Lancaster Learning Link: A Collaborative Homeschooling Extension

The Lancaster Learning Link is a collaborative educational program designed to extend the homeschooling experience for junior and senior high students. It serves as a link between homeschooling families and instructors who specialize in academic areas that may be difficult to teach individually in a home environment. The Link provides a Christian context for learning, connecting students with teachers who possess knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm for teaching.

The Link's Educational Philosophy

The Lancaster Learning Link aims to provide a valuable educational opportunity for each person involved. Quality education is a priority, and students are expected to learn and value the opportunity provided. The Link connects students with teachers in areas where they need help, offering a more affordable alternative to private tutoring. The program operates on the foundation of the Lord's wisdom.

Academic Instruction

The Link offers academic instruction through seventy-five-minute classes attended once weekly, supplemented by homework assignments throughout the week. While the Link is not an accredited school and cannot award credit for high school classes taken, teachers provide sufficient academic instruction to enable homeschooling parents to award credit for each high school class.

Foundational Principles of the Lancaster Learning Link

The Lancaster Learning Link operates on a foundation of principles designed to foster a positive and enriching learning environment. These principles guide the behavior and expectations of parents, students, and faculty within the community.

Respect for Authority

Respect for authority is a key character quality emphasized within the Lancaster Learning Link. Submitting to authority means honoring others and seeking to obey all the rules of the Link.

Moral Purity

Moral purity is another important principle, referring to a healthy naivete or lack of experience with the world. It is an innocence resulting from a lack of exposure and defilement. The Link expects all parents of youth involved in the co-op to take steps to protect the sexual innocence of other youth enrolled. The Link supports parents who have trained their youth by preventing the intrusion of moral perversion in the minds of all youth involved, as much as it is within their power.

Honesty

Honesty is a fundamental characteristic necessary to maintain relationships. It serves as the bridge of confidence and trust linking people together. The Link is organized and run in an honest way, and parents and youth enrolled in the program are expected to respond with honesty. Violations of this principle damage the trust relationship within the community. Dishonesty, along with related sins such as lying, stealing, and cheating, will not be tolerated.

Honor

Honor is a valued gift that the Link seeks to uphold and encourage through God's strength and power. Slander, which steals honor from individuals and the community, is discouraged. Parents, students, and faculty are encouraged to be honorable, not foolish.

Respect for Peers

Respect for peers has two aspects: restraining of the flesh and compassion. Restraining of the flesh involves self-control to avoid damaging others or being a burden to them in resources, educational value, or time. Compassion involves the sensitivity and maturity necessary to encourage others. The Link promotes an other-centered "we-ism" rather than a self-centered "me-ism."

Respect for Property

Respect for property is an expected practice of everyone in the co-op. The facility or building is respected because of the value placed on the people who are allowing its use. The property of teachers and students is respected because of the value placed on each individual.

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Connecting Through Art: A Doorways to Hope Project

The Lancaster Learning Link provides opportunities for students to connect with others through various projects. One example is the "Doorways to Hope" project, a collaborative effort between high school-aged students from the Link and participants in the Family Literacy Program.

The Family Literacy Program

The Family Literacy Program is a grant-funded program in several Lincoln schools that aims to help parents' children succeed in school. Participants in the program work with art students from the Lancaster Learning Link to inform their art projects for the Doorways To Hope project.

The Art Project

The art students ask questions to the Family Literacy parents to help inform their art projects for the Doorways To Hope project. Artist and art teacher Tamara Kaye teaches class there once per week. Six of Kaye's students worked on questions for the Family Literacy parents before meeting them.

Testimonials

Parents from the Family Literacy Program shared their experiences and hopes through the project. Munefah Murad, an immigrant from Iraq, said that the United States provides safety and freedom of religion for her family. Thoa Le, from Vietnam, expressed her desire to learn English to help her children. Rani Nihee, also from Iraq, defined hope as "the future."

The Artwork

The students created art pieces based on the stories and hopes shared by the Family Literacy participants. One piece, "To Hope," features 18 small doors with mirrors, each etched with the phrase "to hope" in a different language. Another piece, "Window of Opportunity," depicts a ship surrounded by water symbolizing what the participants left behind, with a city made of books on the horizon representing opportunity.

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Impact

The Doorways to Hope project created a feeling of satisfaction among participants. Griselda Mendieta from the Family Literacy Program expressed pride in the project.

Community and Resources

Lancaster Learning Link is part of a larger community of homeschooling resources in Nebraska. These resources include co-ops and academic classes that provide opportunities for homeschoolers to connect with one another and share skills.

Nebraska Homeschool Co-ops and Academic Classes

A listing of Nebraska co-ops and academic classes for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city, with co-ops in the first section and all other academic resources below. McCook Area Homeschool Co-op is open to southwest Nebraska homeschoolers and has two terms per year (fall and spring). Metropolitan Community College Prototype Design MakerSpace holds equipment to enhance a student's learning experience. Omaha Homeschool Learning Center provides weekly classes for ages 3-18 to supplement home curriculum. Nebraska Classical Conversations is a national homeschooling program that uses a Bible-based curriculum taught in a Christian, classical tradition.

The People Behind the Link

The Lancaster Learning Link is guided by a dedicated board and staffed by passionate teachers who are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for homeschooling families.

Board Members

Dean & Jaime Delfosse: Dean holds two degrees in theology and serves as a pastor. Jaime holds a degree in theology and loves teaching Bible, Theology, and Ethics.
Aaron and Misty Guthrie: Aaron enjoys anything that involves motorcycles. Misty is very involved in the children’s ministry program at their church.
Lee & Jenny Jo Johnson: Jenny Jo double-majored in history and computer science. Lee was invited to teach history.
Landon & Brittany Sanchez: Brittany stays home full-time and enjoys gardening, reading, and photography. Landon loves cooking amazing food for the family.
Jeanette Sorensen: Jeanette has taught secondary math in public-school systems in 4 different states.

Teachers

Deborah Freeman: Teaches communications classes and directs theatrical productions.
Gretchen Garrison: Teaches geography.
Jill Greff: Teaches Spanish.
Sheri Harrington: Teaches literature.
Jake Mousel: Teaches mathematics.
Tana: Teaches writing, literature, and the humanities.
Ellie Palmer: Teaches English.
Jeremy Skrdla:
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Each teacher brings unique experiences and qualifications to the Link, contributing to the diverse and enriching educational environment.

Teacher Profiles: A Glimpse into the Educators

The teachers at Lancaster Learning Link bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles. Here's a glimpse into a few of their backgrounds and interests:

Jill Greff: With a Master's degree in Spanish and extensive experience teaching at the university level, Jill brings a deep understanding of the Spanish language and culture to her classes. Her early exposure to missionaries and her studies in Mexico have shaped her perspective and fueled her desire to teach Spanish to future missionaries and leaders.
Sheri Harrington: After a career as a sign language interpreter, Sheri is now fulfilling her lifelong dream of teaching literature. Her B.A. in English Lit. and M.A. provide a strong foundation for her passion.
Jake Mousel: Jake's fascination with mathematics led him to pursue a degree in secondary math education. His experience as a math tutor and his background in the coffee business bring a unique perspective to his teaching.
Deborah Freeman: With a master’s degree in speech, experience teaching at the college level, and a background in psychology, Deborah equips young people with effective communication skills.
Gretchen Garrison: As a travel writer and blogger, Gretchen brings a unique perspective to her geography class. Her book, "Detour Nebraska: Historical Destinations and Natural Wonders," reflects her passion for exploring and sharing the world.

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