Thursday and Friday electives.

I’m Lori Graham. I have spent 30 years in the classroom and in administration — in public school, charter schools, and now living the dream of owning my own private school. I get to work for and with parents. That is one of the reasons I started and lead Community Schoolhouse. I believe it takes a village, and I love being part of your team for your child’s educational journey.

Reading is my first love. If a child can’t read, they will struggle in every subject. I have many years of experience teaching children, teens, and adults how to read, and I have taught parents how to teach their own children. Reading opens up the world. I want every child to love to read.

Outside the Schoolhouse, I love spending time with my family and friends and serving in my church and community.

I’m Amber Graham. I like bringing creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning into the classroom. Color theory is something I enjoy, and I like learning new skills right alongside exploring pour painting, canvas art, and other creative projects — as well as plants, regenerative growing, and health and wellness.

I don’t think you have to be an expert to start learning something new. I want students to experiment, ask questions, try things out, and discover what they can create.

I especially love projects where kids learn by doing — with room for creativity, individuality, and a little bit of mess along the way.

I’m Alex Graham. I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and five of those years were spent in PE and weight training — helping students get stronger, build stamina, and feel confident in their bodies. That’s the same focus I bring to Friday afternoon PE here at Community Schoolhouse.

I’m also contracted through the state to provide employment services and care for young adults with disabilities. In Mesa, I’m piloting a fitness and wellness program for a group of six autistic students, meeting each of them where they are and helping them grow.

Whether we’re on the field or in the weight room, my goal is simple: help kids get fit for the sports they love, stay safe while they train, and leave class feeling stronger than they walked in.

Hi! I’m Sara Figueroa, and I love all things creative!

Having been homeschooled my entire life, I’m naturally curious and have always enjoyed learning new things. When I’m not creating art, I love singing, dancing, tumbling, and spending quality time with my family and friends.

My creative journey began when I taught myself how to draw. Over the years, my artwork has grown from simple childhood sketches into detailed, lifelike portraits. My sister introduced me to the basics of crochet, and I quickly fell in love with practicing, experimenting, and teaching myself new projects — with a little help from YouTube!

I’m always looking for opportunities to learn and grow, and I hope to learn just as much from my students as they learn from me. I believe that with three key ingredients — Practice, Patience, and Persistence — anyone can learn something they’re excited about.

My goal is to create an encouraging environment where students can enjoy the creative process, build confidence, and have fun learning together — without worrying about being perfect.

Jeanie leads Thursday morning gardening from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.