Who we are
Lori Peters is the founder of One Spark Academy. She holds a multiple subject teaching credential, a BA in art, an MA in educational leadership and a preliminary administrative services credential. With more than sixteen years experience in public alternative education, she remains passionate about helping students find their spark and enjoy the process of learning. She wholeheartedly believes in the principles of teaching the whole child- meeting their needs academically, socially, and emotionally- and inspiring students to be healthy, balanced, and globally aware. After 15 years committed to building CVUSD’s Open Classroom program, Lori became the lead founder of BRIDGES Charter School here in Thousand Oaks, as well as the author of the charter itself. After one year at BRIDGES teaching 6th/7th grade with a focus in ELA and social studies, she decided to pursue an environment that would offer more transparency, balance, nurturing, creative freedom and flexibility- both for students and teachers- than can be found in most public schools. Her new concept in education was sparked by several students who, like her, desired a healthy and balanced educational alternative, and One Spark was born. Lori is thrilled to be offering language arts and geography/history courses to homeschool students at One Spark Academy, as well as being the Academy’s coordinator and webmaster. She enjoys building this new model of education with a close-knit team of dedicated educators and the support of the Thousand Oaks Teen Center. She and her husband, tech expert Todd Geist, enjoy travel, reading, gatherings with friends and family, and the pursuit of innovative, sensible, and sustainable ideas to improve education.
Laura Erlig has her BA in Liberal Studies and a supplement in Mathematics. A firm believer in whole child education, she recently was the Education Coordinator at BRIDGES Charter School in Thousand Oaks, as well as one its lead petitioners. Teaching in an elementary school setting for the past sixteen years helped Laura forge her educational philosophy, whereby students must have choices and experience in order to comprehend the whole meaning of what they are taught– this connection will keep them engaged in their learning process. To motivate students down the path of increasing maturity, that path must be enjoyable and knowledge must be presented in a multi- faceted fashion. A student who participates in defining this path will be most successful. Additionally, collaboration allows students to explore the boundaries of what they have learned while building social and emotional skills. Lastly, when students set individual goals, they internalize new materials and skills, thereby increasing their confidence and propelling them toward higher levels of learning. Laura is not only an educator, but also a parent (with husband Hernan) of two fantastic 6th grade twin girls, Katie and Ashley. Although identical, her daughters demonstrate the important lesson that not all children are the same or learn the same. Laura’s hobbies include walking, gardening, jamming, cooking, and creating family and friend gatherings. She is looking forward to starting a new journey helping 6th-8th grade homeschool students ignite their creative passions in a proactive way, while balancing health, learning, and social engagements.
Liza Scheer holds a multiple subject teaching credential, with a math supplement, and degrees in teaching and math. She has taught grades 5th-8th in multiple subjects and math specialization, including 8th grade algebra. She most recently was the 6th/7th grade math/science teacher at BRIDGES Charter School, and was part of the team that developed the middle school component of BRIDGES Charter School. Liza’s teaching experience is also combined with more than nine years as a classroom volunteer (usually assisting in math programs!), tutor, and supervising educator for home school students. Liza is excited to be a part of One Spark Academy, where she can balance valued family time with her desire to teach math and be part of a proactive, supportive and positive educational community. She and her husband John have three wonderful children and thoroughly enjoy their lives together.
Kay Sikra completed her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1989 so she could touch lives in the way her fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Worley, had touched hers. Mrs. Worley remains one of the biggest inspirations in her life. After teaching 7th and 8th grade Math and Science for 4 years, Kay met Rich, the man who would become her husband, and they fell in love and immediately started their family. As often happens in life, an unexpected challenge presented itself when their first child, Matthew, was born with a rare genetic condition called Noonan’s syndrome that causes many physical and learning disabilities. Kay made the decision to quit her job teaching and focus 100% on helping Matthew develop to his fullest potential. Kay and Rich were blessed with two more children, Andrea and Richie, whom they also decided to homeschool. Eleven years later, Kay realizes that homeschooling and focusing on her family was one of the most empowering, educational, worthwhile, and successful experiences of her life. Matthew, Andrea, and Richie have thrived in a tailor-made educational environment surrounded by love, encouragement, and enriching experiences. Over the years, Kay’s educational philosophy has continuously evolved. She believes each child has his or her own unique gifts and talents to bring to the world. As parents, she believes, it is our purpose to help children find their individual, true passions, and then support them in pursuing those passions. As a teacher, she believes in inspiring, challenging, and encouraging — finding the “spark”, fanning it, and then letting it run wild. She firmly believes kids will rise to the level of our expectations. And she believes the most important gifts we can give our kids are a positive, “I can do anything” belief system, a sense of humor, and love of life.
