About Us
Katrina Russell
I'm a single homeschooling mom. Before my son was born, and even when he was a baby, I was seriously considering homeschooling. I have lots of friends who do it and we loved playing and learning together. Then life happened and I became a single mom, suddenly homeschooling didn't seem as possible.
When my son was ready for school I looked into all the local ones in our area and I decided on a private school with a great reputation. He had a great time in Pre-k and I couldn't rave enough about his teacher. We loved the kids and families that we met and I thought that would be it for us.
Then kindergarten happened. He wouldn't sit. He wouldn't do classwork on their schedule. We had conferences, they had him tested by the local school system for learning disabilities. We did everything, and nothing worked. He just hated the system. According to his evaluators he was bored.
Time went on and it wasn't getting any better. First grade came and so did COVID and we did work from home and he was great with me. We were back to playing and learning. His school opened for second and this year his teacher was a better fit and I thought, maybe this can work.
I was wrong... third grade was the worst and I really saw how the administration was more concerned about conforming than teaching. He was learning it all and getting great grades and outshining others on the standardized tests, but on his own time table. The principal told me to get him evaluated again. I explained that not only the school, but his pediatrician and his therapist have all said the same thing. He's just bored.
Then she made the comment that broke the camel's back. "Then keep getting him evaluated until you find someone who will put him on medication.". I left that meeting and immediately messaged all my friends who homeschool and figured out how to start the ball rolling.
I had already done a bit of on-line teaching. ESL when my son was a baby, because it was international and I could work at night when he was sleeping, and I had started with OutSchool before the pandemic, but didn't really push it. It was more a small side thing.
Now I've realized how important homeschool options are and how much our kids need us moms to stick together. I try to keep my classes affordable, and set up free activities through-out the year so that the kids have that "socialization" everyone threatens us about.
I also offer some social emotional learning classes, because as a mother with a child with anxiety, I understand how helpful they can be.
Degree In History
Though I don't feel a degree necessary to teach homeschool. I did become obsessed with history in college. After receiving my Associates in Liberal Arts/Communications I decided to switch to history and learn about the world. Unfortunately, I had to leave school before I was able to finish my language requirement, but I have since gone back and completed what I started. I completed my BA education and am currently working on my teaching credentials.
Degree In Liberal Arts/Communications
My love of communications brought me to this major. I was in marketing and sales most of my 20s and decided that I wanted to hone my skills. This was pre social media when we learned about journalism, public speaking, public relations, and all the old school basics.
Integrated Wellness Academy
Having spent the first half of my life with no idea what I was doing I decided to check out life coaching. This eventually led me to reutilize that I loved working with people, especially moms and kids, and helping them figure out how to control their emotions and work on goals.
Now, as a mom with a child with severe anxiety issues, I use what I have learned to help him, and other children learn how to process their emotions and work on their social emotional learning.