Tutor Bios

Jessica Bartholomew is a mom of 3 daughters, 2 amazing adults, and loving home education for the youngest currently in high school. She is the director at ACT United, a nonprofit organization, where she leads curriculum development and is a passionate public speaker to community, church, and youth audiences. Her love of Spanish language began in 6th grade and grew through college with academic courses and in immersive learning with native speakers, cultures, and conversations. With Spanish language, she has tutored students, assisted law enforcement for 12 years, and currently leads a ministry outreach team in the Latino community. She is a graduate of Normandale Community College with an AA degree and from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Child Development; Minor in Law, Criminology and Deviance. She is excited to share her love of Spanish language, immersive learning, and celebrating all the steps along the way of learning with the students of South Heights!
Classes: Spanish 1, 2, & 3

Anna Burnham graduated from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and a minor in Theatre. She currently homeschools her two daughters with the amazing help of her mother. She is a professional freelance photographer specializing in family and portrait photography. She is very excited to share her passion for photography with students. In her free time, she loves acting and singing on stage with both of her daughters in various musicals and plays.
Classes: Photography 1 & 2

Judi Davidson graduated with an A.A. degree from Bethel University and a B.A.in Child Development and Education from The College of St. Benedict. She and her husband have worked as missionaries with YWAM, directing education programs and training teachers. They have been homeschooling their six children since 1990.
Classes: General Science, Introduction to Formal Writing , Advanced Formal Writing

Joshua De Leon graduated from the University of Northwestern–St.Paul, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in music composition and his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He has taught in several different venues, from children's programs at church to Adult and Teen Bible studies. He has also taught home school groups in assorted areas, including Logic, Astronomy, Music, and Public Speaking. He is passionate about supplying valuable skills to all students. Joshua is an experienced pianist who has also taught piano for over five years. He enjoys writing music for performance and film. His hobbies include walking, rollerblading, hanging out with friends, reading, and star-gazing.
Classes: Lightbearers Worldview Class, Logic (1st sem), Debate (2nd sem)

Laura Glassel grew up in the New England area, Germany, and Minnesota. She received her associate's degree in Aircraft Maintenance, her bachelor's degree in Missionary Aviation, and her master's degree in Bible Translation from Bob Jones University. As part of her education, she earned both her aircraft mechanics and pilots certificates. Her involvement in the aviation world has given her a keen interest in seeing science applied in everyday life. During her college years, she tutored high school students in math and science, and learned a lot about teaching techniques and learning. She has since been able to transfer her tutoring skills to the classroom situation in order to share her passion for science and math with more students.
Classes: Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics

Ryan Habbena teaches the Cover-to-Cover Bible Survey course with Village Schools of the Bible, is the Pastor of Preaching and Teaching at Conquering King Fellowship in Eagan, MN, and serves as Director of Signet Ring Ministries, a teaching and resource ministry. He holds degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies (B.A. Bethel University, M.A. Bethel Seminary), has published articles on Biblical matters and is the author of Eternal Scars (2004), The Parable of the Fig Tree (2009), and The Pilgrim’s Path (2010). Ryan lives with his wife and three children near St. Paul, MN.
Classes: Old Testament and New Testament

Chrisanne Keswick Meredyk earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics at UC Davis. She began her love of language and literature in high school but continued in earnest after college when she finally had time to read classics again! While homeschooling her three children through high school, she continued this passion for literature and writing. She began teaching language arts to other homeschool families in 2011 . As time allows she loves tutoring Somali students, guiding them to love literature, understand and use our language, and succeed in school.
Classes: Developing Style Techniques (writing) (1st sem), College Prep Writing (writing) (2nd sem)

Rachelle Kimmes earned her B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Her family includes her hubby, four sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandsons. She joined the homeschooling community in 2004, when her oldest son began Kindergarten. She is a life-long learner with a teacher’s heart who loves to share knowledge and interact with others! Her co-op teaching experience includes all grades, as well as Personal Finance for middle and high schoolers. Her passion for exploring careers before graduating high school began when families around her began asking for help! She is a certified Career Direct Consultant who is thrilled to bring Career Preparation and Personal Finance to the students of South Heights!
Class: Career Exploration and Preparation and Foundations in Personal Finance

