Faculty and Staff
Due to the unique nature of our mission – collaboration with parents, servant leadership motif, character development, classical education – there are few formal courses of education that equip teachers for Greenhouse. Therefore, as we "pray in" our faculty and staff, we are open to those without traditional classroom training. We look for those who are passionate about their subjects, passionate about the Lord, and passionate about children. It is a rare person who teaches at Greenhouse. Several of our faculty have a background in conventional classroom settings. Others’ experiences are in co-op and non-traditional settings. Some are certified, some are not. All receive ongoing training related to our particular mission.
Our teachers have taught at Greenhouse for 7 years on average.
*Look for a badge after the biographies below to see which faculty and staff members have reached 5, 10, 15 and 20 years with Greenhouse Co-School.
Faculty
Jessica Ajayi, History & Literature
LOGIC FACULTY
Bio coming soon
Alyssa Barringer, Latin & Improv
ELECTIVE FACULTY
Mrs. Barringer -- Magistra Barringer, if you're a Latin student -- has been teaching Latin since 2012. She studied English and theater at Wheaton College. When she’s not at the Greenhouse, you might find her illustrating Roman legends with stick figures, practicing with her conversational Latin group, performing improvisational theater at Westside Improv, or reading stacks and stacks of books with her children. She attends Christ Our Advocate in Wheaton with her husband, son and daughter.
Margaret Bell, Etiquette
ELECTIVE FACULTY
Margaret Bell grew up in the highest village in Ireland in County Wicklow where she learned the art of properly relating to people in her family-owned store. She attended Mount Sackville, an international boarding school in Dublin, and appeared as a debutante in the social season, as well as a hostess for medieval Irish banquets. She graduated from St. Anne’s Finishing School in Dublin where she studied the Domestic Arts. A former homeschooling mom, Margaret has taught at the Greenhouse since 2012. Memorizing Scripture and forming Christian character with the aid of correct manners towards others are her passions.
Mary Cipriano, Science
GRAMMAR FACULTY
Mrs. Cipriano became associated with Greenhouse in 2005, when her youngest son attended core classes. It was while homeschooling her four sons that she developed a love for all things “science” and began teaching in various co-op settings. For seventeen years, God has blessed her with the opportunity to inspire children to love science - here at Greenhouse. She has a background in physical therapy with a degree from SIU. Mrs. Cipriano’s favorite things include grandchildren, hiking, biking and looking for rocks, plants and bugs. She and her husband Gary attend Wheaton Bible Church.
Lynne Cowell, Grammar Lead Teacher, History & Literature
GRAMMAR FACULTY
Mrs. Cowell began teaching at the Grammar level in the fall of 2017. She graduated from Taylor University with a BA in Elementary Education and a Kindergarten Endorsement. Mrs. Cowell taught at Timothy Christian in Elmhurst before beginning her 20-year adventure of homeschooling her four children. During that time, she spent twelve years in parenting ministry. She and her husband now enjoy spending time together in their empty nest. Mrs. Cowell also delights in FaceTiming with her grandchildren, supporting her adult children, enjoying nature, and hosting tea parties.
Gerard Cruz, American Literature
RHETORIC FACULTY
Gerard Cruz first began teaching in 2002 in the Biblical and Theological Studies Department at Patten College. He became a secondary education teacher in 2007 at Fremont Christian School then at Wheaton Academy. He holds an MA and a ThM in Biblical Studies. Gerard is married to Karena, an elementary teacher in CUSD 200. They have two kids: Emily graduated from Wheaton College (2023) and Kaleb attends Belmont University. When not at Greenhouse, Gerard works as a proofreader for Crossway.
Matthew Dominguez, Ancient Literature
RHETORIC FACULTY
For over 20 years, Mr. Dominguez has been a literature teacher, adventure ambassador, educational trainer, speaker, and writer. In 2023, he started teaching at Greenhouse after having been a Greenhouse dad (since 2014) and board member. He loves stories and utilizes great literature to unlock the life-transforming power of language and story. He finds great joy in helping people see that all great stories, all great authors, all great literature point us to the True Great Story that the True Author is writing—the one we are all in — the “True Myth” – as C.S. Lewis calls it.
