Welcome to Shay Seaborne's Homepage, Synergy Field
CURRENT:
Volunteer Efforts: I recently retired after 6 years of service on the Board of Directors of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (VaHomeschoolers), provided consultation, graphics, website development and administration and other assitance to five candidates for public office, and continue to serve as Assistant Web Administrator for a local not-for-profit. I am also the "Skipper" of a new Sea Scout "ship" in my area, and appreciate this opportunity to share my love of sailing with younger people, and, of course, watching them use these experiences to help them grow into who they will become.
Speaking: My most recent public speaking engagement was at the VaHomeschoolers Conference & Resource Fair on July 21, where I hosted a session titled "Eclectic Homeschooling: choose what works", and moderated the panel discussion called "Homeschooling Outcomes: But Will They Get Along in the Real World?". (The answer is a resounding "yes!")
Lobbying: In 2006 and 2007 I was a registered lobbyist for VaHomeschoolers. When speaking to legislators and others, I dispel the myth that homeschoolers are all of one mind. In 2006 I obtained the patron for our PSAT bill in the Virginia General Assembly. (The bill sailed through the House and Senate, was approved by Governor Kaine, and became law on July 1, 2006.)
Essay: A Homeschooler's Changing Perspective on Authority Figures
Article: An Argument Between Friends
Blogging: I am a contributing author to the Life Without School blog, and the photos on that site include many that I took of my children. My latest contribution is "Homeschooling to Counter the Culture of Consumption."
Editing: For two years I was the Managing Editor of the VaHomeschoolers Newsletter, and also edited the HEM Online Newsletter published by Home Education Magazine, the world's most widely read and respected homeschool magazine.
Publicity: I was in charge of publicity for Homeschool Theatre Troupe's performance of "A Tale of Two Cities," garnering reporter Josh Eiserike's piece, "Homeschool Theatre Troupe presents Dickens tale." My contribution (aside from providing actors playing the King and the Royal Nurse) to the Troupe's production of "The Thirteen Clocks" and "Many Moons" included obtaining coverage in an article titled In a land where time stands still on the front page of the "Arts" section of The Potomac News. (See the previous piece about HTT's "Treasure Island" Yo Ho, Yo Ho) In addition, on August 27th, of last year, John Richmond of WRIR Radio (Richmond, VA) interviewed me about homeschooling for the second time. In addition, I have spoken about homeschooling to a variety of media, including German Public Radio and other radio stations, US News & World Report, News Channel 8, and an interview on CNN FN's "Dolan and Dolan."
About Me:
Yes, I homeschool my children. No, I am not one of those types of homeschoolers. I did not choose this educational option as a way to hide my children from the world. On the contrary, as homeschoolers, my children are living in the real world, with connections to many kinds of people, involvement in the community, and practical, real-life experience.
I greatly enjoy spending time with my children, watching them learn, and learning with them, and I saw no reason to give up that precious time when they reached age 5. Among the numerous reasons I homeschool is the ability to provide a custom education tailored to each child's needs, and allowing my children to learn about what interests them.
I am one of those reportedly rare native northern Virginians, and have been officially homeschooling my two children since 1995. My hobbies include genealogy, gardening, and experiencing a wide variety of food, music, song, dance, storytelling, and other cultural expressions. I also enjoy circle dancing, hiking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, and early morning bicycle rides.
A softie for wayward animals, I have often found myself responsible for wandering dogs, unwanted cats, and injured wildlife. We have three cats, all of whom were rescued; one as an abused adult--angry and not likely to be adopted--and the other 2 trapped as wild kittens. With a lot of care and understanding, all have become happy, loving members of our family.
I live and write in Woodbridge, Virginia, and am delighted to see my two daughters, Caitlin (17) and Laurel (14), coming into their own as writers, despite their having resisted being told what to write. They produce a biweekly e-zine called "The Talisman," love history, theatre, and English literature, and enjoy writing book and movie reviews, and creating mock movie trailers in PowerPoint. My kids are turning out to be articulate, decent, happy, sensible people who love to learn, even though they have been raised well outside the mainstream.
Since I began homeschooling in Virginia in 1995, I have been involved in the homeschool community in a variety of ways:
FOLC
In the fall of 1997 I helped found the FOLC eclectic homeschool group here in Prince William County, VA., and was the group facilitator until dissolving the group in late 2005. FOLC met monthly at the library, welcoming all interested in homeschooling, and our meetings encouraged attendance by children. Aside from our regular meetings, we hosted numerous events, such as swap meets, talent shows, parties, theatre workshops, special interest clubs, candidates' forums, guest presentations, park days, and an Indian food tasting. In addition, we created several exhibits for the library's glass display case. FOLC included over 150 families, and provided an avenue for homeschoolers of all stripes to come together, share with each other, and make good things happen.
