Tutors

Intro to IEW, IEW-A, IEW-B, Winston Grammar 1, Winston Grammar 2

Ms. Jennifer Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a B.A. in English. She has been involved in the homeschooling community since 2004.  She has four daughters - two in college, a senior, and a freshman. Prior to tutoring at Rukavina Homeschool Tutoring Academy, she taught preschool Sunday School, lead various AWANA clubs, and taught IEW to her own children and their friends.  Much to her children’s dismay, she is a grammar geek who actually enjoys diagramming sentences.  Her dream is to someday become an author. You will usually find her wearing purple – but she is not old!

jenlar1012@gmail.com

Preschool

Mrs. Johannah Rukavina earned her Early Childhood Education degree from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and upon graduating, went on to teach preschool at Dodge Nature Preschool for the next five years before staying at home with her two young boys. Johannah has spent most of her life working with, and teaching young children, and finds the best tool that a teacher could have is a door to the outdoors (or better yet, no walls keeping us indoors!). Children experience a sense of safety and also respect when they are trusted to explore and follow their own ideas, and this leads to incredible, in-depth learning opportunities that we, as adults, could not create for them. Johannah is excited to offer a new learning opportunity to our families that not only brings young children outdoors, but engages them in God's wonderful creation as they learn essential social-emotional skills that will set them up for success in later life as they develop a deep love for learning.

johannah.d.rukavina@gmail.com

Kindergarten - MS Science & History

Mrs. Vickie Rukavina a mother to five children who have all been homeschooled.  Four have graduated and the fifth is due to graduate in a few years.  She loves to teach with a multi-sensory approach.  It's important to her to make her material fun and relevant for the student.  She utilizes games, timelines, and a bit of technology.

Mrs. Vickie Rukavina

952-607-0565

thereishopevr@comcast.net

US Constitution, Middle School Science, Music Appreciation, Dave Ramsey, Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Mrs. Sarah Wicklander grew up in the woods of Northern Wisconsin, the fourth of five kids. She accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was 6 years old. She attended St. Paul Bible College, now called Crown College, where she earned her Bachelors of Music Education. After being influenced by homeschooled piano students, two of whom had the last name Rukavina, she decided to homeschool her two kids. Ten years later, Peter is now 16 and Elizabeth is 15. As well as her kids, she lives in Eagan with her husband of 26 years, Kerry. Mrs. Wicklander enjoys perennial gardening, cooking, deer hunting, and spending time with her family.

 sarahwicklander@gmail.com

Piano Studio - piano lessons

Mrs. Joy Taylor

Since age 5, Joy has been taking lessons and has accomplished piano to an advanced level.  She has been teaching piano since 2009.

In each lesson, Joy includes theory, classical works, and looks for pieces of interest for the student.

Joy Taylor

952-607-0729

joyspianoschool@gmail.com

Literature

Mrs. Chrisanne Keswick earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics at UC Davis. She began her love of language and literature in high school but continued in earnest after college when she finally had time to read classics again! While homeschooling her three children through high school, she continued this passion for literature and writing. She began teaching language arts to other homeschool families seven years ago. She loves to relate God’s truth to beautiful literature and to encourage children and parents to do this, too!

cfkeswick@gmail.com

Light in a Dark World, Biblical Worldview

Being able to disciple and pour into young Christians is a passion that God has laid upon my heart. Whether it is mentoring one on one or sharing with a group, I love seeing God shape and mold His young followers into His image. I have have been privileged to get my 4 year degree at Moody Bible Institute in Biblical Studies and been able to serve with the ministry Child Evangelism Fellowship. Both of these have shown me the importance of coming alongside and instructing young people as they discover the beauty and riches of what a deep relationship with Christ can look like. Building this foundation when they are young will help set the course for the rest of their life and give them something to stand on as they go out into this crazy world.

joseph.j.rukavina@gmail.com

952-607-0759

Mrs. Katie Hietala is a wife to Joseph for almost 20 years and mother to 5 children (ages 6-13). She graduated from the University of Colorado with a Master’s in Biology in 2004. Katie taught undergraduate student lab courses for General Biology and Microbiology during her 3 years as a Master’s student. She has published a book chapter in a Microbiology textbook, as well as a handful of peer-reviewed journal articles. Prior to becoming a stay at home mother in 2016, Katie worked for the USDA as a Biology Technician and also for an ethanol plant as a Lab Manager. Homeschooling was always in the back of her mind, but she just didn’t think she was capable; God had other plans! When Covid hit the world, she quickly jumped into homeschooling and has not looked back. It’s definitely been a challenge, but so rewarding! Katie has been a Bible Study Fellowship Children’s Leader for 5 years, teaching preschoolers weekly throughout the school year. Additionally, she has taught Sunday school and led Vacation Bible School for preschoolers. She enjoys being with her family and spending time together in our tiny house up north! Katie has always enjoyed Science – especially Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Chemistry. Learning science should be multi-sensory – learning while doing – and fun! God’s creation is amazing!  

katie_hietala@hotmail.com