Meet the Homegrown Learning Mentors

Check out the amazing mentors we have at Homegrown Learning. Our mentors guide the Homegrown Learning children through our learning topics and activities like daily crafts, building, life skills and educational content. Click here to learn more about our learning topics!

"I just want to take a moment to recognize a couple of incredibly special people, Marly, Heike and Jen. It’s hard to put into words what their presence has meant to our family this year, but I’ll try.

What they offer isn’t just education its connection. It’s deep, meaningful, one-on-one care that sees each child as a whole person. My kids aren’t just learning math and reading; they’re learning how to be decent humans, how to lead with kindness, how to think for themselves, how to care for others.

Under their guidance, my daughter has unlocked parts of herself we hadn’t fully seen before. Her leadership, her artistic voice, her confidence in stepping forward have all blossomed at HGL. And for my son, his growth this year has been extraordinary. Not just academically, but emotionally. He’s gaining self-confidence while staying true to his gentle, caring nature. And that is everything to our family.

These mentors don’t just support academic growth, they honor the parenting values of each family here while still providing structure, integrity, and continuity for the kids. That balance is rare, and it’s powerful.

In a world where the mainstream education system is failing to honor the spirit of children, this homeschool space, this community, is a lifeline. A place where my children thrive, where they are safe, seen, and inspired. That is not something I take for granted.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Marly, Heike, and Jen. You are shaping more than students; you are shaping futures. And we are so deeply grateful for you."

-Mandi, Mother

Marly - Homegrown Learning Director

At Homegrown Learning I want Individualized Instruction and the Love for Learning prioritized in the children's education, as we work toward helping them become someone who is independently educated, loves their Family and Community, and has a solid character. I am doing this by incorporating our faith/spiritual beliefs in a emotionally and physically safe enviroment.

I’ve been an educator for 14 years in diverse settings; both globally and locally. I have a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Reno, and taught at the High School level for 3 years at Wooster and Damonte Ranch High School. For the following 3 years, I traveled throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa teaching and being involved in different global educational programs:
● Taught English at a High School in Italy
● Taught English online to children in China Developed and led professional development trainings in Penang, Malaysia
● Team Leader for the LRTT Professional Training Program in Tanzania, Africa
● For the next two years, I did private tutoring and homeschooled children in K-12 grades
I then developed Homegrown Learning with a group of homeschool families. My future goal is to design and build this learning community that lives by its mission through its mentors, parents, and children. I want to re-establish a learning environment that focuses on individual needs, interests, and learning levels while building a love for learning.

Heike - Learning Mentor

I have taught for over 25 years in diverse settings; in Germany, the United States; Arizona, and primarily Reno. I received my State Examined child care provider license in Germany in 1988.

● Taught small project based art classes as co-founder of Artful Play in studio and at community events
● Volunteered at Rollan Melton Elementary School in art program and led school wide bottle cap mural
● Volunteered to set up art studio space
at CTE Pre-k Lab School and mentored senior and junior AACT highschool students to run studio space
● Presented at NevAEYC conference
● Child and Family Research Center Lead Preschool Teacher UNR, Reno NV
● Attended study tour in Reggio Emilia with CFRC for one week
● Little Learners II, Reno NV Preschool Director, and Kinder Program Teacher
● Sunrise Preschool, Lead Pre-K Master Teacher - USA
● Municipal Child Care Center, Relief ChildMinder - Germany
● Municipal Childcare preschool teacher floaters/substitute - Germany
My passion has always been to educate the whole child in a developmentally appropriate and play-based manner in a living classroom. Learning is as much in your body as it is in your head. “Hands-on” experiences or manipulatives during the learning process greatly increase learning efficiency. Touch is a strong anchor in behavior and learning. Children’s movement cannot be restricted but should always be included in as many ways as possible. Children need to be able to express and label their emotions to develop a strong emotional vocabulary. The classroom environment should be the “third teacher” that helps to foster curiosity and experimentation. Learning needs to be exciting and very open to observations, questions, the development of the hypothesis and the recording and sharing of children's results. Learning routines with manipulatives and access to self-correcting and open-ended materials is essential to meaningful child centered learning. Furthermore, my goal is to instill the love of learning and exploration in each child to develop intrinsic motivation. To me, the goal in education begins by meeting each child where they are and supporting the family so each child can develop and grow to their full potential in a developmentally appropriate manner. Children are born investigators. It is my joy to guide and support every single one!

Jen - Learning Mentor

I am a Nevada native, graduated from the University of Nevada Reno with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I have been an educator on and off for the past 20 years. I have taught kindergarten through 2nd grade for the Washoe County School District. When not teaching
in the schools I was tutoring, substitute teaching, volunteering and providing daycare services
for friends and family, and most importantly teaching my own 3 kiddos.
Education and childcare is my passion. I believe in a hands-on learning environment and a more individualized learning so each child can feel the true successes of learning. I love
creating play-based lessons to help keep learning fun and exciting!