Over the last 5 years, I have had the honor and pleasure of working for both the virtual academy world and K¹² Inc. During this time, I have learned a great deal about working from home, and how to maximize my time and energy to give back to the company as best as possible, without working a 20-hour a day schedule. In doing so, I have had many people, friends and family alike, inquire as to “How do you work from home?!?”.
I would like to share, and demystify, some of these myths to bring to light the real picture of working from home. At least, for this lone wolf stationed in Castle Rock, Colorado. It’s not an image of an employee sitting at their computer, in their robe, with a bagel burning the toaster and the printing reeling non-stop, instead, it is an organized collage of projects, work, and interaction. (ok…with a cup of cold coffee on the desk, too).
Colorado is known for a summer that extends well into the fall months, with changing leaves on the aspen trees and beautiful sunsets. What better way to celebrate the end of summer and the start of school than with a good, old-fashioned school kick-off?
It is a sunny, pleasant day when the doorbell rings in the Smith household. Johnny answers the door and is greeted by a UPS delivery man who has placed several large cardboard boxes on the family’s front porch. It looks like Christmas, with gifts for everyone. But wait- it’s only August. Did they win the lotto? Was it a windfall from the estate of a family member? Or perhaps a mistake? What is this all about? The Smith Family eagerly moves the boxes in the living room, and begins to tear into the gifts. Those gifts are curriculum from K¹², where Johnny is enrolled as a full-time, fifth grade student at COVA. Opening the boxes, Johnny’s eyes are wide and bright with excitement. It is his school, in his own learning environment that he will do at his pace. Now, he has the tools he needs to start school. If only the first day was here…
You know whom I love? Stars! Not so much the Hollywood type of stars; I’m talking about the K¹² type! K¹² Stars are an amazing group of parents who have been educating their children using the K¹² option and have become experts at both helping other learning coaches and spreading the word about virtual education to parents looking for a better way to help their kids succeed.
The stage is set, and the podium is aligned in the center for the Keynote Speaker to welcome and honor students. Lines of excited, yet anxious, students surround the lower corridors of the auditorium. Proud parents, family members, and friends sit in the audience in anticipation of the upcoming ceremony. You guessed it, it’s graduation day!