Teaching philosophy:

Teachers focus on project-based learning allowing students to explore, create, and problem-solve collaboratively, encouraging critical thinking and innovation. The power of hands-on learning, engaging with materials, experiments, and real-world applications deepens understanding. Fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge across disciplines inspires lifelong learners who are equipped to adapt and thrive in their communities.

Curriculum is student focused collaboration designed by students, and their teacher to meet the needs of the students. Each unit of study will be determined as a group with the children at the center. The teacher will plan, organize, and implement hands-on group and individual activities that are intriguing, enriching, fun and culturally responsive.

Meet our teacher: Julie McGarey

Julia McGarey is a devoted homeschool Mom to her nine year old daughter, Lucy, as well as an experienced educator. Julia has taught in the classroom; ages preschool to high school seniors, and every age in between as a camp counselor, riding instructor, and yoga teacher. She has a master’s degree in Education and Child Development from UC Denver and the Boulder Journey School. She chose the unique program for its Reggio Emilia approach to education. The approach is student-centered and fosters Emergent Curriculum ; Curriculum emerges from children’s interests, questions, and experiences rather than being predetermined.

As a teacher, Julia’s style aligns shamelessly with KSHC. She spends time getting to know her students, their strengths, and their interests, then builds the curriculum around her observations. She believes that small class sizes, strong relationships with students and their families, and a hands-on, project-based approach are the best ways to meet the needs of her students. Most topics, when approached in this style, can encompass all subjects. Adopting lessons to maintain a cross-curricular teaching approach is key to student joy in what they are learning. For example, if the class chooses to study bridges, one student may choose to focus on architecture and aesthetics, one might explore the history of local bridges, while another could spend their time investigating structural integrity, engineering principles, and how to build the strongest possible bridge. When the curriculum is driven by the learners, engagement and enthusiasm are high and time is not wasted waiting for all students to be on the same page. Julie has a passion for guiding students and looks forward to being part of their learning adventure. Welcome Julia, we are thankful to have you as our teacher.