OUR STORY
A brief intro to Homeschool Edvantage Consulting LLC by founder Todd Michael.
Todd Michael
As a homeschool graduate (k-12) turned credentialed educator, Todd’s first day of kindergarten was as a teacher. He didn’t wet his pants, but there may have been some tears.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in music, a California Multiple Subject teaching credential, and a master’s degree in education from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Todd went on to spend just under a decade working in public schools on the central coast of California. He has worked as a full-time teacher in grades K-8, full-time after school program coordinator, part-time private music instructor (all ages) and, most recently, assistant principal.
It was through these experiences of seeing first-hand the comparisons between public education and homeschool that Todd became deeply aware of how much of the fear and frustration parents feel is rooted in a lack of understanding. Todd decided that if he can give parents the same training and support that he gave teachers as a school administrator, this can truly become the best of both worlds. An idea was born, and a resignation was submitted.
When Todd isn’t nerding out creating documents and videos, he can be found lifting weights, composing music, volunteering with his Latter-day Saint church community, spending time with his wife and four kids, and occasionally sitting still for more than two minutes, but he all but gave up that habit years ago.
Amber Michael
As a public school graduate and full-time SAHM, Amber’s first day of homeschool was as the teacher.
It was in the fall of 2020 when, after their local district went to full-time distance learning, Amber and Todd pulled their two oldest kids out of school (first grade and kindergarten at the time). In a very real sense, the woman who said she could never see herself homeschooling her kids became a homeschool mom overnight. There were definitely some tears on her first day.
Relying heavily on her bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, and her experience as a private tutor and music teacher, Amber soon learned that some aspects of homeschooling were naturally more manageable than others.
It was while working together to address these challenges that Todd and Amber realized that most homeschool parents are in need of greater support and education for themselves as they develop their approach to educating their children. With Todd’s support, Amber was able to apply simple and effective structures, systems, and strategies to eliminate many of the obstacles which she initially faced. It became clear that more homeschool families deserve access to this training, because effective teaching begins with effective learning.
When Amber isn’t juggling the needs of her four kids with other household responsibilities, she can be found reading, volunteering with her Latter-day Saint church community, playing the piano, spending time in nature, and occasionally sleeping, but she all but gave up that habit years ago.