I wanted to share my personal journey that has led to this exciting and meaningful endeavor. As a reading specialist and a mother, I faced a unique challenge with my son, who was diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech when he was 2.5 years old. I made the decision to homeschool due to this diagnosis. As a reading specialist, I knew firsthand the challenges he would experience learning how to read as well as the mounting frustration he would experience daily upon not being able to effectively communicate with teachers and classmates. My son is a very intelligent boy who wants to share his knowledge with everyone he meets. I would heartbreakingly and painstakingly try to understand what he was telling me, and, as his mother, had great difficulty. I knew that his peers and teachers would not be able to make this effort so I took on the task of educating him myself. 

As he continued to grow in his reading and speaking development, he encountered another obstacle. Just before his 7th birthday, my son lost total hearing from his left ear. The bittersweet moment was when the audiologist told me, “Of course this would have been hard for you to realize since he speaks so well.” My eyes filled with tears realizing that all of his hard work, intervention, and therapy had paid off for him and he now spoke as well as any other 7-year old child, only to be told that he would never hear from his left ear again. 

This setback, however, inspired me to think creatively and build a learning environment that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. I am excited to announce that I have teamed up with Victoria Courtney and Caleen Bolak, to created EXCEL Learning Community, a new school that focuses on homeschool enrichment classes while embedding ASL whenever possible.

As a former public school teacher I firmly believe in the importance of public schools and the value they bring to our society. I also recognize that they are not always the right fit for everyone. Every child deserves an eduction in a safe and nurturing environment that caters to that child’s individual needs. It is with this belief in mind that I have taken this significant step to establish a new school focused on homeschool enrichment. 

Victoria, Caleen and I strive to create an educational environment that celebrates diversity, fosters meaningful connections and prepares children for a successful future.

In order to bring this vision to life, your support is vital. We are seeking financial contributions to cover class costs, membership fees and essential supplies. Your generous donation will directly benefit the establishment of our new school, providing necessary resources, materials and opportunities for children like my son.

If you would like to contribute to this important endeavor, please consider making a donation to EXCEL Learning Community. Your support, no matter the amount, will make a significant impact on the lives of these young learners. 

Thank you for taking the time to consider donating to EXCEL Learning Community. We look forward to sharing updates about our Learning Community.  

Warmly,

Liz