Instructors
Nicole Bettger
I’m Nicole Bettger, a proud mom of three and passionate advocate for personalized education. After years in Denver, my family returned to Ohio, where our homeschooling journey began during the pandemic. What started as a necessity became a deeply rewarding experience that transformed how I approach learning and teaching.
Homeschooling allowed me to tailor education to my youngest son’s needs, nurturing both his confidence and academic growth. This journey inspired my commitment to hands-on, creative learning and brought us to the welcoming Mid-Ohio Christian Co-Op community in 2024.
With a background in business administration and 15 years in mortgage operations, I bring both structure and creativity to the classroom. I currently teach Creative Writing for Young Storytellers, Middle School Creative Writing, and Creative Art Explorers. I'm honored to serve as a trustee and excited to support the growth of our children in this vibrant learning environment.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your child’s educational journey!
Angie Daye
Angie Daye and her husband, who have been married since 2003, live in Somerset and have 5 children together, and 4 bonus children ages 3- 25, and several amazing grand children. They have been homeschooling their children since 2012. Angie holds a Bachelor's degree in business management, and has been a virtual assistant, and dabbled in e-commerce over the years. Angie has worked in education most of her working years.. She began working in an early education center in 2001, where she worked for 10 years as a teacher of varied ages, hooked on phonics teacher, administrator, bookkeeper, staff trainer, health and safety coordinator and more. After their third child was born, it was important for Angie to stay home and raise their children and homeschool. Angie has also taught ESL virtually for several years, to children of all ages, up through adults. She has also coached younger and upper elementary basketball and volleyball locally for a few seasons. Although she loves teaching in any situation, her heart is at home with her family. She continues to have a passion for education, and puts that to use with her children, through schooling at home, fun adventures, and homesteading as a family. Angie enjoys gardening, tending to her homestead, adventures with her family, and good coffee. Angie has been at MOCC since 2022. She is one of our Trustees and will be teaching preschool classes and Digital Design with Canva. She is looking forward to planning fun learning activities with the preschoolers, and helping them learn by play!
Mrs. Juliet DePriest
Juliet DePriest holds degrees from Muskingum University and Ashland Theological Seminary and is currently an adjunct professor with Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Indiana Wesleyan University. She has been teaching for over twenty years and has a wide range of experience including serving as a youth pastor and teaching language arts at a Christian school. Juliet has increasingly felt led to become a part of the homeschool movement and is hoping to teach Bible, essay and research writing, and critical thinking skills at MOCC. She is also available as a tutor in English for grades 7-12. Juliet is married to Charley who serves as the lead mental health therapist at COTC/OSU-N. When not teaching and counseling, Juliet and Charley enjoy travelling, hiking, and spoiling their 16-pound shorkie-tzu Winston who has his own backpack and stroller for their adventures! They attend Cornerstone Church in Heath.
Jessica Dermer
Hi, I’m Jess Dermer. I’m a homeschooling mom of four, and we’ve been part of the ELCC community since 2019. I married my high school sweetheart, Rob, and together we’ve built a life full of learning, faith, and a lot of grace. We live in Newark on a little homestead where we keep chickens, quail, rabbits, and other various animals. We’re slowly learning how to garden and figuring things out one season at a time. Life’s a bit chaotic some days, but full of purpose and joy—even in the mess. Two of our kids have graduated from the program, and we’re continuing the journey with our younger two.
Before homeschooling, I worked as a licensed practical nurse. These days, I pour my energy into our home and homeschool—doing my best to create a space where our family can learn and thrive (with the help of strong coffee and God’s grace). Since 2019, our family has attended Infinite Church in New Albany, where we’ve found a strong, faith-filled community. We love being involved and serving together as a family. Our faith is the foundation of everything we do, shaping how we live, parent, and educate.
I also serve within the MOCC community as the Board Moderator and help plan and coordinate field trips throughout the year. I count it a blessing to be part of a group that values connection, encouragement, and walking this journey side by side.
I’m grateful to walk this homeschool journey alongside such a supportive group of families and look forward to another year of growing together—with God’s grace and a lot of coffee.
Jeannette Dixon
Jeannette Dixon and her husband Joe started homeschooling their children in the fall of 2020 when their oldest was beginning Kindergarten. Homeschooling was never really a thought to her or Joe but the pandemic led them to homeschooling and now they joke that it’s the thing they started and don’t know how to quit. Truthfully they would never want to quit it now. “God led us right to homeschooling, something that wasn’t our plan. It’s a beautiful experience to be in the unknown, to fully surrender to God and let him walk the journey with you,” says Jeannette. While Joe works outside the home and Jeannette does most of the “instruction”, we recognize education happens all the time, especially in play and the kids have so much fun learning with their dad too when he is home.
Jeannette certainly wasn’t new to education though. She holds two degrees in child development and education and she spent more than a decade at various public and private institutions teaching children, mentoring and coaching college students studying to become teachers and even designing curriculum. Jeannette is a big believer in the power of literature based learning and if your child is in her classes there will likely be a lot of reading and writing happening. So much can be learned with a good book and incorporating language arts into all study areas.
