I was a teen parent and a highschool dropout. But, as you can see by following my professional life, I like to take what could have brought me down and turn it into something God can use for Good.

 

First working with Women’s Crisis, then Pregnancy Care Center, I find myself taking the role of a walking, talking resource guide, gathering and sharing community resources. 

 

At PCC, I also had the honor of writing a supplemental school program that challenged kids to think through their decisions about sex and relationships. I was alarmed to learn of the sexual health education standards passed down from our department of education.

 

My daughter was a great kid, but didn’t get much out of school until her junior year when she opted for a charter school that enabled her to attend RCC instead of regular high school. She came alive there and worked to her associate’s degree along with her diploma. This experience really gave me a value for looking outside the box to find right fit education model for your child.

 

For my second child, school was tough!

We tried multiple school, supplemental programs, and even cut back working to homeschool him. If I had known then what I know now, I would have made very different choices and feel confident that his life would have been much happier and healthier. On a positive note, the years of tears did leave me with a valuable rolodex of educational resources and a huge appreciation for those in our community dedicated to being innovative and proactive, braving the world of teaching without the support of public school dollars. Hats off to you - it is not easy!

 

My son was finally succeeding in school. Then, Covid hit and we were back in desperate circumstances.

 

My third child, whose beloved K-8 school stayed open thankfully, had only 2 yea.rs left and we were looking for a high school fit for her that I could trust. Like many others, my husband and I were to the point that we were ready to move away to a state where school choice dollars would enable us to find a better solution, but something in me hesitated. Everyone around me, parents and teachers, were also desperate. I asked myself if I was doing everything I could to be part of the solution here in Grants Pass and the answer was, no. I knew I could do more. 

 

I started a facebook group and started posting all the resources I could find there, and inviting parents to connect, hoping and praying that I would find the right solution for my family along the way. 

 

I asked some friend s and several people I had found online to come to the table with me, to have a conversation and share their journeys and allow me to live stream the conversation to my Facebook group. 

 

Parents and teachers found connection and hope through Options for Education. Schools reopened, but the ethical red flags had already been raised and the demand for alternative education continued to grow. 

 

These panel conversations eventually led to our first Education Expo, now an annual event. This year, we had 46 Grants Pass area educational service providers from very different walks of life, from very different schools of thought coming together to offer options for education to this community. Check back to hear how our expansion to Jackson County is going!

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We throw mixers each year to celebrate all of the great educators in our informal network. These parties are sponsored by the VELA Founders Network, amazing source of "no strings attached, permissionless" funding for new and expanding education providers.

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What is next? We shall see! Feel free to reach out. Dana and Brettani are always up for coffee or cocktails!

 

Warm Regards,

Brettani Shannon, Founder