Posted in General Information

Spring Evaluation Updates:  Now is the time to be making reservations for year-end evaluations.  You can check out our link on evaluations at http://www.thefreemans.org/Evaluations.htm

 

Kathy Sellers will be offering evaluations at Pine Grove Baptist Church April 17-21 and May 10-12.  To make an appointment for your child, call Diana Blitch at 352 485-1256. 

 

Below are bios and contact info for other good character-based evaluators in our area.  If you are, or know of, a Florida-certified evaluator who is character-based and would like to be added to this list, let me know.  And thanks to Juli Stewart for the update and reminder! 

 

In alphabetical order:

 

Suzanne Adkins (386) 755-7997, szadkins@bellsouth.net  

My name is Suzanne Adkins. I am married to Joe, and have two children, Madeline Elizabeth and Madison Newell. I hold a B.S in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I taught in the Public Schools in Columbia County for 13 years. In 1999 my husband and I felt a stirring in our spirits that we needed to make some changes in our home. After much prayer and fasting, I began researching the possibility of homeschooling Madeline. The decision was made for me to resign my job and stay at home to school Madeline for Kindergarten. We have been homeschooling ever since. I am most definitely an advocate of Character Based Schooling.  My evaluations consist of a portfolio review, and an interview with both parent and child. Each evaluation is different and unique to the family. If you want specifics please contact me.  I enjoy doing evaluations and meeting the many who have made this most important decision, to homeschool their children.  I live in Lake City, but will travel if need be.  I do evaluations year round for those who have different school calendars.

 

Michael Ballard (352) 637-6626 [fourkid@mindspring.com]

2096 Forest Drive, Inverness, FL    34453 

Michael Ballard is the husband of Patti (23 years) and homeschool dad of four. Michael taught at Crystal River High School for 30 years and is currently employed at the Citrus County Dept. of Education District Office, but that isn't really what he feels qualifies him to evaluate a home educated child. While the state grants him the right through certification to conduct homeschool evaluations, it is his experience in walking alongside his wife to educate his own four children (two graduated), his many years experience as an evaluator, as well as a heart for home education that makes a difference. Michael reviews your child's portfolio while he converses with the child (parents are always close enough to listen in and be seen by their child). He then discusses the child's progress with the parents, as well as any questions they may have regarding their unique home education program. It is never a threatening or judgmental visit. He is there to minister to your educational needs. Evaluations provided year round for all grade levels.

Michael Ballard, 2096 Forest Drive, Inverness, FL    34453

 

Wendy Bizub (386) 454-0322; jc-wendy@yahoo.com 

High Springs based.  I have a degree in English and secondary education from the University of Miami.  I have taught at Lake Butler Middle School and Gainesville High School.  Before I had my degree I worked in early childhood education.  I have also tutored students at various grade levels.  For the past two years, we have been involved in a homeschool co-op in High Springs, and I am currently teaching a creative writing class to the middle and high school students.   I believe that a child’s character is of paramount importance, and that one of the advantages of homeschooling is that it provides parents with many opportunities to shape and mold that character.  I want to support and encourage parents in their homeschooling.  My evaluations consist of interviews with the parent and child and a review of the child’s portfolio.  If you have any questions that I have not answered, please feel free to call me.

 

 

Sandy Drexler drexler@ufl.edu, (352) 376-4853 

Referred by: Wanda Kline (352) 375-2915 

I have been evaluating home school students for over 10 years.  I enjoy meeting new families and finding out what has worked for them.  I also like to pass on ideas that I find that work to parents.  I found the materials from the teacher evaluator workshop interesting and helpful (though attendance was not possible that day).  I agree that the school curriculum should center around character.  Kathy Sellers trained me.  I am low-key and believe in a non-stressful approach.  For instance, I tell the parents ahead of time that I want the child to be relaxed.  If there is something that they want to read or demonstrate to bring it.  I don’t do tests.  I ask to see a log and samples of their work.  I also like to include extra curricular activities such as trips, visits to museum, libraries and sporting or church events.  I have an 8 year-old daughter and husband, Greg.  I have lived in Gainesville for 15 years.  I have helped administer the CAT, IOWA and FCAT.  The school board is always happy with my evaluations. Thank you!  Sandy  P.S. I am also an experienced math tutor.

