Life Outside the Lines Consulting
By: Jana Betlach
Contact me at janabetlach@gmail.com
Services to support living life your way!
Let's do this!
Don't know how to start homeschooling?
Not sure how to set up and manage remote learning?
Feeling completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of life but know you want to do more for yourself and your family?
Need someone to assist in resources, advice and positivity?
Want to make valuable life changes but feel stuck?
I've got your back and can guide you towards fun and success.
My Why:
I'm just like all of you.
Wanting to do what's best for our children and give them the best education that we can while making this crazy world work for our family. That used to mean finding the best neighborhood or charter school to choice enroll in. Like you, I toured multiple schools, I made tens of phone calls to interview school secretaries to see how I felt about it. Just like I am sure you all did. Then applied and waited with baited breath to see where my child got in, and leveraged the acceptances with our needs. Now, none of that is reality, school will look different including 'socialization' and remote learning models aren't clear yet. Remote worked for some but it's not for everyone.
For us, authentic homeschooling is my answer and it's the answer many of you are coming to as well. Remote learning with district support is yet to be described.
So, that's how I got here. The good part is I have 11 years experience supporting homeschooling families. My strengths are leadership, organization and setting systems up for success!
So, I am jumping in with both feet to help structure your homeschool or remote learning life. I want to consult, meet with your groups, assist with schedules, and be available as things evolve and settle in for a year of firsts, fun, and learning for all.
I married into an Iowa Hawkeyes family and our oldest is about to attend the University of Iowa. So we dressed to support. (L to R) So grateful for the most supportive husband, 5 yo, 17 yo, and me, Jana.
Reality picture. Summer faces. My 5 yo and I. My heart on my sleeve.
About Me:
I've always been a teacher at heart, it began in my teen years as I taught gymnastics and dance, summer camps and was asked to teach private french horn lessons to younger students. I was raised with the Montessori philosophy of 'Don't do for a child what they can do for themselves.' It has served me well.
I loved teaching then and I love it now. But, I began college with occupational therapy in mind, changed to education a few years later. I don't do much traditionally, I've always paved my own path and now I can see that all of those pathways and experiences were for a bigger purpose.
I moved from the North Georgia Mountains to Colorado in 2001 and I achieved a bachelor's in elementary education from Regis University, CO and began teaching with an actual license. As I became a parent in 2002 I fell in love with some of the principles and raw natural beauty of Waldorf materials. I easily blended much of Waldorf and Montessori in my home. Now we are an eclectic mix of a nature inspired life. As a family we enjoy paddle boarding, organic gardening, cooking healthy meals and hiking.
Personally I love to keep my mind and hands busy. I crochet, watercolor paint, felt, make jewelry, paint rocks, baby my houseplants, and design my own calendar pages for optimal life efficiency, and research new topics incessantly. My books are my happy place. :)
Education Philosophy
Montessori, Waldorf , Unschooling, Homeschooling, Remote Learning
There are many philosophies but what matters most is acknowledging that we have a choice and to recognize the main goal. Learning is fun!
I believe with my whole being that fostering the love of learning through life experiences begins at birth and never stops. Modeling curiosity, asking questions and encouraging children to think for themselves allows them the ability to problem solve and to trust in their brains and themselves. It builds confidence as they develop through the stages and gives them the strength to take risks. I believe in smart dangerous play, playing is learning, it's experimenting with cause and effect and teaches them to trust themselves. Allowing the children to have the bandwidth to expand and grow their sense of self, in technical terms, it's called executive functioning.
I feel that all parents should have the choice to do what they feel is best for their family. Education isn't just in schools, education is part of life to prepare to be independent. Education should cover not just academics but fosters experimenting with work experiences, identifying strengths and challenges, fostering intrinsic motivation and more.
Today, homeschooling can look different for each family and that's okay. I believe that making the choice is paramount and that alone means choosing success. Everyone learns and begins teaching with different skills at their own pace. The parents that take on authentic homeschooling all come to the table wanting to do their best for their children. Using a growth mindset with your own teaching and for the students is paramount to doing well and evaluating everyone's needs as it evolves.
Today, there are also a new population that need to choose remote learning with district support. If that's what's best for you, awesome. It's still new to you and all of these values will still play an important role in your home.
I believe in creating resiliency, having fun and that the flexibility in authentic homeschooling and remote learning can meet the educational needs with a commitment to make it great. It's not always easy, and it's not always beautiful roses, but it's worth it! Let's do this!
Credentials and Trainings
I hold a Colorado professional teaching license, administrators license and am Lower Elementary Montessori certified.
Masters in Leadership in Education, Regis University, 2020
Emergenetics Administrator, 2019
Roadmap to Responsibility, 2017
Non- Violent Communication Presenter, 2016
Bachelors of Arts- Elementary Education K-6, Regis University, 2009
Montessori Lower Elementary Certified, North
American Montessori Center (Canada) , 2006
Love and Logic Parent Coach, 2005
Living The Dragonfly Life Newsletter-
Free to all, the The first week of each month I will send out a newsletter for the parents and children with some fun resources, article links, activity ideas, free curriculum highlights, a social emotional tip and a bit about what I have been up to.
Love Letters from Parents
July, 2020- Jana is an incredible resource, support, and all around wonderful person! If you are hesitating to reach out to her DON"T! You won't regret it!- Facebook, ~ CP