My Spelling Journey

In July 2023, my oldest son Zeke and I began our journey into Spelling to Communicate. Zeke, who was diagnosed early on with speech apraxia, later autism, and additional neurological differences, has some verbal speech—but through spelling, we've discovered how unreliable that speech can sometimes be. This path has completely transformed the way I understand communication and learning. My youngest daughter, Lizzie, is also a new speller and on the spectrum. Like Zeke, she’s an unreliable speaker, and we’re already seeing the power of spelling to unlock her voice and confidence.

Why did I start Dare to Homeschool Your Speller?

I’ve been teaching in homeschool co-ops and hybrid programs for over 15 years, and spent six of those years running a homeschool program that supported families from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. I absolutely love working with students who learn differently—it’s where my heart and passion truly come alive.

Since 2020, I’ve focused on homeschooling my own children while also writing custom unit studies for other families. My specialty is creating flexible, engaging, and inclusive curriculum that’s tailored to each child’s needs—especially for families navigating learning differences. I deeply believe that education should adapt to the child, not the other way around.

Now, I’m channeling my experience and passion into a new project: a homeschool curriculum and parent coaching program specifically designed for families with a child who spells to communicate. I know firsthand how overwhelming and isolating it can feel to step into this world, especially when traditional resources don’t quite fit. My goal is to create meaningful, accessible learning tools that honor the intelligence and individuality of nonspeaking or unreliably speaking students. Alongside that, I’m offering support for parents—because we need guidance, encouragement, and community, too. This work isn’t just professional for me—it’s deeply personal. I’m here to equip and walk alongside other families, helping them build an educational life that’s rooted in connection, dignity, and growth.