Meet Your Mentor

Jennifer Ascolese

My name is Jennifer Ascolese, and I am excited to be a Partnership and BookShark mentor this year. 

I grew up in Berrien County and have lived here all my life.  In 2003, I married my husband Matt, and we now have three children.  We have been homeschooling our two girls since 2020.  Prior to being at home with my kids, I was a 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher for 11 years.  I graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in elementary education, and then got my Master’s degree in reading and literacy. 
Looking forward to a great year!

Noel Bash

Hello to all! I truly enjoy being a mentor with the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership, as well as being a BookShark teacher. I have taught in many capacities over the years, from elementary school to adult education, and from public speaking to historic dance. I love seeing your children grow in their confidence and abilities through the school year. 

My husband Bob and I have two grown children and one daughter-in-law. We love living in Southwest Michigan, with the beautiful beaches, abundant local produce, and small town charm. When I'm not working, I enjoy canning, knitting, embroidery, reading, and dancing. My husband and I are also big history buffs, and we seek out museums to visit wherever we travel. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your students this year, as we work together to achieve their goals!

Cindy Beall

My name is Cindy Beall and I have been a mentor with the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership for three years.  I have 15 years of teaching experience and I am very happy to be working with your and your children through their educational journey!  Aside from teaching, I love spending time with my husband and two boys.  I also enjoy traveling, baking, reading and being outdoors. I look forward to working with you!

Jill Dodge

Salutations Students and Parents! 

I have had the joy of teaching since 1997, filling elementary positions such as multi-grade, pre-kindergarten , art, and principal.  In 2013 I started teaching two classes for the Berrien Springs and Niles Partnerships and have enjoyed adding to my art curriculum each year. Most recently I added a Family Adventure Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The things I enjoy are my husband Terry, our four children, Autumm, Winter, Trey and Holden, table games, dark chocolate, ceramics, photography, and being in nature, visiting U.S. National Parks, hiking and much more! 

I look forward to communicating weekly with your family throughout this school year. 

Blessings, 
Mrs. Jill Dodge

Phil Giddings

My name is Philip Giddings and I am a teacher who has enjoyed working with students and my colleagues over the past years.  I have worked with middle school, junior high, high school, and college students in various capacities.  I have also enjoyed administrative duties as I was the principal of a pre- kindergarten through 12th grade school in Chicago, Illinois. I also performed joint duties as I had the privilege of working in smaller school settings where I functioned as Teacher/Principal.

My joys are seeing student success and student development as they make positive choices that will enhance their future.  I am an American but I have lived in and traveled to many different countries not limited to but including Africa, France, and the Caribbean.

I realize that the success of today’s youth is in reality a strong indicator of our accomplishments. This paved road makes smooth the passage for the next generation.  We invest now and anticipate a lucrative return on our investment which will be withdrawn during the next generation and beyond.  I am willing to take part in the crafting and the shaping of this emerging generation.
I look forward to being a part of your accomplishments, inspiration, and your ultimate triumph.

Sincerely, 
Philip3
Philip E. Giddings III

Rebecca 'Becky' Halcombe

Warm Greetings! 

I look forward to coming alongside you in your homeschool journey as Mentor and friend. It is always a delight to help cultivate and witness the growth and development in each unique student and family. 

I started working for the BS Partnership in 2010 as the Field Trip Coordinator and then eventually a Mentor Teacher.  Prior to that I was privileged to Homeschool my 4 children for 20 years. Prior to that I had the opportunity to be a classroom teacher.

I anticipate a wonderful year of learning with your family!

Juliette Horton

Greetings!!  I'm happy that I've had the awesome privilege of being an elementary school teacher and a partnership mentor for some time now!  It really has been a blessing for me to teach children in the states of Alabama first and now Michigan, for over 25 years. I am married and my husband and I have 2 wonderful girls.  We enjoy spending lots of time together as a family.  We love traveling together, playing games, cooking and helping others.

It is very important to me to help my students be the best version of themselves, at this point in their lives.  Seeing children grow and learn is an enjoyable experience for me, so it has kept me in the field of teaching and mentoring.  I am happy to be a Berrien Springs Parent Partnership mentor and I continue to Iook forward to working with the mentees who are assigned to me!

Mandy Jankoviak

My name is Mandy Jankoviak. I was a public school teacher for 13 years before deciding to homeschool.  We have been homeschooling for 4 years.  My children are 13, 11, 10, 6, 4, and 1. (Yes, that's 6!) Needless to say, I love kids and am excited to work with yours!

We enjoy the beach, swimming, Pinterest projects, decorating, and the arts.

​I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with the partnership and happy to help in any way I can.

Ani Kuhn

My name is Ani Kuhn. I live in Stevensville with my husband and three children. I have taught for Lakeshore public schools for a long time and am currently the ESL teacher for the district. I have been a mentor teacher for BSPS for over ten years. I enjoy cooking, baking, and walking outside when it's nice out.

Lindsay Ranson

Hello Partnership students and families! It is my honor to be your Mentor. My passion is helping students learn and practice new skills. I have six years of public school experience teaching career and life skills at the middle school and high school level.

I graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with the Hospitality and Food Management option and a minor in Foundations of Business. I attended the culinary arts program at Sullivan University. I received my Transition to Teaching certificate from Indiana State University.

I grew up in southeastern Indiana near the Ohio River. My husband and I traveled this way for his work in 2017, fell in love with the area and decided to make a permanent move the next summer. We have three daughters and I had the privilege to stay at home with them. I enjoy playing board games, reading, gardening, cooking, baking, crafting, quilting and sewing.

Mark Ring

Cassandra Ritter

My name is Cassandra Ritter. As a former homeschool student, I have a deep appreciation for home education and greatly enjoy serving as a mentor in the Berrien Springs Partnership Program. After graduating from college, I taught high school mathematics before stepping away from the classroom to devote more time to my family and to homeschool my children.

Amy Scott

Brett Scott 

​My name is Amy Scott, and as a homeschool parent, I am excited to mentor students in the Berrien Springs homeschool partnership!  I have 16 years classroom teaching experience before leaving several years ago to begin homeschooling my two children.  

Our children, ages 13 and 14, are both homeschooled and participate in many activities.  My husband of 20 years is a 4th grade teacher.  We enjoy spending time together as a family and participating in church activities.  

It is a privilege to work with your family.  We will have a fantastic school year and journey together! 
 

Lynne Wieferich

​My name is Lynne Wieferich. I was a public school teacher for ten years before becoming a stay at home mom and homeschooling my two sons. I enjoy being a mentor teacher and hearing about all of the great classes that are offered through the partnership program.

• Becky Halcombe: K-8 Gen Ed
• Tom Hurst: K-12 Industrial Arts and Agriculture
• Mandy Jankoviak: K-12 Music
• Mark Ring: 9-12 Communication
• Lindsay Ransom: K-12 Family and Consumer Science
• Luis Sanchez: K-12 Spanish
• Sara Smothers: K-12 Physical Education
• Hilary Burchett: K-12 Art
• Michael Gathright: 9-12 History