Teaching content matters. Teaching the whole child matters more.

As a teacher I was able to have evenings, weekends and breaks at home with my sons and, although I was not a full-time homeschooling parent, I always chose activities in a calculated, analytical manner to supplement my sons' schooling. I was well informed because I worked at a fantastic school district that offered us high quality, ongoing Professional Development. I knew what worked and how conversations with children should sound.

When I was modeling teaching for students in a teacher prep program, I knew that I had a chance to make a really big impact on their lives. Every fall, after they graduated and started teaching in their first classrooms, most would write to me and say, "I must share with you that I am the most prepared first year teacher in this district. In fact, more prepared than some veteran teachers."

I believe that I have a pulse on meaningful and authentic teaching. After 35 years in classrooms, teaching children and young people from 4-24, I've learned one fundamental truth: teaching content is very important, however teaching the whole child matters more.

My husband Augusto and I raised two sons, Michael and Andrew. Sadly, I want to share that we lost my younger son Andrew, who had a serious chronic health condition, in April of 2025. He has been a catalyst and inspiration to us as we've worked to build My Learning Circle. He spent three years teaching math to junior high students. In our Insights section, I wrote about Andrew and his teaching. Messages to us from his students confirmed all that I believe about what a great teacher means to students - Andrew made a lasting impression on young people at a crucial time in their lives.

My older son Michael has worked in technology for start-ups and is our CTO on this project. I never would have been able to build this business idea without his support, his knowledge and his tech ability. He holds up the foundation of My Learning Circle.

My sons, when they were kids, and your children, are naturally curious and love to learn. Whether you're supplementing after school and summer breaks or homeschooling, we'll show you how to engage that curiosity through play-based learning that helps children grow into kind, successful people who contribute to their communities. And if you are a teacher, a coach, or anyone else supporting a child's learning, we invite you to join our community at My Learning Circle.