Meet Our Tutors
Diane Bowman
Diane has been a homeschool mom since 1988. She enjoys learning about history and loves to make it come alive for her students. Her hope is for students to see God’s hand in history and how He has worked through all the ages. Diane has been married to Brian for 43 years and has 12 kids and 9 grandchildren. She loves coffee, hiking, reading, and is also a birth doula.
Melanie Brown
Melanie Brown received her Bachelors Degrees in Psychology and Addictions Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University. She worked as a social worker for Head Start and the foster care system for many years. Melanie is a home school educator for three children from PreK-High school and has home schooled for 12 years. Melanie is currently a youth leader with her husband and loves working with teens!
Jessica Carrillo
Jessica Carrillo has been a high school Spanish teacher for almost a decade. She received her Bachelors Degree in Spanish Education from Cornerstone University and has taught in the public-school setting, virtually, and abroad in Latin America. Jessica creates a high energy environment with engaging lessons because she believes that students learn best when they are having fun! She is Mexican- American and loves sharing her language and culture with students. She loves watching students be able to put their learning into practice by communicating with others in the Spanish language. Her hope is that students will see God’s handiwork throughout the organized and detailed construct of language and in the beautifully diverse world He has created. While she is passionate about teaching, her all-time favorite title is “mom”. She is married to her best friend Francisco and has 3 beautiful daughters. She also has 2 chihuahua dogs, 2 cats, chickens, and ducks. If she is not in the classroom or working in her home, you can find her on a plane to somewhere warm, in a coffee shop, reading a mystery novel, or thrift shopping with friends.
David Chapman
David is the father of five amazing children and husband to Sarah. He is passionate about homeschooling and teaching the next generation! David has a Business Management Degree from Michigan State University and Master's in Business Administration from Wayne State University. He has taught Business Management, Marketing, Personal Finance, and Professional Workshops and SMC. David also currently owns and operates two real estate companies. Instructing students in Business, Faith, & Life is his passion!
Erin Crane
Erin Crane graduated from Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering. After a short stint as an engineer, a passion for teaching young people prompted her to earn a teaching certificate in Science and Mathematics. She worked as a substitute teacher, and taught at Battle Creek Central until her first child was born. Along with homeschooling her three children, Erin has also tutored many other students. She is dedicated to teaching the wonders of the Creator that are evident in those tough, but rewarding, disciplines of science and math.
Anthony Dear
Mr. Dear, Tony, is the pastor of FaithWay Church in Plainwell, MI. His passion is to teach others about the bible, history, and, most of all, Jesus. Tony has a Bachelor's Degree in Bible and Youth Ministry from Cornerstone University & a Masters in Biblical History & Archeology from Liberty University & Newburgh Theological Seminary. He is excited to bring his love for history and bible to the classroom.
Charity Dear
Miss Charity is a high-energy, enthusiastic, and FUN educator! Making memorable experiences with children & allowing movement and energy is her mantra! She received her B.A. from Cornerstone University in Language Arts & Elementary Education. She worked in Rockford Public Schools before starting her family. Charity's ultimate passion and calling is children's ministry and she is currently the Children's Ministry Director of FaithWay Church. Miss Charity believes God is at the center of all wisdom & knowledge & is eager to translate that into the classes she is teaching at KAT!
Kristen Greene
Kristen Greene is a homeschool mom of four and has homeschooled for eleven years. Before homeschooling, she was a 7th grade ELA teacher for six years at a public school. Her love for teaching has led her to seek out effective ways to teach reading, writing, and spelling. Using a multi-sensory approach and an Orton-Gillingham based method, Kristen personalizes every tutoring session and looks forward to helping your child reach his or her goals.
Lisa Hyma
Lisa has been teaching at KAT since 2015. Prior, she taught 3rd and 4th grade a total of three years. She has a B.A. from Grand Valley State University majoring in English with a minor in Elementary Education. She also received her Master's of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on educational differentiation from GVSU. Lisa has experience working with students from various age ranges and reading levels and strives to meet each student where they are to nurture their love of reading.
Karen Kiser
Karen brings over 20 years of experience to KAT! She been with us since 2007 and what a joy it has been! Karen holds a B.S. in Secondary Education. Previously she taught for 12 years at Southside Christian School in SC. She herself homeschooled three of her eight children. Karen ignites a love for learning in her students!
Sue MacQuarrie
Sue has been tutoring homeschool students for 28 years in art, dance, and drama. Her 3 sons are homeschool graduates and she's been married to Rod for 36 years. She has been an adult and children's leader through BSF and CBS. A WMU graduate, Sue is currently a teacher at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
Sarah McCollum
Mrs. McCollum is married to the love of her life, Austin McCollum, and they have two children. Sarah
was saved as a child, and has been a long-time attender/member of Calvary Bible Church. She attended
GVSU and Arizona State University for her education, and is bilingual in Spanish. Her professional
experience includes early childhood, articulation/phonological impairments, language impairments, work with children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Cleft Palate-affected speech.
