This class is hosted on Outschool, with availability on

• Mondays at 10:30am Eastern
• Tuesdays at 7:00pm Eastern
• Wednesdays at 2:30pm Eastern
• Thursdays at 7:30pm Eastern
• Fridays at 10:30am Eastern
• Fridays at 12:00pm Eastern

If you are intereted in understanding the "why" or the "how" behind today's world news headlines, then this class is for you!

I scour news sites daily to find interesting and relevant news stories that have connections to history, geography, politics and more. The stories are presented, explained, and discussed. After class, students are provided with a list of the articles we looked at, plus additional information if they want to dig further. There is no homework, and there are no grades offered for the class.

While no news site is 100% unbiased, I work hard to make sure that the media I use is as neutral as possible. When a news story we discuss is obviously biased, we talk about it: how to recognize bias, how to find opposing views. My goal is for students to reach informed decisions. When choosing news sources, I frequently consult the Ad Fontes Media Group and their Media Bias Chart.

 I do not expect students to come to the class with any prior knowledge - just an interest in learning. Students can contribute to the conversation, or sit back and listen (or both). These classes often attract my most diverse group of students internationally. It is not unusual for a class of 12 to include students from multiple continents! 

Once a student is subscribed to the class, parents are charged weekly on Sundays for the upcoming class. Classes may be paused or a student may be withdrawn and not charged by making that change before Sunday each week.

I completed 70 class hours of training, under the direction of The Orton-Gillingham Academy of Practitioners and Educators in order to provide specialized instruction to my own children.

Additionally, I completed professional education units through the Georgia Educational Training Agency including the following:

• Early Literacy: Phonological / Phonemic Awareness
• Focus on Phonics: Decoding and Encoding
• Learning Disabilities that Interfere with Reading and Written Expression
• Understanding Dyslexia

I am the primary homeschooling parent to two twice-exceptional students (one who is now in college) and have experience modifying curriculum. Additionally, I have worked in-person with students with ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, and Autism.