Educational Sessions and Consultations

 

Are you looking for an alternative to sending your child to school this year or doing school online? Do you feel overwhelmed by the thought of how to create and manage a learning environment that works for your child while fulfilling your other life responsibilities?

 

I am happy to share with you educational options across a spectrum from students who are fully enrolled and doing online classes to students doing hybrid blended learning, or those who decide to homeschool.  We can discuss some of the different options available to you to help you make the best decision for you, your child, and your family.  

 

I love to share what I have learned over 15 years of homeschooling and supporting a teenager in high school and provide you with the tools and information to be successful with whatever path you choose. I know from my own experience how rewarding and life changing this opportunity can be and how much your child can benefit from one to one guidance and support.

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My approach:

 

I support families to create learning environments where learners of all ages can thrive and pursue their interests in meaningful and engaging ways. I am a passionate advocate for empowering children by giving them a voice in their education and allowing them as much as possible to follow their innate curiosity.

 

I provide:

 

Individuals and families with the tools, support, and inspiration to learn outside of school confidently and successfully, with balance, connection, and integration into each family’s unique lifestyle and needs. 

 

I believe:

 

• Children are natural learners and parents are natural guides.

• Democratic principles modeled and practiced at home support children to become adults capable of fully participating in a democratic society.

• People of all ages have a right to have a say in matters that affect them, especially their own education. 

• It is possible for parents to balance work and supporting their children's learning.

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20 min Education Consultation Session (Free)

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1-1 One Hour Education Consultations

 

You may simply need three or four one hour sessions to get you started and give you the framework needed to start your learning plan. I will work with you to brainstorm a basic learning plan for your child and identify some initial resources and ideas that would work for you and your family.  I will also guide you to the administrative tools necessary for you to comply with state and district rules and homeschooling laws, if applicable. If you want to continue on in more depth, see the ongoing homeschooling support option below. 

 

Or maybe you just want an hour session as needed for support, information, or problem solving.  Sometimes all you need is a check in to get you back on track. I’m happy to help in whatever way I can whether it is pointing you in the direction of resources, being a supportive listener, or assisting you in the process of taking your next step.   

 

($50-75 per session, some pay what you can slots available or free for those in need​. Email Kathy at wildgoosefarmpa@gmail.com to sign up. On zoom or in person, outside at the farm social distancing with masks.                      via PayPal here. 

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1-1 Ongoing Weekly Homeschooling Support 

 

You may prefer to have help to create a comprehensive or supplemental learning plan, a daily routine that works for you, your child, and your family’s needs along with a weekly check in. I will meet with you weekly in person (with appropriate distancing) or via Zoom to give you a chance to ask questions and get the support you need.  Additionally, I will send you resources and information unique to your family’s situation to support you on your educational and/or homeschooling journey.  

 

(Prices vary depending on the needs, set up a free 20 min consult for an estimate; on zoom or in person, outside at the farm social distancing with masks. Some pay what you can slots available or free for those in need​. Email Kathy at wildgoosefarmpa@gmail.com to sign up.                    via PayPal here. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Outdoor Learning Circles (Fall 2020 and Spring 2021)

 

The Outdoor Learning Circles offers you a weekly time to gather safely outside at Wild Goose Farm with two other remote learning families with the intention to support you in the hard work of pandemic parenting and to give your children an opportunity to spend time exploring and learning outside with their friends.

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Remote learning has children on screens for a high percentage of their waking hours. Children need to move, be outside, and spend time with others. (We do too!) The natural setting at the farm is a beautiful space for us to do just that. While the children are exploring and spending time with their friends, we will gather as parents to share experiences and learn from each other.

 

This is a time for you to connect with other parents, to fill yourself up so that the next week of remote learning is easier.  

 

Each week, I’ll introduce to you a learning activity to try at the farm or at home and an article for parents to help in supporting their remote learner/homeschooler at home. 

 

In addition, families participating in the outdoor learning circles will have the opportunity to return to the farm two other times either independently or with one or two other families with whom you have decided to form a circle to engage in self-directed learning activities at Wild Goose Farm (through mid November). Explore the farm, follow your child’s lead, and be present to what unfolds. You will find yourself amazed at all the learning and fun that happens when we let go. 

You can also choose to walk or run the trails, do the WGF self-guided bird identification walks, or try one of the learning activities I will provide for you. 

 

In the words of Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, “Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, in our own).”

 

Friday, Oct 30th, 2020 1-3pm (Discussion: Stress Reduction Strategies)

Friday, Nov 6th, 2020 1-3pm (Discussion: Emotional Resilience)

Friday, Nov 13th, 2020 1-3pm  (Discussion: TBA)

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Spring 2021 Dates TBA 

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$50-75 for three sessions, some pay what you can slots available or free for those in need. Max 3 families; at the farm, outside, at a distance & with masks as the families decide. To sign up, email Kathy at wildgoosefarmpa@gmail.com. Send payment via paypal or venmo. 

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Parent Support Groups 

 

As a parent, I know first hand, that we are under tremendous pressure. I also know parents are the most creative, resilient problem solvers I know. I invite you to join a parents support parents learning at home group for an opportunity to support and learn from one another during these challenging times. To participate, gather a small group of like-minded parents you know or simply sign up and tell me a bit about yourself and I will try to form small groups based on similar parenting styles and values.

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Days and times to be decided upon by the small groups.

 

$5-$10 per session, some pay what you can slots available or free for those in need. Min 3 parents -max 6 parents; either on zoom or at the farm, outside, at a distance & with masks as the group decides. To sign up, email Kathy at wildgoosefarmpa@gmail.com. Send payment via paypal or venmo.  

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About me:

 

I have a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree and am the co-founder and former director of the Center for New Americans - a school for immigrants and refugees. I have been an educator for 30 years as a public and private school teacher and as a homeschooling and public schooling mom and I am certified as a Hand in Hand instructor. My specialities include: interest led learning, unschooling, hybrid (public school/homeschooling), project based learning, emotional literacy, resilience, and stress reduction and emotional wellbeing strategies. For the past six years, I have co-owned and operated the Wild Goose Farm community education project, providing arts and educational programming and an outdoor learning space to children and families.

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“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your roadmap through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die.” --

 

-John Gatto, author, educator, recipient of teacher of the year award in NYC.