THELMA ENGLISH

Teaches: American Literature, and Shakespearean Literature

Education & Experience: Thelma attended Western Seminary in Portland part-time for four years. Thelma has been teaching home educated teens for over 14 years. Thelma's goals are to make the study of literature relevant to Christianity and to help students learn how to engage their culture in positive, life-changing ways.

KIM HAYES

Teaches: Biology

Education & Experience: Mrs. Hayes is very well qualified not only as a home school mom of two for 22 years, but also as a science teacher. Mrs. Hayes has worked with the home schooling community in the past, serving as a science teacher for several home school groups. Before this she also worked as an X-ray technician and trained in all areas of laboratory science. Mrs. Hayes is a longtime resident of Oregon. She attended Oregon College of Education and Portland Community College. She has received her X-ray license and has her Associates in Applied Science

LINDA HITZ

Teaches: Jr. High Drawing, Color In Art, Adv. Art Lab

Education & Experience: Linda worked in Child Development and in Art throughout her Senior year in high school. She also studied Interior Design at Bassist College.

JERRY JONES

Teaches:  Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Chemistry, Physical Science, Geometry

Education & Experience: Jerry has 3 years Engineering Studies at UCLA; BS in Mathematics at Warner Pacific College and a Masters of Religion/Pastoral Studies at Warner Pacific College. In the past Jerry has taught many core Junior High & High School classes, including the Sciences, Math, English Grammer & Literature, History/Geography/Government, as well as Biblical Studies. Now in his 17th year teaching in Christian high schools, Jerry has also been a homeschool father for 24 years. He and his wife, DaniJo, have four children.

MIKE SHROCK

Teaches: Government/Economics

Education & Experience: Mike Shrock is a graduate of Baylor University with a BA in business administration. He taught high school in Belize Central America for 3 years and currently runs a family landscape contracting business. Mike is active in the political process and is currently a precinct committee person, on the Marion County Planning Commission, and the North Marion School District Budget Committee. Mike (and his wife Rhonda) have home schooled their four children.

JO EDWARDS

Teaches: Individualized Learning Program

Education & Experience : Jo Edwards holds both BA and MS Ed. degrees in special education and is a licensed teacher. In addition to home schooling her children through high school, she has taught in public school and eleven years at a small Christian school. Her specialty is teaching in a multi-age classroom that includes students with special needs.

RANDY SOUDERS

Teaches: US History

Education and Experience: Randy graduated from Warner Pacific College in 1978. He has taught US History at Basic Skills for the last 7 years.

NATALIE TRUST

Teaches: Writing Fundamentals

Education & Experience: Natalie Trust has enjoyed teaching various levels of high school English, Literature, and Drama courses over the past four years. She is passionate about instilling a love for learning in her students and encourages them to continually challenge themselves. She has also privately coached students for contest/scholarship writing. Most recently, one of her writing students received a full ride scholarship to OSU and several other students received numerous cash awards for the Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Essay contest and The Veterans of Foreign War National Essay Contest. Natalie received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Warner Pacific College. She enjoyed a variety of internships during her college career, including Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, The Early Learning Center, and The Dougy Center. Natalie lives with her beloved dog Libby and enjoys writing, theater, and music. She loves spending time with family and friends, especially over cups of coffee. She is currently working on publishing her first book.

ALLISON BRANDOW

Teaches: Effective Writer Program, Journalism, and various other subjects

Alumna of Basic Skills, Allison received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Multnomah University.  Since graduating, she has interned for the Oregon Business Magazine and has done freelance writing for several businesses.  Allison enjoys writing and grammar as well as baking, hiking and spending time with her fiance, Josh. She started working at Basic Skills in the winter of 2011.