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.
Mission Statement
We listen humbly, challenge daily, and fail productively in order to discover our God-given, world changing calling.
Statement of Faith
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
Staff
Abby Tsao
co-founder | LAUNCH guide
Abby is a follower of Jesus, wife to Alan, and a mother of three children, ages 14, 11, and 9. 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 | Support Guide
Marcia is a follower of Jesus, wife to Tim, and mother of five children ages 28-14 years old. She has a degree in elementary education and began her homeschooling adventure 13 years ago. She has taught in micro schools for the past five years and served on children’s ministry staff for more than 18 years. The cry of her heart is to come alongside children and families and identify the ways that God has uniquely gifted them and encourage them to use those gifts as they follow hard after Christ.
Ashley LIeser
Logic Guide
Ashley grew up in rural Louisiana. God’s love found her as a teenager & changed her life. His hand in her life led her to years of professional work in social service programs helping children and families. She holds a B.A. in Urban Community Studies & Secondary Education. She married her husband, Jason, 18 years ago, and they have 2 daughters, ages 13 & 10. They have homeschooled for 8 years. Ashley loves reading, nature walks, playing with her dog, and learning alongside kids–especially middle schoolers!
Hannah Mills
Curiosity Guide
Hannah is a follower of Jesus. She is new to OliveWood this year and loves working with elementary school aged students. She learned about OliveWood through Abby, who she used to babysit for 10 years ago. Hannah was homeschooled through high school until she attended college at Harper community college for a year, before transferring to Southeastern University in Florida. Over the last five years 5 years she has nannied. Hannah is looking forward to transitioning to teaching during this time. Some of her interests include reading, crocheting, and line dancing.
Lisa Gonzalez
Discovery Guide
Lisa is a native of Elgin. She began her family in this area, spent several years living in Cincinnati, Ohio, before moving back to Elgin. She has three children- ages 13, 10, and 5. While initially never planning to homeschool, her family was greatly influenced by the example of other homeschooling families, who helped launch them into one of the greatest adventures in (intentionally messy and grace-filled) home-based, Christ-centered, and world-engaging education. Following Jesus is the center of her life, and she believes that the God-given mission to bring the news of Jesus to the nations starts in the home and invites the family on mission to the community and world. Lisa received her B.A. in Art Education from Taylor University. She has a passion for creating and to see people, especially children, know their Creator as they learn and grow.
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
Carrie Krueger - Art Studio Guide
Katie Jerome- Physical Education Guide
Brad Knight - Web Designer/Marketing
Trent Jones - Media
OliveWood Academy operates as a ministry of Community Church of Elgin.