BFPP Staff
Our Talented Team 2022-2023
Together we achieve more!
Kate Baehr
Hello, I am Kate Baehr, the proud principal of BFPP! This summer we celebrated a bunch of big things: graduations (high school and college), birthdays (50th) and anniversaries (21st) by going to Maui. Here is a shot of my family (husband Steve, stepdaughter Emma and son Ben).
I enjoy reading, rowing crew on Lake Whatcom, watching cheesy movies, cuddling with my puppy dog named Ilo (means joy in Finnish) and playing games with my family. One of my hobbies is collecting heart rocks and sea glass and making rainbows with rocks at the beach.
This year I am especially excited about being together again on campus, we have so much fun. I love my job!!
Marci Bass
I grew up in Nome, Alaska and at a young age knew I needed the outdoors to surround me. I somehow talked my parents into getting me some pups to raise as sled dogs and that gave me a unique freedom. My dad made my sleds and we spliced together the tow lines. Being in partnership with and trusting these animals to get me home was a feeling like none other. I think this experience helped me form a deep feeling of partnership to others and nature.
This is my 8th year at the Bellingham Family Partnership Program and my 23th year working with homeschool families at a partnership program. I still love working alongside families as they figure out their own homeschooling path and what works best for their learners.
I have the support of my husband and two teenagers at home along with two very energetic mini Australian shepherds who keep me running.
Jackie Brown
Children of all ages and the wilderness fill me with enormous joy. At BFPP I get to combine them both! This year I am co-facilitating the excursion-based middle school cohort along with teaching an art class.
I find myself continually attracted to the unconventional and that includes my own schooling. I love telling folks about the two years I spent getting my master’s degree in environmental education which involved traveling around the country while living on a school bus with twenty-seven others. This form of experiential education ignited my love of learning which is exactly what I wish to bring to your learners.
Although I was born in Massachusetts, the west coast is where my heart belongs. When not meeting with families or teaching enrichment classes you can find me in the mountains, on my bike, or in my kitchen cooking up a feast to serve to friends. I have a grown son in the film industry in LA and live here in Bellingham with my husband Robbie.
Caroll Chambers
Hello! I’m Caroll, administrative assistant at BFPP.
I have been married 40 years and I am the mom of Justin, Annie, Dane and Kevin. I am also the grandmother of 11 amazing humans.
I enjoy hiking, reading, building puzzles, cooking and gardening. My favorite flower is the dandelion. I loved school so much that I played “school” with my friends when I was young.
It has become a dream come true to work at Bellingham Family Partnership Program with so many students and families. It is especially fun for me because I have 2 grandchildren that go to this school.
Jim Diacogiannis
I’m beginning my 8th year hear at BFPP and really enjoy being part of this amazing staff.
I have been married for 40 years, have 12 kids and 18 grand kids.
My favorite pastime is being outside at any time of the year, which includes camping, walking, and just enjoying the great outdoors.
Peggy Gallegos
Hello! My name is Peggy Gallegos. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but I have been living in Bellingham for the past 7 years. I have 2 loving daughters (Natalia and Daniella), 2 wacky cats (Casper and Belle), and 2 zany mice (Bailey and June). My daughters and I love to ski, hike, travel (especially to new places) and try new foods. Currently our favorite food is Sushi and Mexican.
This is my second year working at the Bellingham Public Schools, I previously worked for the Burlington School District. I am working at the Family Partnership Program and love the culture and ambiance they have created. I look forward to going to work everyday!
Jeff Hilburn
Wow, I am so excited to be able to teach at BFPP! I spent fourteen years teaching elementary in Lynden Public Schools before teaching ten years at Lowell Elementary in Bellingham.
I love to teach science and look forward to working on cool hands-on activities and experiments. I enjoy spending time kayaking in Bellingham Bay, playing pickleball, and scuba diving in the PNW. I am also the proud parent of two sons, ages 20 and 23. I look forward to meeting you soon! Email Jeff
Carol Makela De Rosales
I'm Carol, aka Maestra. I've been super fortunate to have been a part of BFPP since 2nd semester of the very first year, when I came on as a guest Spanish teacher. Over the years I've added theater, dance, and other humanities classes to my offerings. I absolutely love my job and the opportunity to work with families.
I have two older kids (20 & 22 this year) who still live with me and share food, laughter and love.
I recently completed a Master's Program in Depth Psychology and Creativity, and I'm having so much fun finding ways to share new ideas, insights, and projects with our community.
