Meet the Staff
Karen Baldwin
French
Karen Baldwin Karen received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Covenant College, and a M.A. in Communications from Wheaton. After having taught for seven years in an arts/theater program in the Chicago Public Schools, Karen became a mom and taught her own children. She has taught Omnibus, writing, French, and Bible to homeschoolers. She and her husband, Kevin, have four lovely daughters, one wonderful son-in-law, and a dog. Favorite activities include boating, biking, swimming, sewing, and of course—walking the dog! Having been raised in a Christian home, she loves studying the Bible and teaching young people and women how it all fits together! She labors at Grace OPC in Hanover Park, organizing events and teaching Sunday School and ladies’ Bible study.
French
Karen Baldwin Karen received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Covenant College, and a M.A. in Communications from Wheaton. After having taught for seven years in an arts/theater program in the Chicago Public Schools, Karen became a mom and taught her own children. She has taught Omnibus, writing, French, and Bible to homeschoolers. She and her husband, Kevin, have four lovely daughters, one wonderful son-in-law, and a dog. Favorite activities include boating, biking, swimming, sewing, and of course—walking the dog! Having been raised in a Christian home, she loves studying the Bible and teaching young people and women how it all fits together! She labors at Grace OPC in Hanover Park, organizing events and teaching Sunday School and ladies’ Bible study.
Ashley Bergman
Science Games 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. Dee Dee Estes
Painting Photography Sign Language Student Leadership Dee Dee Estes is a Jesus-followin’ child of God. She’s pinch-me-happily married to Mike, 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 10 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 Movie Analysis Debate 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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Diane Kiblinger
Dance Diane has been married to Ryan for 15 years and they have three children: Elika, Jed and Zane. She accidentally fell into homeschooling seven years ago after her oldest child, Elika, wrapped up a half-day Pre-K program and she thought to herself, “why stress about full day public school next year – who can mess up Kindergarten?!” Elika (and Diane) fell in love with homeschooling and each year continued to choose homeschooling. Diane and her family relocated from Texas in August of 2016 and were THRILLED to learn about HEART from a fellow American Heritage Girl’s Family. The Kiblinger kids joined HEART in October of 2016 and Diane joined the HEART staff the next year as the AM Nursery Director. She has continued to enjoy serving in different roles each year at HEART. Diane is excited to be teaching Dance this year! Diane began dancing in High School and served as an officer on her dance team her Junior and Senior years. She was accepted as a member of the dance team at the University of Houston where she was able to continue to sharpen her knowledge and love of dance. As a young adult she danced for several dance groups in Texas and Virginia and taught dance in Central Texas before accepting a job as a church youth director. After moving to Grayslake in 2016, Diane connected with the Dance Chair at the College of Lake County where she has now performed with their dance troupe for the last two years. She is leaping with joy for the opportunity to share her love of dance with HEART students! |
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Dr. Bill Marsh
Topics in Theology Ethics Political Science Bill has taught theology, philosophy, and world history in a range of settings, ecclesial and academic, for over thirty years. Author of many articles, five books, and a daily blog, he has spoken at conferences in Europe, Africa, and the U.S. A native of California and lover of mountains, oceans, and all things wild, Bill has backpacked for fifty years, trekking all North America. He has been a Christian for forty-six years. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, Christian Bible College, and the University of Chicago, Bill holds master’s degrees in theology and near eastern studies, and a doctorate in philosophy of religion. Bill enjoys engaging students in sustained and rigorous critical thinking and intellectual inquiry, and looks forward to teaching at HEART this year. He and Carol have been married for thirty-nine years. They have two children. |
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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 never imagined that her family would homeschool, but being led by God (with a lot of support from friends), they have been on this adventure for many years. Nathan will start his senior year in the fall, Natalie, her junior year, and Nadia will be in kindergarten. Mandy loves working with children and being able to see the excitement in their eyes as they discover and learn. |
Joe Walters
Strategic Games (high school)
Business/ Graphic Design
I'm a Graphic designer who lives in Gurnee, Illinois. I have been married for 29 years and have a daughter who is a senior. My passion is to take someone’s vision and ideas, and then bring them to life with a visual flair. I do this through graphic design, and some small illustrations. I have more than 34 years of experience working for churches, ministries, and nonprofits. I have been the main Graphic designer for The Chapel for the past 23 years. I started out my career right out of Drake University, working for a design firm that focused on educational game packaging. That began my love for modern board gaming and Dungeons & Dragons. I understand the importance of education being fun and engaging for kids and parents alike and part of my aspiration is to help grow the hobby by making tabletop games more accessible to people everywhere! I believe if someone says they don’t like playing board games it is because they haven’t found the right game for them. I also have an Etsy store that specializes in board game t-shirts that I design called Getting Dicey Designs.
Strategic Games (high school)
Business/ Graphic Design
I'm a Graphic designer who lives in Gurnee, Illinois. I have been married for 29 years and have a daughter who is a senior. My passion is to take someone’s vision and ideas, and then bring them to life with a visual flair. I do this through graphic design, and some small illustrations. I have more than 34 years of experience working for churches, ministries, and nonprofits. I have been the main Graphic designer for The Chapel for the past 23 years. I started out my career right out of Drake University, working for a design firm that focused on educational game packaging. That began my love for modern board gaming and Dungeons & Dragons. I understand the importance of education being fun and engaging for kids and parents alike and part of my aspiration is to help grow the hobby by making tabletop games more accessible to people everywhere! I believe if someone says they don’t like playing board games it is because they haven’t found the right game for them. I also have an Etsy store that specializes in board game t-shirts that I design called Getting Dicey Designs.
Tracey Wamsley
Leadership Team
Home Ec.
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
Home Ec.
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 Tracey Wamsley at twamsley.cc@gmail.com for more information.