Homeschooling
We began homeschooling in late October, 1998. We have always lived on one income and money has always been tight. Many other homeschooling families live on one income as well. Gifted kids tend to run through resources very fast and there never seems to be "enough" to sate them. If there are learning disabilities, the parents may wind up trying many things before they find one that works. All of that adds to the financial stress when one lives as I have lived.
I had not been homeschooling very long when I began to notice that many other families had similar issues and I began to wonder if there was a way to help them -- to put free resources into their hands and give them support in some fashion.
In the fall of 1999, the (then) director of TagFam.org put out a call for volunteers. In early December, I volunteered as a moderator. Six weeks later, in mid-January, I was asked if I would accept a promotion to a directorship. I was struggling with health problems and going to college, so I asked for some time to think it over.
Ultimately, I decided to accept the position largely because of my desire to find a way to help people "like me". It seemed like that might happen faster if I were part of an established organization rather than trying to build something from scratch.
After 6 months as "director of community life", I had to (reluctantly) give up my position because Life and a lengthy medical crisis were whisking me off to a Major Detour.
Although, my directorship was short-lived, in a strange way, it accomplished my goal. I was privileged to work with some incredibly talented and intelligent people, it helped push me to attend the Hollingworth Gifted Child Conference in 2000, and it was enormously growth-producing for me as a person.
By the time I started my website (on February 14th, 2003), I had basically forgotten all about my mad scheme to help other folks like me. But, eventually, I remembered that dream -- and I suddenly realized that many of the things I am posting here happen to be in line with my original vision. Apparently, that vision has simmered all these years and did not die.
Looking back, I can see how my vision was supported, even when I thought it was no longer something I was "working" towards.
Mission: Provide a non-commercial source of support for homeschooling kids like mine. My kids are gifted. My kids are learning disabled. My oldest has health problems. My kids fit the profile for Asperger's Syndrome. My oldest is Face Blind. And the list goes on. If your kids have any of the issues my kids have, I hope you find the site useful and meaningful.
Michele
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Free Curriculum on the Web
The Math Files
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