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Save the Manatee
by Evamarie Spataro

Manatees thrive in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas. Manatees are important to their ecosystems because they eat vegetation that grows in estuaries. Manatees are teetering on the edge of extinction due to reckless boat-driving humans. There is much work to be done and it can be helped with you. Find out more.

"Developing Your Own Support Group"
by Lauren Brenner-Katz, homeschooling parent

This homeschooling mom says, ""What about socialization?" "How can I find a support group?"Ah, isn't this what everyone wants to know! "How do your kids socialize when they don't go to school?" It's the top question asked not just by prospective homeschoolers, but also by curious bystanders who seem to imagine us cloistered alone at home, isolated from what they call 'The Real World.'"

Faces of Home Education Profile
"Something fishy?"
A passion for oceanography

Marsha Ransom, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling and is the mom of 4 homeschooled kids (2 graduated and 2 to go!). Her new book (interview on the Zone) is a step-by-step manual written for the new and inexperienced homeschooler. She says, "My daughter Jacinta Ransom has an interest in oceans. She stenciled fish and sea life on the walls of her bedroom. We had been helping her find resources for studying the ocean for about a year and a half when she and I decided to redecorate her room.
Want to see Jacinta's room?"

"Homeschooling Without Reason"
by Lauren Brenner-Katz, homeschooling parent

This homeschooling mom says, "When I first started homeschooling, the one thing that drove me crazy were the questions. Not the constant stream of questions from my children. But rather the barrage of homeschooling questions from neighbors, friends, family, and the world-at large....My kids do a whole lot of learning by simply being involved our daily family life and in the real world. That there’s no shortage of resources and support and information out there." Lauren tells us about her personal journey with her family and how she handles the "questions" from non-homeschoolers. As part of the essay, we have ideas and support for you and the opportunity to ask your questions on our support group.

Doggie Diva in Seventeen Magazine
by Joanne Spataro
A young impressionable homeschooling dog takes an impromptu picture in the backyard. Through the efforts of her homeschooling human companions, she now graces the pages of Seventeen magazine in the June 2002 issue.
Has success gone to her head?
Will she ever eat regular dog food again?
Find out as we trace her canine journey from obscurity to her fifteen minutes of fame!!

Shakespeare Youth Theatre
by Beth Bruno & Lois Lake Church
The Shakespearean Youth Theatre, a group of 14 homeschooled young people, ages 12 to 17, from many parts of Connecticut, has performed annually since 1997 at the Puppet House Theater in Stony Creek (Branford), CT. Each January the troupe chooses a play and begins rehearsing. The entire troupe is dedicated to performing quality productions of Shakespeare and learning about the play, the playwright and theater. To this end, the cast is highly involved in every aspect of the production, from selecting and editing the play, to publicity, sets and costumes. Find out more about the troupe and how you might be able to form your own company where you live.

"I'm keeping my eye on you!"
Janie Bowman is an author, online ADD support group moderator and a pet lover too!! She says, "This is Tristan (age 5), our border collie (probably 90% Border Collie and 10% genius. LOL). Also, here is my favorite of Pumpkin, our calico (age 1 1/2). She's a riot!" Here Pumpkin is keeping a watchful eye on the mischievous and energetic Tristan.

Full Circle
Returning to childhood creative processes
by Lara Kehler, veteran homeschooler
My experiences as a Home Schooled kid were amazing, motivational, and have allowed me the passion to pursue the things I do today. I grew up on a mountain 15 minutes outside of Abbotsford, a town in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. I discovered my love of working with talented artists and writers. I received a diploma in Structural Civil Engineering, and developed work experience as a Engineering Technologist. But - - My dream? Produce a well designed magazine with its' entire content dedicated to art and ideas of alternative learners around the world! Learn more about how I came "full circle."

Homeschooler wins
2001 US Open Tennis Championship
Venus Williams embraces her sister Serena after Venus beat her to win the women's U.S. Open on Saturday 9/8/2001. This was the first Grand Slam championship match between sisters in 117 years. The match drew the most viewers of any sporting event of the day. Venus won in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) over her younger sister in the first prime-time women’s U.S Open final as their mother watched in the stands. Their father was unable to watch the contest between his two daughters, but was very proud of his two daughters who took home almost 1.3 million dollars between them.

African-American Homeschooling
An interview with Judi Thomas
of HERITAGE Homeschoolers
hosted by Joe Spataro
Former middle school teacher Judi Thomas of Marietta, Ga., started HERITAGE Homeschoolers, a support group for minorities, after finding other organizations included few, if any, black families. She has been homeschooling her daughter Juliet (age 9) and her daughter Jacqueline (age 4). Judi in many ways is like any homeschooling mom but with some unique perspectives. As a former middle school teacher she has an intimate inside knowledge of how the "system" works. As an African-American homeschooler, she has developed a support group for this community of homeschoolers, adding to the diversity of the homeschooling movement. She was recently featured in a Time Magazine article, and I thought it might be fun to chat with Judi a bit and have her tell us more about herself, her family and her support group.

Homeschool Teen on the National Scene
How I became a part of "Seventeen" Magazine
by Joanne Spataro, creator of FreshAir TeenZine
& Member of the Teen Advisory Board of Seventeen Magazine
I was so excited when the mail came. I started flipping frantically through the newest issue of Seventeen magazine. I found the wonderful spread on the new Teen Advisory Board members. I was one of them, with my picture on the glossy pages. I was chosen for this prestigious position from hundreds of other applicants. My months of hard work and persistence had paid off! Do you have a dream to share? Do you think you can make a difference? Find out more on how I did it and how you can too!!

The Lessons of Volunteerism:
Giving is Receiving
by Shay Seaborne
In my family, there is no clear distinction between volunteering and living; we work to help others, and for good causes, simply because we are able. As Caitlín and Laurel grew, we began volunteering to monitor a bluebird trail. Over the past six years we have seen dozens of bluebird pairs successfully raise and fledge over 200 nestlings. Our trail's role in the increase of the local bluebird population led to the addition of bluebird interpretation at the site. Find out how Caitlín and Laurel consider assisting others as a normal, natural part of living and perhaps how this can become a part of your life.

more Faces of Home Education Profiles

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Interview Cafi Cohen
of "College Admissions Handbook"