Listed alphabetically by surname

Denise Boiko

This is likely the last year that Mrs. Denise Boiko will teach multiple classes at Emmaus Road Homeschool and/or other sites. During 2026-27, she may teach one Literature & Composition course but probably not Biology or Advanced Composition.

With a biology degree from Mount St. Mary’s University and a lifelong interest in writing, Denise enjoys pursuing both the sciences and the humanities. After her “first career” in a hospital lab, Denise became a full-time homeschool mom—and then began teaching other people’s children. Since 2006, she has taught writing, biology, and literature classes in group academy, tutoring, online, and individual settings throughout the Bay Area. Denise enjoys helping students appreciate the beauty and orderliness of God's creation, as well as encouraging them to use their writing to minister to others and to share God's truths.

Her interest in writing has resulted in publication of five short stories, six articles, a California history poem, and a 440-page book, Homeschooled & Headed for College: Your Road Map for a Successful Journey. This guide walks families through the often-perplexing path to college admissions. With a passion for helping homeschoolers as well as traditional students in their college prep journey, Denise has presented more than 95 workshops, presentations, and seminars on homeschooling and college prep topics, including being interviewed on two podcasts. Denise and her husband, Ron, are the parents of a daughter and a son homeschooled from K-12, and grandparents to two little ones.

Angela Chan

Angela Chan is wife to Jason and mother of Justin, Austin, and Carina. Angela, who officially started her homeschooling adventure back in 2003, has three homeschool graduates. After high school, one of her sons pursued a Biology degree with a minor in Psychology from Cal Poly SLO (Class of 2020), while the other son acquired his major in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, with a minor in Psychology from UC Davis (Class of 2022). Soon to be an empty nester this fall, with her last child entering college, Angela desires to support homeschooling parents with the knowledge and experience gained over her 20 years of homeschooling. Angela dreams of such a continuing support group not only to provide academic guidance and resources but also to offer needed fellowship and prayer. With her testimony of God's provision over the years, Angela hopes her support group will be a place that points homeschooling parents to trust in Jesus’ sovereign guidance, as they shepherd their children with His vision for their high school homeschooling years.

Lois Ding

Lois Ding has over twenty years of experience as a homeschooling mom and guidance counselor. In addition to teaching her children, Lois has invested hundreds of hours researching and applying educational philosophies, study strategies, and behavioral neurobiology to help her children succeed academically and beyond. It’s from this research and practical application she developed her course on study skills which she first taught in the summer of 2022.

Lois has thus far taught four of her six children through high school. Her oldest son graduated from Santa Clara University in 2023 with a BS in Computer Science and Engineering with a minor in math and is currently working as a Security Software Engineer in Silicon Valley. The next two children are studying Animation/Illustration and Kinesiology, respectively, at San Jose State. Her fourth child graduated a year early from high school and is starting her career as an author, and her youngest two children continue as her students at home. Prior to her long career as a homeschool mom, Lois worked as a Clinical Research Associate in the pharmaceutical industry. She holds a BS in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis.

Keith Donahue

Mr. Keith Donahue has been a basketball enthusiast since he was a child. He writes, "I started playing competitive basketball in the first grade in Houston, Texas and continued through my sophomore year at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. When my playing days were over, I decided to shift my focus away from playing basketball and into coaching basketball. I was invited to help my brother start a basketball team at Canyon Heights Academy in San Jose,CA. It was a rewarding two seasons at Canyon Heights. Getting to work with the elementary school aged kids reminded me of the joy and what initially drew me to the game of basketball.

In 2007, I was asked to be an assistant coach at Prospect High School. I spent the next 7 years as an assistant coach at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. Now during the winters I get to coach my 6 year old son’s basketball team, which is a dream come true. I look forward to coaching at The Emmaus Road."  Mr. Donahue's home parish is St. Christopher's in San Jose, and he is also our founder' s (Pastor Mark Lauer) next door neighbor.

Jody Goff

Jody is a born-again Christian who loves Jesus with all her heart, and a veteran homeschooling mom of three with a passion for God, history and English. She has homeschooled her children from birth through high school, preparing them to enter adult society with a strong biblical worldview. She is delighted that they have continued their education in college and are currently pursuing their bachelor’s degrees/careers. For ten years she has taught English, history, science, and devotions in a homeschool co-op setting. Additionally, Jody has tutored students who are pursuing excellence in writing. She endeavors to encourage students as they create projects that they are proud to display at graduation, wrestle with even the most tragic events of history, and discover God’s faithfulness in the midst of man’s unfaithfulness. Jody and her husband, Chris, have been married for twenty-five years and enjoy traveling, off-roading, and spoiling their pups. Above all, she seeks to glorify God and to help her students see His mighty hand in all of life. 

