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Board Members
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| Chair - Emilie Fogle |
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I came to homeschooling in the early 1990’s, during a discussion with other moms from our cooperative preschool. There had been multiple discussions in the preschool over "play" versus preparation for kindergarten. After asking what exactly kindergarten did "for" the child, most moms agreed kindergarten helped teach children how to stand in line, and that this skill would serve them well. This was the moment our family realized public school would not be in our future. My husband Don and I, sons Isaac (22) and Carter (17) have always homeschooled, being mostly unschoolers. Isaac is presently a senior at Central Washington University. Carter is in his final year utilizing the Running Start program. I love Central Washington's great outdoors, and used it extensively during our early homeschooling years. I hold a first degree in Shudokan karate, love playing Taiko drums, and with the help of my Sensei, have made my own drum. My all-time passions are plants and my family. I have always enjoyed learning more about homeschooling and related laws.
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| V. Chair - Amy Beckstead-Leonard |
| Due to my positive experience as a homeschooled child, I decided to home-educate my own children long before their birth. Today, I'm part of a never-quiet household of five children, ranging in ages from twelve to one. I love the challenges of homeschooling, which I face daily, as I adapt to the needs of individuals at all different levels while trying to remain in one piece. In 2003, I began a homeschool co-op, Families Homeschooling for Excellence, and I enjoy the companionship of other families on their own educational journeys. I have served as the Treasurer of WHO for the past several years. I continue to volunteer on the Board to help ensure that homeschoolers in Washington retain the opportunity to homeschool independently, and to help them value this privilege. |
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| Secretary - Amanda Cohn |
I have a 15 year old daughter and a 13 year old son who have always been homeschooled. Before my kids were born I was convinced that homeschooling was bad for kids, but my perception was upturned when I met a wonderful homeschooling family in Chicago while my daughter was an infant. Once I learned homeschoolers could be let out of the home and enjoy their world at their own pace, I was hooked. I have been a member of WHO since my kids were pre-school age and have been active in the Seattle homeschooling community. I am honored to join the great folks on the WHO Board! I have a degree in archeology, and enjoy birding, exercising, cooking for kids with allergies, volunteering for my daughter's orchestra, reading, and knitting. |
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| Member-at-Large - Jen Garrison Stuber |
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| We fell into homeschooling in 2003, when my then seven year old became a second-grade drop-out. It was a bit of an adjustment for both of us, as my daughter had been at the school for just over 3 years, and I was making a radical transition from college professor to homeschool mom. But after those initial bumps, we haven't looked back. Homeschooling has allowed us to provide an education uniquely suited to our daughter's mismatched collection of strengths and weaknesses, catering to the former while mitigating the latter. Along the way, I became a vocal advocate for independent homeschooling, run a local support group (in Spokane, on the sunnyside of our state), and joined the WHO Board in January 2010. |
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| Member-at-Large - Holly Ramsey |
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| My homeschooling journey started in 2001 when I pulled my then 5 year-old out of private school. We have never regretted that decision. I now school two boys, ages 15 and 9. In addition, I have the privilege of teaching writing and Spanish in an academic co-op in Puyallup. My family is also very involved with the Mel Korum YMCA homeschool swim & gym program. Educating my children at home has allowed me to meet their unique needs and tailor programs that focus on their strengths and support their passions. It has also allowed us to build very strong family relationships. Throughout the last 10 years, I have become a strong advocate for homeschooling and my membership in WHO reflects my interest in keeping independent homeschooling available for future generations. |
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| Member-at-Large - Celiane Limes |
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| Member-at-Large Amber Mitchell |
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