Executive Director and Founder of HuckleBerry Center for Creative Learning
Founder & Executive Director of HuckleBerry. A home schooling educator for many years, Stephanie Berry has taught classes in many subjects. Her first love of teaching resulted in her becoming a reading tutor which quickly expanded to many other subjects. After teaching in her home and with other educators in their homes, she felt it was time to get these wonderful teachers together in one place to help our community of homeschoolers have more access to fabulously fun classes. Her philosophy in education is that kids need to be in an environment where learning is fun to become self-learners and that making mistakes is part of that fun. She likes to use lots of games and projects to encourage kids to explore subjects more deeply. Hearing kids say “Aha! I get it!” is the best part of her day! Prior to embarking in the educational arena, Berry was a software and business consultant. She has developed both in-house and commercial grade software and holds two patents on algorithms and software designed to help find the causes of human diseases.
Mike Allen has worked over 20 years as a professional commercial artist. Most recently as a character designer on Nickelodeon's hit show “The Fairly OddParents.” Originally from New York, Mike has worked as an art director for some of NYC's largest advertising agencies on many major brands, as well as running his own graphic design studio for many Fortune 500 clients. He has created advertising design work for many clients and brands, most notably Chrysler/Plymouth and branding for the Major Indoor Lacrosse League. Creating marketing materials for and all size companies from fortune 500 companies to the local donut shop...designing everything from annual reports to logos, brochures and business cards. He is a traditionally trained illustrator, attended Parsons school of design, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Towson University in Maryland.
Although Lynnette is a new staff member at Huckleberry, she is not new to the Huckleberry community. She homeschooled her now young adult children for nine years using an eclectic mix of independent study and charter programs, local homeschool classes and workshops, and community resources in thSanta Clarita valley. Lynnette recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, is currently enrolled in the Master of Teaching program at USC and has completed the Credentials to teach Social Studies for Secondary Education. Her educational philosophy - if a child knows how to learn and think critically, he or she will be able to master anything that life presents.
Karen Baughn is a Los Angeles based teacher, actor, improviser, and playwright. A high school apprenticeship with the Idaho Shakespeare festival sparked passion for the theater, which brought her from her hometown of Boise, Idaho all the way to Occidental College in the heart of Los Angeles. There she continued her studies of Shakespeare’s written word in both English and Theater classes. At this time, she also developed a new love for the spontaneity of improv and the power of play. She went on to study at The London Dramatic Academy, Improv Olympic Chicago, and Bang Comedy studio to develop her skills as a script reader, writer, and performer. In the midst of her studies, Karen was also teaching. After three years of teaching for Occidental Children’s Theater, Karen successfully partnered with OCT and UCLA to bring her own curriculum to a local high school to teach underserved teens the positive influence of improv. This program continues with phase two this semester where the students will improvise and write their own unique life stories into a collaborative play. In addition, Karen is currently teaching youth and adult classes at Bang Studio and Shakespeare classes with City Hearts. She is honored to be a working with Much Ado About Shakespeare where she looks forward to changing lives through the power of art.
For the first twenty five years of her life Kris Doyle really didn’t have any interest in anything other than putting bad guys in jail. Cutting her teeth on her father’s leather gun belt she was raised to believe she could change the world - make a difference in some small corner. For a very long time she thought the only way she could make a difference was to put on a uniform, go out and collect those bad guys and maybe eat some doughnuts and drink a lot of coffee. It wasn’t until she held her first child in her arms that she realized that corner of the world was a whole lot smaller than she had originally thought. This was when her life took on new meaning and depth. Street terminology like “crib” gave way to an actual structure where she could gaze lovingly at her sleeping babies. Civil unrest was something one observed sometime between bath time and bedtime. And it became routine to issue an APB for a missing teddy bear or beloved blankie. She started to see in her children how creativity and imagination was something that could be nurtured and explored. She found herself growing and changing along with her children and she began to experience life in ways she never thought possible. This made her want to search and seize opportunities she never really considered before. It was then she realized learning was something she really, really wanted to share with her children and much to the consternation of family and friends (including her own husband) she decided she wanted to homeschool her children. Now Kris has a lot of different interests. Some of these include: homeschooling, Internet Research, writing, costuming, sewing, quilting, crocheting, cake decorating, baking, and cooking. Having children gave birth to a creative side she never knew existed. It made her believe maybe -- just maybe she could change the world in other more creative and imaginative ways.
Partners in Learning
Sharon Koppenhaver joined the HuckleBerry staff in January of 2008 as a Physical Education Teacher. She graduated with a BS in Physical Education specializing in Exercise and Fitness from James Madison University in Virginia. Sharon has been a Personal Fitness Trainer in Delaware and Minnesota. She taught PE in Massachusetts for 2 years and in California for 1 year. Sharon has an extensive background in many team sports as well as total body wellness. She lives in Stevenson Ranch with her husband Dave and their two children Paige (15 years old) and Davis (12 years old).