Susan Fischer, Electives Lead Teacher, Spanish
ELECTIVE FACULTY
A certified high school instructor with a BA in Spanish, a BS in Psychology, and an MA in Liberal Arts, Mrs. Fischer has taught Spanish from entry level all the way up to AP in a variety of venues, not only at a few Illinois public high schools, but also from her own living room and at the University of Illinois. When not feverishly overdoing her PowerPoints, Mrs. Fischer enjoys biking, traveling anywhere whenever possible, and strengthening women of all ages in their faith. She loves Jesus and delights in teaching anything to anyone, so the Greenhouse is a great fit for her!
Janet Geiger, Logic Lead Teacher, Science
LOGIC FACULTY
Mrs. Geiger has been teaching Logic Science at Greenhouse since 2011. She received a BS in chemistry from Wheaton College and received her MA in Teaching with Certification from Aurora University. She loves showing students the amazing world God created. She also taught violin for 27 years, so her three adult children grew up thinking science experiments in the kitchen and violins stacked in the living room were normal. Running, gardening and knitting are down-time activities for her. She attends and plays violin at Gospel City Church in Aurora, with her husband Jeff.
Kim Gerber, Science
LOGIC FACULTY
Mr. Gerber came to Greenhouse in 2023 after having taught science at Calumet Baptist High School in Indiana, Wheaton Academy, and Leyden High school in Franklin Park. He retired from Leyen in 2018. He enjoys road trips all over the USA to visit family and friends and observing God’s created world. Mr. Gerber enjoys using science to help students observe, understand, and appreciate God’s created world.
Debbie Gottlieb, Thesis Coach, Sub
RHETORIC FACULTY
Mrs. Gottlieb has been with the Greenhouse since 2006 and with the Rhetoric program since its inception. She served as Dean of Rhetoric from 2017-21. She has a B.S.Ed. (K-12/Special Education), as well as graduate work in Curriculum and Supervision, and has taught in a wide variety of public, private, and collegiate venues. She and her husband, Steve, have five adult children, all homeschooled grades K-12. Mrs. Gottlieb loves teaching students to read, discuss, and write about literature and life from a Christian perspective. When she is not at the Greenhouse, you are likely to find her reading, gardening, or playing with some of her fourteen grandchildren. She and her husband Steve are members of Wheaton Bible Church, serving with the tech crew and maturing adults.
Jenn Hankes, Science
GRAMMAR FACULTY
After earning a BA in Elementary Education, Jenn Hankes taught (K-3rd) in CUSD 200 during which she completed a MA in Elementary Education with a concentration in ELL. Creating life-long learners with the understanding that Jesus is Creator and Sustainer of everything is the heart of their homeschool. Jenn, Rob and their four boys call College Church home. Other joys include crafting, connecting with friends, consuming books, or cooking creatively with home-grown ingredients.
Clarinda James, History & Literature
GRAMMAR FACULTY
Mrs. James has taught at the Grammar level since 2009. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College and an M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from NLU. For 10 years she taught in the Wheaton school district. In 2005, Jeff and Clarinda’s two eldest children began learning at Greenhouse; all five children have attended over the years. When she is not bringing history to life through dressing up, food, experiences, and stories, Clarinda continues teaching their youngest at home, and enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling. The James family worships at Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton. Mrs. James was home schooled herself while growing up as a third culture kid (TCK, aka missionary kid) on the island of Borneo in Malaysia.
Stacie Johnson, History & Literature
LOGIC FACULTY
Stacie Johnson graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a BA in Bible and Theology in 2003, then attended Grand Valley State University where she earned her MA in Education. After almost a decade teaching high school English and Literature in the Chicago Public Schools, Stacie moved with her husband, Marcus, to St. Charles where they currently home school their four boys. She is excited to venture “further up and further in” at Greenhouse as she shares her passion for Christ and theology, as well as her love for literature and history, with students. In her free time, she loves homesteading, woodworking, and reading. She attends St. Mark’s Church in Geneva with her family.
Mary Kiel, Principal
GRAMMAR, LOGIC, RHETORIC, ELECTIVE FACULTY
Mrs. Kiel obtained a Bachelor's in World History, Secondary Education, and Psychology from Trinity Christian College. She first called Greenhouse home in 2012, teaching history and literature. Passionate about equipping students, teachers, parents and faculty alike, Mrs. Kiel now tends to the Greenhouse community as Principal. She delights in fiction, learns daily from her adult children, teaches the kindergarteners at Community Fellowship Church with her husband Brian, and paints miniature houses for Christmas.
