Who We Are
The Constitutional Home Educators Alliance is comprised of nine directors all of whom have or are currently educating their children at home using their own talents, abilities, and resources. In addition to the board of directors, the Alliance also maintains an advisory board to share wisdom and ensure accountability.
Carrie Bertrand
Secretary
Stella Cox
Treasurer
DIRECTORY
Ben Belcher
Advisory Council
Shanna Lewis
Advisory Council
Fred Nicolai
Advisory Council
Michelle Dugas
Advisory Council
Cindy Nicolai
Director/
Legislative Liaison
Jana Belcher
Vice President
GET TO KNOW US
Jana Belcher, Board Member
Jana Belcher is married to Benjamin Belcher and they have four children, whom they have been home educating for 15 years. When she was young, Jana and her siblings enjoyed being homeschooled while her family traveled in full time ministry. She has a B.Ed. from The University of Alaska Anchorage, and she taught elementary school for five years, until felt called home to raise her children.
Jana is involved at church by leading various ministries and has a heart for serving. Since home educating her children, she has been involved in support group leadership roles as president, coop, activities' director, yearbook editor, field trip coordinator, website team and hospitality ministry. She has also served on committees of state organizations and currently teaches coop classes, coordinates workshops, assists on the CHEA legislative team and works on various communications and marketing teams. Her favorite verse is "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy path" Prov. 3:5-6
Stella Cox, Board Member
Stella Cox has been married to Todd Cox for 32 years and they have 3 children, two married sons and a daughter who will graduate in 2019 and one beautiful granddaughter. Todd is a retired Oklahoma City Firefighter and they own and operate a small business Weatherization Experts.
Stella has been home educating since 2007. She has served on the leadership of Tri-City Home Educators in various capacities, serves in Children’s Ministry, the City of Newcastle Economic Development Committee, McClain Election Official, and volunteers where there is a need.
Stella serves on CHEA because her passion is to make sure the freedom and liberty of constitutional home education are protected for the future generations to come.
Carrie Bertrand, Board Member
Carrie is a home educating mother of two girls who are just finishing up high school. She has been married to her husband Brad for 23 years, and raises horses and longhorns on their farm near Blanchard. She is an Investment Advisor Representative for Retirement Solutions, a financial advisory firm.
Cindy Nicolai, Board Member
Cindy Nicolai began her homeschool journey in 1996. Having trained her children at home from early childhood through high school, Cindy continues to help other moms in this sometimes-overwhelming journey of educating their children at home while still running a household and maintaining sanity.
The Nicolai's attend the Nazarene Church in Mustang where they serve in many capacities from working with two-year olds to serving on the church board.
Cindy and her husband Fred were trustees for Oklahoma Christian Home Educators’ Consociation for over 11 years where she served as Support Group Liaison, Seminar/Workshop Speaker, Capitol Day Coordinator, and Legislative Liaison. Cindy's total legisltaive experience spans over 17 years. They retired from the board of trustees in 2016 but are still passionate about protecting the freedom of the true Oklahoma home educator. Cindy currently fulfills the roles of wife, mother, daughter, number one farmhand, and her favorite role as Grammy to eight amazing grandbabies.