About Us
Educating the mind without educating the heart
is no education at all. -Aristotle
Gather & Grow Christian Homeschool Cooperative is a small gathering of families who came together with a desire to see homeschool class offerings in the North County, San Diego area. Our group is made up of teachers, homeschooling parents and their children who use their time and talents so that many homeschoolers may benefit.
Gather & Grow is a Christian homeschooling co-operative for children K-12th grade. We desire to bring glory to God by providing activities, fellowship, and learning opportunities to enhance a family’s homeschooling journey.
Gather & Grow meets on the first three Wednesday afternoons of the month from 12:30p-3:30p at Calvary Vista church in Vista, CA. Families can choose to participate in anywhere from 1 to 3 hours of class options throughout the afternoon. (You do NOT have to sign up for all 3 hours.)
Various other activities and outings are hosted throughout the year.
Our Mission
As shepherds of our children’s growth, we will root our children in God’s word and teach, support, and encourage our children in their journey of academic learning, character development, and community so that they will have strong wings to glorify God in their youth and throughout their lives.
Our Vision
To build a home school community of like minded families who are intent on educating and raising up their children in the Truth of God's Word.
Meet The Leadership Team
Our Teachers
Ryan Beard
Coach Ryan grew up in the south of England where he played lots of sports as a child including soccer (football), rugby, tennis, golf, squash and cricket. Coach Ryan is a huge sports fan and really enjoys coaching the little ones how to enjoy the sports and games for what they are. Coach Ryan believes in an education through fun strategy to coaching and progressively takes the kids through the curriculum building their confidence and skills through the weeks.
Email: Ryan@SportsSaints.org
Henry Doktorski
Henry Doktorski is a Chess4Kidz instructor, tournament director, and trophy-winning chess player. He began playing the game at the age of three, he was president of his high school chess club, and today he is a member of the the United States Chess Federation, the Temecula (California) Chess Club, and a former member of the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Chess Club. Mr. Doktorski plays in about a dozen tournaments a year. In 1997, he won first place in his division at Pittsburgh’s largest annual tournament, the Pittsburgh Open. In 2012 he tied for first place in his division at the same tournament. He tied for first/second place in the 44th Fred Thompson Memorial Tournament at the Pittsburgh Chess Club (June 21, 2014). He achieved the ranking of a Class A Player (his highest recorded rating was 1951 points) in August 2014. Currently he is ranked in the 92nd percentile among 61,668 USCF-rated players in the U. S. He taught Chess4Kidz classes in Allegheny and Butler Counties (Pennsylvania) from January 2007 until December 2015, and since February 2016 has been teaching classes in Riverside and San Diego Counties, California. In Pennsylvania, Mr. Doktorski has taught at Bethel Park Community Center (2006-2013), Robin Hill Park in Moon Township, and the North Fayette Township Department of Parks and Recreation (2008-2010) where his team won the First Place Trophy at the Pennsylvania State Game/29 Scholastic Tournament at the University of Pittsburgh (March 2010). He has taught at the Cranberry Township Community Center, Bradford Woods Elementary School, Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School, and Saint Kilion Parish School. In March 2010, Mr. Doktorski’s North Fayette Township Chess4Kidz team won first place in the Pennsylvania State Game/29 Scholastic Tournament held at the University of Pittsburgh Student Union. In June 2015, Mr. Doktorski’s student Shane Patrick Mills won first place in a field of 22 other players in the Beginner Section at the 22nd Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Championship Chess Tournament. Since moving to California in January 2016, Mr. Doktorski has taught Chess4Kidz at: America China International Exchange After School Program in Temecula EEE Learning Center at Grace Presbyterian Church in Temecula Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School in Temecula Harvest Hill STEAM Academy in Winchester HomeSchool Campus Charter School at Murrieta Church of Christ HomeSchool Charter School at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook Independent Learning Academy at Faith Community Church in Carlsbad Linfield Christian School in Temecula Rainbow HomeSchool in Canyon Lakes The LAB includEDucation Homeschool in Lake Elsinore Thrive Learning Center at Seacoast Community Church in Encinitas Van Avery Prep in Temecula Vintage Hills Elementary in Temecula Henry has also served as Coordinator of Educational Programs for the Temecula Chess Club. He also works as a musician (mostly church organist) and author. For more, see http://henrydoktorski.com.
Email: henrydoktorski@gmail.com
Joseph Henschel
Joe Henschel has his BA in Mass Media and Film Production and was the VP of Marketing for a software startup for many years. Joe has been a part of starting up multiple businesses and currently runs a cold brew manufacturing company that provides cold brew on tap to offices, restaurants, and cafes. He has a passion for entrepreneurship and also for coming alongside businesses and helping them grow. Joe is also a worship leader and is married to his wife Stacy. They have 2 girls and another child on the way.
Email: joehenschel@me.com
Sarah McCann Piscopo
Sarah McCann Piscopo is a teaching artist, dancer and professional choreographer throughout San Diego county. Sarah received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (with a minor in Theater) from San Diego State University and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Sarah has been a member of dance companies in San Diego, presented work at the San Diego Lightbox, San Diego Fringe Festival and Universities. She has worked with the San Diego Gulls, and even the circus but by far her favorite dance experience is using it to worship the Lord in churches and Christian communities.