David LaPlaca, Art
GRAMMAR, LOGIC FACULTY
As an art director in publishing, Mr. LaPlaca designed and illustrated a wide variety of books. A father of four homeschooled children, David serves on the worship team of Immanuel Presbyterian Church and enjoys creating sacred art for the church year. He holds degrees in art and music, and discovers joy in making and restoring harps, preparing beautiful edible creations, and constructing the occasional castle or puppet theater. Mr. LaPlaca has taught at Greenhouse since 2011.
Hal Metzger, Drawing, Painting
ELECTIVE FACULTY
Mr. Metzger couldn’t stop drawing and painting when he was a little boy. His passion for art has grown since he started focusing on God as the original great Creator and the source of all creativity. He desires to use his creative gift as a form of worship to God. Mr. Metzger graduated in Fine Arts and Architecture at the University of Illinois and also studied in Paris, France. He taught art at a Christian school and it’s been a dream of his to teach art at Greenhouse. He finds great satisfaction in encouraging students to discover their own unique creative process and use their artistic gifts to their greatest potential. Mr. Metzger and his wife Sandy were homeschool pioneers in the 80’s with their seven children. They attend Pathway Community Church in Elmhurst.
Becky Michel, Lit Circles, Writers Workshop
ELECTIVE FACULTY
Mrs. Michel was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at age 23 and again nearly three decades later. But God! With eternity in mind – she invests her life intentionally – including 20 years homeschooling three (miracle!) children. In 2009 the Lord led Becky to Greenhouse, matching gifts with mission. Becky believes she is alive for others’ joy and growth in the faith, and she is committed to nurturing readers, writers, and Jesus-followers.
Melissa Milford (‘16), Performing Arts
GRAMMAR, LOGIC FACULTY
Miss Milford began studying viola at age five, started teaching privately while she was a Rhetoric student at Greenhouse, and never stopped. She holds a B.M. degree in Music Pedagogy from Wheaton College and an M.M. in Viola Performance from Northern Illinois University. She is thrilled to be back at Greenhouse and sharing her enthusiasm of all things music. When she isn’t teaching, you can probably find Miss Milford baking, reading, or making videos with her kitties. She also loves canoeing and creative writing. She is a member of College Church in Wheaton.
Joy Magee O’Reagan, British Literature & Church History
RHETORIC FACULTY
Mrs. O'Reagan has been teaching at Greenhouse since 2014. She grew up as a homeschooler in San Diego, and then continued her education at the INSIGHT global studies program at the U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, CA. From there, she transferred to Wheaton College, where she graduated with a BA in English Literature and an MA in Christian Formation & Ministry. Mrs. O'Reagan loves talking with students about life and faith. When she's not at Greenhouse, she loves to travel, sing, take long walks on the Prairie Path, and homeschool her own young children. Her family attends Church of the Resurrection.
Dr. Grady Parker, Rhetoric Lead Teacher, History
RHETORIC FACULTY
Dr. Parker began teaching at Greenhouse in 2007. He holds a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Music History and Literature, an MA in Intellectual History from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D in Modern British History from Trinity College Dublin. Besides his work at Greenhouse, he previously taught early modern and imperial British history at Trinity College Dublin. His research interests include 19th century British domestic politics and foreign policy. When he isn't teaching, Dr. Parker enjoys traveling and collecting antiquarian and rare books. He attends St. Mark’s Church in Geneva. Dr. Parker was himself homeschooled.
Dr. Karen Smith, Help & Hope Administrator
HELP & HOPE
Dr. Karen Sue Smith has a B.A. degree in Psychology from Taylor University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. In March 2022 she completed a Doctorate in Prophetic Ministry from Christian Leadership University. Throughout her twenty years of homeschooling, she has enjoyed learning how to help children overcome learning difficulties and nurturing their strengths through her training with SOI and Brain Gym. She loves helping each child thrive and not just survive so learning is a joy. She and her family worship at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton.
