Meet The Team

Meet Shawna

Hello!  I am the founder of Whispering Pines Homeschool Village! With over 20 years of experience in education. I have a B.S in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Education.  This experience and now as a homeschooling mom to two boys, I’ve seen how children thrive when they are active participants in their own learning.

I can't believe we are half way through our second year already!  I feel so blessed for the growth that has already taken shape just since last year; I am honored and privledged to be able to provide this program for families. It is such a joy to build a community that believes in children, their potential, and the power of learning through curiosity and connection.

In my free time I love cooking/baking, camping, being in the outdoors, and travelling! 

Meet Cassie

Hello! My name is Cassie Wood, and I am the Enrollment Specialist at Whispering Pines Homeschool Village. I have an A.A.S in Administrative Specialist and assist in the administrative tasks involved with creating the wonderful homeschool village Shawna has brought to our community. I love getting to see children learning in their own ways and collaboratively enjoying the wonders of nature, sparking their natural curiosity. As a homeschooling mom of two, I enjoy finding ways to bring excitement about learning into our daily rhythms. Whispering Pines has been a huge part of that joy for my family.

Meet Missy

My name is Missy and I am so excited to be back teaching in nature! I have taught nature preschool and kindergarten for 5 years. My elementary education degree is from St.Bens. This is where I fell in love with the outdoors and all the learning and exploring nature has to offer. I love to cross country ski, I'm learning to sew, and my favorite pastime is hanging out with my family playing games. I am looking forward to continuing my love of learning with everyone at WPHV. I can't wait to plan amazing hands-on learning as we dive into books and everything nature has to offer, together!

Meet Gabbi

Hello! My name is Gabbi Christianson. I am so excited to work at Whispering Pines this year! Education has always been a passion of mine. I have spent the last five years as a public elementary school teacher in 5th and 3rd grade. After having a baby, I am excited to shift my focus to nature based learning and homeschooling for this school year. I look forward to learning alongside the students this year!

Meet Lindsay

My name is Lindsay Bebensee. I have been teaching for 11 years and have my Masters in Education from the University of Minnesota. The last 4 years I taught nature based kindergarten and fell in love with teaching outdoors! I love seeing kids connect with the natural world in a way that makes learning meaningful.

I have 2 kids, ages 6 and 8. We enjoy hiking, swimming, and exploring new parks together. In my spare time I like to do home projects and read.

I am so excited to join Whispering Pines and spend time learning with kids outdoors!

Meet Bailey

Hi, I am Bailey. Some of my most meaningful experiences have been teaching my daughter through playful, everyday lessons, which deepened my love for education as a bond between parent and child. Although I initially set aside a career in early education due to frustrations with the traditional system, I pursued an individualized degree, volunteered in diverse educational and childcare settings, and even launched a student-centered learning platform. Now, as a mother and homeschooler, I’m grateful to have found Whispering Pines, where I can finally bring together my values, teaching spirit, and belief in curiosity-driven learning.