One Thing

It all comes down to one thing—education. Think about this. When child psychologists analyze self-esteem, when economists ponder joblessness, when sociologists study crime rates, they lay responsibility on the education available at a given time. With this awareness, it is understandable that dedicated parents or teachers desire optimal education for their children or students NOW, not next month, not next year.

Welcome! This website is the culmination of a project begun over a decade ago by my daughter and me. She is a former elementary school teacher and now a home-schooling mother to six of her seven children, while I am a former elementary teacher and a private tutor for four decades. Over that time we have developed methods for the teaching of reading, creative writing, mathematics, and critical thinking, including a formula for drafting tearless book reports. Since our methods had proven themselves simple, sage, and successful, we felt the passion to compile them into a book.

Our goal is all about empowering parents. Here, you will get instant answers to questions, quick remedies for the most common issues that frustrate children at school, and timely, positive results. It all sounds so simple—it is. These methods are practical and proven. Our own students have used our chapters as the material has been created over the past eight years. These youngsters thrive with the methods, glow with the strides gained, and delight in the recognition received at school. They and their parents are thrilled, and so are we.

So welcome! Do read and do write to AskMrsSmiley.com. Meanwhile, please spend some time checking out our Philosophy and my personal journey, “On Becoming a Teacher.”

We believe that a parent has but one chance to walk through a particular grade with a particular child. Similarly, a teacher has but one opportunity to work wonders with his or her class in a given year. We can wait no longer to make it the best, most efficient, and joyful experience possible.