We still have space in several classes!
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Vickie Rukavina
Science: Land Animals, Elementary American History, & Mystery of History Vol. 3
Mrs. Vickie Rukavina is a blessed mother to five children. Two have blessed the family with their marriage partners, whom we love dearly. God has enriched our lives beyond imagination with three precious grandsons, ages 3 down to 4 months. Prior to parenting her children, she and her husband were foster parents for about eight years, having the privilege of fostering about eighty children. Vickie has been married to John for 37 years.
Vickie has home educated all of her children to completion (graduation), with the exception of one child who attended public high school their senior year and graduated. One son graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a pastoral degree and is now the director of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Another son runs his own business called Ruklawn Care providing lawn services and snow removal. Her oldest child Joy, operates Joy's Piano Studio out of Vickie and John's home. Another son works as a finishing carpenter and her youngest daughter will be attending Sioux Falls University. A passion for learning, educating, and investing in the hearts of students has been the fuel that has motivated Vickie . It is of great importance to her to focus on the student's learning style and find productive ways to help them achieve understanding and training. Her style of teaching uses the multi-sensory approach and finds ways to make it meaningful and fun through video clips, games, repetition, pictures, stories of heroes, and timelines.
952-607-0565
Sarah Wicklander
US Constitution, Foundations in Personal Finance: Dave Ramsey, The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, High School Choir, Middle School Choir, Rainbow Science, Life Science, & Intro to Forensic Science
Mrs. Sarah Wicklander grew up in the woods of Northern Wisconsin, and accepted Jesus as her Savior, as a child. She earned a Bachelors of Music Education from St. Paul Bible College (Crown College). She's been married to her retired husband, Kerry, for almost 30 years, and homeschooled her two children from Kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating them in 2022 and 2023. Her son is entering his second year at Bethel University and her daughter will begin Cosmetology school in September. Mrs. Wicklander enjoys music, teaching, deer hunting back in her hometown, and spending time with family.
Jennifer Larson
IEW-A1, IEW-A2, & IEW-B
Ms. 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. She has four daughters – two college graduates, one in cosmetology school, and a junior. In addition to tutoring at HRT Academy, she tutors at South Heights and two Classical Conversations communities. Much to her children’s dismay, she is a grammar geek who actually enjoys diagramming sentences. Her dream is to someday become an author. You will usually find her wearing purple.
Joseph Rukavina
Possibly Returning for 2025-2026
Being able to disciple and pour into young Christians is a passion that God has laid upon my heart. Whether it is mentoring one on one or sharing with a group, I love seeing God shape and mold His young followers into His image. I have have been privileged to get my 4 year degree at Moody Bible Institute in Biblical Studies and been able to serve with the ministry Child Evangelism Fellowship. Both of these have shown me the importance of coming alongside and instructing young people as they discover the beauty and riches of what a deep relationship with Christ can look like. Building this foundation when they are young will help set the course for the rest of their life and give them something to stand on as they go out into this crazy world.
952-607-0759
Katie Hietala
Chemistry + Lab & Algebra I
Mrs. Katie Hietala is wife to Joseph for almost 20 years and mother to 5 children (ages 9-15). She graduated from the University of Colorado with a Mater’s in Biology in 2004. Katie taught undergraduate student lab courses for General Biology and Microbiology during her 3 years as a Master’s student. She has published a book chapter in a Microbiology textbook, as well as a handful of peer-reviewed journal articles. Prior to becoming a stay at home mother in 2016, Katie worked for the USDA as a Biology Technician and also for an ethanol plant as a Lab Manager. Homeschooling was always in the back of her mind, but she just didn’t think she was capable; God had other plans! When Covid hit the world, she quickly jumped into homeschooling and has not looked back. It’s definitely been a challenge, but so rewarding! Katie was a Bible Study Fellowship Children’s Leader for 5 years, teaching preschoolers weekly throughout the school year. Additionally, she has taught Sunday school and led Vacation Bible School for preschoolers. Katie and her husband serve through a ministry called Hockey Ministries International (HMI) where they meet with youth hockey players to provide the love of Christ through chapels. She enjoys being with her family and spending time together in their tiny house up on the south shore of Lake Superior! Katie has always enjoyed Science – especially Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Chemistry. To think that God thought of all these tiny little details for life to exist as we know it is absolutely mind-blowing! She is excited to get others excited about how creative our God is and how His grace is apparent each day we are here!
JOY WELLS
Piano Studio - piano lessons
Since age 5, Joy has been taking lessons and has accomplished piano to an advanced level. She has been teaching piano since 2009.
In each lesson, Joy includes theory, classical works, and looks for pieces of interest for the student.
