Personal Biography
Who am I?
“I wish I had 7 piece of candy mommy.” “Why do you want 7 piece of candy, ‘Aurora’?” “Id give 2 to ‘Jack’, 2 to ‘Mike’ and I would have 3.” How did you know how to subtract?” “I looked at the clock!” Aurora’ was my 4 year old daughter at the time who taught herself how to subtract by starting at the “hour” of 7, counting backwards for each piece of candy she was planning to give her 2 younger brothers. If ‘Aurora’ had the ability to teach herself how to subtract by counting the minute marks for every piece of candy she was going to give out, what was she going to do in school while she waited for kids her age to catch up with her?
Susan Noffsinger was a local homeschool parent on Roanoke Island, NC, whose conviction led with passion. She eased my mind with encouragement only she could do…..that education was all around us coupled with the reality some kids learn on their own…..in their own time. I had another close friend who also admired Susan and so we chose to also homeschool our kids.
Through the four years of homeschooling, I applied the strict adherence of meeting standards; keeping attendance; teaching with conviction and hanging the “star” charts on the walls. But what the standards were; how many hours were needed to count as attendance; conviction compared to what other teachers and were the stars measured on my “mom-compass’ or my faith were all questions I had. I didn’t know about state tests, “seat hours”, the Abeka Bill, FTE, certification requirements for teachers let alone principals and how those stars could and did impact motivation.
- What time do we start?
- How many hours a day?
- When do I fold the laundry, or maybe wash it? (My middle son would mount a white Lego surrender flag at the top of the overflowing, heaped pile of laundry.)
- Do I make “play dates” with other homeschoolers?
- Should I teacher the “running start” method of reading ….or phonics?
- Do you allow fingers to be used in math?
- Should a multiplication chart be taped to the desk?
- How do I know if my kids are behind, ahead or on track?
- Do I discipline or does dad?
Answers to these questions and many more is the professional guidance I can provide as a certified teacher and principal. A continual assessment of how your student is progressing and how effective your teaching is, provides a positive and encouraging experience. My goal is to work with parents and students in a partnership whereby a full understanding of how effective homeschooling can be, drives your commitment.
Your child’s education will be one of the most important foundations of their life. Making the right choice for your child’s specific academic needs can be paramount to their success. You are your child’s first educator teaching their first sounds, numbers, words and physical development. You know all the nuances of each choice they make and the reasoning within their minds. “Why did they unroll the entire roll of toilet paper throughout the house? To make a highway for all the Match Box cars, of course.” (My middle son taught me this.) Continuing your child’s educational endeavors under the roof of your own home seems to follow the natural, organic path to education. During the years to follow, providing education at home while continuing other multiple roles can create a diverse learner and contributing human to society.
