We hope this blog finds you and your student in good spirits, highly motivated, and ready for a new year of homeschooling. We know homeschooling is a lot of hard work and Herrera Psychology is here to help. We can’t wait to be a part of your child’s education team.
Introducing the PEP Scholarship Assistance and Student Learning Plans
Are you planning to apply for the Personalized Education Plan (PEP) scholarship? We’ve got your back! Our team of dedicated Choice Navigators are here to assist you in crafting the perfect Student Learning Plan (SLP), ensuring your child’s educational goals are well-charted. PEP Scholarships provide access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a bank account. Families direct these funds to pay for educational services like those we offer at Herrera Psychology. Check out Step Up for Students for more information about the Personalized Education Program.
*A Choice Navigator can help guide you through the myriad of educational choices that will become available to you through an ESA. A Choice Navigator may not oversee or exercise control over the curricula or academic programs of a student.
Reading Tutoring: Unlocking the World of Imagination
Reading is the gateway to endless possibilities. Susan Ulrich has worked in the Sarasota County school system for over 20 years and is a literacy enthusiast. Sue is Orton-Gillingham Certified, K-12 E.S.E. certified and has completed her Reading Endorsement through FLDOE. Sue is exceptional at creating a safe and creative educational experience that encourages exploration of thought by implementing critical thinking skills. Sue advocates for students who are not able to learn with typical classroom instruction or settings.
Whether it’s building essential reading skills or filling in educational gaps, she can help your child have a successful and empowered educational experience. Sue has a proven track record when working with struggling readers – call for a free consultation to see how she can help your child get back on track with reading. She looks forward to helping your child become a stronger reader.
Tutoring: Executive Functioning Coaching and Social Skills
Learning gains are more likely when families, educators, and communities work together as partners to share the responsibility in helping every child not only be academically successful but feel good about themselves too. At Herrera Psychology, we believe in the whole child approach and are committed to helping your family achieve all of your homeschooling goals.
If your homeschooler struggles with executive dysfunction or ADHD, Executive Function Coaching can teach individual’s how to organize, plan, prioritize, manage time, maintain focus, self-assess, and study/work more efficiently. EF Coaching combines teaching and applied practice to help people develop strategies that can help them achieve their goals.
If your homeschooler struggles with making connections and needs help developing their social skills, Elizabeth Wilmore is here to help. Social Skill Coaching can help your children develop, practice, and maintain social competencies through explicit instruction and real-life application. Elizabeth is a K.12 E.S.E. certified teacher and has over 20 years of experience within Sarasota County schools. She also has an MA from USF in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Severe Intellectual Disabilities. When you sign your child up for SS Coaching, they will learn ways to strengthen their self-awareness, create social connections, and navigate relationships and much more!
Virtual coaching can be a great alternative to in-person coaching when individuals live in an area outside of our geographical reach, are unable to travel to an in-person session, or are more comfortable with receiving coaching in one’s own environment. Virtual coaching sessions allow for supports that are easily accessible, flexible in scheduling, not limited by travel time, and more available on an as needed basis.
Support for Unique Abilities: Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES)
Every child is unique, and we understand the importance of tailored support. That’s why we are thrilled to be a pre-approved Specialized Service Provider through Step Up For Students – Family Empowerment Scholarship, specializing in assisting Students with Unique Abilities. Our team of certified teachers, licensed school psychologists, and licensed social workers are dedicated to helping your child flourish using Family Empowerment Scholarship funds.
*In order to qualify for FES-UA, your child must be 3 or 4 years old, or eligible to enroll in kindergarten through 12th grade in a Florida public school, and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a diagnosis of a disability from a licensed physician or psychologist. For more information, go to their website today: Step Up For Students: Scholarships In Florida.
Annual Review Made Easy: Choose Your Path to Progress
As homeschoolers, you are required to track your child’s educational progress regularly and we’re here to help! Don’t know how to start, not sure of what to do next, want a second opinion? Call today and let the professionals at Herrera Psychology assist you; you don’t have to do this alone.
Every year, your child’s homeschooling progress must be well documented. Have you thought about how you want to showcase your child’s work? Fortunately, in Florida, there are five ways to demonstrate yearly proficiency for homeschooled students:
- State Testing: If you want your child to participate in standardized state-wide testing, like they do in the public education setting, you must contact your local school district for scheduling. We suggest you do this at the beginning of each school year, as seating may be limited and there is a deadline for registration.
- Testing with a Psychologist: Academic Achievement testing will show if your child is working on-, above-, or below-grade level. This information can assist you when building your child’s curriculum. Based on your child’s performance, recommendations are also included in the academic testing process.
- We also offer academic progress monitoring – a valuable tool to measure your child’s academic growth as well as a way to ensure your curriculum is working. In homeschooling, it’s never too late to adjust curriculum to strengthen your child’s learning.
- Our comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are also available if you want to learn more about your child’s intellectual, cognitive, academic, and behavioral strengths and weaknesses. If you suspect your child has a learning disability, contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation – let us help!
- Nationally Normed Achievement Testing: Our team of certified teachers can administer the Iowa Test of Basic Skills to assess your child’s core skills in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
- Portfolio Review Evaluations: Let our team assist you and your child in developing and reviewing your child’s unique homeschool portfolio.
- Special Approval through the School District: We understand that every child’s journey is different and may require special exceptions. If you think this is the case for your child, please contact your local school district for more information.
At Herrera Psychology, we believe that every child has the potential to thrive in a homeschool environment, especially when given the right tools and support. Our team is passionate about helping parents create a unique, positive, and nurturing learning environment for your child’s growth and success.
To learn more about our homeschooling services, schedule a free consultation today. Visit our website or give us a call at 813-395-9049. Come be a part of our village at Herrera Psychology and let us support you and your child’s homeschool adventure!
Wishing you joyous learning days and cherished memories as you continue to embrace the beauty of homeschooling.
