Teacher Spotlight

Jennie Miller

This fall, Jennie will start her third year of teaching high school English through FundaFunda Academy, but she’s no stranger to homeschooling or the classroom. In the spring of 2016, the administrator at their co-op asked if she’d substitute for an English teacher going on maternity leave. She said yes and chose to teach Frankenstein, her favorite novel, to a group of upperclassmen. When the six weeks were over, Jennie knew this was a direction she wanted to explore further. Something about discussing literature and helping young people become better writers touched a nerve of positive energy she didn’t know she had. Since then, she’s broadened her scope of instruction to include all four years of high school, focusing primarily on American and British Literature, the essential elements of academic writing, and helping students understand the human condition through the greatest classic and contemporary works.

By trade, Jennie is a journalist. Her first byline appeared at 16 years old, when she was a high school student at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga. She went on to study journalism and physiology at Middle Tennessee State University, where she was the editor of the university newspaper. She was a long-time columnist at the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, the features editor at the former Amarillo Magazine, and the editor of West Knoxville Lifestyle before focusing solely on teaching English to homeschoolers and writing her own fiction. She also has a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Tiffin University. This August, Jennie is looking forward to starting her new position as an adjunct professor at Pellissippi State Community College and contributing to OLLI at Vanderbilt.

In her spare time, Jennie nurtures a mixture of interests. She loves exercising, traveling, and studying a few specialized topics, such as Anglo-Saxon England, Dark Romanticism, and ancient storytelling. She’s a big fan (and stockholder) of the Green Bay Packers, as well as a follower of Formula 1. A lover of all animals, Jennie is also a weekend respite foster to service dogs in-training through Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.

You can follow her literary account on Instagram @jennietreadwaymiller, where she gives book reviews and muses on writing-related topics. Read more about her teaching philosophy on her website https://myenglishhomework.com/about/​

WHAT'S YOUR HOMESCHOOL STYLE?

Traditional

This is the most common type of homeschooling, and it is based on a traditional school curriculum. Children in traditional homeschooling programs typically follow a structured schedule, complete daily assignments, and take regular tests and quizzes.

Classical

Classical homeschooling is based on the classical education model, which emphasizes the teaching of core subjects, such as math, science, history, and literature. Students in classical homeschooling programs often study a particular subject in depth for a period of time, known as the “spiral” or “trivium” method.

Unschooling

Unschooling is a philosophy of education that emphasizes self-directed learning and the importance of real-life experiences. Children in unschooling programs are not required to follow a structured curriculum, and they are free to explore their interests and learn at their own pace.

Eclectic

Eclectic homeschooling is a blend of different styles and approaches to education. Parents who use an eclectic approach may choose to incorporate elements of traditional, classical, and unschooling methods, as well as other educational philosophies, into their homeschooling program.

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason, who emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education that includes both academic subjects and “living books” (books written by authors who are passionate about their subjects). Children in Charlotte Mason homeschooling programs often keep a “commonplace book” to record their thoughts and reflections on what they are learning.

Montessori

Montessori homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, who emphasized the importance of hands-on learning and the development of the whole child. Children in Montessori homeschooling programs often have access to a wide range of materials and activities that allow them to explore their interests and learn at their own pace.

Waldorf

Waldorf homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, who emphasized the importance of imaginative and artistic expression in education. Children in Waldorf homeschooling programs often engage in creative activities, such as storytelling, singing, and drawing, as well as academic subjects.

Unit Studies

Unit studies homeschooling is a method of education in which children study a particular topic or theme in depth, incorporating multiple subjects and learning styles. For example, a unit on Ancient Egypt might include lessons in history, geography, art, and literature.

Online

Online homeschooling is a type of homeschooling in which children learn at home, but they receive their instruction and materials through an online program or curriculum. Children in online homeschooling programs may have regular interactions with teachers and other students through video conferencing or online forums.

Read this FundaFunda blog post to learn more about the above learning styles and to see examples of each. Then, complete our June poll about homeschool styles. We'll share the results in the July newsletter.

Latest Podcast Episodes

In our Homeschooling with Technology podcast, we explore new and different ways of using technology in homeschooling. There is an episode released every week!

You can start listening at any time. Just click on a link to listen in a browser, or find the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Email me if you need help! We have a tab on our website to browse through all our past podcast episodes easily. Check it out!

Episode 327 - Fun Group Games to Play Online​

Whether you’re on a long trip, stuck indoors on a rainy day, or trying to connect with faraway family, group games to play online can be a great way to build memories and share laughter

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Episode 326 - Why Scratch Is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn​

In this episode, Meryl is joined by returning guest Matthew Jurison, a homeschool teen. Together, they explore why Scratch is an ideal language for beginners learning to code.

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Episode 325 - Gamified Chess with Duolingo​

In this episode, we explore Duolingo’s newest addition—chess, which of course is gamified for learning fun in the way their language programs are.

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Episode 324 - Free Online Curriculum​

In this episode, Meryl shares strategies and specific resources for stretching your homeschool budget by leveraging high-quality free curriculum.

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Episode 323 - Innovative Ways to Use Google Talking Tours​

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Google Talking Tours, an AI-powered tool from Google Arts & Culture that lets users explore landmarks and cultural sites around the world with automatically narrated tours.

Whether you’re teaching geography, history, writing, photography, or just looking for an engaging and free activity, here are 10 innovative ways homeschool families can use this tool to create meaningful learning experiences.