Our Staff
Kathleen Baker – Hope Learning Center Founder
Tutors in:
Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry
General Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry
Ages: Elementary – Highschool
Kathleen received her teaching credential in 1980 from San Diego State University. She has taught kindergarten through high school in Texas, Missouri, and Washington. In addition, Kathleen homeschooled both her son and daughter through high school. She describes it as a wonderful experience which includes so many precious moments…but also an incredible challenge and so her goal and mission became to help other parents through their homeschool journey. Thus, began Hope Learning Center (HLC) in September of 1995, in her garage! Schooling in a modest home in Oceanside California, she enjoyed exploring, learning and growing with her students. The experience was so positive that by the fall of 1998, she opened a small learning center to a community of homeschooled children.
Erika attended Concordia University in Portland, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1996. Directly after college Erika taught at Portland Christian for several years. “It was a great fit, and I loved my job. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. My grandmother and mother were both teachers. Realizing that dream has been a blessing.” After marrying Trent and starting a family, Erika took a hiatus from teaching in order to raise her four children. Once her oldest grew to school age, it was a natural transition to begin homeschooling. For many of those homeschooling years, Erika taught classes in different locations. “Each year was a true joy for me.”
In 2015 Erika partnered with Kathleen Baker at Hope Learning Center, teaching elementary science, history, and high school english. Eventually she signed on with Academy Northwest© and became a teacher consultant. In 2022, she became HLC’s Director. “I have a passion for teaching students to be excellent, solid thinkers who are grounded in a Christian worldview. I believe my job is to guide students as they pursue their dreams and God-given abilities, all while fostering a lifelong love of learning.”
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ” 2 Timothy 2:15
Melody Hamby – Kindergarten
Melody graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 1996, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in
Teaching. Relocating to the state of Washington after graduation, Melody attended
Concordia University, where she received a Master of Arts in Teaching with an
emphasis in Early Childhood Development in 1998. She taught kindergarten in the
Evergreen School District for 5 years before taking a leave of absence to start a family.
Melody and her husband Dave have been married 24 years and have 4 children, ages 23, 17, 14, and 12. Beginning with kindergarten, Melody has homeschooled their 4
children for 19 years now. She has taught the kindergarten class at local homeschool
co-ops for 16 years as well as a variety of other fun classes for ages 6-12 years. Along
with a wonderful team, she started a new co-op in 2019 where she was both Director and kindergarten teacher. She is currently teaching the kindergarten class at Sonrise
Homeschool Co-op. Through Hope Learning Center and Academy Northwest, Melody
and Dave graduated their oldest son in 2021 and will graduate their oldest daughter in
2027. Their younger son is currently attending HLC, with their younger daughter not far
behind!
Melody is excited to join the Hope Learning Center elementary team and looks forward to working alongside parents as they homeschool their kindergarten aged children in an environment that honors God.
Emily Hopple – Elementary
Emily received her teaching credential from Eastern Washington University in 1990 and got her first teaching position in a fifth grade classroom in the Evergreen Public School District in Vancouver. She taught fifth grade for seven years before leaving the classroom to become a Teacher On Special Assignment, Elementary Science. In that role she helped teachers become more effective hands-on science teachers. At the same time her sister couldn’t find an affordable preschool for her two boys and decided to start her own co-op. She asked Emily to be the teacher and they created the Joyful Noise Co-op Preschool in Washougal where Emily was the teacher/administrator for ten wonderful years. She loved working with the families as well as guiding little learners. “It was the perfect role for me, especially as I became a new mother when our son Andrew was born in 2000. He got to go to “school” for the first five years of his life.” When Carl and Emily enrolled Andrew in public school for kindergarten, they understood that even though he would have many teachers throughout his life, his parents were his teachers always. When Andrew’s first grade teacher retired from Skamania school in 2007, with prompting, Emily decided to apply for the job.
Emily taught combinations of kindergarten, first and second grades at Skamania School for 14 years. Although she loves her purpose and has a passion for teaching, helping, uplifting and empowering all learners, Ephesians 5:6-8 called her to separate from the public school system and its worldview pressures. She is excited to join Hope Learning Center and continue her walk as a child of light.