Dr. Yu-Nian Hsieh

Dr. Yu-Nian Hsieh received his Ph.D. degree in Solid State Physics from the University of California at Berkeley. He also has an M. S. degree in Physics from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. degree in Physics from National Taiwan University.  

After completing postdoctoral research at the Material Research Laboratory/Chemistry Department, University of Illinois at Urbana, he taught at City University of New York as an Assistant Professor in Physics for 4 years. In 1978, he joined IBM, working in the areas of semiconductor technology/process, device/chip designs, system development, and applications, through the ranks to Senior Engineering Manager until retirement.  

Dr. Hsieh has three children. All three graduated from Stanford University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. After graduate study, one became a Hardware Engineering Manager. One changed fields to medical science and became a Medical Fellow/Specialist as Director in charge of Children’s Infectious Disease. The third became a Senior Director of a major high tech company in charge of Corporate Planning. 

Dr. Hsieh likes to work with the students who want to learn. Since his retirement in 2005, he has been teaching/tutoring students from middle school to college in Math (all levels) and Physical Science. All of his 7 grandchildren are his favorite students with whom to share his knowledge in Math and Science.

Asher Kauk

My goal is to help anyone, experienced or inexperienced, grow in their technical skill and understanding of the beautiful gift of music that God has given us.

Just like our Creator, his creation is knowable yet never fully comprehensible, and I greatly enjoy diving deep to understand how the world of music works. Whether you want to learn to play your favorite worship songs, improvise, or write your own music, I would love to help.

Mark Lauer

Mark Lauer has worked in full-time high tech sales and consulting for 15 years, in full-time pastoral ministry, and most recently in solar & renewable energy. He was the senior pastor of Christ the King Anglican Church for 10 years (2008-2018) and simultaneously a Regional Vicar for 8 years with the Anglican Mission in America, where he served as a leader of pastors in the western USA. Mark was associate pastor at other local churches, spanning 16 years of service. They include Calvary Church of Los Gatos, Menlo Church, and South Hills Community Church (which later merged with Westgate Church). He was on the church-planting team of Cornerstone Community Church, at which he worked bi-vocationally in high-tech. The church later merged with Menlo Church. Mark’s teaching experience comes from his training and applied ministry in churches, being active as a homeschool dad and leading homeschool classes, and his personal and business training and coaching. Mark teaches Government & Economics, Biblical Studies, American History, and he leads the chapel services and community gathering events. Trivia: he is a cyclist and loves skiing.

He started The Emmaus Road in response to the needs of his own family and friends, as well as the crisis of isolation and depression amongst high school aged students caused by the Covid restrictions in education. He holds a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in Theology and completed additional post-graduate work in counseling psychology, ministry, business, and renewable energy. He holds multiple credentials in these fields. He is ordained by South Hills Community Church (non-denominational) and subsequently as a deacon and priest by the Anglican Church of the Province of Rwanda and its North American partner, The Anglican Mission in America.

Ann Wolfe

Ann Wolfe taught choral music in Hayward USD for 2 1/2 years, 26 years ago, then decided to stay home with her new baby. Her goal at SJSU was to teach high school choirs, and she got to do that for 2 years. She also taught elementary vocal music and middle school choir (the toughest teaching year! )  She has been teaching choir and music ensemble classes on and off for homeschoolers since starting homeschool programs, and she has  directed a few pick-up choirs for Easter or Christmas at church.

Mrs. Wolfe also has taught piano for decades. She leads worship music at her church, Almaden Neighborhood Church. Before that, she was part of Palo Alto Vineyard Christian Fellowship for 25 years and sang back-up vocals there.

Mrs. Wolfe is also the co-founder and director of a non-sectarian program called A TEAM Homeschool Community.  She has  5 children.

Lauren Wolfe

Lauren is an aspiring filmmaker and she earned an Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Film/TV Production from De Anza College. She has recently begun teaching Film Production classes and summer camps for middle and high schoolers, and has enjoyed seeing her students use their filmmaking skills to create their own unique and exciting projects!