Meet The Teachers
Meet the Teachers
SCOPE 2023 – 2024 School Year
Debra Bilbrey (American Sign Language)
My name is Debra Bilbrey, and I am deaf. I was born and raised in Rapid City, SD. When I was three years old, it was discovered that I had a hearing loss. Instead of sending me to SD School for the Deaf, I was outfitted with a hearing aid and enrolled in the Rapid City public schools with speech therapy. When I graduated from high school, I made the decision to enroll at Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO.
From there, I was first exposed to American Sign Language. Eventually, I lost most of my residual hearing that fall. I learned American Sign Language to cope and with the help of ASL interpreters, I graduated with an AA degree in Food Service Preparation and Management. After a year of working in the food service industry, I decided to pursue the idea of becoming a teacher for the deaf.
I attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated with a B.A. Degree in Elementary
Education/Deaf Education. However, I did not complete student teaching at the time I graduated. I have worked various jobs within the field of deafness. I was a dormitory counselor at SD School for the Deaf and worked for Communication Service for the Deaf in Sioux Falls, SD. I’ve also worked for various group homes located in the Twin Cities in River Falls, WI. In addition, I was also a cook for a nursing home in River Falls, WI.
It was through the collaboration of Communication Service for the Deaf and Augustana College that I was trained as an American Sign Language Teacher which was one of the first projects at that time. They established a pilot program to train interested parties to become American Sign Language teachers. I have taught American Sign Language for various agencies under contract with Communication Service for the Deaf from 1986 – 1997. I taught American Sign Language at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls from 2008 – 2015 and Blaine High School, MN from Fall, 2015 - 2016. I have been with SCOPE since Fall, 2019.
Katie DesLauriers (World Religions, Apologetics, Psychology and Leadership & Entrepreneurship)
I am a mother of three boys (12, 11 and 4 years old). I have a Bachelor of Science in Ministries and a Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology as well as a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership all from Northwestern University-St. Paul. I have a passion for mental health and have helped people struggling through a ministry I started called Finding The Light Project (www.findingthelightproject.com). For the last two years, my husband, kids and I have traveled full-time with the ministry around the U.S. in our RV. We have made some amazing memories while meeting some amazing people with heart wrenching stories. I feel very blessed to be called to God’s Kingdom teaching people about mental wellness through a Biblical worldview. I have homeschooled our children for the last three years and have found a love for the interactive and hands-on style of teaching which I will be bringing to the classroom.
Ellen Finnigan (Sr. High Writing)
Ms. Finnigan has been teaching homeschooled students online in one form or another since 2008. She has a B.A. in English from Boston College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from The University of Montana, where she won the Merriam-Frontier Award given to one student each year for achievement in writing. She has published many essays in literary magazines and online venues, and most recently wrote curricula and taught high school in the English and Literature department at Kolbe Academy Online (2013-2022). She recently founded Teach to the Text and lives in Estes Park, CO, where she enjoys hiking, biking, and hanging out with her precious nephew and adorable niece!
Jon Johnson (General Science, Physical Science and Physics)
Jonathan Johnson grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa and attended Iowa State University prior to enlisting in the US Navy Nuclear Power Program. He spent 43 years making electricity by splitting atoms at 5 different military and civilian nuclear reactors . He has a Bachelor's degree in Technology with a Nuclear Specialty. He and his wife Sherry homeschooled their nine children and have taught at numerous homeschool co-ops in the last 38 years.
Sherry Johnson (Beginning Social Studies, Beg. Science, Beg. Art, Elementary Art and Advanced Art)
My husband, Jon and I have been married for 51 years and have 9 children and 22 grandchildren! Stacy Kangar is our oldest daughter. We started homeschooling in 1986 when Stacy was going into 7th grade. My favorite hobbies include painting, sewing, gardening and spending time with my family. I’m excited to be joining SCOPE this coming school year. With about a long history of homeschooling, I guess you’d call me a Veteran! Teaching has been my love for a long time. This year I will be joining the SCOPE staff as an art instructor, and an early elementary science and social studies teacher. Can’t wait to meet your kids!
Stacy Kangar (American History – Sr. High, and Pre-K/K Class -2nd semester)
Hello! My husband, Ben and I have 6 sons and 3 daughters-in-law and have been homeschooling for 21 years. We have a ministry in Malawi called Liberty International Development which trains local youth in trade skills with discipleship classes done by our in-coutry director. Fifty students have already graduated from the program. My hobbies include gardening and making teas from my own herbs. While this is my first year teaching at SCOPE, I love history, especially American History. I am very excited to be able to pass this love onto the students in my classes this coming year.
Crystal Randgaard (Elementary Drama)
Hello all! This will be my first year teaching, and I am very excited about this opportunity. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University, and have been involved with drama classes, theater productions, musicals, variety shows and community theater since junior high school. I also worked at the Guthrie Theater for several years.
I live in Hudson, Wisconsin with my husband Rick, daughter April, and our three cats. I teach and coach Brazilian Jiujitsu to kids and adults alike. I enjoy being outside as much as possible and spending any free time with family and friends.
April Rist (Beginning & Elementary Writing, and Elementary Science)
April has been married to her husband, Mark, for 27 years. They have two daughters: Mara (age 15) and Anessa (age 11). Their family has lived in Clear Lake, WI since 2007. April was a licensed substitute teacher for the Clear Lake School District for several years. She has been homeschooling for 3 years and looks forward to serving at SCOPE and assisting families in their homeschooling journey.
Anne Ross (ACT Prep, Jr. High Writing, Math Tutoring and U.S. Geography)
Anne is a “retired” teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Math minor, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is married with two adult children and one sweet rescue dog. She has lived in ten different states – making Hudson, WI their home since 2006. Anne has been involved in the homeschool community since 2004, including as a SCOPE parent, teacher, and board member for several years. In her spare time, she loves to study the Bible, bake, volunteer, do jigsaw puzzles, travel, read and encourage others. She loves being a part of SCOPE!
Cassie Stiff (PreK/K Class - 1st semester)
I am a momma, wife, and an educator. I have two children, 3rd grade and 6th grade, who have a love of learning and being on the ice year-round. I have taught in many environments over the last fifteen years from pre-k to high school. My joy comes from seeing children grow and develop into curious learners and people. I believe that all children and people can learn when they are shown their strengths and given that encouragement to embrace them. It is the responsibility of the adults in the child’s life to lift the child up and introduce the wonder of the world to them. I work with the child’s parents/guardians to learn who they are and incorporate their uniqueness into their learning.
Angie Szyman (Piano)
Angie Szyman has been a private piano instructor professionally for 13 years. In that time, she taught all ages the gift of music at the piano, from four-year-olds to forty-year-olds and every level in between. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance with a pedagogy certificate from UW-River Falls. She lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband and son, where she teaches piano from their home and plays piano actively for their church.