Who am I?

Yeah, that's not me in the photo, but she's close to what I look like, if perhaps a bit younger an prettier, LOL. ;) 

My name is Betsy. I'm a homeschooling parent of three kids--I've been at this for eight years now.  I have lived in Cook or Lake County, IL most of my life, barring a few years adventuring here and there.

I have experience not only running a public-school classroom in a well-respected local district, but also teaching dance and running various classes/groups/social events for homeschool children for many years.  

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater Performance and French minor from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from National-Louis University where I developed a passion for educational innovation and research-based educational design.  I studied French at the American University Center of Provence.  I studied Spanish, American Sign Language, and Sign Language Interpreting at Harper College (stopping one internship short of a certificate when my first baby was born!).  I also hold a Real Estate Certificate from Harper.  I also dabble in writing and have had a few little things published in children's magazines.

I have been in various leadership roles with children since my teen years. (Honestly, as soon as I could get a job as a teenager, I was working with kids--as a camp counselor, setting up dance classes, as a drama teacher...). In addition to almost ten years in the public-school classroom, I've also taught dance for some 15 years, choreographing that many high school musicals or more in District 211 and beyond.  Oh, and in a past life, I worked as a professional actress/singer/dancer in Chicago musical theater, where I met my husband, who now works as a school counselor in well-respected local district.

I recognize that I may be in the classroom at Harmony at some point!  I am qualified to teach a number of subjects personally, such as French, Spanish, American Sign Language, Dance, and Drama/Theater.  I have other less "credentialed" hobby skills I could also teach, such as writing, art, sewing, stitching, cooking, baking, crafting, piano, and caring for/training animals. 

I consider myself to be something of a "big picture" thinker.  I loved teaching and excelled at it, but I always took a non-traditional approach in my teaching.  I walked my own path, using research-based teaching methodology to replace outdated methods that just didn't work on a myriad of levels. As an educator, I envision something better for our kids in which they have far more agency in their learning and can help build and shape their learning experience instead of just being dragged through it.  More on this in another post.

And as I have grown through motherhood, I have deepened in my compassion for children & the human experience in general and my desire to promote kindness & mental wellness for all.

Today, I envision a place that nurtures creativity, pursuing passions, finding your true self.

I envision a place where families can have their cake and eat it too!  Where spending time with your family and keeping balance and choice in your "school life" outside the home is valued!! Where school isn't "all or nothing!" Where kids engage with their learning actively instead of sitting still and being lectured. Where children can grow and learn without having anxiety over mounds of homework, tests, and intense social pressures.

I envision a setting that doesn't just nurture academic skills, but also nurtures the spirit, where adults model and expect kindness, tolerance, acceptance for differences, and inclusion.  Where adults show compassion and help children foster healthy relationships by spending time--time built into the schedule--building community, instead of just focusing on the subject matter and letting kids figure the rest out Lord of the Flies-style.  

Maybe my vision of a place where diverse people who homeschool for a variety of reasons can come together and grow in community, learning experiences, and kindness is a little "utopian," but I believe it's possible if you believe it's possible and want to join me in creating something amazing for our kids and families.

I encourage you to reach out via PM (orange "chat" bubble) with questions or ideas!  Or email me: One.Harmony.Center@gmail.com