952-607-0729
Johannah Rukavina
Preschool - Little Explorers
Mrs. Johannah Rukavina earned her Early Childhood Education degree from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and upon graduating, went on to teach preschool at Dodge Nature Preschool for the next five years before staying at home with her two young boys. Johannah has spent most of her life working with, and teaching young children, and finds the best tool that a teacher could have is a door to the outdoors (or better yet, no walls keeping us indoors!). Children experience a sense of safety and also respect when they are trusted to explore and follow their own ideas, and this leads to incredible, in-depth learning opportunities that we, as adults, could not create for them. Johannah is excited to offer a new learning opportunity to our families that not only brings young children outdoors, but engages them in God's wonderful creation as they learn essential social-emotional skills that will set them up for success in later life as they develop a deep love for learning.
jolene Ceravalo
Story Adventures, Middle School Literature, A Look Into Children's Literature: A Reading Adventure, Exploring America: High School American History, The Quest Crew, & Admin
Mrs. Jolene Ceravalo graduated in December, 2022, from Liberty University with a B.S. in English & Writing: Creative Writing. She is blessed to be married to Tony since March, 2005, and has six beautiful children (two of them in heaven). She enjoys homeschooling her two daughters and two sons. She is the founder/director of Shannon Tobias Memorial Christian Lending Library. She also has a blog and a podcast. She enjoys writing and speaking, as opportunities arise. Some of her favorite things are writing, reading (Christian fiction, Jane Austen, mom books, and so much more), classic films (Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and many more), travel, bed and breakfasts, photography, spending time with her family, growing her friendships, finding a great new recipe, and sending a handwritten note of encouragement – just to name a few! She is thankful for this opportunity to share her love of reading and good books with her students! And she is looking forward to being able to talk about American history with her students (as her dad had an avid interest in Christian American history).
J.P. Pressley
Possibly Returning for 2025-2026
J.P. Pressley is a writer, editor, and filmmaker with extensive experience across industries. The former homeschooler is an Editor at Manifest LLC, one of the nation’s leading content marketing agencies, where he helps create, cultivate, and curate multimedia content for a broad range of clients, such as Aflac and CDW (where he was previously a Web Editor for EdTech Magazine and is currently a Contributing Writer for BizTech Magazine). Prior to this, he worked at a small publishing company where he managed the marketing for over 200 authors worldwide.
On the film side, Pressley has worked in various capacities both in front of and behind the camera across a number of highly lauded (and not so lauded) feature films, television shows, and short films, ranging from Jon Chu’s In the Heights to Apple TV’s The Morning Show and more. In this arena, he presently works most closely with Daytime Emmy-nominated filmmaker Dui Jarrod.
Academically, Pressley has been guest lecturing at universities since he was in undergrad at The King’s College in NYC, where he graduated with a BA in Media, Culture, and the Arts. He later returned to the Christian college as a Lecturer of Writing after graduating from Lindenwood University’s MFA in Writing program.
A storyteller at heart and in practice, Pressley’s fictional prose is published or forthcoming in 365tomorrows, Litbreak Magazine, and elsewhere. On the rare occasion he’s not writing or storytelling via another medium, Pressley can be found at church, at the movie theater, and enjoying life in Brooklyn alongside his wife, Atira.
MERCEDES WILSON
Primary Art, Beginning Art, Advanced Art, Growing Life Skills, and Elementary Physical Education
Mercedes Wilson is an experienced homeschool teacher with a passion for art! With three years of homeschool teaching and many more years of Sunday school teaching under her belt, she's excited to share her love for creativity with students through her art classes. When she's not teaching, you can find her immersed in various art projects, from watercolor paintings to designing shirts with her Cricut machine. She enjoys creating handmade gifts for family and friends and decorations for her home, as well as exploring new crafts she discovers online. Mercedes has also showcased her talent in live art installments for creative evangelism during the May Day Parades and Art-A-Whirl in Minneapolis. Join her classes and unleash your artistic potential in a fun and inspiring environment!
terri Kenison
Advanced Digital Photography
Terri Kenison is a follower of Jesus, a wife, mother, grandmother, gardener, soap maker, and photographer in love with life! She has been married for 44 years to her amazing husband Donavon, and is the mother of 4 beautiful daughters, grandmother to 8 wonderful grandsons and 1 precious granddaughter. She started her photography adventure at Inver Hills Community College with black and white film and a dark room. From there she ventured into first communion photos and the start of her own sports photography business, Stop Action Sports. More recently she has been involved in Christian Ministry as the team photographer and videographer. For employment, Terri runs her own in-home childcare which she started in 1984. Through it all the love of photography has always been something close to her heart. It is through photography that she sees the love of God in His creation and marvels at His generosity towards His children.
tim green
Head of Student Support
Tim Green is a Christian father and husband who loves to watch sports, play golf, and ride his e-bike. He enjoys helping youth; he finds it very rewarding.
Jenny Franzwa
Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics
Jenny Franzwa earned her B.A. in Elementary Education, with a science specialty from MSU Mankato in 2004. She has homeschooled her six children (ages 7-18) from the beginning. Jenny has a passion for learning about and spending time in God's creation. In her free time, she enjoys camping, reading, baking, backyard bonfires, and family game nights. She uses a multi-sensory approach when teaching, including many hands-on activities and experiments. She seeks to meet kids wherever they are in skills and abilities. Above all, her goal in teaching science is to help students see the evidence of God's incredible love for us in His amazing creation.
julie nelson
Theater 1/Acting Techniques
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 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. But even more importantly, she has a passion for each student to know and experience the love of God, and to learn to use their talents to glorify the Lord and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! She is married, lives in Apple Valley, and has four boys whom she homeschooled for eleven years.