About Us

Meet Jenny Hannack and Bobbie Turner

Jenny Hannack (left) and Bobbie Turner (right) on the first day of school in September 2022.

Welcome to Spring Forth Academy, where education is reimagined to ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong love for learning. With a vision for a different kind of schooling experience for our children, Jenny Hannack, an esteemed educator with over 25 years of experience, set our journey in motion.

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Jenny ventured beyond the traditional school system, establishing her own tutoring business in 2017. As she delved deeper into envisioning the possibilities of a new educational paradigm, a transformative moment came with the recommendation of “Courage to Grow” by Laura Sandefer.

Eager to share her vision and collaborate with like-minded individuals, Jenny reached out to Bobbie Turner, whose own experiences as a parent and business professional resonated deeply with the principles of learner-centered education. Drawing from years of experience in business and team dynamics, Bobbie recognized the importance of accountability and embraced the Acton covenants as guiding principles for Spring Forth Academy.

Together, Jenny and Bobbie, supported by a dedicated network of friends and family, established Spring Forth Academy Corporation in the Fall of 2022 as a 501c3 non-profit organization, overseen by a board of directors.

At Spring Forth Academy, we believe that every child is uniquely gifted and called to make a difference in the world. Through personalized learning, a growth mindset, and a supportive community, we empower each student to discover their purpose and thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Join us as we embark on this exciting adventure of learning and growth!

Our Team

Jenny Hannack

Co-Founder / Lead Guide

Meet Jenny, an experienced educator with over 25 years of dedication to shaping young minds. In 2017, fueled by a passion for personalized learning, she embarked on a new journey, founding her own tutoring business.

Driven by a vision for a different kind of educational experience, Jenny found inspiration in “Courage to Grow” by Laura Sandefer, which perfectly encapsulated her dream of a learner-driven school.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jenny finds joy in family life with her husband Jeff and their children, Trent, Cade, and Josh. Their two grandchildren, Vina and Leo, add even more delight to their lives. Together, they cherish moments at their cabin, indulging in activities like golfing, snowmobiling, and traveling.

Jenny and Jeff are deeply rooted in the Spring Valley community, cherishing every opportunity to connect with their children, grandchildren, and the vibrant young minds shaping the future.

Bobbie Turner

Co-Founder / Administrator

Bobbie graduated from UW-Stout in 2002 with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Quality Management. She has participated in several roles in various businesses over the past 25 years. Her most recent roles were leading operations teams in various capacities. She loves team building! Since the pandemic she has been reimagining education with Jenny Hannack. She is married to her husband, Ryan, and mom to Asher and Gwen. They have a cockapoo named Dorothy and a bernadoodle named Sweetie.

Bobbie enjoys serving her family, local community and church community and gives God all the glory. She believes life is an adventure and a gift!

Adult woman helping young boy cut a pepper

Danielle Colbenson

Sparks Guide

Danielle went to college for music instruction and taught music in a small Christian school in Eastern Wisconsin for several years. She is married to her husband, Ben and mom to Hudson, Levi, Bethany and Josie. She serves as the worship director in her local church. She also conducts music lessons in her home for local young people.

Laura Sandefer

Advisor and Acton Academy Co-Founder

Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science. After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.

Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.

Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and step-mother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.

Her greatest hero is her mother who was a Master Teacher. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: “Be curious.”

Jeff Sandefer

Advisor and Acton Academy Co-Founder

Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide. As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.

Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.

Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a longtime director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.