Deanna VanNotric
Firm Foundation Academy
Areas of Educational Expertise
Grades K-12
All subject areas
Testing
Curriculum consultation and guidance
Homeschooling support and consultation
Firm Foundation Academy is a full-service learning center specializing in:
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individual and small group instruction
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in-person and remote instruction
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tutoring for students who are homeschooled, in private school, or are in public school
Educational Philosophy
As a parent and teacher, I want to prepare and guide children to live the Christian life in the world while also helping them learn basic and practical living skills in all subjects and skill areas. I strive to show students how to have clear lenses in their spiritual glasses to learn to evaluate worldviews, so they can be “in the world but not of it.” My curriculum choices are Biblically motivated and focused on each student’s individual learning style. My goal is to equip students to follow God’s will in their lives and become productive Christians in our society. Under the authority of God and parents, teachers can "pass the baton" to the next Christian generation, guiding students in spiritual, academic, social, and physical development, to become lifetime learners (II Peter 1:5 and Luke 2:40). Finally, I really do love coming alongside parents as they work hard to discern the best way to educate their children.
About Me
Deanna Van Notric grew up in Lynnwood, WA and earned her Associate’s Degree from Shoreline Community College, her BA in Elementary Ed. from Western Washington University in 1997, and then settled in Sedro-Woolley with her husband, Joe. Her very first teaching position was in a 2nd and 3rd split class at Lyman Elementary. After a few years of teaching, she and her husband were blessed with starting their own family. When her boys came along, Deanna decided to become a stay-at-home mom while still tutoring and offering private lessons out of her home.
In 2007, she joined Skagit Academy, and she began teaching classes and thoroughly enjoyed being a homeschool advisor, too. In 2016 she also began teaching at Hill Creek Christian which is an ANW school. Then, in 2018 Deanna joined Academy NW as a teacher and homeschool teacher consultant and started her own learning center called Firm Foundation Academy located in Mount Vernon, WA. Recently, Deanna resigned from Mount Vernon School District to be able to focus solely on assisting Academy NW students and families in their pursuit of a wonderful education. Miss Deanna considers herself truly blessed to come alongside the families and students in their educational pursuits and considers it “The best job ever!”
Now her sons have graduated, and her daughter, Chloe, is 10 and is now homeschooling. In their free time, they all love visiting friends in Hawaii, playing on the beach, snorkeling, camping, scenic drives and walks, playing card games (she is highly competitive), campfires, reading, riding horses, and spending time with family and friends.
Firm Foundation Academy is the right fit for all students and families because Deanna is skilled at working with people of all ages, from all backgrounds, and with diverse situations and needs. She has been homeschooling for over 20 years, and she has been assisting others in this arena for over 15 years. Thus she brings a wealth of knowledge about all things homeschooling: schedules, curriculum options and choices, assignments, accountability, diverse learners, and more. She brings her huge heart, wealth of compassion and organization, and sweet nature to help her students and families achieve their goals.
About My Learning Center
Firm Foundation Academy changes from year to year based on enrollment as well as students’ and families’ needs. Class sizes often range from one-on-one tutoring, to small in-person groups of around 6-10 students, and also online remote classes for up to 20 students. We meet with parents each quarter and more often when the need arises. Besides instruction, Firm Foundation Academy also offers summer school or tutoring, standardized testing, and special classes upon request. Why choose Firm Foundation? Because no matter what you need, we can help either meet that need or assist you in finding something or someone that can. With 20+ years of experience and a huge hearts to really assist families in providing their student with the best education possible, you are in good hands with us.
Our Class Offerings
I will be offering a remote (via zoom or google meet) high school health class this fall as well as a math class. Additionally, I will be offering consultation services.
Contact
Please contact us! We would love to talk with you.
360-840-8568