Home/school Help in a Time of Corona Virus

Dear Parents AND Teachers,

…Are you slightly or hugely overwhelmed with the idea of schooling…in this season?

Whether it's homeschooling or online instructing?


Here is some help to achieve some relief and support!

> Enjoy our recent video chat on this page below with a few homeschool & online teaching expert moms...

First, let me introduce you...


Below is the information on our 3 guests,

and further below... links to resources for you...

 

1. NIKKI BERGSTRESSER:
 
Nikki has taught in public and private schools and has homeschooled her daughters for 10 years. She’s also worked as a Home Learning Support Teacher with a DL school where she gets the privilege of assisting families plan their educational programs, support learning and oversee assessment strategies. Currently, she is also a children's picture book author and contemporary fiction writer.
 
Top Three Questions Nikki Notices FROM Parents:
 
1. How do we develop a routine with school/work and incorporate fun without putting too much pressure on ourselves?
2. What are ways to motivate my children to develop responsibility and foster independence in their academic learning?
3. How do we as a family create a healthy balance in the home and get personal/work time?
 

2. STEPHANIE SAWATZKY:
 
She completed her B.Ed in Elementary Education in 2001 with an educational minor of Learning Disabilities. She taught in public and private schools: grade 1-grade 7/8, was a TOC, then a middle school teacher for one year, plus has done several stints with Sylvan Learning, and private tutoring. Stephanie homeschooled her own children for 5 years (K-Gr 4).

She has also rebuilt a private piano and theory teaching business. 
 
In 2011, the Children's Pastor at her church was going on a long term leave and Steph was recommended as her replacement. She was then certified as a pastor in the denomination in 2015 and still there, teaching kids and adults.
 
Three questions she likes to ASK Parents:
 
1. What are your goals for each of your children?
2. What is working?
3. How could we figure out how to best support your child when they are blocked, having a difficult time with their learning

*Stephanie is currently offering one on one help with parents. See details in resources listed at the bottom...

3. ROZSIKA DEN HAAN:  

She has a Bachelor’s Degree followed by TESL Certification.   She had a job transfer to Korea for a year, where she taught at a university. After she returned to Canada, she became a Microsoft Office instructor developing curriculum for computer studies and typing skills, taught Microsoft Office, Business and ESL.
 
She now works part-time with Burnaby School District and manages her own business in teaching and book writing.
 

Some tips shared:

Stephanie Sawatzky: 

Focus on Affection, Affirmation, Attention :) Recognize that your children are in a transition and a grieving period. Focus on cultivating their hearts first before planting any seeds. Relationship first, always. Try building routines into your day that foster connection with your child(ren). Consider starting the day with the 3 As and ending with a celebration of successes and a blessing. Our children are much more likely to receive direction from us when they feel connected: ‘connection before direction’.

Justine commented:  It’s so easy to jump right into business after breakfast. But it’s a great idea to warm them up first…emotionally :)

Stephanie: I am very happy to consult with any of you anytime!! Shoot me an email.

I’m totally happy to partner with you. We can work together to come up with strategies and activities that might work for you and your kid(s). :) 

Merri Ellen Giesbrecht:

Take note on the love languages of your children to fill their tanks before trying to lead them. Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. They may forget what you teach them, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Ask them, “When do you feel most loved by me?” Their responses will give you clues to one of the following: physical affection, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, or acts of service.

Ask the Lord, “What do you love most about my child? What is on your heart for my child? How are you praying for my child? …And I would add: What does my child need most right now?”

Parents, you are not alone in this journey! The Creator of the Universe is ready to assist. If you need help with hearing His voice more clearly, I’d be honoured to serve you.



Nikki Bergstresser:


www.nikkibergstresser.com
www.facebook.com/NBergstresser 
Nikki's "It Takes a Village" Homeschool Parents FB Support



Rozsika den Haan: 


Tips specifically during Covid-19:

•    Very important to get dressed, just like school and work.
•    Make a rough schedule together, with the expectation that it will not be possible to follow it completely. As a teacher, I’m always adjusting my schedule, and so this will happen at home too, so it is important to expect it and be prepared.
•    Kids attention span dwindles as the day goes on. It’s a good general idea to start more difficult tasks first just to get it out of the way.
•    Keep in mind that physically if kids are on the computer, their body needs breaks. We don’t have ergonomic equipment at home.
•    Blue screen impedes on ability to have regular sleep patterns, make sure to not have too much screen time in the evening
•    Everyone has a different way of learning.  They are called learning styles:  visual/spatial; bodily/kinesthetic; logical/mathematical; musical/rhythmic; interpersonal/social; intrapersonal; linguistic/verbal; naturalistic
•    If kids get mad at you, remind them that it’s the teacher who is asking, and not get mad at you, just as they wouldn’t be rude or get mad at their teacher.  You are their teacher now, so ask them to treat you like a teacher during school time, and a parent when it’s not school time.

Phone App: “Screen Time” – helps track how much phone is used with parent controls and locks.
http://www.abcya.com/ 
https://www.typingclub.com/ 
https://gamestarmechanic.com/ 
https://www.getepic.com/ 
https://www.coolmath4kids.com/math-games 
http://www.abcya.com/ 

Rozsika's website: www.educationheadway.com

Rozsika's book on Amazon: Getting started with online teaching? This book is for you! Let’s put aside making the curriculum, and focus on TEACHING. This book covers an overview of online teaching roles and tasks, learner characteristics, instructor role, and common responsibilities. You’ll learn about building student connections, setting class and assignment expectations, marking strategies and feedback, and using technology.


If any of you parents would like more detailed help, please contact myself, Nikki or Stephanie. We’d be honoured to help you.
 

WATCH the FULL video chat below...

These 3 expert women were a great help and encouragement. In fact, the next day I was SO GLAD as their advice came in handy at my own house! - Merri Ellen :)

Again, You Can Contact Us for Further Help...

Honoured to serve you in this way,

Merri Ellen's Life Coaching & Spiritual Direction

www.merriellen.com – Moving you from stuck to walking in God’s promises
www.doingfamilyright.com – Marriage and parenting help – articles, podcasts, therapy
www.cure-your-depression.com – Offering hope since 2003


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