Summer 2017

6 / 28

6
Finding Your NICHE
Homeschool Iowa Regional Representatives
Region 1
Denise Huskamp |
Denise has been married for 34 years and has four grown chil-
dren, all married. She has served for decades as a homeschool
supervising teacher, helping families within a 70-mile radius of
her home. Denise’s gentle spirit and good listening skills equip
her as she encourages homeschooling families.
Region 2
Alicia Navarette |
Alicia and her husband of 17 years have been blessed with three
children. She serves as a leader of her local homeschool support
group, planning activities, and assisting with its operations.
Well-known as a homeschooler in her community and the sur-
rounding area, Alicia is often approached by those seeking infor-
mation about home education.
Region 3
Kristen Borseth |
Kristen has been involved in homeschool groups located in sev-
eral Iowa locations, including the area near her current home
in northeast Iowa, and she has helped to organize activities of
interest to homeschooling families as well. She and her husband
Tim have been married for almost 25 years and have six children,
three of whom have now graduated.
Region 4
Laura Anne Cvrk |
Laura has been married to her husband Cory for 27 years, and
they have seven homeschooled children, four who have graduat-
ed from high school, and three who have graduated from college.
She has lived in several different locations in Iowa and has served
in various leadership positions with her current local homeschool
support group. Laura also has experience teaching children with
learning disabilities and special needs.
Region 5
Molly Benson |
Molly Benson and her husband Bill have been married since 1978
and have five children, including a special-needs child. She has
served homeschoolers in the Carroll area for many years as a
support group leader and supervising teacher. In her role as the
coordinator of the Homeschool Iowa Used Curriculum Sale, we’ve
seen Molly repeatedly demonstrate her gentle servant’s heart.
Region 7
Jill Oppman |
Jill has filled many roles of service for NICHE, planning and orga-
nizing event details for the Homeschool Iowa Conference, Capi-
tol Day, 25th Anniversary Banquet, and more. Due to moving a
couple of times, she’s been involved in several Iowa homeschool
groups. She and her husband Darren have been married for 32
years and have four adult children and are grandparents as well.
Region 8
Teresa Ott |
Teresa and her husband Jim (married for 32 years) started home-
schooling their four now-adult children after they experienced six
years of public schooling, so she knows about“jumping in at mid-
stream.”She has served as a homeschool supervising teacher and
a homeschool support group leader and advocate in the Dubuque
area, as well as a Homeschool Iowa Conference team member.
Region 9
Shellie Arentson |
Shellie served for several years as the NICHE support group co-
ordinator and organized sponsored functions for support group
leaders. She and her husband Emory are retired NICHE board
members and currently co-lead their local homeschool support
group. They have been married for 29 years, have eight children,
and are blessed to be grandparents as well.
Meet your NICHE Representatives:
We are pleased to introduce our Homeschool
Iowa Regional Representatives to help support
you and your family on your home education
adventure.
Each regional representative is a seasoned home-
schooling veteran with extensive practical skills and
wisdom that come from years of experience.
Their duties will include helping NICHE identify
the needs and concerns of homeschooling families
in their areas, as well as facilitating communications
with local homeschool support groups and providing
counsel to new home educators in their regions.
Regional Representatives
Coordinator ~ Polly Lilly
Polly and her husband Dan are NICHE
board members. They have been mar-
ried for 39 years and have three sons,
one daughter, and five grandchildren.
Polly is well-equipped to be the NICHE
Regional Representative Coordinator,
bringing a wealth of experience both
as a homeschool support group leader
and a supervising teacher. Polly is an
excellent mentor possesing a wealth of
knowledge, the ability to communicate
with compassion, and a teacher’s heart.
You may contact Polly at .