Meet the Staff!
Jen Wiegers: Director
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Jen was born and raised in Indiana. The oldest of six children, she graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI where she met Brian. They were married in 1997 and have lived in Michigan, Virginia and Indiana. They have six children, ranging in age from 24-11 (Austin, Ally, Audrey, Avery, Aidan, Andrew). Brian, Jen and kids attend and enjoy being involved at Gathering Point Church. Jen traditionally homeschooled all of the kids at one point or another and when the craziness of 2020 hit, the Lord clearly directed Jen to offer an option to families who wanted authority and transparency in their child’s education. When Living Stone opened their doors in August 2021 with no masks, it was a joy to see students and staff enjoy “normal” learning experiences together. Jen is grateful to partner with parents in teaching students to preserve our heritage, profess God’s faithfulness, and practice His principles.
Kris Bowers: servant leader
Hayley Powell: Support Staff
Hayley Powell: Support Staff
Kris Bowers was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. She worked for the Wal-Mart Corporation for 29yrs which is where she met her husband, Matt. They have 4 children, Miles (25), Shelbie (22), Mason (21), and Alex (12). Kris and Matt were foster parents for 8yrs and had the opportunity to love on several other children that still hold a special space in their hearts.
In 2021, Kris retired from Wal-Mart and took a job with the Tippecanoe School Corp. as a Special Ed Aide at Mayflower Elementary School. At Mayflower, she became trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Restorative practices, and Bal-A-Vis-X. She has a passion for learning new things that will help ALL kids feel confident as they learn.
Kris fell in love with teaching the 4/5's Sunday School class at Gathering Point Church. Last school year, she taught the afternoon Kindergarten class at Living Stone. Although she LOVED it, she is excited to start in this new role!
Hayley Powell: Support Staff
Hayley Powell: Support Staff
Hayley Powell: Support Staff
Hayley was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. She has attended Gathering Point Church since she was in diapers. She met her future husband at GPC when they were in 2nd and 3rd grade. They have now been married for 3 years. Her husband sells extrication tools to firefighters around the state of Indiana, and also serves as an Executive Assistant at GPC.
She graduated from Purdue University in 2019 with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. She served 2 years in public education. She taught K-2 Special Education at Rossville Elementary School, which was the same school she attended from 5th-12th grade.
Hayley served at LSHA for the 2022-2023 school year as a student aide and Basic Math Skills teacher. This year, she will continue to work from home as an administrative assistant for LSHA while raising her two baby girls, Chandler and Collins. She feels blessed that Jen Wiegers found a job for her this year that allowed her to do so. She looks forward to returning as a teacher and enrolling her girls at LSHA one day.
Outside of school, Hayley enjoys shopping, coffee, working out, and playing with her 2 dogs. Hayley loves to interact and work with children with special needs. She believes that each of them can succeed, given lots of patience, love, and the right tools. Hayley enjoys showing the love of Jesus to students at LSHA, and is so excited that it has become a successful ministry at her home church! She has loved witnessing many families and teachers at LSHA start attending GPC.
Rachel Huffer: Elementary Curriculum Liason
Rachel Huffer: Elementary Curriculum Liason
Rachel Huffer: Elementary Curriculum Liason
Rachel was born and raised in Lafayette. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She taught 2nd grade in the Lafayette School Corporation for 6 years. She made a career change several years ago and is currently working from home in a sales position while keeping up with raising four little girls. Rachel served LSHA as an administrative assistant for the 2023-2024 school year and will be moving into the role of curriculum coordinator for the 2024-2025 school year.
Rachel and her husband met in high school and they have been married for 12 years. They live outside of Mulberry where they farm and own Elevated Excavation + Site Services.They raise cattle and offer freezer beef locally. They also have a variety of pasture pets including donkeys, sheep, chickens, and goats. As a family they enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, CrossFit, being active, and spending time with their friends. Rachel also enjoys gardening, cooking, photography, and playing pickleball. They attend Calvary Baptist Church.
Rachel is grateful for the opportunity to help support the staff and students of LSHA this year.
