and holistic health. I earned my degree in Marketing with a minor in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma and even spent six months studying abroad in Spain—where I fell in love with the culture, language, and, of course, the food!

I met my husband, Michael, at a young age and have been very fortunate to share many years of fun and laughter with him. After marrying and raising three talented kiddos, I followed my passion for natural wellness and became certified in Natural Health with naturopathic training. Now, I work at MeehanMD/MINDSETkids, a functional medicine clinic, specializing in holistic care for kids and adults, as well as cancer care. I also run my own natural health product business, Green Bee Health, where I provide non-toxic, healing remedies to support overall wellness.

When I was younger, I loved playing sports, and as my kids came along, I shifted that passion into coaching soccer, where I got to encourage and teach kids both on and off the field. In my (rare) free time, I enjoy foraging in nature, reading, learning about all things health, watching movies, exploring different cultures, trying foods from around the world, and going on adventures with my family. Anytime I can be around family and friends, I am there—I’m always up for making memories!

My name is Michael Sutton. I have lived in Oklahoma all of my life. I graduated from Glenpool High School and received my Bachelor’s in Art for Journalism from Oklahoma State University. In my distant past I worked at Ackerman McQueen in their commercial production department where we produced commercials for Six Flags, LeapFrog  educational toys, and Oklahoma Tourism.  Later I transitioned to Energy News Live, a branded internet new broadcast focused on energy news, and stock market information. Later I was employed at Winner Communications, where I worked closely with non-traditional sports (soccer, bowling, horse racing, rodeo/ bull riding, outdoor programming) on the ESPN family of networks. Currently I am the replay operator for Lucas Oil Racing Television, covering ARCA, Late Model Dirt, ASCS, and POWERi open wheel sprint race cars. I run camera and scorebug for home Oklahoma State University television sports broadcasts.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, collecting comic books, photography/ videography, and road trips with my wife and 3 children. I am also and avid podcast listener, and have attempted production of a Twilight Zone, and Golden Girls recap show with my nine-year-old daughter, which after only 1 episode, met rave reviews.

We are currently on hiatus due to my cohost’s contract negotiations.

My name is James Thorpe, and I love teaching math. I was blessed to have several years of excellent math instruction, and I'm trying to pass that on. I believe every subject reflects the nature of the One Who created all things and died to rescue us, Jesus Christ. Math is not about the numbers; it's about learning to think in ways that make sense, keep track of details, explore systematically, and choose wisely. It's a skill set, so you get better by doing it many, many times, just like playing music or typing. You don't have to love math, but in my class, you will learn not to fear it because you will understand how to use the tools I give you. 

My wife and I have 5 children, ages 12-24, and we live in an A-frame in a flood plain near Sperry, OK. I have taught math for 27 years, elementary through college. I work at Mathnasium tutoring center in Owasso and tutor privately. I have taught classes for Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Public Schools, Metro Christian Academy, Sperry Public Schools, Tulsa Community College, Rejoice Christian School, and Epic Charter School. I also conduct ACT and SAT workshops several times a year in the Tulsa area.

Kindergarten is a sacred time to bridge home and school that she honors by creating a nurturing environment where children feel secure and known.  Inspired by the Waldorf educational philosophy and rooted in her Christian faith, Brittney brings warmth, rhythm, and creativity to the kindergarten classroom. She embraces whole-child learning—guiding heart, head, and hands through storytelling and music, meaningful work, movement, celebrating the seasons, and imaginative play. Brittney is a wife and mother of four with a passion for protecting the wonder of early childhood. She considers it an honor to walk alongside children and their families in these formative years.

I am a Skiatook native who went to school to be a chemical engineer and drastically changed course to become a chef. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Letters degree, I went on to earn a culinary degree from OSU. I have been married to my Army veteran husband, Chris, for 17 years and we have three children-Grayson, Laurel, and Talia. We were blessed to be stationed in Italy for a few years while in the Army and had the opportunity to travel all around Europe and parts of Africa. When not at school, I am very active at church, particularly with the youth group. My family and I love to be outdoors and spending time together camping. My hobbies include DIY home projects, reading, crocheting, and weightlifting. This is my ninth year homeschooling my three children, and we just finished our second year at Aspire. I am passionate about making good food and teaching others that the kitchen is a fun place to be. I am looking forward to spending time in the kitchen with your students!

My name is Jenesa Wheeler. I’ve lived most of my life in Broken Arrow. My husband, Chris and I have 3 grown children, one son and two daughters who are all married. Our son & daughter in law have 2 little girls so we are proud grand parents. Things I enjoy are spending time with my family, having game nights, going on trips, shopping, baking, watching the kids play sports, and volunteering at church. My daughter is a 4th grade teacher for Broken Arrow public schools and I love volunteering in her classroom. My niece and nephews have attended Aspire for several years now. I thought teaching at Aspire would be something I would really enjoy because I love kids. I’m looking forward to this coming school year.

Staci Woodruff and her husband Steve have been homeschooling for 26 years. Staci taught for and served on the board of a homeschool co‑op for over 15 years. Although she taught classes for almost all ages, most of her classroom experience focused on high school science and language arts courses. She is a certified teacher in both English Language Arts and special education.

In her classes, Staci emphasizes active learning through labs, models, and other hands‑on projects so that students can explore ideas in concrete, memorable ways. At the same time, she expects careful, consistent effort outside of class, believing that strong practice and accountability are essential for deep understanding and long‑term academic growth. 

Her goal is to create a learning environment that is challenging, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable for teens and their families.