YES Writing Staff

Once upon a time, Mrs Yip's classes were taught by Mrs Yip, all on her own. As the need has grown for more classes in Ventura County, Mrs Yip has recruited and trained more teachers and staff members to fill that need. Here are the folks that currently make up YES Writing.

Accomplished IEW Instructor and Owner of YES Writing

Sandra M. Yip:

"Sandra is accredited as an Accomplished Instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from Shippensburg State University (PA), as well as a California multiple-subject K-12 teaching certificate and CLAD certification. Having taught in public, private, and home schools, Sandra began teaching IEW writing classes over 15 years ago. For several years she has been an approved vendor for Golden Valley Charter School and for Gorman Learning Center. Mrs. Yip homeschooled her own children from preschool through highschool graduation.

While the passion and joy of her life is watching children learn, she has recently discovered another passion: working with college students in Tanzania and developing Basic Writing for Adults lessons in conjunction with IEW.

Sandra can be reached via email at yes.writing.classes(AT)gmail.com."

Accredited IEW teachers

Linda Price, Certified IEW Instructor:

"Linda received her BA in English Literature in 1972 from Los Angeles Baptist College, and her elementary teaching credential in 1974 from Cal State Northridge. In 1974 and 1976 she completed specialized training in language acquisition at the Summer Institute of Linguistics. During 2004 and 2005, she received specialized training in Slingerland multi-sensory reading and writing. Most recently she has qualified as a Certified IEW Instructor. Linda has taught in classroom situations, done individual tutoring, and taught and developed materials in English for native Indonesian speakers. She has been teaching classes for YES Writing for many years at the elementary level. Her work homeschooling, teaching in a regular classroom, tutoring, and now as an IEW instructor has given Linda much experience in working with children of many different kinds of backgrounds."

Penny Hill, Registered IEW Instructor:

"Penny first learned of IEW when she was in sixth grade and taking a writing class from Mrs Yip. Since then, she has been involved with IEW materials every year of her life. After completing all of Mrs Yip's classes, she volunteered for one year as an assistant in Mrs Price and Mrs Yip's classes, before spending a year and a half as an apprentice teacher. At this time, she completed the IEW training and received her Registered Instructor status. Last year, Penny stepped in and took over teaching the Junior High class after the original instructor tragically had a stroke. She is continuing as teacher and assistant while working on her college degree."

Diane Sands, Registered IEW Instructor:

"Diane graduated from Saugus High School and has a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. She has served in both women's and children's ministries at her church and has served in leadership for many organizations and loves to mentor other women. Diane began homeschooling in 2001 and continued until 2014 when she graduated both of her children from high school. She has served as a mentor for a local ISP and has taught the Famous Science class for elementary age home school children. Her style of teaching and homeschooling is one of organization and love. Ministering to new home school moms is a passion she holds dear in her heart. She enjoys family time, camping, and the beach."

Taralyn Henry, Registered IEW Instructor

"Taralyn has her AA degree in General Liberal Arts and EMT 1 (Emergency Medical Technician, non-ambulance). She has worked with all ages, from 18 month to adults, over the past 26 years in her church. Since 2008, she has homeschooled her three children. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work with special needs students and has gained much knowledge in helping students with learning differences. Recently completing IEW training, she will be joining the staff as a Junior High class teacher."

Accredited Assistants

Ellen Frank, Registered IEW Instructor


Stacy Rea, Registered IEW Instructor:

"My husband and I, who live in Ventura, CA, are blessed with three affable and accomplished children. Since 2005, we have experienced the joy of being a homeschooling family. Serendipitously, my love of learning was born and developed at Thomas Aquinas College, where I earned my BA in Liberal Arts. Because of my desire to share this love with others, I obtained a California teaching credential and Masters in Education from Pepperdine University. Teaching grades 1 through 11 over three and a half years in a traditional classroom was wonderfully rewarding. This experience inspired me to employ my skills and expertise in my own home. When I am finished with my daily responsibilities, I strive to make time for reading, crafts, and fitness."

Business Ops/Office Manager (and occasional Teaching Assistant)

Julie Yip:

"Julie is the behind-the-scenes guru. Don't ask her questions about assignments. She doesn't know. However, she can generally answer questions about registration and payments. She also steps in to assist in the Golden Valley literature classes. After completing homeschooling, Julie attended St Lawrence University before transferring to San Francisco State University, where she earned a BM in Cello Performance. Currently she works with YES Writing and Blue Box Imaginarium, her own jewelry business. She likes to throw herself out of airplanes."