Meet The Team
Founder: Karlie Hesler​​
As a licensed emergency medicine physician assistant, Karlie found herself being led by God the last few years to seek out something different for her kids and their education. She lives on a quiet farm with her husband, Dan, and their three children. Outside of their day jobs in medicine, they grow field crops, garden, hunt, and enjoy family rides on the Ranger around the farm. Karlie knew she wanted a Christ-centered education for her 3 kids and the opportunity to be with her kids more than just a few hours in the evenings. She made the decision to homeschool her kids for several years before God ultimately called her to the creation of Freedom Schoolhouse. With her own children serving as the inspiration behind it all, she will serve as a teacher in the schoolhouse alongside Jessica.
Lead Teacher: Sue Frazee
Sue Frazee is excited to be joining Freedom Schoolhouse as the lead teacher. She graduated Purdue University in 1997 with a degree in education. She taught 5th grade for two years and then 2nd grade for four years in the North Montgomery School Corporation. Sue and her family moved to Fountain County where she left full-time teaching and served as an aide in order to spend more time at home with her family. In 2011, she was hired by Fountain Central. Throughout her time there she has served as an aide, Title 1 teacher, and has spent her last 9 years teaching 3rd grade. Sue brings 20 years of experience to Freedom Schoolhouse and is passionate about educating children. She believes all kids can learn; we just have to find the way to reach each one. Sue and her husband have been married for 29 years and have six amazing children. They also have a wonderful daughter-in-law and future in-laws that will join the family. Sue attends Pleasant Hill Church in Wingate and will be a great asset in teaching the students of Freedom Schoolhouse about Jesus.
Aide: Jessica Haslam
Jessica is a devoted mother, wife and follower of Christ. Having similar motivation as Karlie to provide her children with something different than the traditional school model, Jessica made the sacrifice to stay home with her children and began homeschooling her oldest son a few years ago. She and her husband, Cody, have two sons whom she intends to teach in the schoolhouse. She and her husband have recently built their own house from the ground up. Jessica offers a lot of knowledge and experience in gardening and animal husbandry. She is excited about this coming school year and is committed to giving your child the same dedication and compassion as she would her own.
Aide: Shannon Gross
Shannon will join the staff of Freedom Schoolhouse as an aide this year. As a 2018 Illinois State University graduate, Shannon has always been passionate about teaching. She studied special education in college and soon found work at a school in Normal, Illinois. During the summer months, Shannon volunteered as a camp counselor for those with special needs. Her infectious smile and kind heart made her a favorite among her students and campers. Shannon is a follower of Christ and feels that he guided her in helping those who needed her most. In 2018, she married her husband, Tim. They started a family in 2019, and her dream of being a stay-at-home mom came true. Bringing her teaching experience home, Shannon decided to homeschool pretty early on. She is now a mother of three kids and is still homeschooling. Shannon is looking forward to bringing her experience in teaching and love for jesus to the students of Freedom Schoolhouse.
Aide: Alaina Thomen
My name is Alaina Thomen. I am 35 years old and am originally from Martinsville, IN. I moved to Crawfordsville when I became an Indiana State Trooper. I have been a trooper for 10 years. My husband, Austin and I have been married for almost 7 years. He is also with the state police, however was previously a Montgomery County Sheriff Deputy. We have two boys who are full of energy; John (JET) 5 and Garret 3.
With work it's tricky but we have been homeschooling for a year.
For work, I currently work patrol in the areas of Montgomery, Fountain, Warren, and Benton Counties. I have been a firearms instructor for the State Police for 6 years. When I can, I like to work out or go hiking.
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A few things about my boys: they are friendly, loving, and caring among many other great qualities and characteristics. They are the best of friends. They are avenger loving little boys, specifically Captain America and Hulk. Monster trucks, dinosaurs, ninja turtles and anything "boy", they love. They worship Jesus when they play, even when music isn't playing. They recite bible verses and educate me on Jesus' word daily.
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I am extremely excited about this alternative way of schooling. I believe my boys will thrive in this learning environment. As Christians, I believe it will align with our families' values and morals.
Aide: Hanna Alexander
Hanna loves the Lord and feels like this is exactly where He is leading her and her family. Hanna has always had a heart for working with children. She has worked at Pleasant Hill Elementary as a second-grade aide and currently works at Creation Station Preschool in a teaching aide position. She also teaches gymnastics at the Crawfordsville Parks and Recreation. Hanna Got married to her husband in 2019, and they have two boys who love the outdoors. Her family attends Woodland Heights Christian Church. Hanna is excited to be able to work with the children of Freedom Schoolhouse and have Christ at the center of it all.
Aide: Erika Love
Erika is a farm wife and mother of three who put her career in occupational therapy on hold to be a stay-at-home mom. She raises her children with her husband on their family farm where they grow corn and soybeans, tend to their garden, and care for their horses, cattle, goats, chickens, and dog. Erika and her husband believe children should grow spiritually and academically while still being able to be "kids" and enjoy the great outdoors. Erika and her husband did not feel that traditional schools were meant for them based on their beliefs. From the moment they walked in, she knew Freedom Schoolhouse was exactly where they were meant to be.