Aimee Kuiper received her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Digital Humanities from Bethel University, MN. Her work has been featured in galleries across the Midwest and East Coast, most recently as the artist-in-residence in Breckenridge, CO. She has loved teaching and tutoring for nearly a decade, a passion that started when Aimee was a teaching assistant in-training for her mom's class at South Heights! You can find Aimee leading illustration workshops throughout MN thanks to support from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Forecast Public Arts, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, and local libraries.
Classes: Drawing Foundations

Heidi Kuiper earned a B.S. in Education from Minnesota State University. She also received advanced training in language arts instruction from the Reading Center in Rochester, MN. Subsequently, she taught for many years for the Reading Center, designing and implementing programs for students and small groups with learning challenges in reading, spelling, and writing. She currently operates her own tutoring and consulting practice providing academic instruction for students of all ages. She specializes in instruction for the dyslexic learner. Heidi and her husband home educated their 4 children from kindergarten to PSEO.
Classes: Grammar Essentials (1st sem), Intro to Style Techniques (2nd sem)

Jennifer Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a B.A. in English. She has been involved in the homeschooling community since 2004 and as a tutor since 2016. She has four daughters – three adults working in their chosen fields and one homeschool senior. She currently tutors at four different co-ops. She is a Registered Instructor with IEW.
Classes: Developing Style Techniques (writing) (1st sem), College Prep Writing (writing) (2nd sem)

Michele Leverenz graduated from Concordia University with a B.A in Elementary Education and a minor in Communications. She spent seven years teaching before deciding to stay home and educate her two children. Michele has been active in the homeschool community for over 10 years. She really enjoys working with students and watching them fall in love with learning. She spends many hours reading and watching swim meets as both her children are competitive swimmers.
Classes: Geography and World Cultures, Biology, Writing: Following Narnia

Wendy Lokke has a bachelor's degree in Communication from University of Northwestern St Paul and a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University. She has taught courses in several areas at University of Northwestern St Paul and was instrumental in launching live PSEO at South Heights!
Classes: Public Speaking PSEO

Ken Mueller graduated from University of Illinois with an Engineering Computer Science degree in the 1980s, and he has worked in the world of computer consulting ever since. After 20 years of co-homeschooling with his wife Mrs. Mueller, he still enjoys being part of the home education community by being involved at South Heights. He is thrilled to serve as a course assistant for both Computer Applications and Mathematics Survey. In fact, he loves math so much that he took math classes as electives in college!
Classes: PSEO Intro to Computer Applications (Crown), PSEO Survey of Mathematics (Crown), a frequent substitute, & board member

Mary Mueller graduated with an M.A. in History from Liberty University in 2020 and a B.A. in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1984. She has been involved in the homeschooling community since 1993 and homeschooled her five children until graduating her youngest in 2014. She has always had a consuming passion for social studies, literature, and writing, and she loves sharing this passion with students. She began teaching at South Heights in 2009 and joined the University of Northwestern faculty in 2020. She enjoys being part of the PSEO program at South Heights!
Website: mrsmuellersworld.com
Classes: American Government & Economics, American History , World History, American Literature, British Literature, PSEO History
South Heights Co-Director

Julie Nelson has always had a love for the arts. She has spent many years acting, dancing, and singing, and majored in Theater at Mankato State University. She is the founder of SHINING LIGHT THEATER - where Jesus is center stage! She is currently teaching Theater at South Heights Christian Classes (since 2011), Anchor Homeschool Academy (since 2022), and HRT Academy (first year!). She also directs a full-length Christian play each school year with the homeschool students, giving them an opportunity to use their gifts and talent in Theater Ministry for the Lord.. Previous productions include Baggage Claim (2024), Ben-Hur (2023), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2022), Missionary of Oz! (2020/2021), The Hiding Place (2019), The Pilgrim’s Progress (2018) and Baggage Claim (2017). Julie has also taught at Twin Cities Homeschoolers for the Arts (2015-2024), In the Company of Kids Performing Arts Center, Southern Cross Christian Co-op, TEACH co-op, Cannon Falls, HOPE co-op, and Drama Interaction. She has also developed and taught an inter-generational Theater program, along with Theater programs for those with special needs and the elderly, and also conducts private acting lessons. Julie has acted, written, and directed many dramas and plays for various churches, Sunday School and homeschool co-ops. She is enthusiastic about sharing her love for Theater with her students and helping them explore their creativity and develop their unique talents, along with using these talents to glorify the Lord and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! She is married and has four boys whom she homeschooled for eleven years.
Classes: Theater Classes!

