Discovering the Possibilities: A Stay-at-Home Mom’s Story (Part 3 of 3)

Glenda McGillivray is a stay-at-home mom in Saskatoon. She has three young children (and two adult daughters who now live on their own). When her thirteen-year-old daughter, Joy, began struggling in grade seven, Glenda and her husband decided it was time to explore other learning options. In the spring of 2016, they enrolled Joy in the Flex ED program.[/su_column]

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Here’s what Glenda had to say about their Flex ED experience (continued from part 2).

On Common Misconceptions

Some parents assume that if they enroll their child in an online program, they’ll create more stress and responsibility for themselves. The truth is: with the right online program, this doesn’t happen.

Flex ED’s program is well-executed by top-notch staff. The teachers run everything smoothly, which eliminates a lot of stress for us, the parents. To me, it’s a superior homeschooling method, making it much easier for our family.

On Getting Support

When the teachers at Flex ED first contacted us, I told them about some of Joy’s learning challenges. (Joy is one of our adopted children and she has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.) Right away, these teachers embraced it and were fully on board. They told me they worked with kids with all kinds of needs, and that having Joy in the program wouldn’t be a problem. They have worked hard to support her and to support us.

Young girl talking on the phone

Now, Joy is feeling highly supported and encouraged. This was really missing before, when she was in public school and felt down, almost ashamed, about her abilities. Her organizational skills and time management skills have improved tremendously, and her personal academic standard is much higher, because she’s feeling so much better about her capabilities.

On Making Connections

Closeup of three best friends lying down and laughing. Teenage people wearing casual clothes smiling. Top view

When Joy was in public school with 300 students, she felt completely alone. In grade seven, she felt that she had not a single friend in the world. After joining Flex ED, she made the best friend that she has ever had. They connected through a cooking class online, and since then, have texted and got together a few times. She now feels accepted and happy. She is doing light years better than she ever did in a classroom full of students. In time, I suspect Joy will make even more friends.

Glenda’s Take-Away

Multiethnic Teenage Students at Park

For families who are debating the online learning route, this is truly the way to go. If I had had this program 15 years ago for our other daughter, I would have jumped all over it. The teachers with Flex ED truly bring out the best in their students.

About Flex ED

Flex-ED-Horizontal-Logo-Light

Flex ED offers a unique education alternative that embraces a “school without walls” approach to learning. The program is flexible to meet the growing needs of students and their families in the greater global community. Flex ED’s empowerment model for teaching and learning is on the cutting edge of educational trends, upholding the philosophy that school occurs wherever learning takes place. Through technology, social media, and teacher support, students learn and grow in a safe, supportive online environment. Flex ED provides the complete Saskatchewan curriculum of education, supervised and marked by a Saskatchewan certified teacher.

Whether students are looking for an online school or need help supplementing a homeschool curriculum, Flex ED can help to facilitate those needs. Learn more at: https://www.flexed.ca