HomeLearners Network (HLN) offers a playground of fun, online learning activities for your home learner. Our guides excel in both crafting and leading diverse STEAM-focused activities that blend multiple subjects into topics that kids love. Our goal is to create a fun, interactive, and hands-on learning experience for your kid!
We’re thrilled to add the creativity of our brand-new Guides, Katie and Steve, to inspire your kids in their learning journeys.
We sat down to chat with Katie and Steve so you can get to know them better.
Meet Katie, the baker!
When we say that our guides are always cooking up new activity ideas, with Katie, we really mean it!
Katie has been baking for as long as she can remember and has watched countless hours of Food Network and YouTube videos to learn new recipes and techniques. Her favourite things to bake are triple-decker birthday cakes. “I love getting an idea about the cake’s flavour and design and bringing that to life. It’s cool that I can share my love of baking with others, including HLN learners!”
Katie’s education began with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a minor in English. Her Bachelor of Education specialized in K-7 childhood education, where she shadowed educators in elementary school classrooms. She still works as an on-call educator in her local school district, teaching classes from kindergarten to high school.
Katie is not new to making online learning engaging and fun. “I taught a grade three online classroom, and it was a very eye-opening experience to see how education can look in a setting other than a traditional classroom. Kids had activities that they could do anytime throughout the week, similar to HLN. I liked the flexibility and small group sizes, and I think there’s something very treasured about small group sizes because they’re rare.”
For Katie, building relationships is the best thing about being an educator.
“I feel fulfilled when I help kids ignite a light inside of them that makes them feel proud, excited or inspired,” she says. “I want to be remembered as someone who made learning fun. I hope to set them up for a successful life of learning, unlearning and relearning.”
HLN’s unique community and relationship-building philosophy drew Katie to become an HLN Guide. “It’s always a treat to see familiar faces and it’s fun to get to know each other better. It makes everyone feel more connected, strengthens our community, and is a comfortable environment to meet new friends, laugh, share, ask questions, gain confidence and try something new!”
Sign up for a super fun activity with Katie!
Meet Steve, the maker!
Steve is rolling up his sleeves to introduce your kids to the wonders of LEGO!
Steve loved LEGO as a kid and finds immense joy in connecting with HLN learners and his own kids over fun LEGO projects.
“I love that LEGO is a hands-on material where kids can build their ideas right in front of them,” he says. “There’s no limit to the creativity that goes into building and making!”
Steve is inspired by kids adding their twists and takes on creative projects. “It’s so open-ended, and I enjoy the give-and-take of offering my ideas and seeing what kids do with them.”
A keen interest in people’s stories drew Steve to complete an undergraduate degree in History with a minor in Latin American studies. He spent a portion of his education in Southern Mexico, which was an incredible opportunity to immerse himself in the culture and language. The experience enticed him to teach English as a Second Language. He took a TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) diploma and began teaching adult newcomers to Canada. “They were very interesting people and highly motivated to learn our culture and language. It was great because they brought their cultures and backgrounds to me.”
During this time, Steve also worked at a daycare and noticed he loved working with kids. He then took a teaching program at Simon Fraser University. “I was called to teach at a public Montessori school, which eventually led me to pursue a two-year elementary certification for Montessori teaching.”
The intriguing overlap between the HLN and Montessori teaching philosophies compelled Steve to become an HLN Guide. “I love the emphasis on student-led, student-driven work. The educational approach makes so much space for kids to explore,” he says. “Something that struck me right away about HLN compared to teaching in a classroom is that HLN kids tend to be more engaged and excited to participate.”
Steve says HLN’s sense of community is one of the most significant benefits of signing up for activities. “Kids start to form familiarity with each other, and I imagine that for a home learner, that’s of high interest. I want to create a safe space for kids to feel welcomed, accepted and respected while they build their communities and grow.”
Sign up for an activity with Steve and get your kiddo building to their heart’s content!
To browse all HLN activities, visit homelearnersnetwork.ca.
