Tutors

Heidi Khampakasy Pre-K

Hi! My name is Heidi Khampakasy. After living in Nashville, TN for 17 years, I have moved back to my hometown of Corning, NY. I passionately enjoy dancing, teaching, learning, helping others, acting, playing with my 2 loving, creative boys (3 and 8) and my husband of almost 10 years. I have 5 years of experience in childhood education and development. I really enjoy connecting with children, helping them develop social skills and confidence. It is so rewarding to see them make sense of their world and feel good in it. I also enjoy being silly and kids make a great audience! After one year of homeschooling, I discovered the Family Enrichment Center and I couldn’t be happier! I am so grateful for this center, the Directors, the Tutors, and the opportunity to teach little humans here. It truly fills me with joy!

Sharri Hubbard PreK

I have been married to my husband, Larry, for 31 years and we have been blessed with a son and daughter. I am excited to join the Family Enrichment Center after working for a public school for over 8 years. I am very passionate about educating little minds to learn and grow. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball and crafting.

Ratricia Cranmer K4

Been working in education for the past 8 years. Married for 18 years, mother of 3 children. Enjoys hiking, traveling and playing volleyball in spare time.

Emily Place K5

Emily has lived in Elmira her whole life and is excited for her second year teaching K5 at FEC. In her free time, she enjoys reading, singing, crocheting and spending time with her husband and family. She also loves hanging out with her 6 nieces and nephews and planning fun activities for them.

McKinley Bast 1st Grade

McKinley is wife to Matt and mom to three great kids, ages 3-7. Together they own and operate Bast Family Farm. Most of the time she can be found working alongside her family and investing in the next generation. She enjoys sharing her love of horses with her kids and spending time outdoors.

Krissy Mackay 1st Grade

Krissy recently returned to her roots in Elmira with her husband, daughter and two beagles. She can be found walking outside, reading, spending time with her family and helping run Mackay Horseshoeing. 

Zoe Burdette 2nd grade

I am beyond excited to teach at Family Enrichment Center this year. This is my first year teaching. I previously have been a children’s pastor in Wisconsin and New York. I attended college in New Brunswick, Canada. I am engaged and looking forward to getting married next summer.

Audrey McKean 2nd Grade

Audrey is married to a wonderful man and they have two loving children who attend FEC.  She has her Master's Degree in Education and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.  She enjoys being involved in her church and with the youth. She also enjoys singing, painting, crafting, baking, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Joan Boring 3rd-6th Math

A wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Joan has spent a number of years homeschooling and spent some time in the public school setting. She serves her local church as the Sunday school director, teacher and church treasurer. This is her second year at the FEC teaching math to grades 3-6. Spending a few days with the kids here brings her joy and satisfaction.

Jess Graves 3rd-6th Science

Jess has been married to her husband, Wayne, for 23 years and they have 2 children, Paul, who is 20 and Olivia who is 17. They have been homeschooling for the past 14 years. Jess went to Baptist Bible College (now Clarks Summit University) and graduated with her bachelor's degree in Bible and Elementary Education.  She taught 2nd grade at Horseheads Christian School before she had kids. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and playing games in her spare time.

Grace Cox 3rd-6th ELA

My name is Grace Cox and I’m excited to be working with the 3rd-6th grade students at FEC to establish a foundation of grammar and writing that will serve them well wherever they go. I live in Elmira with my husband Mark and four very energetic kids. I love to read and intend to keep learning for the rest of my life! The library is my favorite resource, and I love to help others unlock the possibilities of the written word. Music is another passion of mine, and I’ve taught piano and violin lessons to students of all ages for the past 12 years.

Anita Pawlak 7th-12th English

Anita Pawlak is a 21-year veteran of homeschooling, proud wife of the love of her life, and mother of four wonderful young men. Anita has tutored privately as well as for Classical Conversations and various coops throughout the area. Prior to starting a family, Anita worked in public relations and development for the Syracuse Opera Company, Syracuse University, Ithaca College, and the Association for the Visually Impaired.  Anita plays oboe and English horn with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and gigs with other regional ensembles.  In January 2007, she was a featured soloist on National Public Radio’s “Pipedreams”.  Anita is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where she earned a bachelor's degree in music management.

Jeffery Simpson 7th-12th Math

**Bio Coming

Lael Van DeWater 1st-12th Music

Lael is a homeschooling mom who has taught music locally for over a decade. She has taught in public and private schools, as well as homeschool co-ops and private lessons. Lael has bachelor’s and master's degrees in music education, is a NYS certified music teacher, and loves helping children joyfully learn through play!

Melissa Blake 1st-12th Art

This will be Melissas second year teaching at the Family Enrichment Center. Last year she taught for the whole year, but she had to take a step back when she gave birth to her 5th child at the end of October during this academic season.
Melissa began instructing elementary art classes at a different private school five years ago and has grown in her desire to connect with and inspire the students she teaches. Joining the Family Enrichment Center has been incredibly gratifying since it combines her two passions; education and art.