“The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. For such there is no law. ” Galatians 5:22-23
Heidi Oswalt – Elementary
After graduating from Western Washington University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in
Education, Heidi substitute taught and worked as an instructional assistant in Bellevue, Washington. The following year she was hired in the Kelso School District and taught 1st and 2nd grade at Beacon Hill Elementary in Kelso, Washington for 5 years. She left her formal teaching position to focus on raising her two children and eventually decided to homeschool.
Both of her children attended classes at HLC and graduated from Academy NW. Over the years, she taught a wide variety of classes to students of all ages. Juggling, drama, and writing were some of her favorite subjects to teach! She taught IEW writing, speech, and Seeing My Time (an executive functioning course for parents and students) at HLC when her children were students at the learning center. She’s excited to be back and teaching 3rd and 4th graders at HLC!
After attending Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University and Portland State University, Cherri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts in 1994, and then invested most of her time into her family with her husband, Mel, and their four children. In 2009, when their youngest child was school age, Cherri went to work as a para-educator at Skamania School, a small, rural public school in Washington where her children attended. As a bus driver, recess monitor, and classroom helper, she had many opportunities to learn about the different learning styles of every student. In 2016, Cherri earned her teaching certificate from Western Governors University and began teaching at Skamania School in mixed- grade classrooms. She taught students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade over the years.
In 2022, Cherri resigned from teaching at Skamania School to teach at Hope Learning Center because she desires to support parents seeking an alternative to the public school system model for educating their children. A Christian worldview in education is imperative for appreciating the amazing world around us and understanding how and why we need to live with integrity and love for others.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Rachel Gillock – Elementary Teacher Assistant, Kinder-1st Grade Teacher
Rachel has been a part of the homeschool world since she herself was homeschooled in the 6th grade. She and her husband Luke of 34 years, have been blessed with 8 children, all of which she homeschooled at some point in their lives. Two of their children graduated from Academy NW through Hope Learning Center and three more are at HLC. Two highschoolers and an elementary age child!
Rachel has had a passion for the homeschool community for over 30 years. Homeschooling has changed so much in the state of Washington through the decades but she wants to continue finding the right path not only for her own children but also helping others see the benefits and beauty of home education for their own journeys. She is so excited to be working in the elementary program at HLC as a TA to all three elementary teachers and also teaching math. She enjoys partnering with them for the education of her kids and the kids she is so privileged to be working with in the elementary classes.
Rachel believes our children are so important to the future of this nation and being able to equip them educationally and spiritually to be the leaders of tomorrow is our most precious calling. God has been so faithful through the journey and she is so excited to see the plans He has for all the kids He chooses to put in her path moving forward. She prays He will continue to use her in the HLC community, in the Homeschool community and honestly in whatever place He calls. 26 years ago she would’ve never guessed the extent of this amazing journey.
“I have no greater Joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
Michelle Payne – Middle School Science, History & English
Michelle attended Mt. Sac and Citrus College in CA where she obtained her certification as an RDA in 2001. Michelle married her wonderful husband Bill and together they have four amazing children. She has been homeschooling for the last 15 years and says, “It’s the best the best decision of my life!” Three of her children attend Hope Learning Center and her oldest graduates from Academy NW in 2022.
Michelle has tutored elementary school children for fifteen years. This love of working with younger students was a natural progression for her to teach the History, Science and English for students at HLC. Michelle’s love for the Lord and passion for teaching draws students in and creates an environment where kids are excited to learn.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ” 3 John 1:4
Peggy Nikander – High School Science
Through the years she has tutored other students on the side, was co-director of a homeschool co-op, and taught classes in the co-op as well. Peggy eventually realized a love for apologetics science and began offering Apologia Labs for middle and high school homeschoolers 4 years ago at Glen’s Gizmos (now Creation Calling). She is in awe of THE Creator and loves to share her awe with students through science!
In her spare time she enjoys hiking and seeing creation! She will be co-leading 2 trips to Yellowstone this summer for Creation Encounters. Beyond the outdoors she enjoys board games and is learning to paint.
Crista Hagan – High School Math
With a strong background in math education and a passion for helping students make meaningful connections, I’m excited to be joining Hope Learning Center as a high school Math & Science instructor. I hold a B.S. in Mathematics from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Oregon University, with licensure in middle-level through advanced (high school) math. I spent eight years teaching middle school math in Oregon before moving to Vancouver, where I’ve spent the last 11 years raising my three kids while staying actively involved in education—mentoring at a local middle school, leading Vacation Bible School from my home, and teaching in various church and school settings.
