Chance Hoffmann is a worship leader and teacher with 15 years of experience and is an accomplished songwriter and producer (from his home studio). He teaches multiple subjects including guitar, piano, vocals, physical education, and the Bible and has traveled around the USA for worship and prayer events, as well as performing his original music.

Chance and his wife Mary have five kids. They enjoy recording music and podcasts, gardening, hiking, travel, reading, art, cooking, and many other things. They believe in staying healthy in body and soul (3 John 1:2). Chance repented of his sin and surrendered his heart to Jesus at a young age, and his primary life goal is to bring glory to Messiah through steps of faith and loving obedience. All other dreams and pursuits are garbage compared to knowing Jesus.

Chance was homeschooled growing up and loves the emphasis on family that it provides. He believes in setting up children for meaningful success in life by building a strong biblical foundation. He is honored by the opportunity to pour into the students of Life Christian in the areas of both spiritual devotions and physical disciplines. His passion for health encompasses the whole person, as he aims to honor God with how he daily governs his body and soul, as well as setting an inspiring example to others.

“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8, ESV

Amanda Huguley graduated from Judson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, with endorsements in Middle Grades and Special Education.

Being involved in children’s growth, both through teaching experiences and in ministry, Amanda has developed an immense passion for “meeting children where they are at” and helping them succeed. Each student has a special place in her heart!

Amanda is the Director of Children’s Ministry at First Baptist Church in Elgin
and lives in West Dundee with her husband, Sam. Amanda enjoys “doing anything creative,” reading and cooking!

Suzie Inglis has a BA in Psychology from Biola University and an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Talbot School of Theology. After being called into missions, Suzie spent nearly a decade serving in Costa Rica with International Teams. While there, she worked alongside local churches in youth and women’s ministries. Suzie also helped develop, and provide instruction for, a missional training program for Latinos preparing to serve in cross-cultural contexts.

Upon returning to the U.S., Suzie married Juan Inglis and worked as the Director of Human Resources and Training at the home office of International Teams. After having their first of two children, Suzie began a new journey as a stay-at-home mom, while continuing to serve at her church in small group ministry. She later served as a deaconess and eventually began a women’s ministry, where she had the privilege of speaking and teaching regularly.

Now, at a new church home, Suzie continues to use her God-given gift and passion for speaking and teaching whenever possible and most often in the home-schooling context with her boys.

Kim has a BA in Elementary Education from Wheaton College and a Master’s in Educational Technology from Northern University. For 8 years, she taught Reading and Language Arts in a public middle school. In addition, she taught the technology elective and beginning Spanish; however, her passion is for literature. With the birth of her first child, she stayed home to raise and later homeschool her 3 boys, currently 1st, 6th, and 8th grade.

A lifelong reader and lover of book clubs and literature, Kim is constantly in the middle of a book (or two or three). She is grateful that her boys all still want to be read to and is always looking for the next great read for everyone in her house. As a teacher and as a mom,she has loved being able to find the just-right book for each reader, the book that will spark their interest and make them dive deep into the pages of a story. Kim looks forward to partnering with the Life School Families this year to read and examine some wonderful books that will challenge and bring enjoyment to the students.

In her spare time, when she is not reading, Kim enjoys going to ballet class, painting, hiking and taking her boys to the pool.

For more than 20 years, Tracy has had the joy of teaching and encouraging children through the gift of art. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University and has taught in Christian schools throughout the Tri-City area. She has also taught private lessons and worked as a Children’s Ministry Assistant at her church. Tracy’s experience also includes exhibiting her artwork in local galleries, creating commissioned artwork, and painting specialty finishes and murals for both residential and commercial properties.

Tracy is passionate about working with children and helping them discover the joy of creativity while expressing their feelings, experiences, and faith through art. She believes that art can give children a voice when they may not yet have the words to express what is in their hearts.

