Are you a Florida-certified evaluator who would like to encourage parents in building character in their children? E-mail us at billandmardyfreeman@gmail.com to be added to the Evaluator Page.
In alphabetical order:
Suzanne Adkins
(386) 755-7997 or (386) 697-6402 or szadkins@comcast.net
My name is Suzanne Adkins and I am the proud mother of Madeline and Madison. After I spent several years teaching elementary school, my husband, Joe, and I felt the need to keep our children at home to teach them, keep them close to our hearts as we imparted the wisdom that God directed for them. It is with great delight that I do evaluations. I enjoy meeting with the child and parent and spending time with them as we go through all of the things that they have done during their school time. Since I understand that many families choose different times of the year to school, I make myself available to do evaluations year round, and I do not mind to travel to you. Please call or e-mail me.
Michael Ballard (352)
637-6626 fourkid@mindspring.com
Michael s the husband of Patti and homeschool dad of four. Michael taught at Crystal River High School for 30 years and is currently employed at the Citrus County Dept. of Education District Office, but that isn't really what he feels qualifies him to evaluate a home educated child. While the state grants him the right through certification to conduct homeschool evaluations, it is his experience in walking alongside his wife to educate his own four children (two graduated), his many years experience as an evaluator, as well as a heart for home education that makes a difference. Michael reviews your child's portfolio while he converses with the child (parents are always close enough to listen in and be seen by their child). He then discusses the child's progress with the parents, as well as any questions they may have regarding their unique home education program. It is never a threatening or judgmental visit. He is there to minister to your educational needs. Evaluations provided year round for all grade levels. Michael Ballard, 2096 Forest Drive, Inverness, FL 34453
Wendy Bizub (386) 454-0322 or jc_wendy@yahoo.com
High Springs based. I am married to J.C. and have five children. We have made it our goal to have a learning lifestyle in our home since our first child was a baby. I have a degree in English and secondary education from the University of Miami. I have taught at Lake Butler Middle School and Gainesville High School. Before I finished my degree I worked in early childhood education. I have also tutored students at various grade levels, and taught a creative writing class to middle and high school students at our homeschool co-op. I believe that a child's character is of paramount importance, and that one of the advantages of homeschooling is that it provides parents with many opportunities to shape and mold that character, and to protect their child's character from many negative influences. I want to support and encourage parents in their homeschooling. My evaluations consist of interviews with the parent and child and a review of the child's portfolio. I am available to do evaluations throughout the year. If you have any questions that I have not answered, please feel free to contact me.
Sandy Drexler
(352) 376-4853 or drexler@ufl.edu
I have been evaluating home school students for over 10
years. I enjoy meeting new families and finding out what has worked for
them. I also like to pass on ideas that I find that work to
parents. I found the materials from the teacher evaluator workshop
interesting and helpful (though attendance was not possible that day). I
agree that the school curriculum should center around character.
Colleen Finley
(386) 758-9346 or mdfinley@juno.com
My name is Colleen Finley. I am married to my best friend, David, for the last 23 years. We have home schooled our 4 boys for 14 years. We have graduated two who are in college and graduate school. We are still homeschooling our younger two. I have experience in co-ops and tutoring as well as homeschooling special needs children, delayed academics and character education. I am available to do evaluations in the Columbia, Baker, Union, Suwannee and Alachua Counties areas.
Stephanie Johns (386) 755-5520 or tsjohns@comcast.net
Lake City-based. I am the wife of Scott Johns and mother of Kayla, Emily, Sarah Beth and Hannah. We homeschool our children with an emphasis on developing Godly character. The Lord has taught us so much through homeschooling and through evaluating-mostly that we are dependent on Him for all things. I enjoy sitting with families and encouraging them in their homeschooling journey. An evaluation involves sitting together and reviewing the portfolio as well as using the Brigance Diagnostic Inventory when appropriate. Professionally, I am certified in Primary and Elementary Education. I have taught private preschool, public school, and at the college level. I have also tutored elementary and college students and taught a writing workshop class for homeschoolers ranging in age from 7-17.
Karen Porter (352)
337-0686, (727) 542-4134 or pawprintpress@hotmail.com
Karen is available for portfolio review on an individual basis. Married to Jim Porter. They have a foster daughter named Christian Grace. They are praying to adopt her. Karen teaches Sunday School in her Quaker meeting. She is starting her own small private home school cooperative as part of her tutoring business after 15 years of teaching. She has chosen to promote education that will keep a character-first focus. Karen has conducted formal student testing and assisted teachers with their educational programs as a Primary Specialist. She has been a homeschool evaluator for two years now. She is certified K-12 and has taught every grade. While renewing her certificate every five years, she has also completed a master’s degree in language education and has become Nationally Board Certified. Karen has also supervised and administered group CAT, LAB, LAS-0, F-CAT, LAS-RW, and Florida Writes tests, taught language arts at a public school, and taught and been employed by Pinellas County to administer the FCAT. Karen Porter M.Ed. NBTC Little Turtle Tutoring 2529 NW 49th Pl, Gainesville, FL 32605
Allison Privette (352) 335-3628 or allison@footstone.com
I am the wife of Robert Privette and mother of Coley (born in 2003), and Kate (born in 2005). Robert and I look forward to homeschooling our own children in the future, as Robert was homeschooled all the way through high school. I taught in the Alachua County public school system for five years. I have a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida and I am certified in elementary education and middle grades math and science. I am currently blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. While teaching, I incorporated a character curriculum into my math courses and I was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor. I have administered both the IOWA and FCAT tests. I wholeheartedly believe that building character by teaching children about God's love and plan for their lives is foundational. This is one of the main reasons I desire to homeschool my children. My evaluations will include child and parent interviews as well as a review of the child's portfolio. I can do evaluations year-round.
Kathy Sellers
(813) 719-9373 or kmsellers1@msn.com
Note: Kathy takes a limited amount of reservations for evaluations to be held at Pine Grove Baptist Church each spring. Contact Kathy to see if there are any openings. Married to Larry Sellers. They have one daughter, Susie, whom they homeschooled from Kindergarten through high school, while keeping a character-first focus. Kathy was a Florida public school teacher for fourteen years, with two to three years spent conducting formal student testing and assisting teachers with their educational programs as a Primary Specialist. She has also been a homeschool evaluator for many years. Her certification includes Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Reading through High School. While renewing her certificate every five years, she has also completed a minor in math, and added learning disability classes and sign language Kathy has also supervised and administered group CAT and IOWA tests, taught science and language arts at a private school, and taught and been employed by Alachua County to administer the FCAT.