I believe students learn best when they’re engaged in discovering how and why math works, not just memorizing formulas. I enjoy a blend of lecture and hands-on learning, incorporating multiple senses whenever possible (except taste—that’s a tough one in math!). I also love guiding students through real-world applications to help them prepare for life beyond high school.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy board games, square dancing, hiking, traveling, and creative projects like cake decorating and Canva design. I live with my husband of 17 years, our three kids (ages 14, 12, and almost 10), and our energetic English Springer Spaniel, Igiby. I’m an avid reader, a fan of both mountains and beaches, and always up for learning something new—currently, it’s crocheting!
“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.” Psalm 86: 8-10
Dr. Chris Conway – High School History, CWP & Worldview, Civics & Economics
A career educator, Chris has spent the better part of the last thirty years teaching high school students, primarily in the areas of language arts, but also in math, economics, and history. He worked 14 years as the first Academic Dean and English Department Head at King’s Way Christian High School, upon its opening in the fall of 2005. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego. He earned both a Masters and Doctorate in Education from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
Robin Rowe – High School English
Robin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in International Studies from Portland State University in 2007. Prior to this, she married her amazing husband, Gary, in 1998. After a few years of newlywed bliss and serving in youth ministry, they lived and worked in Afghanistan with a humanitarian aid organization which served to help the Afghan people after the fall of the Taliban. The Lord eventually led them back home to the Pacific Northwest where Robin finished her Bachelor’s degree and later gave birth to her daughter in 2012 and son in 2015.
God made it clear that homeschooling her children was the right decision. For the past eight years she has dedicated her time and energy to educating her children at home with the support of her husband and homeschool community. She has tutored elementary and middle school students and loves leading students through subject matter while finding the perfection of God in His creation with lively discussions. It is an absolute blessing and privilege to come along side children and learn together.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
Anny Ruiz – Art
Anny pursued art education throughout high school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, her childhood was infused with creativity, surrounded by music, nature, and the bold colors of island life. Over the years, she has worked in both in-house and freelance design roles, while maintaining a personal connection to art through seasons of quiet creativity and exploration.
Now living in Vancouver, Washington, Anny shares a creative home with her husband—also an artist—and their two joyful daughters. For the past 12 years, she has embraced full-time motherhood and homeschooling, weaving art, nature, and hands-on learning into her family’s daily rhythm.
Anny has served as a tutor at the Classical Conversations Community and is honored to also join the HLC to share her love for the arts. Her teaching style blends artistic technique with imagination and encourages students to explore, experiment, and express their God-given creativity with confidence.
“If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”
Psalms 139: 8-14
Lynsi Livengood – Middle School & High School Spanish
Lynsi graduated from Clark Community College in 2023 with her AA degree, and then completed a two-year Bible college, obtaining her Ministerial degree. After taking four years of Spanish in high school and falling in love with the language, she continued her Spanish-learning pursuit at Clark College for one more full year. During her time at Clark, she began tutoring Spanish at the Clark tutoring center, as well as teaching her own students upon personal request. Lynsi tutored Spanish for three school years at Clark College and then decided to teach on her own.
She continued gaining Spanish students upon request and then decided to create a small Spanish-teaching business. Lynsi enjoys one-on-one teaching just as much as group sessions. She has helped teach at a Washougal Spanish Night and also enjoys volunteering in Spanish immersion classes for kindergarten. To Lynsi, teaching Spanish is more of a calling than a job. She loves to help students learn Spanish from an uplifting and fun perspective. She is very excited to share her love for Spanish with students at Hope Learning Center and show them how Spanish can be both intriguing and rewarding to learn.
When students are learning something brand new like Spanish, God promises to be right there to help them (Isaiah 41:10). With God, all things are possible— even learning a new language!
Filipenses 4:13 «Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.»
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Lisa homeschooled both her boys and discovered Hope Learning Center when her kids were middle school age. Science with Ms. B was a yearly must class for both boys. Having done Friday School, Science Olympiad, Geography Clubs and homeschool groups in previous years, Lisa and her boys felt that Hope Learning Center was the ‘home’ they’d been looking for in a homeschooling community.
