Trinity and Damen G. both love learning from home. After a few of their former teachers left public school to begin teaching at Visions, mom Teri G. decided to make the switch for her family as well, enrolling the siblings in our Home School Academy at the beginning of 2023. Knowing that Damen could benefit from one on one learning, Teri saw that Visions’ model of individualized education and credentialed teacher support would be especially helpful for her son.

“When I switched my son from site learning to Visions, we were having a really hard time,” shares Teri. “It [Visions] gave him the freedom to learn his own way. He’s now in 4th [grade] and was actually excited for school to start!”

“Best decision I’ve ever made!”

When Damen left public school, he was at a kindergarten reading level and a first grade math level. After just a few months at Visions, Damen is now at almost a third grade reading level and has brought his math up to grade level. Damen’s teacher, Annmarie Woehler, has been instrumental in his academic success, and has supported the Gunderson family for many years.

“Mrs. Woehler is amazing. She was my 24 year old’s 3rd grade teacher. We’ve kept in contact all these years and when we decided to go with Visions, there was no doubt that I wanted her in our corner,” shares Teri. “She has been very helpful and knowledgeable when I was learning to teach my kids. She has an understanding of what I’ve gone through with the district and why I needed her help.”

Alongside Mrs. Woehler, Teri has found incredible success as Damen and Trinity’s parent and primary educator. Although the transition was difficult at first, seeing her kids excel at Visions was worth the learning curve.

“It is very difficult to learn how someone else learns. It took me about a month to figure out what works best,” says Teri. “The best way I have found to teach is by doing the same work alongside them. I will make copies of their work and do it with them. They will show me how to do it and it’s more like them teaching me.”