Our Teachers & Classes

6th/7th Grade Art

My name is Erica Tompkins, and I’m a mother of 5, with a passion for art and all things creative.

This school year, I’m excited to take a deep dive with my students into drawing, painting and sculpting!

  The school year will be broken into three sections; Drawing, painting and sculpting.

Students will learn how to draw a human face, how to shade with graphite, and how to draw anything they wish to confidently, using a few simple techniques.

  They will then use their drawing skills towards laying the foundation for a great painting! They will learn how to mix any color they’d like, and we will create some beautiful scenic paintings together, that are sure to impress their friends and family!

  Lastly, students will gain the knowledge of how to find inspiration from multiple sources, sketch detailed original designs, and then turn them into beautiful sculptures!

  My main goal this year is to inspire the students and to reveal their unique creative visions. I will equip them with the tools they need to create anything they can imagine, both in and outside of class! The ability to render their ideas in visual format, will not only amplify their abilities in every other subject, but it will equip them with an unshakable confidence in themselves, and give them a deeper appreciation for nature and for every part of God’s creation.

6th/7th Grade Writing

My name is Carrie Martin-Vegue and this year, I’m excited to teach Following Narnia, Volume 1 from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). This course uses the beloved Chronicles of Narnia series as a springboard to teach students how to write with structure and style. Students will learn to take notes from a source, create key word outlines, and transform those outlines into well-organized paragraphs. Along the way, they'll build a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary, while also learning to incorporate more advanced stylistic techniques—called “dress-ups”—to enhance their writing. I bring many years of homeschooling experience with IEW, both before I had children and now as a homeschooling mom. I take a personalized approach with each student, helping them build confidence and skill in writing at their own pace, ensuring steady growth throughout the year. 

6th/7th Grade Science

Hello! I’m Gavrielle Allison, a homeschooling mom of five and a former public school teacher. I’m passionate about hands-on, lab-based learning that sparks discovery and exploration of God’s operational design in creation. This year I’m excited to teach our junior high classes, diving into general sciences that touch on atoms, chemistry, biology, and life sciences using Berean Builders Science in the Atomic Age. Additionally, I'll be teaching 6th grade, where we'll uncover the scientific discoveries that shaped the 19th century, from the invisible forces of magnetic fields and light waves to the life-changing impact of germ theory, using Berean Builders Science in the Industrial Age.

4th/5th Grade  Art

Hi, I’m Hannah! I’m a mom of four and this is my sixth year of homeschooling and I’m thrilled to be teaching art this year! I’ve always loved creating — from learning color theory doing hair professionally for years, to creating, drawing, and painting my own handmade items...art has always been a big part of my life! In my class, we’ll be exploring all sorts of art mediums and creative techniques. My hope is to give kids the space to experiment, express themselves, and build confidence in their own God given creativity, and capitalizing their strengths 

        4th/5th Grade  Spanish

I am a homeschool mom of 4 and a native Spanish speaker.  Prior to homeschooling, I worked in healthcare where one of my roles was being a medical interpreter. I have also interpreted/translated in real time for public speakers at conference events.

 This year we will level up our Spanish language skills through fun conversations, games, storytelling, and songs! We’ll build on what we already know and add more vocabulary, work on improving our pronunciation, and learn how to speak in full sentences with confidence!   Whether you’ve taken Spanish before or use it at home, this class will be challenging while keeping the fun going! 

         4th/5th Grade  Science

    In 4th-5th grade science, we will be studying scientific advances made from the 1800s to early 1900s with a Biblical view. We will study topics such as medicine, human physiology, cell biology, chemistry, geology, electricity, and many more. Each lesson contains hands-on activities to help illustrate concepts to guide students to understand how a person's worldview affects his or her scientific conclusions. Hold on, as we discover science in a new way! 

          1st - 3rd Grade Art

My name is Tamsyn Mansfield, I have two children who will be at Beautiful Roots this year. I have lived in Texas for 14 years, after moving from my home in England. I have a passion for traveling, adventure and outdoor education. This year I will be teaching art to 1st - 3rd grade and am excited for the projects I'll be creating with your children. 

1st - 3rd Grade Critical Thinking-TEAM

My name is Christi Olerich, and I love all things creative! In the past, I have spent a lot of time singing and painting, and recently I've begun sewing. This year, it is my privilege to teach a class called TEAM. TEAM stands for Think, Engineer, Analyze, and Make- all with a creative and cooperative twist!

TEAM is where we cultivate creative thinking and problem-solving skills through a variety of engaging challenges. Students will mostly work in groups, encouraging them to approach problems from fresh perspectives and connect with their peers. Our class will include cooperative games, hands-on building activities, speed challenges, and logic puzzles. 

1st-5th Grade P.E. 

My name is Kayla Olmstead and I will be teaching P.E. class!  This P.E. class encourages students to honor God by caring for their bodies, working as a team, and showing good sportsmanship. Through fun games and activities, students develop strength, coordination, and confidence while learning to glorify God through movement, discipline, and joyful play. We strive to build lifelong habits of fitness, faith, and fellowship. 

Pre-school

Hi, my name is Liz Ramirez, and I’m thrilled to kick off this school year! For my younger kiddos (ages 2-3), get ready for a fun-filled sensory class! We’ll explore through play, music, and movement while developing our motor skills.

For my bigger kiddos (ages 4-5), I hope you’re excited to dive into the world of animals! We’ll learn through engaging sensory activities, motor skill exercises, and playful exploration.

Speech/Public Speaking Class

This  class will be for students in 1st-7th grade and it will be taught by one of the teachers in their grade rotation.  This fun and confidence building public speaking class will help elementary and middle school students develop essential communication skills in an age appropriate way.  

1st–3rd Grades: Students will ease into public speaking through interactive activities like Show & Tell, storytelling, and simple presentations. The focus is on building confidence by speaking in front of others in a low-pressure environment and learning to respectfully listen to others. 

4th-7th Grades: Older students will keep on building confidence and practicing clear speech, good posture and eye contact and will be introduced to the building blocks of persuasive communication. They’ll learn how to organize their thoughts and support their ideas so that they present in public with clarity.

No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to speak up and have fun!