Brandy Vizmanos-Garcia received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a major in history and minor in political science from the University of Arizona in 1998. She also earned a middle school endorsement at that time. Brandy later earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in emotional behavior from the University of Arizona in 2002. She worked in the public school system for 9 years and has been running Calvary Heritage Learning Center an affiliate of Academy Northwest for the last 12 years.

Brandy has consistently taught history and English over the last 21 years. Most of her experience has been at the middle school level, but she has had the pleasure of working with high school students for the last 8 years.

Brandy and her husband, Ed, have been married for 18 years. They moved to Washington State from Tucson, Arizona, 17 years ago. They homeschool their 13-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter. When Brandy is not taxiing her children around to their various activities, she loves just being home. She looks forward to working in the yard, watching a good movie, or reading a book.

Tim Drumm is the Pastor of Student Ministries at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He graduated from The College of Biblical Studies with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership and a minor in Bible. More recently, he graduated from The Master’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Tim has worked with teenagers for more than a decade and is passionate about teaching them the truth of the Bible and encouraging their growth in Christ.

Christina South has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Southern Oregon State College and Washington State teacher certification for secondary mathematics. Christina has been involved in the education of students for more than 26 years–homeschooling, teaching classes, tutoring, classroom teaching, and coaching speech and debate students. She taught in Christian schools for eight years before becoming a home schooling parent. Classroom instruction included English, math (primarily Algebra and above), Bible, study skills, drama, personal finance, life skills, and Spanish. Whether in the classroom or at home, Christina enjoys the challenge of making instruction meet the individual needs of her students

Christina and her husband have six children–two biological and four adopted. She also has three grandchildren. When there is a quiet moment, Christina enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and spending time outdoors.

Dennis Powell received his B.A. in history with minors in math and
education at Seattle Pacific College where he met his wife Deborah (a teacher also) and married in 1974. Dennis received his master’s degree in education at the University of LaVerne in California. Recent members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, the Powells are thrilled to see its varied ministries, including Hill Creek Christian. Dennis was inspired to Christian education through teaching 8th grade math, science, and Bible at Bellevue Christian School.

He and Deborah moved to Northern California to co-found Kingswood Christian School in Placerville and served as math/science teacher and administrator of the junior high/high school program. Finally, they served in public school in the Coachella Valley. They enjoyed the primarily Hispanic students there, including many farm workers’ children of very humble means.

Dennis has experience in home construction and real estate development. He loves the Northwest and enjoys building squirrel and bird feeders, going fishing, and hopes to include duck and goose hunting this fall. He looks forward to getting to know the wonderful students in Hill Creek and working with their parents to see these children grow and thrive in whatever callings the Lord has for them.

Barb Peterson is a graduate of Biola University with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a minor in Biblical Studies. She taught in a Christian school in Southern California for five years before moving with her husband to the Skagit Valley.

When the first of their children approached school age, they were instrumental in founding the Skagit Valley Homeschool Association, the first organized homeschool group in the county. For 20 years, she homeschooled her own children, then began working in a parent partnership program associated with the Arlington Public Schools. During her 18 years at this program, the district awarded her to be Highly Qualified in most subjects in grades K-8th.

Many homeschooling parents in our area know Barb as the administrator of the Iowa Tests that she has given to generations of students each spring. She is a firm believer that learning should be engaging and fun. The children under her tutelage thrive in an environment of encouragement and personal challenge.

Barb finds delight in gardening, canning fruits and vegetables, and exploring the back roads of America. When the weather forces her indoors, sewing and quilting fill her time.

Karen Schmidt earned a B.A. in communication from Trinity International University (Illinois) while she and her husband served in Ecuador as missionaries. She has taught three levels of Spanish for 12 years and translates at a local Christian medical outreach. She has taught ESL classes and used Spanish as a nurse and youth group short term missions leader.

As a freelance writer and editor for more than 28 years, Karen has been published in print magazines and journals, written and edited online sites, produced curriculum for four publishers, and is a contributing editor for a professional journal.

Karen is also a registered nurse and volunteers at a local free medical clinic, integrating patient teaching with the practice of nursing.

She loves that teaching at Hill Creek provides opportunities to pass on skills with plenty of encouragement so young people can effectively use their abilities to live out the purposes God has for them.

Karen homeschooled their son through high school. She and her husband live on Camano Island.

Ilsa Higgins earned a piano scholarship at Southwestern College in Arizona
where she obtained a bachelor of science degree with a major in elementary education and a minor in Social Studies. During her time at SWC, Ilsa’s responsibilities included accompanying the concert choir and performing as a vocalist for the choir and vocal ensemble. She toured the country for two summers with the ensemble.

Ilsa has performed extensively in her lifetime and was the accompanist for the voice department at Yavapai College in Arizona. While there, she sang and played in Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera dinner theaters in addition to accompanying the master chorale.

Ilsa has taught second, fourth, and sixth grade in both public and private schools, as well as substitute taught K-12. She is a wife and mother of five children ages 5-16. In her spare time, she enjoys a good work of nonfiction, playing around in her flower garden, and being outdoors in general.  Her interests also include nutrition and exercise.