Meet the Homeschool Iowa Board, a dedicated team with the mission to equip homeschooling families and to protect homeschool freedom in Iowa.
Since its inception in 1992, Homeschool Iowa (NICHE) has been served by an amazing roster of homeschooling parents who were willing to offer their time and talents to pursue and meet these vital goals.
Our current board members are committed to continue and build upon those past high standards of service.
MEET THE HOMESCHOOL IOWA BOARD
Dr. Joe & Angie O'Tool are passionate about inspiring others that homeschooling IS possible, preserving the freedom to homeschool, and raising awareness of the benefits that this kind of education and lifestyle brings.
With his focus as a clinician on neurology and brain health, Joe sees the value of home education in a way in which many others may be unaware.
The O'Tools have been married since 2007 and have six very social, creative children. They have lived abroad, served in various missions and non-profit organizations, and are involved in their local church.
Joe & Angie have a heart for small group ministry, love meeting new people, and are always learning and growing. As small business owners, they love how homeschooling fits seamlessly into their lives and allows Angie to be involved in their business and their kids to have a variety of learning experiences they would not have if they followed the "normal" path.
They were both homeschooled K-12 and had very different schooling environments, but both loved the opportunities and open doors homeschooling afforded them.
When asked why they chose to serve with Homeschool Iowa, they shared, "We're excited to be aligned with the trusted leader in home education in Iowa and to see the growth of homeschooling in the coming months and years! We know that, while it is not without its challenges, no one will regret choosing this path for their family!"
The O'Tools are the coordinators for the Homeschool Iowa Leader2Leader Retreat and Joe serves as President of the Homeschool Iowa Board.
George and Kim Blom have been married since 1993 and homeschooled four children K-12, all of whom have now graduated. Three of their children are married, and Kim and George now have grandchildren as well.
The Bloms have served in leadership positions in their local homeschool group in Pella and taught courses in a local homeschool co-op.
George is Senior Supply Manager at Pella Corporation. He serves as the Homeschool Iowa Board Secretary and on the Homeschool Iowa Board Executive Committee.
Kim served for six years as the Homeschool Iowa Conference Coordinator and continues to oversee hospitality arrangements for board retreats and meetings.
The Bloms loved the opportunity to disciple their children and to help them develop a love of learning through homeschooling. This fuels their passion to encourage other families in their homeschooling journeys.
Jill Oppman and husband, Darren, have been married since 1985. They have four adult children who were all homeschooled, and now enjoy the titles of Grandma and Grandpa.
When their oldest child was nearing kindergarten age, a seasoned homeschool couple approached them and asked if they had ever considered homeschooling. With direction from this veteran couple, they jumped in and never looked back!
Darren and Jill note that one of the greatest blessings of homeschooling was the closeness it brought to their family and also gave them the privilege of discipling their children to love and serve the Lord.
Jill enjoys sharing her homeschool experiences with others as a way to encourage and help them navigate their own journey.
The Oppmans have been volunteering for Homeschool Iowa in a variety of ways for many years. Jill has served as our Capitol Day Coordinator and Conference Volunteer Coordinator. She has been a Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative since the program’s beginning in 2017 and a board member since 2017. Darren served on the Homeschool Iowa board for three years and retired in 2020.
Luke and Maggie Loftin are homeschooling parents of five children who are committed to building a Christ-centered family life.
Raised in rural western Kansas, they were married there in 2010 and embraced homeschooling early as a natural expression of their faith and family priorities.
Luke holds a B.S. in Pastoral Ministry from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University School of Business. He is currently employed as a software program manager with Wright Service Corp. in West Des Moines.
Maggie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fort Hays State University, and she is now serving full time as a homemaker and homeschool educator.
Their homeschooling approach integrates faith throughout their children’s education and emphasizes service, hands-on learning, flexibility, and individualized instruction.
The Loftins moved to Iowa in 2012 and remain active in their community, volunteering and serving within multiple boards and committees.
Nick and Dana Reddin have been married since 1990 and have six children.
The Reddins began homeschooling in 1999 within the classical tradition, seeking to provide a Christ-centered education rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty.
Over the years, they have been involved in leadership and starting co-ops, directing Classical Conversations, and founding a hybrid model of home education in Des Moines. Continuing in those pursuits, Dana is currently Dean of the Lower School at Two Rivers Classical Academy.
Nick is vice-president at American Technology Consulting, helping clients apply and execute technology for competitive advantage. His expertise in this area has been invaluable to Homeschool Iowa.
Through decades of experience as home educators, Nick and Dana have developed a zeal for supporting and encouraging other families in their homeschooling efforts.
Ben and Jessica Beran were married in 2012 after they both graduated from college and enjoyed several years as professional basketball players in Germany and Australia. The Berans are the parents of three children and began exploring their philosophy of education in 2018, as their first child approached school age.
Their desire was to define what education is and what it is for, and to let those convictions guide how they educated their family.
Ben and Jessica resonate deeply with educator Charlotte Mason, who wrote, “We must bear in mind that growth—physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual—is the sole end of education.” They also identify with Miss Mason's belief that all true education is self-education, largely developed through the reading of great books.
The Berans' goals in homeschooling are to cultivate deep family relationships, model discipleship to Jesus through serving one another and their community, and nurture lifelong learners.
Among the many benefits that homeschooling offers, they especially value the freedom of time, something they see as essential for true creativity, meaningful exploration, and strong relationships.
Each year, they have adapted and refined their approach to ensure that their homeschool serves their family rather than masters it. Having received invaluable help along the way, they are now eager to support others on a similar journey.
David and Melissa Moody married in 2008. Since then, the Lord has blessed them with 10 children.
David has his bachelor's degree in Latin from the University of Virginia. David met Melissa when they both taught at a Christian school in Florida.
When their oldest was six, they decided to homeschool their children, and have enjoyed discipling their children in the Lord through Christian education.
David got his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte and is the associate pastor at Christ the Redeemer Church in Pella, Iowa.
David and Melissa are devoted to raising their children in the Lord and in helping other parents to do the same.