Maddie, a second-grader, also makes a fantastic math model.

To be honest, I spent years as a classroom teacher and said that I would NEVER homeschool my kids! How foolish I was to think that back then. As time went on, I found many families that I knew were switching to charter schools, and I never heard a negative thing about it. I liked the idea of being able to choose the curriculum that would best suit my kids, and I loved the idea of being able to spend more quality time with them.

However, I wanted to be sure that they would still benefit from a social life outside of our home and the option of learning from other teachers besides my husband and me. The more I researched, the more I realized that not only was this possible at Compass, but it was probably the best possible option for my scholars. We were initially drawn to Compass because of the wonderful option of the Orange County Learning Center (OCLC). Although the current situation with Covid-19 has not allowed our scholars to meet in person yet, the OCLC staff has gone above and beyond to create a community for the scholars, meaningful lessons online, and Zoom time that my daughter looks forward to. I can’t wait to see what these awesome teachers will have planned when we meet again in person.

Does learning from home help your scholar achieve their goals? If yes, please explain how.

Yes, when needed, learning from home allows us to spend extra time on something that may be brand new or a bit more difficult. Simultaneously, if a certain concept is easily grasped, learning at home allows us to introduce and practice more challenging concepts in that subject area. We can set goals that match not only her grade level but also her gifts and interests.

What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?

It brings me so much joy to know that I have the privilege of spending each day with my daughter. We get the majority of our lessons and core work done in the morning, but the beauty of homeschooling is that we also learn in the kitchen, at the park, in the backyard, driving in the car, and everywhere in between. Everywhere we go is a learning opportunity. I love seeing her excited to learn and master new concepts. When we learn something new, and she brings it up later in the day and connects it to something in real life, it’s such a joy. My current scholar is six years old, and she’s my oldest child. Over these first few months of homeschooling, I have seen her take joy in teaching her four-year-old sister many things as well. It’s really a beautiful thing to watch my kids learn and grow together not only as a family but also academically.

As wonderful as homeschooling is, schooling your own children is hard work. I am still working daily to figure this whole thing out, and to be honest, there have been quite a few tantrums in our house recently. Managing the needs of a two-year-old, four-year-old, and six-year-old while being seven months pregnant has certainly come with its share of challenges. We continue to work through managing emotions in our house. Keeping a routine while remaining flexible seems to help with attitudes and expectations, but I am learning each day how to help my children best.

Go for it! You will never regret the time spent with your kids. It is so helpful to find other homeschooling parents to connect with. Whether through Compass, your community, or your church, there are wonderful homeschool families everywhere. Their experience and advice will be so valuable as you start this new journey.

What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?

My name is Monique Grimes, and I am currently a fourth/fifth-grade teacher for Compass Charter Schools' online program. I have been with Compass for six years, four of those years as a teacher and two of them as a digital literary teacher. I help guide the scholars and learning coaches through the curriculum and conduct live learning labs for math concepts.

Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.

There are two reasons at the forefront of my “why” here at Compass. The first is because of my love of teaching. I love guiding students to understand new concepts and being creative when it comes to lesson design. Problem-solving is the best way to help a scholar grow, and I help my scholars make this connection. My second “why” is to have the choice of helping my own children grow in life. I am there to share happy moments, help them work through tough ones, fix them a snack if they are hungry, and watch them grow. Compass gives me the flexibility to be a stay at home working mother and continue my passion for teaching and helping others.

As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?

It is all about the little things. Finding the little things that went well that week goes a long way because you will do them again. Reflecting on what didn’t go well and making a plan on how it can be changed is the next step. Not all weeks are the same, and not every time a certain way of doing something will work. In our productivity and life, we should be taking moments to stop and reflect on what went well and what didn’t; that way, we can grow.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

I absolutely love the tiny home movement and the minimalist lifestyle. I am allowing myself a three-year plan to help it blossom into a reality. This year I have been putting money aside to help my dream become a reality and dedicated to pulling ideas for what I would like my tiny house to look like while getting rid of items that take up space and finding ones that have multi-purposes.

What do you and your family like to do during your free time?

This year, since our world looks a bit different, we like playing board games, cooking, doing art together, hiking where there are not many crowds, and getting together with a small group of friends.

What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?

This is my fourth year with Compass. I help run the Orange County Learning Center with my partner in crime, Linda Larson. I teach middle school History for the Navigators' program and love the hands-on application we use in our classes! Every day is a new adventure, and I am so thankful to have a job that I love and the opportunity to work with so many amazing scholars, families, and fellow educators.

Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.

I am extremely passionate about social studies and empowering our scholars to understand the past so that they can change the future. I always tell my scholars that “History is the greatest story ever told!” It’s so fascinating and complex. I love teaching in a format that makes sense to them, that they can take the knowledge that they gain and do something meaningful and hands-on. One of my greatest joys is when I hear a scholar say, “I used to hate history, and now I love it.”

As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning scholars?

Our failures often lead to our greatest successes when we use them as a tool for learning. These are often the lessons we remember the most.

Is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches?

Give yourself grace. These days of homeschooling can be trying, but you are building something beautiful. If you can teach your children to love learning, you give them a gift that will last a lifetime. I homeschooled my kids until middle school, and we had fun. We learned a lot through life; outside was our science room. They are all adults now, one a college graduate, two still in college, they are very different people, but they all thrive on learning new things.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

I used to breed and train German jumping horses! I still have my first baby, and she is almost 18 years old now. My favorite smell is sweaty horse mixed with alfalfa hay. My kids will sometimes joke that I love the horses more than them (I won’t admit if that is true or not).

What do you and your family like to do during your free time?

We are active, outdoorsy people (except for my 13-year-old, who would rather stay inside and play video games). In our free time, you can find us at the beach, running, riding horses, or hiking. We love traveling and are really good at doing it on a low budget. Even during COVID, we have spent as much time outdoors and on the road as possible.

Copyright © 2017, All rights reserved.