After a decade working in television animation for Disney and Warner Bros., Lisa Melcombe earned her California State teaching credential and has taught in the Santa Clarita Valley since 2002. She has a degree in Art from Cal State University, Northridge and an appreciation for creative and performing arts. Ms. Melcombe has a special passion for literature and storytelling, and loves to introduce children (including her two young daughters) to beautifully written and classically illustrated books.
Graduated from Concordia College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Religion. Sarah has been a Home Educator for the past seven years and has been a well loved teacher of Elements and the Periodic Table, Forensics and Biology, Cooking, and Math Games to the homeschooling community. Sarah's teaching philosophy is to approach each class with interesting hands on activities and games that keep the kids wanting to learn more!
My interest in robotics as a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) course is to increase interest and awareness in science among today’s youth. My computer/robotics club at LA Mission College demonstrates robots for the Cesar Chavez day in San Fernando and Dia de la Muerta at the college campus. I helped start an annual summer robotics project for LA Unified in conjunction with CSUN, Project Grad middle schools, and Los Angeles Mission College. These LAUSD schools are in a high drop area, however, this program in math and robotics boasts a near 100% attendance. Participating students pass algebra the first semester with comparable scores to their college bound peers. I am currently working to create a college level robotics course at LA Mission College. When I was in middle school, before the PC revolution, programmable calculators were just being introduced. Through the mentoring of a family friend who provided me with access to his engineering calculators, I was inspired to pursue a career in technology. I work for LA Mission College as a computer and network specialist, and I teach computer science on weekends and evenings. My favorite classes are web programming, computer networking, and Linux. I have been employed at Mission College for roughly twenty years. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from the University of Redlands. I live locally in Stevenson Ranch with my wife Nina and my two sons Sasha and Misha. My sons are excelling in their high school Pre-Calculus and Calculus classes and are technically minded. They did it themselves, but I like to think I influenced them. I look forward to sharing my experience and knowledge with the students at HuckleBerry.
Tracy Quick has always loved helping people, especially kids. As a child she dreamed of one day becoming a teacher, getting married, and having a large family. Today she’s “living the dream”, as her husband always jokes. Tracy is a New York native, with her B.S. in Education from Boston University. She taught grades K-12 in Massachusetts public schools, until pregnant with her third child. After moving to Santa Clarita, and experiencing the public schools here, she and her husband decided to homeschool their children. She currently homeschools her four youngest children, who LOVE attending HuckleBerry. She likes being busy, loves learning and sharing new things, enjoys the freedom and flexibility that homeschooling offers, and is excited about being more involved in the wonderful HuckleBerry community.
Penny Sande has a passion for making music. As an accomplished violin and viola player, her playing credits date back to the mid 70's. At the request of a local elementary school, she began teaching students to play violin and recorder. Sande has a loyal following, and soon added cello to her repertoire, and is the current director for 2 local string orchestras. Sande's peformance groups have performed at many weddings, charity & local events, including being a featured playing group at Universal City Walk during 2006-08 Holiday seasons. Her group regularly performs at Barnes & Noble, the Farmer's Market and other local events. She is both a dedicated homeschooler, and a well loved private string teacher.
Holly Van Houten holds a Masters degree in English and American Literature and is ABD (All But Dissertation) for her Ph.D. in English Literature from USC. She has taught courses in literature and writing at USC, Pepperdine University, CSUN, CSULB and other Los Angeles area colleges. She is currently the Dramaturg for the Mountain Shakespeare Festival where she also serves on the Board of Directors. She currently homeschools her two daughters and loves watching their love of literature grow year by year.
Mark Bell comes to Huckleberry from a twenty year career in the corporate world as a software field application engineer. Not too long ago Mark became a Los Angeles Teaching Fellow. Although Mark is primary a science teacher, he has a solid theater background and has brought all manner of lighting, sound and video equipment to his school productions. Recently he played Antonio, the Merchant of Venice and arranged field trips for students to see the production.
Kelly Boczek teaches Comedia del’arte, Elizabethan Times, Improvisation, Singing, and Stage Make-up. She has worked professionally in Detroit, New York, Volterra, Italy, and Frankfurt, and Germany. Some of her favorite roles were Helena in All's Well ThatEnd's Well, Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, Nina Taplin in Someday Called, Billie in Born Yesterday,Little Red Ridinghood in Into the Woods, and Sissyin A Piece of My Heart. She has appeared on the Tonight show and starred in the Independent film Click Three Times, for which she won a best actress award from the N.Y. Indi Flim Fest. Kelly is a member of the Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Angeles and is the Artistic Director of the National American Shakespeare Company for Kids. Dramatic Training: Carnegie Mellon. Another member of the Much Ado About Shakespeare staff.