 

Stephanie Johns (386) 755-5520 or sjohns@se.rr.com
I am the wife of Scott Johns and mother of four girls~Kayla, Emily, Sarah Beth, and Hannah. We live in Lake City and homeschool with a character first focus. I understand those families who are striving to teach Godly character to their children and host a Mom's support group encouraging this called Homeschool Heartstrings. Some of my professional experience includes being cerified in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, teaching preschool, elementary and college, as well as several classes to groups of homeschoolers.  
We believe homeschooling is what the Lord has led us to do and He has taught us so much through homeschooling and through evaluations. When I evaluate, I interview the child and parent as we go through the portfolio, book list and activity log. It is my desire that the parent and child come away from the evaluation feeling encouraged and having the feedback they need to successfully continue in their homeschooling journey.  
I ask that the families send me their character evaluations either by e-mail or snail mail the week prior to their evaluation date.  Stephanie Johns, sjohns@se.rr.com or 169 NW Lakeside Court Lake City 32055

 

Karen Porter (352) 337-0686, (727) 542-4134, pawprintpress@hotmail.com Referred by Erin McDonald Erin McDonald (386) 454-9758  Karen is available for portfolio review on an individual basis.  Married to Jim Porter. They have a foster daughter named Christian Grace. They are praying to adopt her. Karen teaches Sunday School in her Quaker meeting. She is starting her own small private home school cooperative as part of her tutoring business after 15 years of teaching. She has chosen to promote education that will keep a character-first focus. Karen has conducted formal student testing and assisted teachers with their educational programs as a Primary Specialist. She has been a homeschool evaluator for two years now. She is certified K-12 and has taught every grade. While renewing her certificate every five years, she has also completed a master’s degree in language education and has become Nationally Board Certified. Karen has also supervised and administered group CAT, LAB,  LAS-0, F-CAT, LAS-RW, and Florida Writes tests, taught language arts at a public school, and taught and been employed by Pinellas County to administer the FCAT.

Karen Porter M.Ed. NBTC

Little Turtle Tutoring

2529 NW 49th Pl

Gainesville, FL 32605

 

Allison Privette (352) 335-3628, or allison@footstone.com

Referred by: Dee Privette, 332-9656, ettevirp@bellsouth.net 

I am the wife of Robert Privette and mother of two preschool children. Robert and I look forward to homeschooling our own children in the future, as Robert was homeschooled all the way through high school. I taught in the Alachua County public school system for five years. I have a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida and I am certified in elementary education and middle grades math and science. I am currently blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. While teaching, I incorporated a character curriculum into my math courses and I was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor. I have administered both the IOWA and FCAT tests. I wholeheartedly believe that building character by teaching children about God's love and plan for their lives is foundational. This is one of the main reasons I desire to homeschool my children. My evaluations will include child and parent interviews as well as a review of the child's portfolio. I can do evaluations year-round.

 

Nina Rowan (352) 371-9296, ninarowan@earthlink.net

Referred by Juli Stewart mrsenco@atlantic.net

Married to Rex and has two children, Graham, and Sarah. Nina has homeschooled her children for over 12 years and been an evaluator for over 11. Nina will work with parents in providing evaluations for character-focused programs along with academic progress. She will base the academic portion of the child's evaluation on the curriculum you are using.  Just be sure to bring your child’s books to the evaluation. Nina's evaluations will consist of a review of your portfolio (log, book list, and samples of your student’s work), an interview with mom and child, and a demonstration of academic progress using the curriculum you used for the year for reading and math.  She will be happy to provide recommendations if requested. Nina is eager to see parents and children succeed at home schooling.

 

Kathy Sellers (813) 719-9373, kmsellers@juno.com

Referred by Sheri Harris praisehim@myfam.com

Married to Larry Sellers.  They have one daughter, Susie, whom they homeschooled from Kindergarten through high school, while keeping a character-first focus. Kathy was a Florida public school teacher for fourteen years, with two to three years spent conducting formal student testing and assisting teachers with their educational programs as a Primary Specialist.  She has also been a homeschool evaluator for fourteen years.  Her certification includes Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Reading through High School.  While renewing her certificate every five years, she has also completed a minor in math and added learning disability classes.  Kathy has also supervised and administered group CAT and IOWA tests, taught science and language arts at a private school, and taught and been employed by Alachua County to administer the FCAT.