Homeschooling in the Bronx can be challenging since the bulk of museums are in Manhattan, many of the homeschool organizations are based in Manhattan, and a great deal of the homeschoolers themselves are located there. But one thing the Bronx has that Manhattan doesn't is Laurie Spigel!
Laurie Spigel is an educator, author, advisor, and a great resource and inspiration to homeschoolers. She began her journey into homeschooling many years ago with her first son. He experienced difficulty first in public then in private school. He was extremely smart and unique which didn't sit well with the conformity expected from students in most educational institutions. Laurie realized this and decided to homeschool.
"It was an overwhelming choice," she states. "A decision made in tears." But it didn't take her long to realized that it was the best decision she'd made in her life. Homeschooling affected her entire family. Everyone became active learners. "My kids still thank me!" she says.
Laurie, with the support of the New York City Home Educators Alliance or NYCHEA (the largest New York City organization of homeschoolers), homeschooled her two boys through high school. Both attended their first-choice colleges with generous scholarships without earning a high school diploma.
Now Laurie teaches parents and other educators about homeschooling and the benefits of embracing child-led learning. Every year she offers courses in literature, board game design, and art history for homeschoolers. She has written a fantastic, fact-filled book entitled: Education Uncensored which is great for newbies and seasoned homeschoolers alike.
Laurie also has a very informative website: homeschoolnyc.com with links to books and resources in every subject.
She has been interviewed by the New York Times, Time Out New York, New York Family and she recently presented at the Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) Conference in Albany.
You can see lists of her classes and lectures at homeschoolnyc.com/speaking and view photos of her students and their work at homeschoolnyc.com/images/gallery.
You can also read excerpts from her book Education Uncensored and find out what people had to say - homeschoolnyc.com/education-uncensored.
Laurie has been and continues to be an inspiration to homeschoolers in the Bronx and the remaining boroughs as well!
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