Lanie Van Wjyk, Help & Hope Practitioner
HELP & HOPE
After graduating at the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 1992, Mrs. VanWijk worked as an Occupational Therapist at Denmar mental hospital. She then spent some time in Israel, got married and moved to the U.S. in 1998. She worked at U46 and C.A.S.E. The VanWijks have homeschooled their daughter and son (now both in high school) since first grade. All her interests came together at Help and Hope as she nurtures the student’s abilities to fulfill their unique callings. Mrs. VanWijk attends College Church and enjoys nature walks, biking and traveling together with her family.
Lynnette Walko, Science
RHETORIC FACULTY
Mrs. Walko began teaching Logic-level science at Greenhouse in 2018. Previously a preschool special education teacher, she has been homeschooling her six children for a decade. She has always been most excited about teaching science, which has included assistant coaching Science Olympiad teams, both at the junior and senior high levels. Her other interests include knitting, crocheting, baking, and playing flute. She has a BS in Communications Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University and a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She and her husband Don attend Horizon Community Church in Downers Grove.
Benton Wedge, Orchestra
ELECTIVE FACULTY
A graduate of Northwestern University (BMus and MMus, viola performance), Benton Wedge has performed with the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Symphony. He has been led to increasingly focus his energy toward music education and has been a founder of Cadence Youth Orchestras and Lakeside Academy Music School in NW Indiana where he lives with his wife Jessica, and their homeschooled children Nina and Evan. He plays violin every Sunday at Faith Bible Church.
Robin Wiper, Performing Arts
GRAMMAR, LOGIC FACULTY
Robin Wiper loves all things Performing Arts and loves to find ways to help others to enjoy them as well. She believes that educated performers and audiences are a gift to one another and is excited to be at the Greenhouse teaching the art and history of being both. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BMUS in Vocal Performance and a MM in Vocal Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and has had the blessing of performing all over the world. A veteran homeschool mother of four Greenhouse graduates, Mrs. Wiper also currently teaches private voice both at her home studio and at Wheaton North High School. Family, coffee, walking/running/hiking and reading are some of her favorite things.
Kari Ziman, Biology, Physics, Modern Literature
RHETORIC FACULTY
Kari and her husband homeschooled their four daughters for over 10 years, first attending Greenhouse in 2018. Kari graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and an English minor, while also fulfilling Pre-Med requirements and playing on the basketball and soccer teams. She has an MA in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and received a CA K-12 teaching certificate with a high school Science and English emphasis. Kari taught Biology and Physics at the American School in Japan, 6th grade and 1st grade in California, and multiple grade levels here in Wheaton with Classical Conversations for 8 years. She loves to equip students with the necessary skills to shine light on truth, demonstrate integrity, and grow in confidence of their God given abilities. She attends Gospel Fellowship Church where her husband is a lead pastor.
Administration
Tom Spacek, Head of Co-School, Director of Outreach Mission
As the co-founder of Greenhouse and first Head of Co-School, Tom has been championing the mission and shepherding the vision since the turn of the century. Tom has always been a self-learner, despite not having been home-schooled himself! A graduate of Emmaus Bible College, he has been serving various congregations and ministries for more than 35 years. Many believe that Tom embodies the servant leadership ideal to which we call our students. He and Jennifer have worked together at Greenhouse since its launch, during which time they have also raised their four children, all Greenhouse alumni. The Spaceks live in Wheaton and worship at Church of the Resurrection.
David Bendele, Facilities & Safety Manager, Executive Assistant
David Bendele is a home-schooled missionary kid who has traveled the world. He was born in Guatemala and moved to Australia when he was seven years old. He was in high school in Argentina and studied pastoral ministry in the USA. When David is not fixing things, he likes to read and listen to podcasts or explore international food. David met his wife in Chicago and they were married in Malaysia where she is from. Now they have a baby girl and they love her deeply.
Abigail Faber (‘23), Front Desk Team
Photo & bio coming soon!
Venicé Garcia, Executive Assistant for Core Program
Venicé worked as a dental assistant, administrative assistant and meeting planner before she got the best job in the world and became a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. Homeschooling her sons for six years and being part of the Greenhouse community have been some of their best family times. She was delighted to return as staff to the Greenhouse in May, 2018. She has lived in Illinois her whole life and is married to her high school sweetheart for 35+ years. She and her husband attend The Dwelling Place, a seed church, and are excited to be part of their administrative team.