When Sarah has free time (difficult to get with two little ones), she loves to go for runs, spend time with
church friends, and try new coffee shops with her husband Austin.
Rebecca Musser
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Grace College and a Master’s from Ball State, and have taught a variety of ages and subjects. I’ve taught summer theatre camps for four years, as well. My greatest experience has been homeschooling my seven children, five of whom have graduated. I am so excited to share my love of different cultures with students from KAT!
Sarah Ohland
“I love teaching math” is Mrs. Ohland’s mantra! Sarah began tutoring at KAT in 2013. She has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physics from WMU, and a Master’s of Arts in Mathematics Education from WMU as well. From 1992-1995 Sarah taught at Schoolcraft High School and taught part-time at WMU until 2000. She homeschooled all five of her children. She loves Jesus first, loves her family, but also loves teaching math as a way to connect with students. To God be the glory!
Kristen Olson
Kristen is a homeschool mom of six children and has been homeschooling for eighteen years. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in elementary education. Kristen’s loves to share her love of teaching with others and has been an essential part of the tutoring team at KAT for over eight years.
Ann Parmeter-Cripps
I am a homeschool mom and wife to Jim for over 30 years. We are currently finishing up our homeschool journey with our youngest daughter. We have three daughters and one son who graduated in 2017, 2019, 2024, and 2026. I have taught at various homeschool co-ops for many years. I hold a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. After teaching in both public and Christian schools in the Kalamazoo area, I have been blessed to spend the past 20+ years at home with my family. It is truly a privilege to come alongside other homeschool families as we strive to educate our children to the best of our abilities.
Pat Polstra
Pat has a BBS (secondary education) from Crown College. She loved teaching at a small private school in Grand Rapids and have continued my love of teaching and community with children’s church ministries, RBM’s Released Bible Time, and co-op.
Kristen Scranton
Kristen Scranton has taught at KAT since 2006. Prior to that, she worked as an eighth grade language arts teacher at Mattawan Middle School for three years before having her son and choosing to stay home. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in Elementary Education and minors in English, Math, and Science from WMU. She earned her Masters degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. Kristen has served on various English/Language Arts committees at Mattawan Schools that integrated curriculums between grades six through twelve. She has worked with over 1,000 public school and homeschooled students who have had a variety of needs, from special education, dyslexic, emotionally impaired, and autistic students to those honor students who needed challenging to keep them interested.
Corey Thompson
Corey Thompson has been a dedicated tutor at KAT for more than 20 years. He brings a strong foundation in
instrumental music instruction and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Corey has served as Director of Bands at West Branch/Rose City Schools, Kazoo School, and Kalamazoo County Day, where he developed and led successful music programs.
Corey has been actively involved in church ministry, serving through special music, Sunday school teaching, and youth group leadership. As the owner of Thompson Tutoring, LLC, he has provided private instruction in band instruments, piano, and guitar throughout the greater Kalamazoo area for over two decades.
In addition to his work in education, Corey owns Thompson Business Solutions, where he offers business start‑up consulting, non‑profit consultation, and QuickBooks bookkeeping services. His diverse professional background allows him to support students, educators, and business owners with insight, experience, and personalized guidance.
Dawn Thompson
Dawn Thompson brings a rich background in music and education, with experience teaching piano, voice, and guitar. She has served in a variety of leadership roles, including church choir director, church and school musical director, church organist, and elementary school music instructor. Dawn has also been actively involved in youth ministry as a youth group director and Sunday school teacher.
Dawn holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in education with concentrations in both music and academics. She has been an educator in the greater Kalamazoo area for over 20 years, supporting students through engaging instruction and thoughtful leadership.
In addition to her work in education, Dawn offers grant writing and fundraising services to non‑profit organizations through Thompson Business Solutions. Her diverse professional background allows her to support students, educators, and business owners with insight, experience, and personalized guidance.
Lydia Trexler
Lydia Trexler is excited to offer violin and piano instruction at KAT. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic music instructor with more than 12 years of piano study and practice and over 6 years of violin study and performance experience. Lydia brings both technical knowledge and a genuine love for music into every lesson.
Known for her friendly, encouraging, and motivating teaching style, Lydia prioritizes strong foundational pedagogy while also giving students the opportunity to learn songs that inspire and excite them. She believes that pairing solid technique with student choice helps build confidence, creativity, and long‑term musical growth.
Lydia’s passion for music education is evident in the personalized attention and meaningful engagement she brings to each student. She strives to create a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable exploring music, setting goals, and celebrating progress at every stage of their musical journey.
Shawna Wilder
Shawna graduated from Hope College in 1993. She is a homeschool mom to six children with three being graduated. Shawna has been married to Craig for 29 years! She is a faithful follower of Christ and attends Calvary Bible Church. Shawna has been a tutor with Homeschool Performing Arts for many years and a part of the KAT community as a parent and serving on the board and PAC and now as a tutor!