Meet the Staff
Ashley Bergman
Drama
Musical Theater
Science
There is not one moment in Ashley’s life when she can recall not feeling passionately about the sciences. Memories with her family center around facts she had recently read and couldn’t help but share. As she began teaching her children, she found ways to weave the sciences into other subjects so they could more fully appreciate the beauty + hand of God found within everything. As a parent with children of varying personalities and giftings, she has become equally passionate about seeing children for who they are and helping them develop the love and passion of learning. Training up children to use imagination and creativity in their schooling and lives has also become a fundamental principal of our homeschool education. While taking all the science classes she could, Ashley also took as many drama electives as she was able. She enjoyed roles in the annual musicals and plays, learning teamwork and the importance of roles less seen. Thinking on her early education, her science and drama classes played a large role and bring a smile to her face, even today. Ashley hopes the children at HEART will enjoy that same relationship to drama, the sciences, nature, creativity, and their education. Ashley graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Speech Communication and a background in Biology.
Drama
Musical Theater
Science
There is not one moment in Ashley’s life when she can recall not feeling passionately about the sciences. Memories with her family center around facts she had recently read and couldn’t help but share. As she began teaching her children, she found ways to weave the sciences into other subjects so they could more fully appreciate the beauty + hand of God found within everything. As a parent with children of varying personalities and giftings, she has become equally passionate about seeing children for who they are and helping them develop the love and passion of learning. Training up children to use imagination and creativity in their schooling and lives has also become a fundamental principal of our homeschool education. While taking all the science classes she could, Ashley also took as many drama electives as she was able. She enjoyed roles in the annual musicals and plays, learning teamwork and the importance of roles less seen. Thinking on her early education, her science and drama classes played a large role and bring a smile to her face, even today. Ashley hopes the children at HEART will enjoy that same relationship to drama, the sciences, nature, creativity, and their education. Ashley graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Speech Communication and a background in Biology.
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Laura D'Argo
Art Painting High School Art Independent Studio Advanced Art “To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful and pretty – yes pretty! There are plenty of unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still more of them.” This is a quote by Pierre Auguste Renoir, a French Impressionist, circa 1880’s. Laura heard this quote in college, Columbia College, Chicago, and it simply summed up her philosophy of art. Be it fine art or illustration, joy can be communicated and then settles in the soul of a person. Joy, illustrated by an orchid growing from a crack in a rock, tells a story of hope. Laura is a gifted artist and a professional illustrator who loves bringing out the artist in all of her students. |
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Dee Dee Estes
Photography Student Leadership Life Skills Dee Dee Estes is a Jesus-followin’ child of God. She’s pinch-me-happily married to Mike “the pizza guy”, as well as best-mom-ever to twins, Mitch and Norah. She’s human-with-many-words to Dash & Daisy, her kids rescue litter-mate dogs. She cheers on Team Estes (and the Cubs!) and enjoys reading, gardening, bike rides and shorelines. Estes Academy has kept her inspired and busy homeschooling for the past 8 years and she’s confident that math tutors will be her best friends during the high school years! Dee Dee counts it an incredible privilege to lead others in her executive director role in a large multi-site children’s ministry. She’s passionate about developing leaders and equipping teams, and she loves ministering to, and celebrating individuals, kids, and families as they live out a flourishing faith in Christ! |
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Delilah Fritzler
Jesus Trials (Speech) Legos Journalism Consumer Ed. Cooking/Baking Cor Opus Delilah Fritzler is a mother of three and a former middle school teacher. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with K-9th certification and endorsements in Language Arts and Social Sciences. She and her husband Brett are thrilled to be homeschooling their children and are so grateful for God's clear leading in this area. Delilah believes teaching is more than just a profession for the classroom; it is a responsibility given to each of us in our area of gifting to live out God's simple plan for discipleship. |
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Deb Hayashi
H.E.A.R.T. Leadership Team Physical Education Bible Study Debbi Hayashi received her Masters in Arts Degree from Loyola University, Chicago. God has blessed Debbi with her husband Brad and four wonderful children. Debbi's second career in life has been an adventure of being a CEO, CFO, Executive Chef, Head Maid, Lead Landscaper, and Child Behavior Researcher of Hayashi, Inc. In addition in 2012, Debbi felt called to start homeschooling her children. Debbi accepted Christ as her Savior in March, 1997 and is continually trying to strive to live a Christ-centered life. |
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Mandy Roper
H.E.A.R.T. Leadership Team Kindergarten Spanish Mandy is a homeschool mom to Nathan, Natalie Jo, and Nadia. She is a certified teacher (music, early childhood, elementary, math and bilingual/ESL) who finds great joy in teaching young children. Mandy enjoys planning lessons that not only teach a necessary concept, but also allow them to have fun. Music has always been a part of her life. It motivates her, provides enjoyment, and allows her to relax. Mandy’s desire is for her students to be able to enjoy all types of music and to feel confident in using it to worship the Lord. |
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Gretchen Saflarski
Music Musical Theater Gretchen has always enjoyed sharing her love of music with others. She graduated from Trinity International University in 2007 with a degree in Music Education. After graduating, she taught elementary general music and chorus in Lake Zurich, as well as private piano lessons out of her home. She has also spent time as the director of the Children’s Choir at The Chapel - Palatine. Gretchen enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, baking cookies, reading children’s books, eating chocolate, and anything Disney. |
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Stephanie Hickox
Project Club Stephanie has a degree in Elementary Education, and she was also greatly influenced by her time at the Focus on the Family Institute, refining her Biblical worldview, and in Kenya, volunteering in orphanage classrooms. After college she taught at Harvest Christian Academy, where she met her husband, Travis. They later had three boys in three years, and recently added a baby girl to the mix! Baking elaborate birthday cakes, making cardboard creations, studying God’s Word, and snuggling while reading great books are some of Stephanie’s favorite activities to do with Lincoln, Ryder, Everett, and Adeline. Whether it is blogging for Entrusted with a Child’s Heart, inspiring students at HEART, or teaching her own children, her mission is to partner with families to raise up a generation completely devoted to serving Jesus Christ. |
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Tracey Wamsley
Leadership Team
Baking
Cooking
Tracey Wamsley has been married to Jamie since 2002, and they have five children together; Jimmy, Toby, Sammy, Andy, and Charlie. Tracey has a degree in education from Lake Forest College. Prior to having kids, she taught 5th-graders in the Waukegan public school district. From the beginning Jamie and Tracey were surprised by their desire to homeschool (having come from a public school background), but they have loved the adventure of the past 9 years and wouldn’t change a thing. Tracey is passionate about seeing her kids become all God created them to be, and helping each of them to uniquely enter into all God has for them. Tracey and her family worship and minister at The Chapel, a non-denominational Christian church serving the suburbs of Chicago.
Leadership Team
Baking
Cooking
Tracey Wamsley has been married to Jamie since 2002, and they have five children together; Jimmy, Toby, Sammy, Andy, and Charlie. Tracey has a degree in education from Lake Forest College. Prior to having kids, she taught 5th-graders in the Waukegan public school district. From the beginning Jamie and Tracey were surprised by their desire to homeschool (having come from a public school background), but they have loved the adventure of the past 9 years and wouldn’t change a thing. Tracey is passionate about seeing her kids become all God created them to be, and helping each of them to uniquely enter into all God has for them. Tracey and her family worship and minister at The Chapel, a non-denominational Christian church serving the suburbs of Chicago.
On occasion there are employment opportunities at H.E.A.R.T.. Please contact Mandy Roper at mandyjonavarro@yahoo.com for more information.