While homeschooling she also runs a home based fragrance and décor business and coaches hundreds of other entrepreneurs and home based business owners across the country and even internationally. In her spare time she doesn’t really care what she’s doing as long as it’s with the people she loves.
Amy Fraunfelter
Amy Fraunfelter and her husband Jeff have three children, Hunter (high school), Gabriella (high school) and Trapper (elementary). They have homeschooled from the beginning and believe that this has been a greatest blessing in their lives. Amy previously worked for a finance company. Jeff has been with the Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center since 2008. Amy has been attending MOCC since 2015 and teaching kindergarten since 2016.
Casey Green
Casey Green is a homeschooling mom of five, so she understands the challenges homeschooling parents face at every level. She has been teaching at ELCC since 2019. She is also a Senior Member of Civil Air Patrol, Licking County Composite Squadron. She functions as the Aerospace Education Officer for her local squadron, located at Everett Park in Newark. Casey is passionate about enriching children’s education and providing tools to educators and homeschooling parents to spark an interest in children’s minds regarding science. Casey also owns her own photography business, Pixelated Photography, located in Newark, Ohio.
Mrs. Sarah Hegemier
Hi, my name is Sarah Hegemier. My husband Nick, and I have two teenagers. We live in Morrow County on a small farm where our kids raise and show livestock all over the country. Before our two kids were born I was a Special Education teacher in the public schools. I also am very passionate about 4H and other youth livestock programs. I enjoy volunteering and helping youth in these programs.
Leigha Hickman
Leigha Hickman is a homeschool mother of three elementary aged kids who she has been teaching from the beginning of her oldest's education in 2018. Prior to moving back to Licking County in 2021, she was a Camp Financial Director, Homestead Director, and Homeschool Program Coordinator for a Christian camp in West Virginia. She has her degree in Business from Ohio Dominican University and had a career in finance for several years before deciding to stay home full-time with her children, and work part-time in student ministry. She is currently a part of her church's student leadership team. Even though she is usually involved with children through service projects, work, and ministry, she loves serving and building relationships with the whole family!
Jennifer Hicks
Jennifer Hicks is a homeschooling mother of 4. Arianne, Kamari, Mya & Lily, and married to Kam, and living in Newark. She has been homeschooling since her oldest was in kindergarten and appreciates the blessing of time it has afforded her with her children. You can almost always find her reading a good book or watching a crime show, baking, or cheering on her oldest who competitive dances. Jennifer has been with MOCC since 2023.
Mrs. Kristin Hupp
Kristin and her husband Andrew have two children (Lydia and Bella). She has been homeschooling her girls since February 2020. She loves the changes and freedoms homeschooling has afforded their family. The Hupp family is actively involved in their church. Kristin, Andrew, and Lydia all serve in the children's ministry. Kristin and Andrew also lead a small group of adult couples. In addition, Kristin is a host mom on a Motherhood Ministry Team. Kristin is a graduate of Ohio University. She invests her time trying to further God's Kingdom. In any spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, baking, working outside with her husband and spending quality time with her family. Being a wife and a mother is Kristin's biggest passion in life. She feels very blessed to live and walk out this calling on her life.
Kassia Lecuyer
My name is Kassia Lecuyer, I am married to my high school sweetheart Ryan Lecuyer. We have 3 kids together; Jamison, Aubriella and Logan. I am a stay at home homeschooling mom. We started homeschooling 2 years ago when my son started preschool. We attend Morelife’s church where I serve in the kids ministry and youth. I have always been passionate about teaching kids and speaking God’s word into them.
Before becoming a stay at home mom I worked in Dialysis for about 5 years and was in Nursing school. In my free time, you can find me outside and reading a good book.
Kayce Long
Kayce Long is a homeschooling mama who has attended MOCC since 2021 and 20 year veteran dance instructor at Millennium Academy of Irish Dance.
Grace Mock
Grace Mock has been with MOCC since 2022. Her hobbies include being outdoors and working on the farm as well as sewing. She is married to Brady Mock and they have one child. She has been a licensed EMT for ten years. She grew up in church and has been attending Linwood Bible Church near Thornville with her family. She is currently serving as a board member and is always ready for a conversation if anyone has any questions.
Mrs. Sigrid Neilsen
Sigrid Neilsen lives in Newark with her husband and 4 small children. She has homeschooled since their oldest was in kindergarten. She attended college and was very involved in the biology program before she left to serve in the military. She is retired from the United States Army where she served as a Combat Medic. Sigrid is now an amateur mycologist and forager. She has published field guides as well as taught classes at Dawes. Sigrid has been at ELCC since 2021.
John Raetzel
John is a full-time homeschool dad with a passion for math, coding, and engineering. After relocating from Tennessee to the Nashport, Ohio area, he and his wife have enjoyed raising their two children, Oliver and Chloe. Whether fishing, swimming, or exploring outside, the family thrives on outdoor adventure.
With a love for problem-solving, John brings an engaging approach to his teaching. He believes learning should be curiosity-driven and fun, and he enjoys guiding students as they discover how math applies to the world around them. In his free time, you’ll find him building a new app, debugging code, or having fun with his family.