Kamee Weldy: Support staff
Rachel Huffer: Elementary Curriculum Liason
Rachel Huffer: Elementary Curriculum Liason
Kamee was born and raised in various parts of Ohio, but moved to the Lafayette area when her daughter, Bella, was born in 2017. She graduated from Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio as a Pharmacy Technician and STNA in 2017. Kamee then graduated from Ivy Tech in 2022 with her associate’s degree in business administration, and certificate in HR Management. She has worked 2 years in home health and hospice care as well as over 10 years in the customer service and sales industry; 8 of which have been in leadership/managerial roles. She is currently working full-time as a clinic manager and will be joining Livingstone this year part time, assisting with administrative duties! In December of 2023, she married her middle school sweetheart, Ben and they have another bundle of joy due at the end of this year. Home-life wouldn’t be complete without an introduction to their ornery Golden Retriever, Nala! In pastime, Kamee loves to sing, spend time with her family and play the addictive game of Monopoly GO. When time allows, she enjoys writing as it has been a hidden passion of hers for several years. Kamee and Bella have recently started attending Gathering Point Church on a regular basis and love feeling at home. She is so excited to grow her relationship with Jesus each day, by surrounding herself with others who love him as much as she does! She can’t wait to experience Livingstone from a whole new perspective
Cindy Gray: AM 4's
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Rachel kochert: PM 5's
I was born and raised in Indiana. Everyone says I have always been a teacher at heart, and I suppose that is true. I have taught Sunday School for many years, but the last 9 years I have been teaching the preschool children and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned an incredible amount about teaching as a children’s leader for Bible Study Fellowship. It’s so fun to watch them develop and be able to converse with them as they become who God made them to be.
My husband (now deceased) and I were married for 30 years and had 4 daughters. They were my students and taught me so much about life. Before marriage and children, I was an activity director of a nursing facility, which I loved. Then I worked at a small paint store helping people pick out their paint and wallpaper, and this too I loved. Being a stay-at-home mom was something I had always dreamed of and I thank God I had the opportunity. I have many favorites but here are a few: nature, wildlife, history, flowers, insects, sitting on the porch with family and friends, going to church, nose diving into the Bible, decorating, anything beautiful, cooking, and throwing parties. That's just a few! This will be my second exciting year at Living Stone Homeschool Academy.
Rachel kochert: PM 5's
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Rachel kochert: PM 5's
Rachel grew up in Romeoville, Illinois and has lived in Lafayette for 11 years. She attended Northland International University in Dunbar, Wisconsin and studied elementary education. She enjoyed teaching kindergarten, but made the decision to stay home with her three children. Rachel is excited to be heading back into the classroom to teach the 5 year olds at LSHA. She believes in a hands-on, play-based approach to learning and hopes to share the message “Love God, love people,” with her young learners.
Rachel, her husband, and her three children attend Gathering Point Church and prioritize growing their faith together. Some of their favorite activities include 4H, farming, and being outdoors. In her free time, Rachel delights in drinking a good cup of coffee, reading, and working out. Rachel is eager to walk through this new door that God has opened at LSHA.
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Beth spent the first 15 years of her life in Ohio before moving to Indiana in 1985. She’s a preacher’s kid, which meant moving a lot! She is thankful her final move brought her to Gathering Point Church because that’s where she met Marc, her husband of 33 years. Together they raised two wonderful daughters: Hayley, who is part of the Living Stone Admin Team and Kate, who is the new Children's Pastor at Gathering Point. Now they're enjoying being grandparents to their granddaughters, Chandler and Collins.
Beth attended Purdue University before her most important job: being a stay-at-home mom for seven years. She then spent 20 years in public education working as a Reading Specialist. Living Stone has been a dream come true for Beth because she is able to combine her love of teaching kids to read books with her love of teaching kids to read the Book of Books: God’s Word. You’ll find her leading Chapel every morning where we emphasize these important TRUTHs found in Scripture:
That God MADE us.
That God LOVES us.
That God sent Jesus to REDEEM us.
Beth enjoys Purdue athletics, Cubs baseball, family trips to the beach, Diet Coke, and serving at church through music ministry and VBS. She does NOT enjoy mayonnaise!