GRASSROOTS COALITION
In 2003 I spearheaded the grassroots homeschool coalition that created a good partial-enrollment policy and succeeded in eliminating the onerous "approval before removal" clause from the homeschool regulation in Prince William County, Virginia. The press reported the story in the Potomac News: County relaxing home-school restrictions, Compromise on home schooling, and an editorial, Benefit of the doubt; The Gainesville Times, School Board alters home-school policy; and the Washington Post, County Eases Rule For Home Schooling. Reporting on these events, Home Education Magazine published an interview with me and fellow coalition activist Amy Wilson in its "Support Group Newsletter."
With the grassroots coalition I also worked to achieve the ":PW County VA Victory" which worked with the Prince William County School Board to eliminate the onerous "approval before removal" clause that imposed a 3-day waiting period on parents who wish to remove a child from school to begin homeschooling and resulted in some school division personnel's harassment of parents who chose to remove a child from school to begin homeschooling. This victory was deemed worthy of 5 articles in the local press (find links to them at the bottom of the "Victory"page).
THE ORGANIZATION OF VIRGINIA HOMESCHOOELRS
In the spring of 1998 I heard about The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (formerly Virginia Home Education Association, VHEA) and, because I appreciated its inclusive, member-directed operation, invited one of the group's speakers to make a presentation at FOLC. I was highly impressed by the speaker's knowledge of material and her dedication to protecting and promoting homeschooling in Virginia, so I began to share information about her organization. It wasn't long before I started volunteering for VaHomeschoolers.
I began to help with organizing the VHEA Day mini conference in early 1999. The event was held in September of 2000. After that, I joined the 2001 Conference Committee, and those of 2002, 2004, and the VaHomeschoolers Day at SMV event in 2005, and spoke at the 2006 Conference. In addition, I created and hosted the first Beginning Homeschooling seminars, and assisted with hosting other VaHomeschoolers' seminars around the state. I have also helped with yard sale and curriculum sale fundraisers, headed VaHomeschoolers' PR team, assisted with general Web administration, three Web site revampings, and developed the "Guide to Beginning Homeschooling, the Starting Homeschooling Mid-Year section, the Religious Exemption from Compulsory Schooling page, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, and the online bookstore." Additionally, I handled layout of handouts, event publications and the bimonthly Newsletter for 5 years. Currently, I am Managing Editor of the VaHomeschoolers Newsletter.
In the fall of 2001, I ran for- and was elected to the VaHomeschoolers Board of Directors. I was re-elected in 2003 and 2005, serving as president from January 2004 until January 2007. Now in my 6th year serving on the VaHomeschoolers Board of Directors, I hold the position of Vice President, and continue to enjoy this opportunity to help protect and promote homeschooling in Virginia.
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
I wrote my first article for Home Education Magazine in the spring of 1999. Titled Colorado Case Inspires National Support, it describes how the Home School Legal Defense Association responded to a cry for help from a longtime member. Shortly after it was published, I began work on the most difficult piece I ever wrote, The Truth About Cheryl. Reading, re-reading and re-reading the 3,000+ pages of the transcript nearly drove me bonkers, and my family was angry at me for the time it took me away from them, but I knew in my heart that the piece had to be published; it was a story that must be told. Since then, I have written many more articles about homeschooling.
From April 2003 until September 2006 I was Editor of Home Education Magazine's HEM's Online Newsletter.
VA ECLECTIC HOMESCHOOL
Not feeling comfortable with the existing statewide homeschool discussion lists at the time, I founded the VaEclecticHomeschool e-mail list on April 28, 1999. To my amazement, it grew to become the largest, most active statewide discussion list in Virginia. On July 2, 2005, Yahoo shut down VaEclectic, as part of "deactivating" my Yahoo ID-- apparently due to a bogus Terms of Service complaint which many saw as an attempt to silence the inclusive homeschool community in Virginia. However, Susan McGlohn, my incomparable co-moderator, and Stephanie Elms, who is also now Chief Moderator, immediately ressurected the list, and together we attained a membership of 400 subscribers in 4 weeks--which must be some kind of record. The new VaEclectic list is still growing, with membership now topping 850. I am continually amazed by and thankful for the conscientious list members, who make VaEclectic a community of caring people that is welcoming to all.
THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF HOMESCHOOLING IDEAS
Linda Dobson's book, The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas; 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12, includes 22 of my best learning tips, such as creating a human sundial, home-made geometry manipulatives, making an inexpensive sandbox, how to get the most education from a zoo membership, the value of a cheap cassette recorder, an object lesson in cooperation, creating an interactive timeline, learning geography with vegetables, playing games for learning about money, and the 4-page chart titled "All the Curriculum Materials you Need for Less Than $100."
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Before I lose you to the ho-hum stuff above: Gearharts Chocolates are my absolute favorite confectionary indulgence. If you want to influence, bribe, or impress me, have Gearharts send me at least a 16-piece box. Then we can talk. I hope you will forgive me if my mouth is full. [Back to the top.]