Our Leadership
Our leaders are volunteer parents who have a desire to serve the group and see Christ lifted up, both in our group, and in their homes. Our moderator, officers, and coordinators are elected whenever a position becomes available. Our Doyenne are appointed by unanimous decision of the governing board.
Moderator
The Moderator oversees all business meetings and fulfills a neutral role when presiding at regular and special called business meetings. Because the co-op is comprised of families, our moderator is also a man who can teach and admonish members with Biblical authority. All public inquiries from news media should be directed to our Moderator.
Drason Sillin holds his Master of Public Administration from Franklin University with a focus on Non-Profit Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Emergency Management. As a career security professional, Drason has worked in a variety of sectors, from Fortune 100 companies to the Columbus Zoo. Initially a reluctant homeschooling dad, Drason has embraced and supported ELCC after seeing the amazing difference it made in the lives of his own three sons. Drason is pleased to be able to serve ELCC as the Board Moderator and looks forward to another fantastic school year. Drason has served on the ELCC Board since 2010. email
Directors
Our Directors oversee and facilitate the day to day operations of co-op including our weekly meetings, special events and outings and even our online presence. Directors are elected by the membership at the unanimous recommendation of the board whenever a vacancy occurs.
Their willingness to serve is a blessing to the co-op!
Director Christy Huy is the homeschooling mom of Aiden who has been part of the ELCC family since 2015. Christy began serving at co-op almost as soon as she arrived by helping at the Security desk. Her service led to her becoming our Security Coordinator - a position she held from 2016- 2020. In her position as Security Coordinator, Christy helped co-op through the transition from the old builing to our current building, established policies for the safe operation of co-op, worked with multiple other coordinators to ensure co-op was clean and safe for our students, and interacted with each and every member to make sure they had everything they needed to be successful in their experience at co-op. Christy also helped guide our co-op during the pandemic as safety and security became a top concern. In the fall of 2021, Christy stepped into her role as co-director at co-op and has taken her leadership and people skills from the security desk to serving the entire campus. We are deeply grateful to Christy for her willingness to serve at co-op from day 1! Her desire to grow, lead, and serve our group has been a wonderful blessing to our group!
Director in Training Lyndsay Mueller and her husband live in Columbus with their 3 children who range from preschool to Jr. High School ages. They have always homeschooled their children and have done so in 3 states. Homeschooling is a passion and way of life for the Mueller Family. Lyndsay holds a BA in Religious Studies with a Certificate in Conflict Transformation and Management from Defiance College. She does a little bit of everything and enjoys trying new hobbies and helping people. Lyndsay has been a member of ELCC since Spring of 2022 and is now Director in Training. She teaches Cursive and Fine Motor Fun, coaches Upper Elementary Basketball, and is the Athletic Admin for ELCC Athletics. She previously served as our Yearbook Coordinator.
Officers
Our Officers provide leadership and a welcome smile to all of our members. They serve on our governing board, charting a course for the future of co-op. Their gifts of vision, administration, hospitality, financial knowledge, oversight, and organization provide structure and stability for our group. Officers are elected by the membership at the unanimous recommendation of the board and serve 2-year terms, with unlimited renewals.
Amanda Sillin (President - Term Ending 5/31/2025) is a homeschooling mother of three sons who have all graduated from ELCC and her nieces play for the ELCC Trailblazers. Amanda served as the Director of ELCC from 2011 - 2021 and has led numerous trainings and been involved in advocacy efforts to help to homeschooling families across Ohio. Amanda has a Bachelor of Science in Social Services and currently works as the Marketing Manager for Southern Nazarene Univesity. Over the years she has taught a variety of classes, including science, history, Spanish, sewing, and language arts. Amanda greatly enjoys empowering homeschooling families so that they can fulfill their calling to homeschool and connecting families to resources to help them on their journey. email
(Vice President - Term Ending 5/31/2024)
Cammy Brown (Secretary - Term Ending 5/31/2024) was homeschooled "as a kid in the 80’s when it wasn’t cool yet." and has homeschooled her 4 children, with her oldest graduating from ELCC in 2020. Cammy is a former RN and small business owner and says she would "never survive a desk job." Cammy and her family have attended ELCC since 2015 and Cammy has served as our PE teacher, our Administrative Coordinator from 2017 - 2019, and our Co-op Secretary since 2019. When she isn't serving at ELCC she and her husband Eric can be found running their Perry County hobby farm. Cammy also enjoys shuttling Amish Children to school, working at Sophie's, and engaging in various hijinks with her outdoor loving family. She loves exercise and the building of friendships through sports and games and still leads our PE classes for Middle and High school.
Gina Robichaux (Treasurer- Term Ending 5/31/2025) lives in Newark with her husband and their two daughters. They started homeschooling and joined ELCC in the fall of 2022. Gina is a Girl Scout leader and enjoys time with family, taking road trips, and camping. She also owns and operates UE Services, her company that provides sewer cleaning and video services. Her educational background includes an A.S. in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Accounting. Gina is teaches two classes, Homesteading and Astronomy, is our Assistant Cheer coach, and she previously served the co-op as Facilities Coordinator.
