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  1. synergy:
  2. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
  3. Cooperative interaction that creates an enhanced combined effect.
  1. field:
  2. A wide unbroken expanse.
  3. An area of human activity or interest.
  4. A region of space characterized by a physical property, such as gravitational or electromagnetic force or fluid pressure, having a determinable value at every point in the region.


I write about a variety of homeschooling topics, including personal experiences, homeschool legal and legislative matters, support group dynamics, book and product reviews, and an occasional interview. My articles have been published by Home Education Magazine, the VaHomeschoolers Newsletter, TheHomeschoolMom.com, TeachAtHome.com, and The Homeschool Zone.

A Virginia native who has officially homeschooled since 1995, I am well versed in the Home Instruction statute of the Old Dominion. I often write articles for the bimonthly VaHomeschoolers Newsletter, and for two years wrote the "National News" column for that publication. In addition, I edited and provided content for HEM's Online Newsletter for about 2 1/2 years.

Through numerous e-mail discussion lists, I am connected to a network that brings me awareness of homeschooling's latest trends, knowledge of legal issues, and comprehension of homeschoolers' current concerns and successes.

I spearheaded the grassroots coalition that created a good partial-enrollment policy and succeeded in eliminating the onerous "approval before removal" clause from the homeschool regulation in Prince William County, Virginia. The press reported the story in the Potomac News: "County relaxing home-school restrictions", "Compromise on home schooling", and an editorial, "Benefit of the doubt"; The Gainesville Times, "School Board alters home-school policy"; and the Washington Post, "County Eases Rule For Home Schooling".

I presented the "Unschooling As a Way of Life" session at the VHEA Day mini-conference on September 2, 2000, and held "Beginner Homeschooling" seminars in June of 2000 and 2001. During 2002, I coordinated and spoke at two Beginning Homeschooling Seminars for VaHomeschoolers and presented "Creating a Low-Maintenance Support Group on a Shoestring" at VaHomeschoolers' Conference & Curriculum Fair, and in 2006 I moderated the "Won't Your Kids Grow Up Stupid?" panel discussion.

In recent years I have been represented in coverage of homeschooling by a variety of media, including The Industry Standard, US News & World Report, The Washington Post, WRIR radio, and CNN-FN.

I am an avid supporter of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, the member-directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool organization in Virginia. I am available for speaking and freelance writing and invite requests for reprint permission.