Both myself and Ian were homeschooled growing up and both of us experienced a unique and custom education that served us well in life, allowing us to complete our younger formal education years while pursuing passions of entrepreneurial nature, maintaining sibling relationships, and growing in our relationship with the Lord. We also had the opportunity to pursue sports and music alongside peers in different educational programs. Our combined experience was something that made us partial to homeschooling and when our first child was old enough, we joined a classical faith based homeschool community and haven’t looked back! We desired the freedom to disciple our kids in the Lord while giving them a robust education that would spur them on towards excellence and a pursuit of the Excellent One.

A huge joy to me, as the primary homeschool parent, is the blessing of watching the “Aha! moments”, where a math or reading concept clicks, or a child makes a meaningful integration, or perhaps experiences how their learning applies to real life…especially Latin connections! I love being on the front lines to see these learning breakthroughs happen. I also love reading aloud to my kids and learning the new role of driving instructor!

I’m currently a board member for Gloria Domini Classical Community. Some of my main tasks have been in the area of marketing, but I collaborate with the other board members on matters of program and organizational specifics, curriculum input, financials and more. We are a small board, but we equally share passion for classically minded home based community driven education and it has been a blessing to see how each member works within their wheelhouse and also stretches to learn new things in order to accomplish the tasks before us and serve families well.

When our homeschool days are not in session, you can find me at the gym with some weights, on the couch with a crochet hook and yarn, out doing yard work, watching my kids in their various sports, at the pool or on a bike ride or doing church activities with the family. My husband and I also own and operate some rental properties, so that keeps us busy in all the margins.

Nick and I are both former public school kids, who really stumbled into homeschooling. We decided to try homeschooling for preschool when our oldest was little to cut down on costs and fell in love with the freedom to educate our children in a God-centered way that is uniquely challenging and tailored to each child.

After several years of homeschooling on our own where we tried different methodologies, we stumbled into classical education during Covid. At the end of our first year as classical homeschoolers, we reflected on everything the kids learned that year and realized that classical education was the piece we had been missing in our homeschool! In fact, we realized that the classical education we were experiencing perfectly coincided with the goals we had set for our children’s education when we first started our homeschool journey: that it teach them to be independent learners, critical thinkers, and skilled communicators that they may live fruitfully for Jesus in our post-Christian culture.

We love the beauty of a classical education and have been particularly blessed to homeschool in such a robust Christian community for many years. It is a joy to homeschool with other like-minded homeschoolers as we work together to aid in the discipleship of our children and see them grow in wisdom and stature with God and man.

I serve as the President of the GDCC board, and the Director of the community. As a former CPA, I love this ability to use my administrative gifts in service to God and our community, and as an extreme extrovert (yes, I know accountant and extrovert don’t seem to go together), I love the opportunity to meet and spend time with new families in my director role. I also am thrilled to step into this role to help and encourage other homeschoolers newer in their own homeschool journey than myself.

With seven children, I don’t find myself with as much spare time as I used to have. However, I love weight lifting, thrifting, reading books, and studying theology. I also love my local church and love to spend my time in fellowship with the believers there.

We started homeschooling since our oldest was in kindergarten. At that time, I had a friend who homeschooled her kids, and she inspired me to consider this option. I really liked the flexibility of it and the individual approach to each kid's specific learning needs. Over the years both my husband and I have really enjoyed seeing our kids’ growth and being side-by-side with them in their struggles. I love being involved in my kids’ education.

I am one of the cofounders and a board member of Gloria Domini. I also serve as an upper school tutor. I love being in the classroom with the kids, facilitating conversations, challenging them to think through life’s hard questions, and helping them work through difficult tasks.

In my spare time, I like to read or listen to audiobooks. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite classics. Going for long walks is another activity that I enjoy. My husband and I enjoy inviting people over and fellowshipping with our old friends as well as getting to know new ones. We also like traveling with our five kids. We usually go to Florida in the winter.

Abe and I were both blessed to be homeschooled. God gave us parents who desired to give us a rich education and disciple us to know Him. By His grace we longed for the same for our own children before we even met each other. We desire to teach our children daily about glorifying God and loving others, so keeping them home allows us to work alongside them and their siblings.

We also want stewardship over our children’s education, ensuring it is robust and honoring to the Lord. When I reach the end of myself, I’m reminded that I truly can’t do this in my own strength—those moments push me to prayer. Homeschooling draws me closer to my children, my husband, and my Heavenly Father.

I am one of the co-founders and a board member of Gloria Domini. I’m eager to see how the Lord will use me in the community, and I’m especially excited to serve and encourage homeschool families as we raise our children in the fear of the Lord.

Spare moments often go toward meal planning and coordinating grocery pick-ups—seven children require a lot of food! Recently I’ve enjoyed picking up embroidery; creating with thread is both relaxing and satisfying. I also love reading, sudoku puzzles, and a good cup of coffee.