The Homeschool Heart
Teacher Training Email #1
Why We Do What We Do
The Homeschool Heart is foundational to everything we do at Inspire. In this community, we work to create an environment where our families feel at home, empowered, and equipped to nurture the passions of their children and choose what is best for each child. As an Inspire Homeschool Teacher, you have the unique role of helping families find creative ways to educate their children. You will encounter both first-time homeschoolers and those who have home schooled for years. Each family will be unique and it will be your goal to serve them with a joyful, listening and humble heart. Our role as trainers is to provide knowledge and encouragement so that you feel supported and equipped to do the task ahead. You have the privilege of being a servant leader and coming alongside these families in this journey. Inspire's passion is to help the family's vision for individualized education come to life. This is why we do what we do.
Krystin Demofonte
My Why
Email: krystin@inspireschools.org
Phone: (858)442-0887
Kristin Burer
My Why
Email: kristin@inspireschools.org
Phone: 6199932258
Jessica Bischalaney
My Why
After spending many years in the classroom, I found myself looking for something different in education. I loved my time in my classroom with my students and I worked hard to try to meet each of their needs, but I found it difficult to individualize their education in that setting. Become part of the homeschooling community through Inspire has allowed me the opportunity to dive into the individuality that can be offered in this environment. I have seen students flourish when they are able to learn and grow in the way that fits their specific needs. I have been welcomed into the educational journey of each of my students and get to work hand in hand with the families to provide for the students all they need to be successful in learning. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to encourage, support and learn from those around me in the homeschool community here at Inspire.
Email: jessicab@inspireschools.org
Phone: 858-752-1782
Venessa Chase
My Why
My why is because I believe everyone, young and old, is capable of learning and I love to be an integral part of that learning process. My motivation to become a teacher is due in part to my desire to help students decipher how they learn and to help students make their own learning meaningful to them. One of my greatest joys is to watch students gain insight and knowledge on a new or old subject. It is incredibly rewarding to watch the wheels of the mind turn and the light bulb go on when something new is attained. In this amazing charter world, I am able to be an integral part of the learning process with each student and family. The world is a classroom that is full of new knowledge and concepts and it is through collaboration, conversation, investigation and experimentation that we can all discover something new and learn from one another.
Erica Curioso
760-822-8617
My Why
Julie Contreras
619-318-1441
My Why
My why is my passion for homeschooling. I homeschooled my own four children. It was the best and the hardest thing I've ever done! Now, I enjoy partnering with other homeschool families to help them be successful in their educational journey. It is rewarding to help them choose curriculum, meet with them regularly, monitor work, and watch the students and parents grow together throughout the course of the school year. as well as future years that I am priveleged to be part of their experience. I enjoy helping them tackle the challenges that come with homeschooling, whether it be from a struggling learner or a struggling in motivation student. I believe homeschooling is an investment in a child's education, character, and future. It is my joy to play a part in that.
Lacey Rose
My Why
Candice Betz
My Why
Marlena Wood
My Why
Ever since the third grade, I dreamed of becoming a school teacher. I fulfilled this dream by not only teaching in various public and private schools in over five different states but also having the opportunity to homeschool my own children. My adventures in homeschooling my three children have led me to experience the value of embracing learning in multiple styles. I am passionate about home school education and am always looking for new ideas to educate and inspire my children and other families. I get super excited about the opportunities homeschooling has to offer and I find joy in helping and supporting families in their homeschooling journey. The education I provide my children consist of online instruction, in person enrichment/core classes, and lots of books. If we aren’t painting, sewing, cooking, or jamming to a musical instrument you will find us outdoors. We enjoy hiking, exploring tide pools, kayaking, golfing, playing with our chickens and puppy, and tending our garden. I get most excited that we can look at our children’s unique gifts and talents and what they are most passionate about in order to create personalized learning plans that enrich their strengths, supplement their weaknesses, and foster a true love for learning.
Ashley Benjamin
Ashley Benjamin
San Diego Regional Coordinator
Inspire Charter Schools
Ph. 619-733-9557
My Why
Kim Eliason
My Why
Monica Martin
My Why
What keeps me inspired and motivated is the chance to collaborate intimately with families in order to give their students the most optimal education experience. The strong bond I form with the families I serve is so rewarding and meaningful to me.
Diane Dunning
My Why
Heather Shellhammer
My Why
Michelle Sheridan
My Why
Servant Leadership
When we take the time to listen to the needs of our teachers and our families, they feel valued and loved. It is important that even if we don't have the answer to a question, we express that finding the answer is our top priority, and we maintain communication until an answer is reached. Reaching out to our teachers and parents frequently with calls to let them know that we are thinking of them and focusing on a specific area of encouragement will continue to strengthen our relationships.
-Christine Ang
Focusing on the Relationship
In our homeschool rhythm, I have the privilege and duty of setting the tone for the day. What good is it if I am physically present with my kids only to be mentally elsewhere (thinking about emails, work, etc.)? My daily rhythm reflects my heart. I can assess how well I am doing by how well my life is working for those around me.
At Inspire Charter School, the product of our work is seen in the academic success and personal growth of the students we support. As teachers, classified staff and administration, we get to observe firsthand our success through our students and families. Are they thriving? Are we giving them the flexibility and support needed? Are processes and systems helpful to all involved? As homeschool advocates, we have the ability to daily refine ourselves and our role to embody the idea that Inspire creates for families, an individualized approach to education for each student and their family.
This path invites us all to be more than present, it challenges us to engage. When I engage my kids in their studies, I see the beautiful big picture of their holistic education. When we engage in this joint work, we get to be a part of the tremendous development in students as we champion them, encouraging them to tackle their goals and achieve their dreams.
-Callie Johnson
Resources
This is a wonderful list of books and resources! We highly encourage you to read a few or all of them in the interest of growing your homeschool heart.
- 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum - Cathy Duffy
- A Philosophy of Education- Charlotte Mason
- Free to Learn - Peter Gray
- The Read Aloud Family- Sarah McKenzie
- Books that build Character - William Kirkpatrick
- The Well Trained Mind - Susan Wise Bauer
- Understanding Waldorf Education - Teaching from the Inside Out - Jack Petrash
- The Unhurried Homeschooler - Durenda Wilson
- Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children’s Literature - Elizabeth Wilson
-Home Education- Charlotte Mason
-Home Grown - Ben Hewitt
-Discover your Child’s Learning Style- Mariaemma Willis
-The Unschooling Handbook- Mary Griffith
-Towards a Philosophy of Education in Modern English- Leslie Noelani Laurio
- Give your Child the World -one book at a time- Jamie Martin
- Simplicity Parenting - Kim John Payne
“As I ponder what truly makes a teacher exceptional, I know it has so much to do with why families are drawn to our school and the very reason I found the school for my own children. Inspire teachers are able to teach the whole child. We can see each unique talent and extraordinary gift and inspire children to reach new potentials and equip them with opportunities they have not yet dreamed. I hear about meetings where teachers go far above and beyond to capture not just the mind of the student, but the heart. They don't settle for simply checking boxes but far exceed that by being master encouragers, the greatest of researchers, the most creative field trip planners, and never giving up on a child. Inspire teachers make a difference in the minds of our students but more importantly in the family unit and culture of our families! The education that they receive is cutting edge and life-changing and truly personalized. We are apart of something exciting and every day we hear more reasons why Inspire is the best option for our families. Thank you for making that true for the students on your roster.”
- Courtney McCorkle