Our Mission

The pre-kindergarten age is one of wonder and curiosity and a time in which a love of life-long learning can blossom. We provide children with a creative, interactive learning center while nurturing the whole child with direction from a qualified teacher. The interactive learning center is hands on: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Your child will have the ability to create, grow and build friendships with other children, as well as develop a LOVE FOR LEARNING.

Keli Cronen, Director/Head Teacher

I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to pursue my life’s work – directing my very own preschool. With more than a decade of experience teaching in a variety of institutions, including Montessori, home and public schools, I have developed techniques that paramount LOVE FOR LEARNING.  I believe that all aspects of education must be nurtured together to help children create a foundation for life-long learning in all phases of their lives. Children at the Homestead Schoolhouse will be engaged in their education – And, based on years of experience and observation, this will benefit their long-term growth and LOVE FOR LEARNING.

I am a graduate of Portland State University, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Teaching.  I have managed a home-school preschool, and taught at Montessori and several elementary schools in the North Clackamas School District.  An avid traveler, my husband Kiley and I spent a few months in South Asia, including long stints in Japan and Thailand. Together we have our son Sims and twin boys, Lane and Cole, who brings immeasurable joy to our lives.

I am eager to welcome new families to The Homestead Schoolhouse and make life-long friends along the way.  Give us call and see how The Homestead can set a holistic educational foundation for your child’s scholastic life.

Amy Lawrence, DIRECTOR / head teacher

I am delighted to be able to work at The Homestead Schoolhouse!  Miss Keli and I are cousins and grew up together. One of our earliest dreams was to be teaching alongside one another. It is so wonderful that we have been able to make that dream a reality.

 I started at The Homestead Schoolhouse in its first year as an assistant to Keli while my son attended.  I am now the director and head teacher at the Annex location. I love working with children and have been doing so for most of my life. Prior to joining the Homestead team, I ran an educational in-home daycare taking care of kids of all ages.  It was fun for me to be able to take them on local field trips, to the pool, park and the library as well as watch them grow.

I am a mother of three with two adult daughters and a teenage son. My husband David and I are enjoying watching our girls grow into confidant and compassionate adults. Our son loves getting out and skateboarding whenever he can.  As a family, we enjoy getting together for dinner and game nights, camping, and swimming.  We all look forward to our annual summer trip to Lake Tahoe to visit extended family.  I think family is the most important foundation in a child’s life and our best times are spent together enjoying each other’s company.

Being at The Homestead has made me realize that I have a real passion for preschool-aged kids.  I enjoy watching them learn and discover. It makes me so proud to be a part of their education.  I am always looking for ways to grow as an educator and I am so happy that I get to do so at The Homestead Schoolhouse.

ms. brittnie, head teacher

I have always had a deep love for children, being able to watch and encourage their creativity and learning. There’s something so special about seeing a child meet a friend or learn something new. I have worked for many years with children in different forms. Starting as a full time nanny with preschool curriculum intertwined. From there I become the Pre-K teacher at a learning center in Sellwood for several years. After that I moved over to the wonderful Homestead Schoolhouse. I absolutely love being a part of the Homestead Team. It’s been such a joy working alongside Keli and Amy for the past couple of years as well as the rest of the team. The learning environment that is provided at the Homestead is exactly the type of place I always envisioned teaching at.

In my free time, I like to travel with my husband, Tim, or take our cute pup, Barry, on walks. We are big foodies as well, and are constantly trying to work our way through Portland’s broad and amazing food scene.

I believe that by providing a classroom environment filled with stability, nurture, and curiosity students will be encouraged to build friendships and learn both individually and as a community. I believe that is something we achieve that the Homestead!

ms.karina, teacher/spanish teacher

I’m Karina Morales, originally from Mexico City.  I went to “INSTITUTO DE ESTUDIOS CONTABLES Y ADMINISTRATIVOS” in Mexico City, where I received a bachelors degree in Administration and a Diploma in counseling.  I was working for an elementary school as an administrator and a counselor for 8 years in my country.  I moved in 2008 to Alaska and then to Portland.  I recently (2018) earned my associates degree in Child Development at Mount Hood Community College.

My first job in both Alaska and Portland, was nannying for young children.  I also taught Spanish as a volunteer to adults and then I began working as a Spanish teacher in public and private schools.

My opportunity to work in Homestead Schoolhouse came in 2017 when Kiley and Keli invited me to be part of their great team.  With all my heart and best disposition to do and give my best, I said yes, and that is how this great commitment began.  I work as a teacher at The Homestead Annex with the 2.5-3 & the 3-4 year old classes.  I also teach Spanish classes to our 4-5 year olds every week.

My husband and I like to serve in our catholic church on Sundays.   We enjoy hiking and having fun every summer with my two step children.

My goal is to continue to improve my English and continue learning how to become a better educator.

I believe that children are the best teachers, I love to learn from them.

Ms. Ivy, teacher

My journey into the field of education began half-way through my Associate's Degree program in my rural hometown in California, where I had started college with the initial intention of becoming a substance abuse counselor. One day, my mother and I were talking after she had come home from chaperoning a science field trip for my brother's elementary class, and she was telling me about an interaction she had had with my brother's teacher that day. This particular conversation proved to be a pivotal moment in my life, one which led me down a path of introspection in which I reevaluated my career choice, and ultimately led me to change my major to child development at the end of that semester. After thinking of my previous experience working with children, I realized that my true passion was watching them learn and grow, and that I wanted to be a part of that process. I obtained my BA from CSU Long Beach, and began working as a youth rock climbing coach shortly after. After some time, I decided to relocate to Portland where I received the wonderful opportunity to teach at The Homestead Schoolhouse. I believe each child is unique and wonderful, and with care and attention from our educators each child can succeed and thrive in academia, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share, implement, and grow my educational philosophy.

mr. rose, Teacher/music teacher

Last year I graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in mathematics. While I was there, I studied abroad for two semesters in the Dominican Republic and Chile. Right after graduating, I had a super fun summer working at camp at the Oregon Zoo and Portland Children's Museum. After that, I worked as an Americorps volunteer in a bilingual (Spanish and English) elementary school. Until Covid, I was teaching math and reading to children who were falling behind in normal classroom settings, as well as running recess and an after school program. I grew up in Boston with an older brother and younger sister, and spent many summers attending and then working at various camps throughout New England. My favorite programs to teach were arts and crafts and the ropes course. I love to spend time in my garden, take care of my fish tanks, read, and play ultimate Frisbee. 

ms. mayah, assistant teacher

I grew up in sunny Los Angeles with my parents, older brother and younger sister, spending many summers and weekends at the beach and enjoying the arts and film culture of the city. My first experiences with childcare came when I aged out of my favorite performing arts summer camp and instead joined the program as an assistant director and teacher. Working to help kids grow and learn to express themselves through theater helped grow my love of teaching and firm belief in the importance of arts education. Following high school, I spent a year with the group Up With People, performing and doing service projects in the US, Mexico, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Kosovo. I then spent some time studying education and anthropology at Southern Oregon University before moving up to my family in Portland. I have spent the last five years working with my mom’s children’s theater group, Portland Drama Club, as an assistant director and lead teacher for the K-1 Theater Fun class. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, writing, embroidery, good cups of tea, and snuggling with my Labradoodle, Huckleberry. I am super excited to start my first year at the Homestead!