Dawn Thompson: 1st Grade
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
Beth Plybon: Kindergarten
Dawn received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Purdue University in 1993 and her Masters in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1996. Dawn taught in the public school system for 24 years serving as a kindergarten, first, and sixth grade teacher, as well as a head interventionist and IDEA teacher. She received the Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple Award for Excellence in teaching in 2003 and was awarded Teacher of the Year at her school in 2009. Dawn resides on the Southside of Lafayette with her husband, Mark, Gillian and an animal menagerie of dogs, bunnies, cows and chickens. Their son, Gavin, also resides in Lafayette with his wife and daughter, our grand baby , Melody. They attend Crestview Community Church and enjoy going on mission trips to Guatemala, participating in 4H, traveling with Gillian's competition cheer, vacationing at the beach, and going to amusement parks. Dawn is thankful to be entering her third year at Living Stone, where she feels blessed to partner with parents and pursue her love for teaching children academically and spiritually. She is honored and humbled to be given
the opportunity to help her students master first grade skills, while also growing their faith and fostering them to become lifelong learners and followers of Christ.
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
Staci was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. Staci has been married to her husband Josh for 23 years. They have three boys. RJ is a freshman at Wabash College and plays football. Blake is a senior and Isaac is a sophomore at McCutcheon High School. Both are athletes as well. You can find Staci and Josh cheering their boys on at all athletic events.
Staci took Child Development classes at Ivy Tech before becoming a homemaker. She started working for TSC when her youngest was in kindergarten. She held various positions at Mintonye Elementary over the last several years.
Staci has a gift and passion for working with children. This will be Staci’s first year at LSHA. Along with teaching academics, Staci is excited to teach her 2nd grade class to know and follow Jesus. Growing His Kingdom one tiny heart at a time.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.
Holli Schoen: 2ND GRADE
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
STACI MORRISON: 2ND GRADE
Holli grew up in Benton County, Indiana where she currently lives with her husband, Blake, two sons, Kelhar (13) and Knox (10), dog Roman, and 9 hens. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing. Holli worked as a nurse in various settings for 13 years. She entered the education world for the last 7 of those years teaching CNA classes, Medical Terminology, and Health Science. She has served in Children's ministry within her church for 13 years, ranging from Preschool to 4th grade and has a passion to teach youth that they are loved and created uniquely and perfectly in God's image. Holli looks forward to getting to know the precious stones that walk through her classroom door. Her 2nd grade focus verses come from Philippians 4:6-7: Do not worry about anything. Pray about everything. Tell God what I need. Thank God and feel his peace.
Nicole Barragato: 3rd grade
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Nicole Barragato: 3rd grade
Nicole Barragato was born and raised in the Great Lakes State- Michigan, but is a Hoosier at Heart! She attended Central Michigan University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a dual major in Special Education and Mathematics. In addition to a degree, Nicole met her husband Adam while at CMU. Together they have Emmy (9), Ella (7), and Duke (2). Nicole has experience in the resource classroom, a self-contained severely multiply impaired classroom, 3rd grade, and administrative duties. Nicole has a passion for finding creative learning strategies so that all students feel confident in the uniquely wonderful way that God created them. She also has a passion for technology and looks forward to using several forms inside of the classroom. Outside of school, Nicole enjoys music, dancing, tacos, chai lattes, and an occasional Bluey episode. She is looking forward to the future and all that God has planned for Living Stone Homeschool Academy.
Jenn Sanders: 4th grade
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Nicole Barragato: 3rd grade
Jenn Sanders is going on her 4th year at LSHA as our 4th grade teacher. She is from Lafayette, IN and has a dental degree. She worked in dentistry for 18 years before becoming a substitute teacher, then found her passion teaching at Living Stone. She and her husband John have 5 children, Ethan, Evan, Emery, Easton and Erik, all boys! Jenn is a member of Gathering Point Church. She enjoys being active in church groups and a relaxing day laying by the pool. She also enjoys her two dachshund dogs, Bailey and Bella. Her family is very active in the Wrestling community. She spends a lot of her time driving her boys to practice and tournaments. Jenn's faith grew stronger about 4 years ago when she attended a retreat in Kentucky with Roar House Ministries. From that moment on she has been very passionate about living a life for Jesus and speaking truth and sharing God's word. Teaching 4th grade is her absolute favorite. She enjoys this age and loves the academic and spiritual growth she witnesses in her students. Jenn's favorite Bible verse is “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Chelsey McCormack grew up in Benton County, Indiana. She graduated in Elementary Education from Purdue University. Before coming to Living Stone, she taught second and fifth grade in public school for several years. She then stepped away from teaching to stay home with her three children. Chelsey loves hands-on learning that makes school interactive and interesting for children. Besides teaching she has coached Robot coding classes using Legos and programming. Outside of school she thrives being outdoors with her children. She believes all children should spend adequate time exploring in nature. She enjoys gardening, yoga, running, and soaking up sunshine. Chelsey attends Northview Church in West Lafayette. This will be her third year teaching fifth grade at Living Stone. She feels so fortunate to have found Living Stone where teachers share the word of God and go above and beyond for their students. She feels God has led her to this school and she couldn’t be happier to be part of this sweet community!