Michelle Keil, Volunteer & Event Coordinator
Born and raised in San Diego, Michelle never guessed she would be living in a Chicago suburb. After the birth of their first child, she and her husband felt God moving them from Southern California to Washington, D.C. Later, God moved them two more times and in 2014, landed them in Chicagoland. Michelle has worked in hospitality and guest services in a variety of settings and started working at Greenhouse in 2019. They have four children and began homeschooling in 2013.
Barb Kiehn, Executive Assistant for Business Office
Barb began working at Greenhouse in December 2018, but her family has been a part of the Greenhouse community since the fall of 2009. She has homeschooled her three children and has been blessed by the people who have poured into her family along the way. She is thrilled to be able to work at Greenhouse, serving alongside others who are raising the next generation of servant leaders. She and her husband live in Naperville and are members of Grace Pointe Church, where you can find her happily teaching the two- and three-year olds’ Sunday school class.
Gabi Reczek, Executive Assistant for Outreach Mission
Gabi and her husband have always homeschooled their children - first joining the Greenhouse in 2006. She is passionate about connecting people to each other, Greenhouse, and Jesus. In addition to shepherding her youngest child through her final years of high school, Gabi is an advocate for the unborn and their mothers, and has volunteered as a La Leche League leader for 15 years. When it’s time to recharge, you will find Gabi reading (everything!), sewing, and taking epic road trips with her family.
Emerson Slaughter, Marketing Team
Emerson holds a BA in Elementary Education from Wheaton College and is passionate about visionary approaches to schooling. While she wasn’t homeschooled, she has enjoyed an eclectic education living and learning in many places around the world. She is grateful to share the stories of the Greenhouse community as a member of the marketing team. She also teaches homeschoolers at a farm school in Geneva, integrating seasonal, nature-based academic enrichment with homesteading experiences. She loves to encounter God by gathering with friends around the table, choral singing, walking in nature, and worshiping at Church of the Resurrection.
Hal Metzger, Marketing Team
Hal greatly enjoyed his professional marketing career for many years. In the year 2000 he and his wife, Sandy, became involved in an outreach ministry to visiting scholars from China attending Chicago area universities. Hal and Sandy started making many trips to China to follow up on those who had returned to China to encourage them in their decision for Christ. In 2011 Hal made a major career change as he started teaching Marketing in several Chinese universities as a platform for the Gospel. Hal sees his position on the Greenhouse Marketing Team as a natural extension of his career in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jerry Smith, Operations Manager
Born and raised in Chicago, Jerry’s first job at the age of 15 was delivering newspapers in the local neighborhood. After high school, he started as a mechanic in a truck shop and was soon tuning up diesel engines and working on the big rigs. After working in the airline industry for several years, he launched a career in finance where he started part-time in a payroll department and then moved to cash management, IT, and supply chain management. He married Jennifer in 2010 and they now have two lovely dogs (Doc and Sadie) who keep them busy. They attend Fox Valley Church in Carpentersville and periodically have Passover dinners and Suka building parties at their home in Elgin. Jerry attends a wonderful group on Saturday morning where men learn about their identity in Christ and work together to reach their potential as men of God.
Lour Volkart, Registrar, Executive Assistant for the Elective Program
Lour graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BS in Biochemistry, and spent almost a decade in protein structure research at Argonne National Laboratory. The Lord then led her and her husband Anthony to a different path - towards cross-cultural ministry among Muslims in the Middle East with International Teams (now One Collective). They hoped to be there long-term, however their time was cut short due to ongoing conflicts in the area and they returned to the US, settling in Wheaton near relatives and family. Lour started working at Greenhouse in 2018, not knowing that God was preparing her for another adventure by surrounding her in a supportive homeschooling community. In 2020, she joined the ranks of millions of families across the US in a decision to become first-time homeschoolers during the pandemic. She is a member of Church of the Resurrection with her husband and 3 children.
Susie Wetherington, Front Desk Team
Susie has worn many hats. She was an at-home mother of five, a day-care provider, a local news correspondent and copy editor for two Wisconsin newspapers, and worked with economic development in Green County, WI. A sudden move landed her in Illinois as a nanny. Susie's three local grandchildren graduated from Greenhouse. She's a member of Church of the Resurrection, Wheaton. Besides reading, walking and knitting, in her spare time she visits her children and grandchildren in Minnesota, Colorado, and New Hampshire.