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Since joining the Division of Non-Public Education in July, I have been afforded opportunities to engage with the home school community. This past weekend I was the guest of Heart for Homeschool Ministries, Inc.’s summer seminar, where DNPE education consultant Kristy Daughtry and I facilitated sessions.

Mari Fitz-Wynn and her late husband created Heart for Homeschool Ministries to provide a venue for novice and veteran home school families to network, partner and support one another. Mari is also the legislative liaison for North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE), the oldest and largest home school organization in the state.

Participants left “fired up” and wanting more. Veteran homeschoolers indicated that  Mari’s seminars are always worth attending, and novices appreciated the opportunity to have questions answered by knowledgeable homeschoolers and DNPE representatives.

Through conversations with Sharon Henderson, NCHE Region 8 Director, Sandi Crosmun, NCHE Region 9 Director, and Diane Allen, a veteran homeschooler, I was able to learn more about the home school community and issues they face. During individual presentations, these women provided practical and unbiased information to novice homeschoolers. Their dedication to families, children and education is evident by the passion they exude and their willingness to support others.

This positive relationship is vital to the home school community as enrollment grows. Every child in North Carolina will impact the future of our state. Supporting families as they educate their children, whether in public or non-public schools, is important to having productive and actively engaged citizens who make this a great state to live, work and prosper.

Over the weekend, I attended the Love to Learn Conference in Charlotte, an annual event sponsored by the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina (HA-NC). As the new Director of the Division of Non-Public Education, it was a great opportunity for building a warm and collaborative rapport with one of our state’s home-school organizations and local homeschoolers.

I especially enjoyed talking with home-school families and learning why this option works for them. Their passion to provide the best possible learning environment for their students’ needs was evident, as was HA-NC’s desire to assist with resources and training to enhance educators’ knowledge and skills. 

Several of the home-school families and advocates in attendance are very proactive about reaching out to fellow educators. Tami Fox, a home-school administrator since 2000 and co-director of public relations for HA-NC, is sharing her knowledge and creating a forum for families to communicate through her website and blogs.

Encountering dedicated individuals like Tami was the norm at the conference. I send kudos to the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina for this excellent event, and look forward to building relationships with all non-public school constituents and stakeholders.

PHOTO:  Dr. Chená Flood (second from right) at the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina’s conference in Charlotte with (from left)  Tami Fox, Public Relations Co-Director; Pam Genant, Events Director; Karen Davis, Support Groups Director; and Teri Kuiper, Treasurer.