Hannah White: 6th Grade
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Chelsey Mccormack: 5th grade
Hannah was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She taught 6th-grade English at Frankfort Middle School for two years before joining the Living Stone team. This will be Hannah's second year teaching 5th and 6th-grade English and Social Studies at LSHA. One of her favorite parts about teaching is developing student's passion for discussion, reading, writing, and God. Outside of school, Hannah enjoys reading, gardening, serving at church (Faith Family in Frankfort, Indiana), and spending time with family. She has been blessed thoroughly being a part of this community and is excited to see what God has in store this school year!
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Hello! My name is Michael Weesner, and I am very excited to be part of Living Stone for its fourth year. I have taught at multiple schools during my 11 years of teaching in public, charter, and private settings. I’ve taught middle school history, high school US history, high school world history, and economics. My wife, Gloria, and I spent one year in South Korea teaching English to elementary and secondary students beginning in 2014. Teaching students without having to conceal my faith is truly an exciting opportunity. Christ has given me the ability to teach, and I am excited to use the gift at Living Stone. Have I mentioned I’m excited yet?
My wife and I have 3 children. In our spare time we enjoy cheering for the Pacers and Colts, camping, hiking, disk golfing, reading, and playing board games with friends and family. We go to Immanuel United Church of Christ.
I look forward to teaching your kids at Living Stone. It is my sincerest prayer to see this school continue to grow in faith and goodness. Thank you for your trust in the school and myself.
Joanna Johnson: JR/SR High
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Michael Weesner: jr/sr high
Teacher bio coming soon!
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Sherry grew up in northeast Indiana in the small town of Monroe. After graduating high school, she moved to Indianapolis to attend Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis. She graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with her B.S. in Engineering. She loves math!! This is her third-year teaching high school math at Living Stone. She loves helping students understand mathematical concepts and enjoys seeing them realize that Ah-ha! moment when everything clicks and makes sense. Ryan, her husband, and she married in 2008 and have four children. She’s been homeschooling them for 11 years. They attend Reformed Presbyterian Church of Lafayette. Sherry is on the Christian Education Committee at their church.
She is also the Assistant Director/Treasurer of a local homeschool co-op, Lafayette Christian Co-op. She did not go to college to teach, yet the Lord continues to place her in teaching positions. By His grace, she has been able to teach at home, at church, and now, by His loving mercy, at Living Stone. “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.” Psalms 25:4-6
KRista Henson: jr/sr high
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Krista Henson has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 27 years. They have one son, Caleb, whom Krista homeschooled from age three through High School graduation. Caleb graduated from Purdue with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and currently lives and works in Lafayette. Krista also graduated from Purdue (many years ago…) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She enjoys antique shopping and weekend getaways with her husband. Krista has taught at Living Stone for three years and is so grateful for the opportunity to continue her homeschooling adventure by teaching Middle and High School Students at Living Stone. She feels privileged to not only teach academic concepts, but more importantly, she cherishes the chance to help her students learn who Jesus is and how much he wants to be a part of their lives.
Karen Basiletti: jr/sr high
Sherry Harrison: jr/sr High
Melanie Portlock: JR/Sr high
Teacher bio coming soon!
