Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp
about the book
             I'm your diner waitress  -julie

You'll find me dishing up homeschool favorites, hot off the grill,
         at your friendly neighborhood Homeschool Diner!


             
Interested in what I do in my "spare" time?  

             
                      Well, I keep busy...


I'm a mom, a homeschooling parent, and a freelance technical
writer and developmental editor.
 I am also a scientist at heart (and by
degree) and an artist, when I get the chance.  What I really love the most ,
though, is being a mom.  Even though it's "pro bono" work it is, by far, the
most rewarding job I've ever had.

I have been involved with homeschooling since 2000.  I am active in
local homeschool support groups and I love teaching homeschool co-op
classes on a variety of topics.  I moderate several online homeschool
forums, and I present workshops at both homeschool and gifted education
conferences.  Personally, I enjoy reading, photography, printmaking, art
glass, and listening to jazz music.  I also love all things "retro", as you may
have noticed from the theme of this website.

I enjoy writing about homeschooling.  I have written newsletter articles
for several local and state non-profits.  I have also written and
self-published a series of children's books about homeschooling, titled "I
Learn at Home".  The first book,
"Today's Lesson: Japan" is available for
purchase on this website, three others are in various stages of creation.  

I consider myself a life-long learner, and I see homeschooling as a
wonderful way to instill a love of learning in our children.  I firmly believe
that those who enjoy learning, want to acquire new skills, and aren't afraid
to tackle new technologies will find their way in life, no matter what
educational or career path they are on.  Homeschooling encourages all of
these qualities in a student.  A great benefit of homeschooling is that we
parents get a second education, while teaching our children.  (I have to
say, I find that many subjects are much more interesting this time around.)

When I'm researching a new topic, and I find a valuable resource, I
love to share it with others.
 I have passed along these little resource
"gems" for years, in e-groups, newsletters, and homeschool-related
articles.  I'm looking forward to filling up this website with those treasures,
too, so that even more parents can explore them and share them with their
children.  I don't believe homeschoolers should have to pay a subscription
fee before they can find helpful information.  

I heartily agree with this quote from Margaret Fuller, who is briefly
described at  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Fuller ,

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."  

In general, we homeschoolers are a very giving group of people.  We're
willing to help each other out, to give advice when asked, resource
suggestions where possible, and moral support whenever we are able.  I  
think this willingness to share our time and knowledge is what ties together
the homeschooling community... which, happily, includes families all over
the world!    

I hope you find something here at the Homeschool Diner that you     
  can take home and give a try -- some "carry out" so to speak
;-)   

Stop by your friendly neighborhood Homeschool Diner any time --

                     we're open all night.
Want to add your 2 cents to our diner conversations?

Check out our
Homeschool Diner Conversations Yahoo Group!
The Homeschool Diner logo and all pages of this website
are protected by copyright law.
Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 by Julie Shepherd Knapp

To request permission to republish, reprint, make multiple copies of, distribute
or post a particular article -- please contact :
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