Do you want to learn more about homeschooling and have your questions answered by long time homeschool parents and homeschool community experts?
Do you have unanswered questions about homeschooling?
Do you want to learn more about the options and resources available to homeschool families?
We are here to help support you in navigating all of the information on homeschooling in California.
Recorded Session
Panelist:
Paige McKinney
Laurel Ward
Windi Eklund - Host
I am a long-time homeschool mom with a passion for child-centered education and family support. We have been homeschooling for over 11 years through the public charter school system. My two youngest are currently enrolled in an independent study public charter school. This school year we moved my oldest out of the charter school and we now homeschool him independently through a PSA.
Since starting our homeschool journey as a family I have dedicated myself to being an integral part of our unique and diverse community. I have worked to broaden educational choices and knowledge of the programs available to our families through:
Volunteering at Celebration Education, where I was able to help families from all over the world find alternative education options for their children
Organize and lead field trips for homeschool families
Set up new education programs and learning centers for homeschoolers
Organize National School Choice Events and Charter School Choice Open Houses
Speak on the homeschool options available to families at homeschool and alternative education conventions
Run numerous homeschool and charter school social media groups, covering all of California with 1000s of members in each
Organize our community to oppose anti-charter school legislation
Founded a non-profit to serve the diverse needs of homeschool families
Helped pave the way for family choice at charters by founding multiple family-focused programs serving our community
I am here to help support families in finding their homeschool path. I am representing myself as a homeschooling mom, offering information from my experience.
Always happy to help, please feel free to email, call, or text anytime.
Windi Eklund
714-310-2213
Paige McKinney
Paige is a long-time homeschool mom of two now-grown unschoolers, and one nearly grown unschooler who currently attends a self-directed democratic school.
With over 20 years of homeschool and unschool experience and more than ten years of non-profit experience, Paige has developed a passion for child-centered education and family support.
Designed and led student-centered, hands-on classes for homeschool learning centers in a blended classroom, including children with ASD and sensory processing disorders.
Developed a year-long Integrated Studies enrichment program for homeschoolers based around a popular literary theme.
7 yrs experience writing enrichment curricula aligned with state standards for K-12 grade-level learning outcomes.
Partnered with Independent Study Charter Schools to expand student access to quality educational enrichment and support classes.
Worked within homeschool groups, educational non-profit organizations, and independent study charter schools advocating for homeschool children and their families.
Increased enrollment in charter schools by hosting multiple free community events per month, including educational talks.
Served to support the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into their communities by finding successful long-term job placements, and independent living skills.
In July 2019, Paige decided to follow her heart and move her family to Central Pennsylvania, where they are exploring alternative education, gardening and forging a new path on the East Coast.
Laurel Ward
Laurel Ward has been homeschooling since 2005, and over the years they have sampled and experienced just about every kind of homeschooling option and format there is.
She is founder and admin for Homeschooling OC, a parent to parent support group on Facebook. She hosts a weekly park day at Irvine Regional Park. She is a long time volunteer with California Homeschool Network as a Local Contact, helping people with questions on how to get started in homeschooling. She has been helped by so many great moms over the years, and made such wonderful friends along the way, that she is happy to give back to this community that has meant so much to their family.