We are so passionate about education and our farm employees that we found a way that we could bless them and their students…….we created a place where the students could come and do their online schooling.
When we realized what a difficult situation is was for parents to navigate the new world of online school we decided the next week that we should take action! We heard a sermon talking about the how this has been a long haul and a hard season of life during this pandemic, but not to forget about still being generous to those in need.
Well these struggling students sure had a need! We hired a teacher and began the adventure two days a week. I rearranged my living room and turned it into a one room school. We actually use the kitchen a lot too! We have 10 students from 1st grade through 9th grade that attend. Each one is utilizing their own curriculum from their school, so that when school does open for “in person learning” the students can transition back to their classrooms more easily.
It has been such a pleasure to get to know these kids. What we realized is that not any of them had Wifi in their homes. The school issued the students a device but provided no way for them to use it. We also have one student who is a Spanish language learner with little knowledge of English. We have been doing our best to help her with her English as well as keep up with some of her assignments. With the older students we are reading books and getting them some special visits with professionals that they are interested. One of our students got to spend and hour with an interior designer who was able to encourage her in her class and her future!
On Wednesdays we bring different professionals in to speak to the students about what kind of jobs they might want to pursue.
The local fire department was a big hit and we will have a pilot who flew private charters for professional sports teams! We also try to do hands on enrichment projects such as cooking and painting!
We have been featured on national tv with Fox News which was a fun day for us. We provide lunches for all the students. Each day is something new that most of them have never eaten before. Chick-Fil-A was a big hit!
Thanks for reading and caring about our kids! Farm workers are who keep America fed. They have a valuable place in our country and we want them to understand how important they are to all of us!
Let us know what you think about this adventure and keep up with us on social media!
Blessings,
Carrie
I think it is amazing what you are doing! I am a certified ESL and reading endorsed teacher. I speak Spanish. You need anything let me know! I am proud of you!
Thanks so much Johanna! We are giving it our best here at the Farmhouse School! I speak very little and my teacher is learning. Our other kids translate for us when we need it. We are trying to meet challenges that online presents. Thanks for your support and encouragement!
Blessings,
Carrie
Hi Carrie,
Your work with the kids is wonderful. I am an independent education specialist for Arizona and one of the companies that I represent, MindPlay, saw your story on the news and wanted me to reach out to you. They would like to offer you a student subscription of MindPlay…an online literacy software program, for each of your students, free of charge for the entire school year. I didn’t see an email address for you so I thought this would be the best way to reach you. Please email me and I can get you more information.
I am also a mother of an online high schooler in Ahwatukee trying to navigate distance learning. It is not easy when you have resources, let alone when they are lacking. Keep up the great work and I hope I can be of help in some way with your students reading success.
Thanks, Denise
Ms Mayfield,
I have taught ESL for over 30 years, mostly over seas and always for free to the students. I have a free ESL school online you might find interesting. It is designed for adults but has been used for youth when a teacher or moderator is used in a class set-up. If I at 75 can be of help let me know how. I taught in China, east Europe, and in north Mexico (for over ten years) and on the Texas boarder (out of Pharr Texas).
All the ‘remedial reading’ is done out of a wonderful New Covenant that is at a 9th grade level. We have a Primary level, Intermediate level and Master level for reading growth and improvement and they are all from the New Covenant. Again the ESL course is for adults but has been proved to work in children classes if moderators or teachers are there. The classes of Y.E.S. are self-teaching for adults that can get online globally. They can study at their own pace and free for years and as they desire. Most take about 2 to 3 years to finish the Master level. There is never any cost to any student. Some set-up there own schools and have a ‘teacher’ charge but the materials are always free.
Contact me if you have any interest for the school at 9793240622, as I don’t do so well online. May our living, loving, and only God of reality, keep you and yours in His Grace and Peace.
In Jesus,
Max Moore- owner and Director
Thanks so much Max for your kind words and offer. We are doing our best to keep up with the students changing schedule. Many of them are scheduled to go back to their schools in person full time in the next week. We had them all stay on their own curriculm so they could integrate back into the classroom. I’ll definitely keep your info for the coming weeks or months. Everything seems to change on a pretty regular basis! Really appreciate your encouragement! It means a lot to all of us!
Blessings,
Carrie