Tracy believes God is the greatest artist, and we are His handiwork. She enjoys seeing His creativity throughout the world around us—in nature, color, design, people, and the incredible uniqueness of His creation. As an art teacher, she hopes to open children’s eyes to the beauty of what God has made and help them recognize the creativity He has placed within each of them. Through art, children can learn not only artistic skills, but also confidence, self-expression, observation, and a deeper appreciation for their Creator. Her desire is to create a welcoming and encouraging environment where every child feels free to explore, create, and discover their own God-given creativity.

When she is not teaching or creating art, Tracy enjoys spending time with her daughter and her family. She feels blessed to be a grandmother to a wonderful granddaughter, with another grandchild on the way. She also loves spending time with her dog, Sophie, and exploring the outdoors. Tracy enjoys kayaking, hiking, and boating, and especially loves simply being outside and taking in the wonder and beauty of God’s creation. She find endless inspiration in the world He has created, and hopes to share that same sense of wonder and appreciation with the children she teaches.

Beth Matson earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University, with minors in English and History. She brings more than 30 years of experience in both public and private education, teaching students from preschool through high school. Her background includes Christian school leadership, classroom teaching, and homeschooling her two oldest daughters through high school. Mrs. Matson is passionate about partnering with families to help students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Whether working with young learners or older students, she strives to create a classroom where children feel encouraged and challenged. Her desire is for every student to grow in wisdom, confidence, and Christlike character while developing a lifelong love of learning.

Mrs. Matson and her husband have served together in ministry for more than 25 years and have three daughters and one granddaughter. She enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, reading, cooking with her daughters, listening to music, and making memories with her family.

Life Christian Co-School’s math and science teacher, Cindy McGreal, has been teaching in one form or another her entire life. Most recently, she taught for the Diocese of Rockford as an instructor of math, science and literature. Cindy’s teaching career began in her teen years on their family’s farm, just west of Elgin, where she taught students how to properly care for and saddle up their horses!

Even though science is her favorite subject to teach, Cindy also has a passion for helping students who are struggling in math. Because math was her weakness in high school, she took remedial math in college, where a compassionate professor discovered that Cindy was not taught essential math concepts in fourth grade. Once those gaps were filled, Cindy was able to thrive. Cindy is determined never to allow a student God places within her reach to go through the same struggles!

Cindy graduated cum laude from Judson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and lives in Elgin with her husband of 27 years. Cindy enjoys helping people, fixing broken things and running the sound/video at Trinity Vineyard Church.

Lily Stanford graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. From her student years to today, she has worked as a veterinary assistant, a role that allows her to bring together her scientific background and her lifelong passion for animals.

Alongside an adoration for animals, Lily’s love for working with children began early and has stayed with her ever since. Growing up in the church, she volunteered under Susan Tolentino at Living Hope, gaining hands-on experience caring for and nurturing children in a ministry setting. She has also spent many years babysitting for families within her church community, building trusted relationships along the way. Currently, Lily serves as a volunteer in the nursery at Village Church of Bartlett, where she continues to care for the youngest members of her church family

Lily brings both a scientific mind and a caring heart to every relationship, whether with a child in her care or a patient at the clinic, and she is passionate about creating a nurturing, joyful environment for every child she serves.

Patti Hodge has a Bachelor of Science in both Elementary Education and Bible and graduated cum laude from Columbia International University in South Carolina in 1991, as well as from the Spanish Language Institute of Costa Rica in 1993.

For fifteen years, she served as a missionary and teacher with Latin America Mission in Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. Patti has worked as a counselor and reading specialist to children-at-risk and has taught Writing, Science and History in public and private schools for a total of twelve years. Furthermore, Patti has “homeschooled” her own children for almost two decades.

Patti’s style of teaching cultivates skills in written communication, note taking, problem solving and deep thinking, as she strives to inspire her students to influence the world. Patti incorporates humor and healthy competition as she learns alongside her students.

Patti’s interests include music, medical research and evangelism.