Trustees
Doyenne/Trustees are senior members of our body, considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in their field or endeavor. These ladies have helped to guide and shape our co-op into the organization it has become. We seek their wisdom and advice in many matters. They represent many learning styles and are available to offer guidance and wise counsel to our Directors and Members alike. Doyenne/Trustees are appointed by unanimous decision of the board whenever a vacancy occurs and serve 2 year terms.
Trustee Jan Rorhbaugh (Term ending 5/31/2024) lives in Utica and is a wife and mother, homeschool mom who has been teaching Sunday School since she was 16. She has a Bachelor of Christian Education and is only 1 class shy of a Deaf Studies Certificate. She currently serves on the ministry team at Truth Tabernacle teaching and ministering to a variety of age groups from toddler to adult classes. She is also a part of her church's praise and worship team and is involved with the organization and secretary-type work for her church. Jan loves all kinds of crafts from painting to wreath making to repurposing furniture. Jan oversees our Scholarship program and our Scrip Program. j.rohrbaugh@excellenceinlearning.org
Trustee Keri Sanders (Term ending 5/31/2024) is a homeschooling mom of four who has been part of the ELCC family since 2012. Keri holds a BA in Liberal Arts and French and has used a wide variety of skills through the years, from technical writing at a software company to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities. She also trained as a Wilderness First Responder, worked as a youth adventure trip leader, and loves the outdoors! She and her husband, Adam were dedicated to raising their own children, which naturally led to homeschooling from the very start. Keri has been active in sports throughout her life, including playing Div III college basketball. Keri helped organize the PE program at the co-op and has served as a teacher, Facilities Coordinator, Security Coordinator, Secretary, and a Doyenne on the board, and helped launch ELCC sports by serving as assistant girls’ volleyball coach and head girls’ basketball coach. Keri@excellenceinlearning.org
Trustee Lora Parks (Term ending 5/31/2025) Lora and her husband Aaron are parents of 5 kids. They have been homeschooling since 2012 and a member of ELCC since 2014. Through her years at co-op Lora has served as a coordinator, a board member, a doyenne, and we are happy to welcome her back to the board as a Trustee this year. She enjoys reading, the ocean, gardening, canning and sewing. Lora is our ELCC Librarian, Concessions Coordinator for ELCC Athletics, and she also volunteers as a costume seamstress with the Central Ohio Youth Ballet.
Coordinators and Trainees
Our Coordinators serve by creating teams which work within a specific area of our ministy. We are blessed that they use their gifts and talents to oversee these areas which make co-op a wonderful and welcoming place to attend! Coordinators are elected by the membership at the unanimous recommendation of the board whenever a vacancy occurs.
Amanda Sh.
Admin Coordinator
Amanda Sh. and her family live in the Newark area. They have attended co-op since 2019. Amanda serves as our admin coordinator and handles our Kroger Cares, Clever Crazes, and Boxtops accounts as well as other administrative duties around co-op.
Alana Meek
Communications Coordinator
Alana Meek and her husband, Gary, live in Newark with their school-aged son, Connor, and near their adult children and grandchildren. The Meeks have been attending co-op at ELCC since 2021, and Alana previously served as Yearbook Helper and Yearbook Coordinator before transitioning to Communications Coordinator. Alana enjoys spending time with her family playing board games, watching movies, and exploring Licking County. The Meeks love ELCC and feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful community!
Sondra Rathe
Events Coordinator
Sondra Rathe is a mom to three children whose ages are between 3 months old and 9 years old. She has been married to her husband since 2011. She joined ELCC in 2022 during her first year of homeschooling. Before committing to teach tiny people, she attended college and holds a BA in Criminal Psychology and Criminal Justice. She loves reading, a good cup of coffee, baking and playing Sims or Minecraft in her spare time. While attending ELCC, she found a passion for teaching and now teaches our Time Travelers class as well as preschool Story and Craft class. Sondra also serves as our Events Coordinator.
Amber Harvel
Facilities Coordinator
Amber was born and raised in Licking County and has raised her 3 children here. In 2023, Amber decided to dive into the world of homeschooling, and found ELCC to be a caring and supportive environment not only for her daughter, but for her as well! Amber works a full-time job and serves as a director for the Licking County Board of Realtors as well as serving as the facilities coordinator for ELCC. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids (2 are adults now) and dogs and loves to travel to new places as much as possible.
Jessica Dermer
Field Trips
Jessica Dermer and her husband Rob live near Johnstown, Ohio with their 4 homeschooling kids. They enjoy family time and dream of one day traveling the US in an RV! They raise rabbits and Rob creates a variety of metal working art peices. Jessica has attended ELCC for the past 3 years, serving as a teacher in several classes and she and her husband feel the Lord has called them to stay in Central Ohio for the time being and serve in this ministry role . We are thrilled to welcome Jessica as the Field Trip and Events Coordinator and know that her love for the Lord and for community will be a blessing!