Frank Browne, our guitar teacher, resides in Castaic and tours regularly throughout the U.S. He has performed on stage with many national acts including Zoot Suit Revue, the acclaimed swing, big band, latin, and jump blues show group; and the jazz ensemble Big Brothers Big Band, where he performed for President Clinton. He is featured on ZSR s album “Bold, Borrowed and New” as well as three CD’s with Gary Urwin’s Studio Orchestra. Their latest recording, Kindred Spirits, can be heard on jazz radio stations across the country. Frank has performed at such notable venues as The Derby, The Coconut Club, The Supper Club NY, House of Blues, and the MGM Grand. Fluent in all musical genres, he also maintains a large studio of private students. Frank originally hails from New York and is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Music.
Maria also works for the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival and Generation Arts, where she teaches film, stop motion animation, photography, graphic design, photoshop, art and now theatre to elementary school kids. Maria has now been working with this organization since October 2008 . Her love teaching different creative art forms to students and share her passion with them in hopes they find their creativity through the projects they do. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. FIDM. majoring in Digital Media: Film and Graphic Design.
Lisa Huckemeyer comes to us as a graduate from the University of WI – Madison, earning degrees in both business and child and family studies. After working in the business arena for 10 years, she is now a mother and considers herself the primary educator of her two boys, ages 8 and 14. Lisa has worked with HuckleBerry since it’s inception. Lisa’s philosophy on education is that if it’s not creative and fun, we’re not learning! Lisa also owns her own children’s business and is an active member in our local community.
Peter Kjenaas is a director, writer, actor, producer and teacher.
Angela is the co-founder and curriculum writer for PEAK Adventures After School Enrichment and comes to Huckleberry with over 15 years of teaching experience. Originally from Kansas City, Mo. Angela has a degree in Physical Therapy. Her philosophy is to always be moving! Whether learning about animals in the deep ocean or chemistry concoctions you won't be sitting still in her class. Angela has an extensive background in the sciences and a passion for teaching in a fun, creative way. She lives in Valencia with her husband and three children. When she is not teaching children you can find her at The Spectrum Club where she teaches several fitness classes.
While teachers vary for these classes, we have been lucky enough to usually have Mr. Vincent. At Play-Well TEKnologies they strive to build problem-solving skills, provide an opportunity for creative expression, foster a greater appreciation of how things work, and encourage the qualities of inquisitiveness, self reliance, and self confidence in children. They do this in the context of fun-filled engineering and architectural projects, activities that both the children and the instructors enjoy!
Our newest Fine Art Teacher, believes that each child has the ability to be creative. She has a love for art and children and believes that the two go hand in hand. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where she studied fashion illustration. She also attended Art Center College in Pasadena and Pasadena City College studying fine art and graphic design. She has experience as an artist, including mural painting, graphic art, water color, acrylic, oil painting and pastels. She currently teaches in her home art studio, Creative Powers Art and has taught fine art for 8 years with Kids Art Studios. One of her strengths is to acknowledge each child’s unique personality and expression, while providing learning tools to achieve their fine art abilities.
Ann Rees has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering. She has tutored in several math levels, including basic math, algebra and beyond for several years. Rees enjoys working with children to make math fun and to help them see connections between mathematical concepts and the real world usage of math. Contact Ann directly at her email for private or semi-private math tutoring sessions!
“Coach Jay” Stallings has been teaching chess to children full-time since 1996. He is a USCF Expert and is on the National Scholastic Chess Committee. His curriculum was developed after years of teaching, and is designed specifically for children. Coach Jay’s students and teams have won numerous state titles and have even earned as high as 2nd Place at SuperNationals events against the strongest players and teams in the nation. He is married and has two boys, ages 23 and 13.
Dr. Weier has had two simultaneous careers throughout his life, one as a teacher and lecturer, and one in the production of film and television. As a teacher, Dr. Weier has taught for over thirty years in Waldorf Education and holds a Waldorf Teaching Certificate. He is a former High School Chairman, Accreditation Committee Chairman, College Member and Sponsor. He has taught Main Lessons in many subject areas including Earth Science, Biology, Art and Native American Studies. His expertise in these areas comes from his work in various fields of Anthropology, specializing in Native American ethnology. He lived with the Western Shoshoni for two years and wrote Ethnology of the Western Shoshoni. He has been involved with Native American education programs in Colorado and New Mexico for many years. He pioneered the school of Experiential Anthropology and lectured concerning this work on most of the campuses of the University of California and at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. He founded the Native American Culture class as a Waldorf Main Lesson and taught it for over twenty five years. This class received several awards over the years including one for History education from the California Department of Education and recognition by Wallace Black Elk whose granddaughter attended the class, and from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council.