Melanie Portlock: JR/Sr high
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Melanie Portlock: JR/Sr high
Melanie was born and raised in Kansas. She moved to Lafayette to attend Purdue University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. Melanie met her husband in high school and they have been married for 25 years. She and her husband have four children and one grandson. Melanie has been homeschooling for 16 years. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, baking, and reading. Her and her family are members of Faith Church where they faithfully serve in many areas; including Sunday school teacher for kids with special needs, nursery coordinator, and Living Nativity animal wrangler. Melanie loves teaching and tries to find ways to individualize the material so all learners can succeed academically. She is thankful to be able to teach in an environment that not only encourages academic growth but more importantly growth in faith and a relationship with God.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
Emma Livingston: Physical Education
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Emma Livingston was born in Lafayette, Indiana, and raised in the surrounding area. She was homeschooled as a child and completed her education at Rossville High School, graduating in 2007. Emma has always had a passion for sports and earned a spot on the Varsity volleyball team as a sophomore by working hard to improve her skills at a professional sports club. After high school, she served as a freshman volleyball coach at Zionsville High School, Jefferson High School, and also coached for surrounding area volleyball clubs.
Emma began her college career during high school by taking online university level courses as a senior. She also completed training at Christina & Company and is a licensed cosmetologist. She is currently nearing completion for a business management degree at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Emma worked as the corporate sales manager for Project Management, where she met her husband, Michael Livingston. Emma is the biggest cheerleader for her two children, Dallas (15) and Ryann (7). She and her husband, Michael Livingston, spend many hours on the road taking their children to sporting events, which they enjoy immensely.
Emma made a profession of faith when she was a teenager. She and her family currently attend Gathering Point Church. This will be Emma's 3rd year teaching PE at Living Stone.
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Laura Mummert: Music, spanish, and drama
Laura grew up in Lafayette, and graduated from Purdue University with a major in History with minors in Religious Studies, Jewish Studies, and Philosophy. Her favorite time in college was when she got to study Spanish, Italian, and Biblical Hebrew (among other things) in the same semester. Laura has a passion for encouraging students to reach others with the love of Jesus whether it's through a foreign language, music, or drama. Laura has experience substitute teaching at all grade levels in the public school system, and spent time volunteering at the Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA) teaching ESL while attending Purdue. Laura is active in her church's children and music ministries. She is a former piano teacher. Her favorite job is being a mom to her half a dozen kiddos. She has been married for almost 2 decades. The idea of free-time sounds fun, and when she gets it, she and her husband love to spend time with their friends and family, go for hikes, ride bikes, and work on their 1890s farm house. This will be Laura's 4th year teaching at Living Stone.
Staci O'Bryan: Art
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
My name is Staci O’Bryan! This is my 4th year teaching art. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University. I have a passion for art and creating. I am in complete awe of God’s handiwork in this world. He is the greatest artist! I hope to share His beauty and creativity with my students. I am very spontaneous and love adventure. I love trying and learning new things. My hobbies include hiking, biking, canoeing, running, painting, and going to garage sales! I am a mom to four and wife to Sean. We have four amazing children: Olivia, Lily, Casey, and Lucy. We have lived in West Lafayette for the past 34 years.
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
Elise is going into her 4th year of teaching American Sign Language at Living Stone Homeschool Academy. Elise spent the early part of her childhood in the suburbs of Chicago, but moved to Lafayette when she was 7. She is blessed to have two sisters and brother (and a brother-in-law) that she loves spending time with, and it is even better when the whole family is together! Elise loves following her two passions...being involved in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and teaching! Her main job throughout the week involves working with families that have Deaf and Hard of Hearing babies (birth-three) as they begin their new journey of raising a Deaf and Hard of Hearing child. She helps make sure those kiddos are given every opportunity to thrive! The highlight of her week is when she also gets to come to Living Stone to share and teach the language she loves, American Sign Language! Elise is hard of hearing due to lack of oxygen at birth and has been wearing hearing aids since age 3 and started signing around age 8 all thanks to the great Provider! During her free time, she loves spending time with friends and family, especially if it involves coffee and games! She enjoys playing the piano, watching movies, doing Pilates, listening to audiobooks, swimming during the summer, cooking new dinner recipes, reading, practicing ASL interpretations of songs, and traveling. Throughout the week Elise also has the blessing of working with the youth at Kossuth Street Baptist Church.
Tamara Widmer: Elem. American Sign Language
Elise cinatl: JR/SR High American Sign Language
Tamara Widmer: Elem. American Sign Language
Teacher bio coming soon!