Lisa Smith
Hospitality Coordinator
Lisa Smith is a devoted follower of Christ, Wife, and Mom. The Smith Family joined ELCC in the Fall of 2022. Lisa earned her A.A.S. in Massage Therapy in 2005. After several years working within the medical field providing Medical Massage she went on to earn her B.S.S.W. from THE Ohio State University in 2017. She is now in her most favorite position as a Homemaker and Homeschooling Mom. She loves camping, hiking, crafting, woodworking, foraging, gardening, laughing and trying new adventures with her family. Her greatest desire is to be the hands and feet of Christ in all things and in all areas where she is called to serve. Lisa serves our co-op as a preschool volunteer and as Hospitality Coordinator.
Lora Parks
Librarian
Lora Parks and her husband Aaron are parents of 5 kids. They have been homeschooling since 2012 and a member of ELCC since 2014. Through her years at co-op Lora has served as a coordinator, a board member, a doyenne, and is has now returned to the Board as a Trustee. She also serves as the ELCC librarian. She enjoys reading, the ocean, gardening, canning and sewing. Lora also volunteers as a costume seamstress with the Central Ohio Youth Ballet.
Maintenance Coordinator
Maintenance Coordinator-
Cassie Blizzard
Registration Coordinator
Cassie Blizzard has been homeschooling since 2022. She was born and raised in Granville but now resides in Toboso with her loving husband and their two wonderful children. In her free time, she has developed a passion for gardening and finds immense joy in tending to her plants and watching them flourish. She also has a flock of chickens that she takes care of and enjoys the benefits of having fresh eggs. Additionally, she is an active member of the Licking Valley Biddy Basketball Board, where she serves in a volunteer capacity. Being part of this organization allows her to contribute to the development of young athletes and give back to the community. Overall, she finds fulfillment in nurturing her family, pursuing her hobbies, and being involved in community activities.
Amy Fraunfelter
Scrip/Raiseright Coordinator Trainee
Amy Fraunfelter and her husband, Jeff, have three children, Hunter (graduate), Gabriella (high school), and Trapper (elementary). They have been homeschooled from the beginning and believe that has been their greatest blessing. Amy previously worked for a finance company. Jeff has been with the Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center since 2008. Amy has been attending ELCC since 2015 and teaching kindergarten since 2016. She served as our event coordinator from 2018 - 2021. This year we are excited to have her as our Scrip/Raiseright Trainee.
Jerry Baker
Security Coordinator
Jerry Baker, his wife Moriah, and son, Justin live near Baltimore, Ohio. Jerry joined the US Marines right out of high school and became a Marine Corps Infantryman. He has a multifaceted career to include retail and landscaping management, as well as experience and a great knowledge of home and business security systems and their installation. Jerry attended college in South Florida to specialize in Surgical Technology, where he graduated at the top of his class. After working in the field and traveling the country, working in O.R.'s from Florida to California, Jerry and Moriah settled into their home in Baltimore. Jerry is now a small business owner who loves sharing his life with his wife and son as well as many close friends.
Johnna Vanover
Service Hours Coordinator
Johnna Vanover and her husband Josh live near Hanover, Ohio in the Licking Valley School district with their 3 homeschooling sons. They are sports fanatics so if they aren't at home you'll find them on a ballfield/court. They have attended ELCC since 2017. Johnna holds her bachelors degree in business administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and her Master of Leadership degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She works full-time so you will usually see her with her laptop around co-op.
The service hours coordinator is responsible for creating the schedule of helpers. If you have been assigned somewhere that conflicts with your schedule or needs, please fill out this Service Hour Request Form.
Please direct all other inquiries about service hours, including logging them and what to do if you've missed a day, to our Director Christy Huy.
Marshal Sillin
Teen Coordinator
Marshal Sillin is a homeschool graduate and attended ELCC since the beginning. He is passionate about encouraging students to realize their full potential in Christ through creativity and self motivated study. Marshal holds an Associates of Arts and is continuing his education through Franklin University in their Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship program with a minor in Communications. Marshal teaches Robotics, Entrepreneurship, and a variety of classes at ELCC.
Yearbook Coordinator
Yearbook Coordinator-
Ellen Dyar
Yearbook Assistant
Ellen Dyar, a devoted mother of three, was born and raised in Newark, Ohio. After graduating from Newark High School, she pursued higher education at The Ohio State University where she competed as a varsity athlete on the synchronized swimming team and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication. Ellen balances a full-time career while homeschooling her children and also enjoys volunteering her time as the videographer for Central Ohio Youth Ballet’s performances. Her family started attending ELCC in 2022 and Ellen is putting her creative talents to use serving the co-op as Yearbook Assistant.
We are currently seeking volunteers to help with Maintenence and Yearbook.
For more information about our board please click here
Our homeschool group was founded in Newark, Licking County, Ohio in 2009
ELCC became a 501c3 in 2014 to better serve Homeschooling families in Newark, Ohio and the surrounding areas!
ELCC currently meets for homeschool co-op classes at 310 Everett Ave. Newark, Ohio