Program Lead

Roots Guide

Guide

Kalee Bengtson began her career teaching in the public school system before earning her Master's degree in Reading Education with a Middle School Endorsement at Eastern Illinois University. During graduate school she was honored with the Distinguished Graduate Student Award and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude. Kalee also presented her research on direct inference instruction at the International Reading Association. For the past eight years she has been homeschooling her two children while teaching across multiple co-ops, where she created engaging learning experiences for students of different ages and abilities. She is passionate about nurturing a love of learning and looks forward to continuing her homeschool journey.  

Facility Director

Coach

President, Founder

Casey is passionate about creating a welcoming community where homeschoolers can learn, grow, and thrive. She values curiosity and collaboration in community. She runs a thriving Pilates business that helps clients build strength, balance, and confidence. Alongside her husband, she embraces the adventure of family life and the freedom of homeschooling.

Vice President of the Board

Brooke is the owner of Birch Botanical Spa, and a holistic esthetician who homeschools and brings a passion for living fully into everything she does. With a focus on multidimensional wellness and layered growth—mind, body, and spirit—she weaves curiosity, creativity, and exploration into both her family life and her work.

Secretary

Veronica is a homeschooling mom of two, with a heart for holistic living and whole-child learning. With a background in nursing and herbalism, she brings a nurturing and intuitive approach to education. Her family embraces a blend of eclectic homeschooling, unschooling, and child-led exploration, all rooted in a deep love for the arts and creative expression.

Treasurer

Cosette is a homeschooling mom who loves exploring new ways to make learning meaningful and fun. She enjoys connecting with other families and sharing the ups and downs of the journey. Her days are filled with books, adventures, and plenty of laughter.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Eric Harris is a husband to Courtney, father of three, and part of a passionate homeschooling family. A 100% disabled Army veteran, he brings resilience and a heart for service to Growing Tree Resource Center. With over a decade of experience in sales and executive leadership, Eric has guided teams and driven growth. He enjoys the outdoors, sports, and helping families thrive through collaboration and lifelong learning.