Gretchen has 21 years of home-education experience with her six children, all of whom have graduated. Although she considers herself a reluctant homeschooler, she now says it was “the best journey of my life.” With a degree in psychology and child development, she has spent the last 28 years in positions of homeschool advocacy, developing special bonds with families of children who must work harder to learn. A former business owner,
she has served on various nonprofit boards and began working for Demme Learning in 2014 as a placement specialist, now serving as the company’s community outreach coordinator. She loves the outdoors, all things furry, raising chickens, and beekeeping. She serves her local community as a high school swim coach and is a second-degree tae kwon do black belt.
“Special needs” has become a catch-all term for children who don’t fit the “norms.” But what should you do when your child doesn’t learn like other children? Join Gretchen Roe for some practical advice on how to modify goals and expectations and then adapt your curriculum to help your atypical learner succeed. Don’t move the goal. Modify the play.
Does your child ace Friday’s test and then spell the same words wrong the following week? What if they have no spelling skills at all? Why does reading comprehension not lead to spelling proficiency? Come learn how neuroscience teaches us to join the paths of reading and spelling and create one seamless, literate journey, and why traditional spelling methods often are frustrating and less than successful.
Revolutionizing Education for Special Needs
Modify the approach, not the goal. “Special needs” has become a catch-all term for children who don’t fit the “norms.” But what should you do when your child doesn’t learn like other children? Join Gretchen Roe for some practical advice on how to modify goals and expectations and then adapt your curriculum to help your atypical learner succeed.
Unlock the Hidden Secrets Between Reading and Spelling
Does your child ace Friday’s test and then spell the same words wrong the following week? What if they have no spelling skills at all? Why does reading comprehension not lead to spelling proficiency? Come learn how neuroscience teaches us to join the paths of reading and spelling and create one seamless, literate journey—and why traditional spelling methods often are frustrating and less than successful.
Empowering Parents: Overcoming Challenges with Exceptional Kids
We all think our children are unique, but are they exceptional? Being “exceptional” could mean that they taught themselves to read at four or that they are not reading independently at ten. How do you, as a parent, reach your kid who is “wired” differently—and help them succeed—without losing your mind in the process? Join Gretchen Roe for an interactive conversation about how to sort learning differences and set expectations to make your child thrive.
Transform Your Teaching: Fearless Compositional Writing Methods
In today’s knowledge-based society, teaching compositional writing can be daunting for parents. With its subjective nature, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to provide effective guidance. But what if there is a way to make this process enjoyable and collaborative, fostering a love of writing in your child? Join Gretchen Roe as she addresses the common anxieties surrounding compositional writing and offers practical tips to help you and your child develop confidence and creativity.
We Chose to Homeschool…Now What? A Panel Conversation
Whether you’re beginning homeschooling with your preschoolers or you’ve transitioned your children from public or private school, you may be left wondering, now what? Join Chris Davidson/Gretchen Roe (M), Sonya Shafer, Dr. Rochelle Mathews-Somerville, and Karim Morato as they discuss the exciting and sometimes daunting transition into the new world of homeschooling. Let this team of veteran homeschoolers demystify homeschooling through sharing homeschool terminology and providing a framework for this grand adventure you’re beginning. We’ll discuss everything from how to choose a curriculum to planning your days and setting priorities.
