Hello! My name is Laurie Claffey. At heart, I have been a nurturer and an educator nearly my whole life. My teaching career began at eight years of age, when I set up school on my front porch and taught my neighborhood playmates what I had learned in 2nd grade. Sixteen years later, after earning my Bachelor of Arts in Education, I spent one year as a substitute teacher in Washington before moving to Alaska to teach 1st and 2nd grade in a Christian school. In recent years, I have worked at a Christian preschool, tutored at a local charter school, and assisted in 2nd and 5th grade classrooms in the Grants Pass school district. I have also privately tutored children of various ages and abilities and am proud to have been co-founder of the Grants Pass Homeschool Co-op. I have also worked with the Big Sisters program, taught Sunday school, mentored single mothers, foster parented, and provided respite for friends with special needs children.​

Educating my four children at home has been a rewarding challenge. Two of my kids were honors students, one of whom was awarded a $40,000 scholarship. My other two children struggled to learn in traditional ways and motivated me to spend many hours researching alternate, effective approaches to their education. All graduated with a home school diploma. I love the homeschooling lifestyle and am eager to come alongside younger parents as they live out their own home school journey.

Hello families. My name is Abby Sheets. When I don't have my nose in a book, you'll find me drinking black tea, playing in the garden or acting  ridiculous over my newest baby farm animal. As far back as I can remember, I have loved learning and helping people. I didn't always know I wanted to be a teacher, but am profoundly glad that God kept nudging and leading me until I took the leap to go back to school and get my teaching license about seventeen years ago. Since making that decision, I met and married my husband of sixteen years, have instructed at RCC, worked as a teacher's aide in public school, substitute taught for public and private schools for grades K-12, become a mother of four, helped in my older children's schools, home schooled my children for five years and taught in a local homeschool group.  I am now looking forward to the best of both worlds as I plan and prepare to teach second and third grade at Arrows this coming year while still homeschooling my two youngest kids the other days of the week.  I love the flexibility and opportunity to be a bigger part of my kids' lives through homeschooling, but I also love the energy, learning and friendships that come from being involved in a small classroom setting. I am truly grateful to be given this opportunity to teach and to encourage other families as they embark on their own homeschool journeys.  

My name is Michelle Sheely, and I have been a member of the Rogue Valley community since 1999. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of engaging in a variety of enjoyable jobs. However, it was in 2016 that I discovered my true passion: teaching. Since then, I have served as a SMART reading buddy, a reading tutor, and a teacher's aide, all of which have prepared me for my current role as a first-grade teacher. I find great joy in watching children learn and grow, and I strive to instill a love for learning in each of my students. Outside of the classroom, I have a range of interests that keep me active and fulfilled. I enjoy camping, archery, fishing, and painting, but my favorite pastime is crocheting. I believe that balancing professional dedication with personal interests helps me bring creativity and enthusiasm into my teaching.

Hello! I grew up in the Rogue Valley, went to college in Seattle, and lived in Southern California and Denver before eventually moving back home. I have been married to my husband Andrew for 13 years and we have 11 year old twin girls. We have been homeschooling with Arrows for six years, and we are so thankful for this community! In my free time I love reading, camping, baking, and traveling with my family. I can’t wait to meet your kindergartener this year! 

Hello! I’m Taylor Mikels. I’ve been married to my husband, Tobin, for 14 years and we have three precious children. I love being barefoot outside, cooking, deep friendship, learning, and Jesus. I’ve homeschooled with Arrows for the last three years and I’m so grateful and excited to be serving as the aftercare aid for kindergarten this year. I truly enjoy children and love helping them build confidence not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. It’s a delight to come alongside them as they explore, ask questions, and grow in knowledge and character. Arrows has such a special place in my heart and I look forward to getting to know each new student and cheering them on this year! 

Dear Friends and Fellow Christian Homeschool Parents Welcome to Arrows! 

We are excited to have your kids join us this year, and I am personally excited to have EACH one of your children, to hopefully grow their love for Physical Education (PE)! 

My love for PE developed at a young age. I competed in Track and field in middle and high school, and loved weight training in high school and beyond. I have always had a deep joy in being physically active. Whether it's hiking, running, swimming, lifting weights/strength training, frisbee, co-ed softball, or just playing catch; I have always enjoyed being active. I've learned that PE has endless possibilities for playing, and health, all by moving our bodies! 

I am wife to my husband Aaron of 13 years and have 4 children together; Lucy, David, Jonathan and Benjamin. I can't wait to see your children grow to enjoy PE. God made us these bodies and He calls them a Temple. Hopefully we can all learn to work them out and cherish them in ways that brings Him, and us, joy! 

Looking forward to this school year!

Hello families and students! My name is Maria Tijerina. My husband and I moved to Grants Pass from Denver in 2020 with a one year old, thrilled to be starting a new life in a mountain town. In the last five years, the Lord has blessed us with a second son, a church family we can serve and love, and a property and home we are abundantly thankful for. I grew up with seven siblings in a homeschooled family, helping my mom with everything from laundry to cooking to grading math homework from a young age. While my siblings enjoyed their sports, I preferred music, reading, Bible memorization and learning traditional skills from Mom. I graduated college with a Biblical Languages degree, intending to serve God overseas in translation; but in God’s wisdom I ended up teaching Jr High in a Christian school, meeting my husband, and working in customer service before starting the great journey of motherhood. I have far too many interests to list, but music has always been a great love of mine; and especially sharing music with children, as a private piano teacher and kids’ worship leader. I am excited to experience the wonderful world of music with the Arrows students this year!

Hi! My name Kathy Mikels. I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group of ladies and amazing kids at Arrows! I’m the mother of 10 children and 23 grandchildren so it’s no wonder I love working with kids!

My children are all grown, graduated, and well into their careers so I now have the opportunity to impact another generation! I’ve been married to my husband, Ted, for 41 years. We enjoy living out in the country in the Illinois Valley. I’ve been in the homeschool world for 33 years as I have educated many of my children from home. I have a passion for seeing kids flourish academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Character formation and fun are important to me. I’m truly honored to spend time with your children and look forward to seeing all that God has in store for Arrows this year!