My Story
Homeschooling 101
I taught in the public school system for many years. While I was working as a 2nd grade teacher at Lincoln Height Elementary here in Fuquay, I had my first baby and decided to stay home. I began researching the Montessori Method from birth up. Following the Child, making their environment accessible, and supporting independence really resonated with me. Later, I decided to homeschool them. I thought, "I'm a teacher, I got this!" Little did I know it would be the hardest teaching job of my life.
Montessori Math
The Montessori Math materials are quite possibly the most beautiful of all the materials and also the most magical! Everything about them just makes sense! The problem I had was that they were EXPENSIVE and I didn't really know what I needed! I made most of what we used sourcing ideas from blogs of other Homeschool moms. I sewed the golden bead mat pictured here as well as the golden bead bars. I even made a 1,000 golden bead cube!!! It turned out to be a rectangular prism though because the beads were faceted. Still, it got the point across.
AMS Montessori Certification
As much as I LOVED being home with my two boys, the time came when I had to accept that it was time for a change. My oldest and I were butting heads constantly over school work and we were ALL miserable. I decided to go back to work and got a job at a nearby Montessori School where I later got my AMS certification. Both boys were enrolled in the school at that time as well. My oldest son, as fate would have it, became my student again, only this time he was much happier because my co-teacher was the one giving him lessons.
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
During my time as an Elementary Montessori Teacher, I've worked with a wide range of children with unique learning needs, especially in the area of reading. One of those students was my own son. I tried everything I'd been taught in my trainings, but nothing worked. We were fortunate in that he received tutoring by a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. His reading improved dramatically. That experience left me determined to become a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner so that I could gain the skills necessary to help struggling readers crack the code. By helping other families, I hope to pay forward the gift that was given to us.
Bark and Bloom
In addition to offering tutoring, I also do dog-sitting on the side and have been growing a beautiful cut flower garden for the past several years. At some point, my kids thought I should name my little side business, and so Bark and Bloom was born. I sell seasonal flower arrangements and market bouquets at a little coffee shop in Downtown Fuquay called Cultivate. Feel free to check out my instagram here.
Tutoring and Coaching
When I look back over my time as a homeschool mom, I felt like I was constantly failing at everything. In some ways, I have been on my own "hero journey" to learn the skills and get the training I wish I'd had then. My heart aches for the mom I was so long ago, to go back and help her, tell her what a Rock Star she was and let her know it will all be ok! She didn't ruin anyone! Both kids do learn to tie their shoes and read! I can't go back in time, but I can pay it forward to others like me who might be struggling with homeschooling, or desperately looking for someone to help their child with reading or math. If that's you, I'd be thrilled to lend a hand. You don't have to do it alone!