Lisa and her husband chose to enroll their boys in Academy NW when they were in high school for the accredited diploma. With the boys taking more classes at HLC, Lisa started volunteering to do whatever jobs the teachers needed done. Eventually, Lisa became a part of the wonderful community of teachers, parents and students at HLC and began working as the learning center’s Office Manager and eventually moved into an administrative role. Even though her kids are graduated, she still loves being a part of HLC and feels this is where the Lord has placed her for such a time as this.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,: My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Geri Rubano – Receptionist
Geri has decades of front office experience having worked as an administrative assistant in both elementary and middle schools, hotel front desk, and other office settings as well as experience working with children as a teacher and para educator.
Geri graduated from Rowan College of New Jersey with a BS in Elementary Education. After graduating she left the east coast for the west coast and worked as an elementary school and preschool teacher in Los Angeles. During her time in LA ,Geri met her husband, they married and moved to Spokane. After a brief time in Spokane, they packed their bags for Nicaragua to embark on a new adventure! They built and ran a wellness resort and had two beautiful children. They missed home, their extended family and wanted to grow roots back in Washington. They moved to Camas in 2013 and found HLC in 2021.
Ashley Weston – Receptionist
Ashley brings a wealth of life experience and a heart for service to her role as receptionist at Hope Learning Center. She began her journey in the United States Air Force in 2006, serving for a decade as a dental assistant. In 2016, she transitioned into a new career field as Combat Support Staff for a Special Forces Squadron, where she sharpened her administrative skills—coordinating travel, managing roll calls, and supporting the squadron commander with day-to-day operations.
Ashley concluded her military career as a Military and Family Readiness Specialist at the 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland, Oregon. There, she provided support to Airmen and their families facing a wide range of challenges—spiritual, emotional, and financial. During this time, she became a trusted resource for homeschool families, learning everything she could about the benefits available through the Air Force and sharing that knowledge generously.
Ashley began homeschooling her own children during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly realized it was the perfect fit for her family. When she discovered Hope Learning Center in 2023, she immediately felt God’s hand guiding her family to this vibrant and faith-filled community.
After being medically retired from the Air Force and with both her children enrolled at HLC, Ashley felt a calling to invest her time in a meaningful way. When the receptionist position opened, she knew it was exactly where she was meant to be. From supporting teachers with administrative tasks to connecting with parents and encouraging students, Ashley finds daily joy and purpose in her work. Whether she’s designing flyers in Canva or keeping the snack shack stocked, she approaches every task with creativity and care.
Ashley is married to her husband Josh, they have two wonderful children, Max and Lilli, along with their two beloved dogs, Gus and Zuzu. When she’s not at HLC, you’ll likely find her out on a run or at the gym, enjoying the outdoors with her family, cheering from the sidelines at her kids’ many athletic activities, or snuggling her pups and reading a good book.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Jenny Bennier – Receptionist & Volunteer Coordinator
Jenny didn’t plan to homeschool her 4 children. In fact, she was convinced that she was not capable. After having her oldest 2 children in public school for a couple of years, she decided to give homeschooling a try for one year. With Hope Learning Center’s help and encouragement, Jenny realized that she could in fact successfully homeschool her children!
She enrolled her kids in science classes at HLC when they were younger, and added more classes during their high school years. Two of her children have now graduated from Academy Northwest and her younger two are currently enrolled in Hope Learning Center. She now works as a receptionist at HLC and loves getting to know all of the kids and families.
She has been married to her husband Luke for over 20 years and loves to spend time outdoors. Hiking and target practice are among her favorite activities.
Robyn Lake – Receptionist
Robyn and her husband, Christopher, began homeschooling their children in 2012, committing to give them an education that fully embraces a Biblical worldview. As their oldest was approaching middle school, a friend shared with Robyn about Hope Learning Center. What a supportive, God-honoring learning environment was discovered with HLC, and they were also pleased to discover that an accredited diploma was possible through Academy NW.
Over the past several years, Robyn has had the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of ways at HLC, from cleaning and weeding to grading math papers and mastering the copy machine! She is looking forward to joining the receptionist team and getting to know and welcome the HLC students and families.
Robyn’s been married to her husband for over 25 years. Their oldest is in college and their youngest is enrolled in HLC high school classes and Academy NW.
Robyn loves being with family, beachcombing the Puget Sound, and walking and hiking with their two dogs, Lily and Tommy.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6