Program Lead

Diane Moran Rossi is a retired gifted education teacher with a deep love for learning and a strong belief in nurturing each child’s unique potential. With decades of experience working with gifted and curious learners, she brings insight, creativity, and intentionality to everything she builds.

As co-founder of Growing Tree Resource Center, Diane helped shape a learning environment that values curiosity, connection, and thoughtful exploration. Her background in gifted education informs programs that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and confidence—meeting students where they are and allowing them to grow at their own pace.

Diane is passionate about creating supportive spaces where learners feel inspired, challenged, and genuinely excited about learning.

Roots Guide

Patty brings a lifelong passion for working with children. She studied Behavior Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Elementary Education in college and has spent much of her career teaching in private school settings, which remain especially close to her heart.

Patty is also a proud mother of two and has been actively involved in children’s extracurricular activities, enrichment programs, and gifted education, which is how she first connected with Growing Tree. Her combined experience as both an educator and a parent shapes her warm, supportive approach to working with children and families.

She enjoys traveling—especially to visit family—along with music and attending concerts. Patty looks forward to building strong connections with the Growing Tree families and being part of the community.

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

Amy is a dedicated homeschooling parent with over 7 years experience teaching children across elementary and middle school levels. She brings a student-centered, flexible approach to learning that emphasizes confidence and connection. She’s especially passionate about creating spaces where kids feel seen, heard, and excited to learn.

Before joining the Growing Tree team, Amy built and managed a successful homeschool co-op that served 10 families, fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. She also founded a nonprofit organization that has been actively serving her community for over 18 years.

When she steps away from school life, you’ll often find Amy enjoying live music, planning road trips, or watching for wildlife in her backyard.

Coach

Mike Garcia is the kids exercise coach at Growing Tree, with over 17 years of experience coaching both kids and adults for preventative maintenance, function and performance.  He specializes in whole food nutrition, athletic performance and corrective exercise.  He has certifications from the Institute of Transformational Nutrition, CHEK Institute and NASM.  When not doing what he loves, helping people achieve their health and fitness goals, he likes spending time outside hiking, playing catch and enjoying great food with his family.  

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.