Meet our Educators

Carolyn Balch started her career as a high school physics teacher and taught in NJ and Kenya before entering the field of museum education. She spent ten years at the Smithsonian Institution, where she wrote science education materials and ran teacher workshops. She left the workforce when her children were born. Later, her family helped start a school, and she taught there for five years as the middle school science teacher. Now she writes full-time, as the author of Engaging Science Labs. When not working on some type of science experiment, you can find Carolyn engaged in some type of handwork—her newest hobby is shoemaking,

Anna Bates is a graduate of Covenant College (Middle Grades Science & Social Studies) and has taught third through fifth graders in a variety of settings for the past decade. She loves exploring God's creation and stories (both historical and fictional!) alongside students as they live out their own stories together. You can find Anna enjoying parks, browsing libraries, and poking in the garden with her two young children and husband.

Catherine Brown holds a BA in Bible/Theology from Wheaton College. She worked in youth ministry and the nonprofit world before having children. Besides supporting her husband's pastoral ministry, Catherine has homeschooled her four children, taught co-op classes, coordinated dance ministry at their church and volunteered at Scent of Water (SOW). Catherine's children have attended SOW since its beginning. Her favorite things are a home filled with music, good food and robust discussions with family, time with friends, listening to podcasts and reading.

Janine Buser is passionate about guiding children to reach their full potential as individuals, students, and in their love of the Lord. She is a graduate of Georgetown University with a first career in government affairs. After homeschooling for 20 years, she found a new calling in early childhood education. When not on campus, Janine relishes her role as "Nina" to her (future Boots & Roots) grandbabies.

After graduating from Wheaton College (IL) with a degree in English, Sarah Curry has spent the last 25 years moving around the country as a military spouse and teaching in Christian schools and homeschool tutorial programs. Her favorite and most challenging teaching position has been homeschooling her five children. She loves helping students find the good, true, and beautiful, even in ordinary days. Sarah loves hiking, reading, and family movie nights with homemade pizza.

Kate received her B.A. in English from James Madison University. She loves being able to combine her love for writing and God's beauty in creation into the classroom. Kate has worked in children’s ministry for many years, often in partnership with her husband Mitchell. When not teaching, Kate enjoys traveling, hiking, and making music. Her favorite season is fall, when she can hear the crunch of leaves underfoot or curl up with a book and cup of tea.

Bonnie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University. She has led comprehensive, high-adventure camp programming focused on skill development for over 1,500 children.

Janine has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Milligan University. She has taught kindergarten and first grade in the public school system and then homeschooled her four children for 15 years. She has worked in children's ministry and has spent many years volunteering in the local community. She knows the power of God's redeeming love in her life and dedicates her daily routines to seeking God's glory and walking alongside others into relationship with the Redeemer. In her free time, Janine enjoys crocheting, hiking, boating with her family, and sipping on a good cup of coffee.

After serving as a Japanese language teacher in Indiana and Hawai’i, Monica began over 14 years of service as a home educator. At her alma mater, Kamehameha Schools, she collaborated in editing and developing curricula. Since then, she has continued to teach and develop curricula in a variety of settings, including in the military and in university international student campus ministry at Louisville, KY.

Tess graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor's in Social Work. She has a passion for building relationships and a desire to see all of God's creation flourish--plants, streams, students. She has worked with refugees from all over the world and most recently has served as the community minister at her church. When not at work, you can find her baking sourdough, knitting, curling up with a good book, or looking for the best spot to watch the sunset with her husband.

Karen Reiley has pursued a wide range of interests, passions and education. She holds a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in education, and an MS in Meteorology. Karen also has been trained in discipleship and evangelism work as well as Biblical Studies.
Besides homeschooling her three children, Karen also has taught and tutored students of all ages from pre-K to adults. She has directed multiple volunteer organizations, volunteered at churches leading worship, worked in children’s ministry and co-created an afterschool tutoring program. She enjoys creating and sharpening programs for optimal functioning.
Beyond academics, Karen loves acting, singing, playing piano, researching almost anything, connecting with others, trying new recipes, reading, and taking time to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the nature all around us--especially in the Spring and Fall!

Dinah Steele has an undergraduate degree both in Art and Music from Covenant College, as well as a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University. She has taught children ages 2-9 years in many different learning settings and has found her sweet spot teaching K/1 and Boots & Roots with Redemptive Education. Dinah finds delight in watching her students live into the people that God has created them to be. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys watercolor painting, gardening, making home herbal remedies and spending time with her family.

Natalee Stotz has taught grades three through twelve in Christian schools in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, for 25 years. She earned her master's in education from Antioch University New England in Foundations of Education, Problem-Based Learning and Critical Skills. She has trained teachers and developed curricula and programs for charter and Christian schools. She always seeks opportunities to share her passions for experiential, integrated learning, the outdoors and literacy. A Registered Maine Guide, Natalee enjoys wandering in the woods, exploring the waterways in her kayak, skiing with her niece and nephews or snuggling with her cat and reading a book.

Teresa Benner graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in spring of 2014, and in 2024, she received her TESOL certification. During her kindergarten through her high school years, however, she was homeschooled. Miss Benner went on from university to substitute teach for two years in Ohio. She then taught elementary and middle school music for four years in Florida. After that, she taught preschool through high school music for four years in Africa. Miss Benner is passionate about discovering majesty, wonder, and hope with students as they live as a part of God’s good creation.

Abby Waldron holds a degree in secondary English education from the Pennsylvania State University as well as a master of fine arts in creative nonfiction writing from George Mason University. She has taught middle school and college English courses, homeschooled her own three children, and volunteered as a youth leader in church and scouting contexts. A published writer herself, she loves exploring language and literature with students and helping them discover the power of their words and stories. In her free time, Abby enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and adventures with her husband and children.