Mrs. Gina Robichaux
Gina Robichaux lives in Newark with her husband and their two daughters. Her family started homeschooling and joined Mid-Ohio Christian Co-op in the fall of 2022. Gina is our Co-op President and also helps lead American Heritage Girls. She loves spending time with her family, going on road trips, and camping. She runs her own business, UE Services, which offers sewer cleaning and video inspection. Gina has an A.S. in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting. She’s currently teaching several classes at MOCC and enjoys being part of the co-op community.
Sabrina Schlabach
Sabrina and her husband are blessed with six children and four grandchildren. She has a degree in education and has been homeschooling 18 years. Her family lives on a small farm in Newark, is active in 4H, and in their church. They advocate for children in foster care and adoption. Sabrina has always had a heart for working with children - helping them learn, grow and explore the world around them. She enjoys gardening, being anywhere in nature, working with her hands, and gathering her family around the kitchen table. Sabrina is teaching a nature class and cursive writing class.
Lindsay Simon
Lindsay Simon, homeschool alumni has a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Muskingum University, a lifetime resident of Licking County she serves in various ministry positions at Christian Life Center with her husband, Michael and three children Ian, Aubrey, and Remy and is a 4H advisor. She works per diem at Licking Memorial Hospital in inpatient rehab and Oncology. Outside of homeschooling, work and volunteering she loves interior design, crocheting, gardening and caring for her dairy goats.
Heather Stokes
Heather Stokes has been married to her husband George for 18 years and has 4 children, 22,19, 16, and 12. They have homeschooled for 11 years and have had both sides of schooling, with the oldest 2 being in public school from elementary to the youngest being homeschooled all the way through. They homeschool for the freedom it gives us for the kids to learn how they learn best and the flexibility that is needed when life-threatening illnesses, deaths, injuries, etc. happen ( they have experience with all of this). They have been a part of the co-op for over 8 years and enjoy pouring into others as it has been done for our children. They live on a little piece of property with chickens, 4-H animals like pigs and goats, with the hopes of adding more down the road. Due to a long battle with health issues, she developed an interest in learning about natural alternatives to being healthy and is continuing to learn and research. Heather has a desire to live a life to glorify the Lord even when life is messy. She leads adult ministries at her church and helps the youth group alongside her husband, as she has a passion to pour into women and teens through bible studies & fellowship.
Quinn Stout
Quinn Stout has been homeschooled since 1st Grade and graduated high school from the Classical Conversations homeschool program in uptown Westerville. He is currently in college at Liberty University Online. Having been raised alongside his younger brother, who is also homeschooled, he has plenty of experience helping to teach. As a Sensei (“Teacher”), Quinn has been teaching Karate for over two years, at both YouSchool of Licking County and the YMCA Newark. Sensei Stout received his Black Belt in 2023, and is currently a Second-Degree Black Belt. He began learning Karate at age 16 under Sensei Todd Park and Sensei Daniel Swick at the YMCA Newark. He is now 20 and has experience teaching students of all levels as well as having won awards at State, National, and World level tournaments.
Mrs. Chrystina Tharp
Chrystina Tharp and her husband have been members of MOCC since 2021 and have homeschooled their daughter from the beginning. She is a leader in American Heritage Girls and serves as our co-op Treasurer. After the loss of their second daughter, Olive, in 2020, Chrystina and her family are committed to living with purpose and sharing her memory. She has a passion for science, adventure, and hands-on learning, and is excited to teach multiple engaging classes at co-op this school year.
Mrs. Lisa Vantilburg
Lisa VanTilburg has been a member of MOCC since 2018 and a homeschooling mom for 11 years. She has been a teacher in co-ops for most of those years. She has taught science, gym and cooking in past years, but her real love is history. She tries to bring history alive to her students and to help them love it as much as she does. Lisa comes from a long line of teachers. Her great-grandmother taught in a one room schoolhouse, her grandmother was a well-loved 3rd grade teacher in the Hilliard School District and her mother is a professor at a college in Arizona. She is mom to 5 children, 2 grandchildren and many, many, furred, feathered, and scaled kids. In her spare time, Lisa loves to bake and many of her creations are enjoyed in her history classes.
Cathy Wilson
My name is Cathy Wilson. I moved to Ohio in 2008 from Buffalo NY. I am married with a blended family of 5. We have 4 grown adult kids and and 5 grandkids. We have our daughter at home where I am am full time homeschooling mom. We enjoy camping ,swimming and softball. We spend our weekends on the ball field and with our family. We attend Life Change Church .
Mrs. Betsy Wright
Betsy Wright is a wife to a 6th generation farmer and mom to half a dozen children. She likes hot cups of coffee, conversation, community, crafting, and alliterations! She also loves raising crops, cattle, and kids.
Mary Zink
Mary has been attending coop classes since spring of 2022, and has been teaching since fall of 2024. She and her husband have four daughters that they have been homeschooling since 2015. She enjoys reading and learning alongside her kids. The kitchen is her favorite room in the house, and the garden is her favorite spot outside. She enjoys nature walks, family time, music and crafting. Mary will be teaching the sewing and crochet classes.