Mission Statement
At OliveWood Academy, we come alongside homeschooling families to challenge and inspire their children to discover their calling and purpose in the world. We create opportunities for them to discover their need for community, to give them skills to overcome and thrive through the struggles which shape them, and believe that together they can change the world for the Lord.
We listen humbly, challenge daily, and fail productively in order to discover our God-given, world changing calling.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and forgiveness and reconciliation with God is available to all people through faith in Jesus Christ alone. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man and is our representative and substitute through His death and resurrection.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3
Our Guides:
Abby Tsao
Co-founder and Launch Studio Guide
Abby is a follower of Jesus, widowed mother of three children, ages 16, 12, and 10. She is a passionate homeschool advocate, previously serving on the board of directors at G.I.F.T. (Godly Influenced Fine Arts Training). In this role, she was responsible for oversight and reengineering of operational and financial controls, as well as holding the role of Registrar. Abby was an accomplished efficiency expert at Nielsen as their Sr Director of Operations for their Custom Analytics division. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Statistics as well as a B.A. in Business Administration.
Marcia Turpin
Co-founder and Curiosity/Explorers Studio Guide
Marcia is a follower of Christ, wife to Tim, and mother of five. She is blessed to be “Grandma” to sweet Dominic and eagerly awaits another precious grandbaby on the way! She holds a degree in elementary education and served in children’s ministry for eighteen years. She began her family’s homeschooling adventure more than fourteen years ago. Marcia is the loudest cheerleader for the underdog and children who don’t learn through traditional methods. She believes that some of the best lessons come through trying, failing, and trying again. The cry of her heart is to help children discover the unique ways God has gifted them and to encourage them to use those gifts as they wholeheartedly pursue Christ.
Amber Cortes
Logic Studio Guide
Amber is the middle school guide, wife, and mother of three children whom she has homeschooled for several years. She loves Jesus and trusts His plan for her life. With a resourceful and silly spirit, she brings joy to learning—especially when teaching IEW and making grammar fun. Amber believes honesty is the best policy and is passionate about helping students grow in the four C’s—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity—while deepening their love for others and for Jesus.
Jen Archer
Logic Studio Guide Assistant
Jen is, first and foremost, a follower of Jesus Christ. She is grateful to be Malcolm’s wife and the mother of four children, now ages 29, 18, 16, and 12. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and began her teaching career in Kindergarten before following the Lord’s leading to homeschool her children. That journey has brought her deep joy as she has learned and grown alongside them, teaching and training them in God’s truth. After serving as a Children’s Ministry Assistant for ten years, Jen is now excited to be co-teaching at OliveWood. She finds great joy in watching children learn from one another and, even more, in witnessing their growth in Christ. Her prayer is that each child would know they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and choose to surrender their lives to Him (Galatians 2:20).
Katie Jerome
Discovery Studio and Gym Guide
Katie Jerome is a follower of Jesus, wife to Jerry, and mom to four Olivewood Eagles. She is passionate about homeschooling and the value of strong family connections, having homeschooled her children for the past 10 years. In addition to her role as a homeschool mom, Katie serves as the Chief of Staff for Illinois Right to Life, a pro-life nonprofit organization based in Chicago. She served on Children's Ministry staff for over 15 years as well. Her faith in Jesus guides every part of her life, and her greatest desire is for others to come to know Him and find their true value and worth in Him.
Emerson Archer
Discovery Studio Guide Assistant
Above all else, Emerson is a lover of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Next to him, children definitely hold a special place in her heart, which is why she adores being an assistant guide at OliveWood. She is currently studying for her associate’s degree in education online at Liberty University because she can see herself working with kids the rest of her life. She loves the energy and creativity they bring to every day. She hopes that by imitating Christ she can make an impact in children’s lives by being an example of his love and selflessness. And, of course, the fact that she’s allowed to be fun and share lots of laughter on the job doesn’t hurt at all.
Carrie Krueger
Art Studio Guide
Judy Ebbing
Curriculum and Education Consultant
Judy is a follower of Jesus, wife to Mike for over 42 years, mother to two adult children and grandmother to 5 children. Judy holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Xavier University and is National Board Certified. She has served over 25 years as a Teacher Leader in the classroom, in addition to being the district Team Leader for curriculum development for Math and Science. Her excellence in this area garnered the attention of the district’s board and she was offered the district wide Math and Science curriculum development position in 2015. She developed from ground up a self sustaining STEAM lab including writing and coordinating curriculum for use by teachers for grades 1-6. Her most rewarding teaching experience comes from teaching math and science to hundreds of students, gifted, average and struggling students. Judy is currently working with an interactive online math program, developing curriculum for their Pre-Algebra course.
Education & Experience:
Master’s Degree in Education – Xavier University
Current Licensed Teacher
National Board Certified Teacher – Middle School
20+ years serving as a Teacher Leader in Lakota Local Schools
Curriculum Team Leader – Science and Math (20+ years)
STEAM Lab Teacher and Lab Coordinator (5 years)
Teacher Leader – Creation of Outdoor Learning Center in Elementary School ( 800+ students)
Certified Test Proctor for ACT
Awarded District Teacher of the Year, 2014
Recognized as Top Educator in the State, 2014
Current Work:
Education Consultant – STEM, Curriculum Development, Math and Science
Licensed Teacher – Substitute Teacher in OH
Curriculum Development for Pre Algebra online math course for His Vessel Academy