I began my education career in 1998 in San Diego, CA, teaching in the Poway School District. Green and knowing very little about how to manage a classroom, I gained my footing and love for education. After a few years in CA, my husband and I migrated to Albuquerque, NM. The supressing educational environment I found there left much to be desired – and I found no administrative support or desire (on their part) to want to improve. Sadly, I felt the need to change directions and head into real estate investments. The next 7+ years were filled with more learning adventures, opportunities to grow rapidly, and run our own business! Honestly, it was just plain fun!
In 2011, our lives took another turn, and we found ourselves moving to St. Louis to pursue new paths. That year began my discovery of a different way of educating. I read “Thomas Jefferson Education” and was introduced to an idea called “leadership education.” My passion for educating our youth had been reignited! Reading other books on the subject, I began homeschooling my children. I continued to read and think through other teaching models: child-centered learning, play-based learning, Reggio Emilia approach, Montessori, experiential education. Through research and study, I then discovered the Classical Education model. My thought was arrested. The more I read, the more it made sense to me. Just for kicks, I spent a year doing my own R&D. I home-schooled my kids using this model. I was curious to see how it worked — and praying it would teach them something. To put it bluntly, I was floored. It was also humbled as I realized how much I had short changed them because of my own limiting expectations.
My three children (then ages 2, 7, and 10) were learning more than I thought was possible. After a week of memorizing their poems, and the 2-yr old “along for the ride” (so I thought), the 2 yr old piped up and wanted to recite “his” poem like his older brother and sister. Somewhat humoring him, I responded, “Um, ok. Go for it.” Without missing a beat and having never even practiced this poem, he said it perfectly – the first time! It was then that I realized how low my expectations were. And what an incredible education I was witnessing — for each of my children!
Fast forward to 2016: the drum beat in my heart about this “classical education thing” was too loud to silence anymore. Through much contemplation, I decided I needed to start my own classical school. I felt selfish teaching only my three kids and not sharing this gem with more children. Today, the wheels are in motion to offer this exceptional education to more children. We plan to open this fall! With the help of Hillsdale College, we’re hitching our wagon to the classical revolution that is sweeping (though quietly) the nation.
Through this blog, I hope you gain a glimpse of the greatness of classical education. From it, we’ve learn from the greatest minds in western history: Shakespeare, Socrates, Euclid, Mozart, Newton, Twain, Michelangelo, and others. And just as I share this education with children K-12 through my school, I hope to include you in that education through this blog.
Yours in true spirit of education,
Katy
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Katy is an experienced leader, educator and businesswoman with a degree in elementary education from Chapman University and in business administration from Principia College. Over the last 20+ years, she’s founded and directed pre-schools, developed curriculum for elementary schools, home schooled her own children and was the principal in a successful real estate investment and management start-up. Katy lives with her husband, Justin, and three children. In their free time, Katy and her family enjoy swimming and fishing in their lake and reading about history and education. And Katy and her three children will attend her new school this fall. 🙂
Classical Snackables 