I’m Carmel Buckhout and I have been serving as a Community Board Member on HomeTech’s Charter School Board since December of 2022. I received my BSN in Nursing at Chico State and have been employed as an emergency room nurse for the past 13 years. Prior to that I was employed as a paramedic and emergency room technician.  I will be expanding on my studies beginning August 2023 through Chico State’s Master of Science - School of Nursing with an emphasis on education. I have been active as a volunteer in The Civil Air Patrol since April 2023.

I have lived in the Paradise area since 1980 except for a couple of years. I did my schooling in paradise and raised two children that also did their schooling in the paradise schools. 

I spent many years working in health care in Paradise and Chico. Then I worked in Auditing for the County for six years and then in a non-profit after that. 

I Volunteered at the Elementary school for six years in the classrooms and ran the student store for many years. 

This is my first time serving on a board. I have a student who goes to Hometech and I appreciate the school and the staff, as they are fantastic people who care greatly about their school, the students, the staff, and the parents so it was an honor to become a board member.

I have been a board member at HomeTech Charter since 2021. My husband, our two boys and myself moved to Paradise in early 2017. Our kids education has always been a priority so when the opportunity to join the school board came i happily submitted my interest as a parent board member.
I am incredibly passionate about special education. As a parent I have 5+ years experience with IEPS and the Special Education system. As a member of the board I strive to make a positive difference in not only my own childrens educational journey but all students attending HomeTech Charter.

My family and I love being a part of this wonderful community. We enjoy giving back and volunteering our time to show our appreciation to our beautiful growing town. The last few years we've all been through a great deal, but to be a part of rebuilding this town along with our schools has been an incredible experience. I am honored to be part of a school with staff that truly prioritizes students educational, social, and emotional needs.
-Christina Powell

I have been a teacher for twenty nine years in the Paradise community. For the last fifteen of those, I have had the honor of teaching English at HomeTech Charter School. My two sons were born and raised in this town, and it is still the place that I call "home" even after relocating to Chico after the Camp Fire. It is my sincere desire to ensure that HomeTech continues to offer an engaging and supportive alternative educational experience to our community. I will do my best to care for our students through both my teaching and my participation as a board member.

I have served on the HomeTech Charter Governing Board since September 2019. I grew up in Paradise, California, and have extended family roots in this community.  I had the privilege of serving in a local private K-12 school, first as a teacher for 18 years, then as a principal for 8 years.  In addition, I was on staff at HomeTech Charter school for 7 years, teaching a variety of electives and enrichment, intervention and Success classes, and assisting with High School Math.  I am the co-founder/CEO/instructor of a 501c-3 California non-profit organization working with junior high, high school, and early college level students in academic tutoring, homework help, theatre arts workshops and classes.  Emphasizing leadership, teamwork skills, and building confidence. (Due to the Camp Fire in 2-18,currently in hiatus waiting for resolution to the Camp Fire Fund.)

I currently serve as HomeTech's Principal/Superintendent and Board Member.  My experience in education is diverse and spans over 22 years including: teacher (elementary, middle and high school as well as adults), after school program coordinator, instructional coach, vice principal and principal/superintendent.  I have attended University of the Pacific (BS in Business Administration and MA in Communication), Chico State (credential), and University of Southern California (Doctorate program in Organizational Change and Leadership).  

As a resident of Paradise, I am committed to supporting our community and providing alternative educational options to all our students.  My guiding question when making decisions is, "What is best for students?" I believe in an open-door policy and always welcome questions, comments and concerns.  I am honored to work in and serve the Ridge community.