Linda Offut earned her B.A. in Deaf Culture Studies from North Central University. She is passionate about teaching sign language and bringing together the deaf and hearing communities. She enjoys helping students develop their signing skills so they are able to communicate effectively and also to prepare them to be ASL interpreters. As a deaf person herself, she has a unique ability to share insight with students into the perspective of the deaf community. Linda has assisted Mrs. Schultz for several years and looks forward to sharing her passions with students!
Classes: Sign Language 1, 2, & 3

Jenita Pace spent nine years working in schools as a counselor and as an administrator for the Early College program in North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Columbia International University and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Western Carolina University. Jenita is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the state of Minnesota and is recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors.
Before working in education, she taught horseback riding to teens and ran an inner city youth group in South Carolina. Jenita has a passion for helping students grow both intellectually and spiritually. She has one son, one husband and one dog. She is excited to be part of the PSEO program at South Heights.
Classes: Psychology PSEO

Val Qualley earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Gustavus Adolphus College. Her goal in teaching is to help each individual student succeed according to his/her own learning style and to make math fun and applicable. Val and her husband successfully home educated their 3 children who went on to pursue college degrees. Not only does Val enjoy teaching, you will often find her taking long walks, traveling, and enjoying God’s creation in nature.
South Heights Co-Director

Karen Rohrbach, a gifted watercolor artist, has studied at the former MN River School of Fine Art. On occasion she teaches students, youth and adult, in her home. Students who had not considered themselves artistically gifted produced beautiful, satisfying art as a result of her tutoring. Some of her students have received awards at the Dakota County Fair and the MN Junior Duck Stamp Competition. Karen is enjoying her expanded opportunities to share her giftedness in and passion for watercolor with more students.
Classes: Watercolor 1, 2, & 3

Kim Wentzlaff received her B.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota and her M.S. in Genetic Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. She worked at Mayo Clinic as a research assistant in cancer genetics following graduation. After becoming a Christian, she became a mom to two boys and two girls and stayed home to raise them. She stepped into the homeschooling world when her oldest was entering second grade. She has taught students in the CC Essentials program, HS Chemistry, and tutors students in math. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, Bible study, baking, and knitting.
Class: Math Mastery

Jim Wentzlaff has over 30 years of engineering experience in government and consulting. He is a retired Air Force Colonel where he served in various telecommunications, engineering, strategic planning, and emergency management positions. As a registered professional engineer, he has consulted on environmental, geotechnical, and civil engineering design and construction projects. Having a passion for applying math and engineering principles to solve problems, Mr. Wentzlaff thrives on teaching through creative application principles. He has a Bachelors in Geo-Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Management. Mr. Wentzlaff is pursuing a seminary degree and currently serves as a pastor-in-training. He and his wife have four children.
Class: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, PreCalculus, Math Study Group

Michelle Whalen graduated from Colorado Christian University with a major in Music and minor in Biblical Studies. As a musician and songwriter, she has used her artistic passions and creativity leading, performing and teaching over the last twenty years. A lifelong learner, Michelle geeks out reading literature, and loves studying and teaching the structure, psychology and philosophical components in great books and poetry through the lens of a Christian worldview. She has been active in the homeschooling community for many years, and she is an experienced educator and all around "Renaissance woman.”
Classes: Literature-Foundations, Great Books, Public Speaking for Junior High, Writing and Literature PSEO