Email: sarah@swiftkickma.com
Trevor Francis Daigle
Trevor is an experienced and passionate guitar teacher with over 10 years of teaching and performing experience. He brings a patient and personalized approach to each lesson, ensuring students of all levels—from beginners to advanced players—can develop their skills and achieve their musical goals.
He is passionate about helping people of all ages and skill levels learn how to skate and improve their skateboarding skills! With over 25 years of skateboarding experience, I’ve learned everything from the basics to advanced tricks, and now I’m excited to share my knowledge with others.
Email: francisblumemusic@gmail.com
Swiftkick Martial Arts
SwiftKick Founder, Brian Cowell, started training in martial arts at three. His parents sought out martial arts training for three reasons: he was shy, lacked confidence, had difficulty focusing on academics and was delayed in physical development and coordination. Now as an adult, Brian is a 5th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sam Kressin, a Certified Scientific Wrestling Catch Wrestling Coach, a Certified Red Zone Threat Management Knife Defense Trainer, a Mental Performance Coach and has received his BS Psychology and MBA from SDSU. Brian's life was changed by the power of martial arts, and yours can be too!
Email: sarah@swiftkickma.com
Robert Malone
I grew up in Escondido where my family attended Emmanuel Faith Community
Church for many years. There, I first understood the Gospel and got
saved by the shed blood of my Lord, Jesus Christ.
As a child I became very interested in physics, mathematics and
computers. I spent much of my childhood writing computer programs and
solving math and science problems. When I was 16, I got to attend
Caltech where I met the legendary Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard
Feynman when gave some guest lectures on quantum mechanics to our class.
That experience was very inspiring, and I subsequently spent over 10
years in universities studying and teaching physics and mathematics. I
always hope to inspire my own students the way that Professor Feynman
inspired me.
One of my most favorite experiences is the “Aha!” or “Eureka!” feeling –
the flash of insight when a difficult concept that was previously murky
and confusing suddenly becomes clear and obvious. I love it when I can
help my students experience that flash of insight feeling too!
Subjects I have taught, mostly at the university level: Computer
Programming, Philosophical Logic, Calculus, Probability and Statistics,
Mechanics, and Electromagnetism.
Silvia Marin
My name is Silvia. I was born in central Mexico in the state of Aguascalientes which translates to hot water. My father immigrated to this country in the 70's as a agricultural worker (avocados mainly). He tells me stories of how he rolled flour tortillas daily. My uncle lived with him and often didn't want to help out. My dad would tell him, "You don't work, you don't eat."
Our father brought us to the states in the late 70's. He would tell my sisters and I, "Go help your mom cook dinner. We'd say, "She doesn't need help. His response was, "You stand there and watch and learn."
A home cooked meal always brought us together and that filled my mom's heart to watch us eat.
I inherited my mom's love for the kitchen and enjoy cooking for my family, my friends and occasionally at retreats and youth dinners.
I am a stay at home mom and wife. Homemaker by choice. With the economy today, I make as much as I can from scratch and enjoy stocking up my freezers when I see a good sale.
We have chickens and haven't had to buy eggs for about 5 years now except a few weeks in the winter season.
I like to cook all types of foods not just Mexican. I read menus when I go out to eat and make mental notes of things I can prepare at home.
My hobbies include cooking, baking, crafting, making kombucha, nature hikes, going to the beach. I love to watch YouTube videos on gardening, cooking, homesteading while I cook or wash dishes.
I pray to God to give me many more years on this earth to watch my son grow. When I asked him the other day what he would miss the most when I'm no longer here he said, "Refried beans and tortillas!
Email: sgamez25@yahoo.com
Kristin McCrary/AB Fine Art
At AB Fine Art Studio, we believe that art is the gateway to a broader education, a stronger community and culture, and the cornerstone to a well-rounded individual. Our desire is to provide a safe environment that inspires individuals to embrace their creativity. We teach students, young and old, proper techniques while encouraging individuality, emphasizing the process rather than the product. Mother/ daughter team, Susan and Kristin, established AB Fine Art Studio in 2005. God has led and guided our business through the years and we are so blessed to share our passion and creativity in our community.
Email: abfinearts@mac.com
Lisa Kopitzke
Lisa Kopitzke has been homeschooling for over ten years. She fell in love with Spanish when she was young after years of visiting Mexico with her family. She took four years of Spanish in high school, and a few more years of Spanish in college to complete her minor, with the intent to teach high school Spanish. Though her own Spanish has waned a bit over the years, she hopes to spark a love for the Spanish language in her new students!
Email: lmkopitzke@yahoo.com
Jess Welemirov
I am Ms. Jes, a homeschooling mom of nine years. I have two children, ages 13 and 2 years! my interest in education began when I was in middle school with a child development and family life course through Palomar College. Since that time I have worked at day cares, provided nanny care to a variety of clients, have privately tutored elementary and middle school grades in all subjects, worked in children's ministry and taught women's Bible study. I am currently teaching a first and second grade combo class, homeschooling my 13 year old, teaching art and hopefully enjoying fun science exploration with your little learners!
Email: just_jes82@live.com