Staff & Board Members
Vine Board
Mr. Craig Friske
Board Member (President) / Teacher
As well as serving on the Board, I teach a variety of classes at Vine. The subjects I cover include math, which I love, Logic and World Views, and Gov/Econ. I am an active member of West Hills Community Church in Morgan Hill. A more extensive professional bio can be found here: https://www.linkedin.
Mrs. Debbie Hernandez
Board Member
I have four children, one whom my husband and I homeschooled from kindergarten through 10th grade utilizing Alethia Christian co-op and Vine Academy on our journey. My husband, Jacob and I met at Gilroy High School and married in 1987. We have four children who were born between 1991 and 2004. I have a passion for homeschooling; it has been a huge blessing for our family. I am serving as a Board Member to encourage and assist families on their homeschooling adventure…you can do it!
Mr. Mike Montoya
Board Member (Secretary)/Teacher
I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, and moved to Morgan Hill in 1976. I married Michelle in 1989 and have four children who attended Vine Academy. Michelle and I welcomed our first grandchild in 2021! I’ve been working at FedEx since 1992.
Mr. Marc Rauser
Board Member (Treasurer)
I have been involved in the Vine community since 2003 and served Vine Academy as Principal and now Treasurer. My wife Holly, who teaches at Vine, and I were married in 1991, and all five of our children graduated from Vine.
Vine Administrators
Mrs. Michelle Montoya
Principal and Dean of Students / Teacher
It is my pleasure to teach Algebra 1 and 5/6 History, as well as serving as Principal! God is at the heart of all education; learning is an opportunity to know our subject and our Creator better! I’ve taught all different levels and ages since 1998 and began teaching at Vine in 2008, where I I love working with our student leaders as Student Council Advisor. It is my passion to make learning a fun and memorable experience. My husband Mike and I live in Morgan Hill and have four children and one grandchild. All of our kids have been at Vine!
Mrs. Debby Esposito
Assistant Principal and Lead Site Supervisor / Teacher
Hello! I love teaching the English I class and helping on the administration team for Vine. My husband and I live in Gilroy and have four children, whom I have been homeschooling (off and on) since 2002. Let’s see…militant teddy bear…that is probably the best description I have come up with for myself over the years to help parents understand my teaching style. Haha! I adore my students and shell out tons of love and encouragement, AND I quickly correct misbehavior of pretty much any kind. The #1 Rule in my class is, “NO FEAR!” I love the Bible, apologetics, psychology, people, and, especially, date night with my husband!
Teachers
Some teachers are also serving in other roles. You can find their bios in the sections above.
Mrs. Jean Fong
Teacher
As well as instructing the English II class, I teach creative arts, which is making all kinds of things out of all kinds of things. I do this in much of my free time as well! My husband Peter and I have 5 children. I’ve been homeschooling for 30+ years, with my youngest graduating Vine in 2021. I love traveling and have been to 24 countries. Thank you, God, for all these adventures!
Mrs. Cameron Knapp
Teacher
Mr. David Ortega
Teacher
Our family moved to Gilroy in 2016 and we have enjoyed every minute of it! We were only just introduced to Vine Academy last year. I have been extremely impressed with the camaraderie of the students, the care of the staff, and the general level of individual talents I have observed in the student body. I am so excited to be able to become a greater part of the Vine family this year!
I currently serve as an associate pastor at The Foothills Church, where my responsibilities range from leading worship, preaching, audio/visual production, and a whole lot of “other”! I received my undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies at Life Pacific University in San Dimas, California, and my Master’s Degree in Divinity at Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA). I previously taught foundational and practical theology at the undergraduate level for three years. Additionally, my wife and I served for years with youth ministry at our church in Southern California where we first met. We were also Senior Pastors for six years in Seymour, Connecticut. We have three children, ages 15, 12, and 10. My wife is beginning a new position teaching High School Psychology at Monte Vista Christian School. I am passionate about serving God’s people and I am incredibly honored to partner with you this year to help our kids increase their knowledge level!
Mrs. Heather Oliver
Teacher
I have been teaching and tutoring for over 25 years. During those years, I’ve overseen my twin sons’ schooling through various modalities; mostly homeschooling, a brief stint in public school, and finishing up high school at a private Christian school. I love teaching science because the subject allows for continual demonstrations of God’s hand in every aspect of creation. I enjoy running, hiking, swimming, biking, plus hanging out with my family.
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Mr. Ron Reynolds
Teacher
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Mrs. Angie Kastle
Teacher
I have been in the Vine community for many years and am looking forward to teaching again. I live in Gilroy with my husband Todd and two of our remaining five children, Trinity and Autumn.
I find joy in the simple country life. Hobbies include… all things homey! ☺ Baking, reading, gardening, sewing, and spending time at the beach is always a great idea! I have homeschooled for 20+ years.
All our children (ages 9-31) were homeschooled, and all have attended or will attend Vine in the future.
Mrs. Holly Rauser
Teacher
Grateful mother of five Vine Academy graduates. Blessed wife to current Vine Academy Board member and former Vine Academy Principal.
Professional experience includes two decades of teaching Public Speaking & Argumentation, teaching for William Jessup University, and San Jose State University.
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Mrs. Shanna Korjenek
Teacher
I grew up in Washington where I met my husband, Greg. We were married in August of 2008 in Kona, Hawaii, and have two children, Avery and Geoffrey, as well as two dogs, Lily and Tinkerbell. We moved to California in 2011, and shortly after found a home church and developed a relationship with our Savior. Since 2018, I have been on staff at The Foothills Church as the Children’s Ministry Director and assist in leading our youth group.
Our homeschooling journey began in 2014, and I feel extremely blessed to have found Vine in 2022. I find science fascinating and love doing hands-on experiments. I’m looking forward to teaching the 7th and 8th graders this coming school year!
Mrs. Amanda (Mandi) Santiago
Teacher
Manager – Colibri Art and Framing – PPFA/CPF – Professional Picture Framers Association/ Certified Picture Framer, City of Morgan Hill, Library Culture and Arts Commission
Amanda is a Certified Picture Framer, Artist, Designer and lifetime student and teacher of the visual and performing arts. Her favorite mediums include acrylic, oil, 12 string acoustic guitar, piano and traditional beadwork. She has a strong background in mathematics that brings a graceful simplicity to complex designs and projects; having studied engineering management in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University and visual and performing arts at Gavilan College.
Amanda is passionate about making art available and accessible to everyone. She participates in local commissions promoting art, culture and literacy and can often be found working with local artists to encourage, promote and recognize their talent.
Mrs. Jennifer Bingham
Teacher
My family’s homeschool journey began around 2012 when my oldest was in mid-elementary school. We discovered Vine shortly thereafter and have loved being here since then.
Before Vine, I earned a degree in Psychology and Child Development from San Jose State University, but I always took extra English Lit classes just for fun! I then taught a few years of elementary school and eventually landed in a teaching position in English and Bible at the Junior High level. Since having my own children, I have been actively serving in a teaching capacity either through church or homeschool.
One thing I truly enjoy is reading good books and discussing them with others. Some of my other hobbies include cooking, traveling and exploring, spending time with friends and family, and playing board games. I am married to my firefighter husband, and together we have four children whose birthdays range from 2011 – 2004. I am grateful to God for this wonderful life!
Mrs. Beth John
Teacher
Mrs. Teresa Anguiano