Erin McCarthy
Hiya! I’m Erin, a teacher here and the Instructional Coach for this amazing staff. I’m also a former homeschooling parent and mom of two huge humans: Finn (15) and Lincoln (13). I love teaching at BFPP because I get to do it alongside so many diverse families and all of us are here because we believe that learning looks different for everyone.
This summer I spent my time gardening, bike riding, boating, crabbing, camping and welcome many waves of family and visitors. My house is a busy place and I’m looking forward to the quieter months! Some things I’m currently passionate about are PNW forests, bioluminescence, mushroom-hunting, food preservation, salad dressing making, kid curiosity and great white sharks in the Farallon Islands.
Piper Mertle
I love learning about languages and cultures and sharing that interest with kids.
Music, especially playing the mandolin and singing, is something I love to do on my own time and with classes.
I have a son Dixon who lives at home with me, as well as our dog Bear who is a golden retriever and our large cat Abby.
Creating a yard that is a home for native plants, birds, and insects is a passion of mine.
Karen Nuckles-Flinn
I love to teach anything to do with singing, music and other forms of self-expression... I’m looking forward to talking, listening and creating music together! Email Karen
Sammy Cousens
Maybe interesting facts about me…
*I love really good food. My favorites include Indian food for the spices and textures plus I appreciate eating with my hands
* When I am nervous, I make up lots of jokes in my head
*My husband says I am truly part Fraggle Rock
* I always carry an extra pair of clothes around with me because I can’t handle being uncomfortable
*I don’t like to kill any animals, but I do eat meat
* I wish I knew a lot about birds and nature but I can’t remember those things
* I despise flies and love dogs
* If I wasn’t a teacher I would be a famous performer- a comedian perhaps
* Recently I started selling my paintings and I didn’t even know that I could paint
* I think it would be super cool to be a rockstar or a neurologist
Kristy Tice
I was formerly a teacher at Silver Beach Elementary for 26 years, teaching kindergarten and then second grade. I have lived in Bellingham since the fourth grade, and there's no place I'd rather live!
I am the mom of four kids; Blake (27), Matia (24), Emma (22) and Sophie (18). I love to spend time with my husband Gary, our kids, our friends, and our houseful of dogs and cats! We love playing with our golden retrievers named Captain (8) and Maverick (4).
I also love doing home improvements, reading, cooking, trail walking, and hanging out in our backyard. Email Kristy
Carrie Vining
I love being a part of the BFPP staff. I come from a background where I studied Alternative Education at Antioch University, but life took me in a different direction and I have spent over 20 years as an educator in comprehensive schools. For the last 12 years have been a K-5th Reading Specialist in Bellingham Schools. At BFPP, I get to combine all my passions. It is a magical place.
I am blessed with a fantastic family. I have a 17 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. My husband Matt works as an electrician for the City of Bellingham. We all love to explore the world, play games, watch movies, camp, and keep our cats entertained. I personally love to read fiction whenever I have the chance. I have an extreme fear of heights and an irrational fear of dams. Now you know almost all about me!
It’s interesting how life comes full circle and I am now getting this amazing opportunity to use my knowledge about alternative education. I can’t wait to walk with your family on your homeschooling journey.
David Wagner
Hi! I’m David, the Custodian at BFPP. My job is to take care of our beautiful school so it continues to be a safe, clean and inviting building for our students and staff. I’m passionate about my role in directly supporting the kids of my community!
In my free time, I spend as much time as possible in nature, on my five acre property or exploring our local trails. For pets, I have two geese, four ducks and two chickens.
May this school year be joyous and full of inspiration!
Brooke Wertz
I have been a devoted teacher in Bellingham Public Schools for my whole career.
Working in partnership with kids and families is my passion!
Erica Wolverton
I am Erica Wolverton, the BFPP school counselor. This is my 8th year at BFPP and I’ve loved witnessing and experiencing the growth and changes over the lifetime of our program. I feel deeply honored to get to work here with such a dynamic and creative community.
A few of the things I love most in this world are: my family - daughters Savanna (21) and Ellie (18), and partner James who teaches math at Bellingham High School, travel and spontaneous adventure, creative thinking, writing from the heart, making artistic messes, quality connections and long conversations (even the difficult ones), reading books that push my perspective, and any time I can explore in nature.
This summer I took on a second job as an equine (horse) therapist, which allows me to combine two of my passions: working with kids and learning from horses.
I believe this will be our best year yet and I’m so grateful we get to experience it together.