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THE MISSION OF PETRICHOR SCHOOL
FULL-TIME MICROSCHOOL, PART-TIME HOMESCHOOL ENRICHMENT, TUTORING, AND SUMMER CAMPS SERVING FAMILIES IN LINCOLN, NE
FIRST, WHAT IS PETRICHOR?
Do you ever wonder where we got the name for our microschool, homeschool enrichment, and summer camps nestled in this beautiful corner of Lincoln, NE? Petrichor, by definition, means "the smell of the earth after the rain." Usually, it's strongest after a long period of warm, dry weather when the rain has brought refreshing, newness, and a breath of fresh air.
Don't we all need some refreshing?
Our microschool, and all our educational services, is a place for children and families to be refreshed + encouraged. We have served families from Lincoln, Malcolm, Seward, Crete, Milford and more for over five years, and we are grateful to be a part of a movement of growing alternative educational options for families in Nebraska.
OUR STORY
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was junior in high school. I was reading to a class of third graders, and in that moment I just knew this is what God made me for-to be a teacher.
It has been the joy of my heart to teach and coach, and I honestly thought I would do it forever. I imagined my own children going to school with me, and living out a long career at my dream job.
That is, until I had my first child, and my whole world changed.
Eventually, we moved just outside the city of Lincoln, and as my children lovingly call it "the farm." Here, my vision for homeschooling grew, and Petrichor School was born. I wanted to create a microschool for other families to have more options for alternative education, more family time, and greater freedom of choice in educational options. I wanted young children to be given more time to play, be outside, and immersed in a developmentally appropriate environment. I wanted to create a place for students to learn at their own pace and feel excited about coming to school because it was engaging, fun, and meaningful. Offering a fresh educational experience for families when the past year(s) had been so hard, discouraging, and disheartening was at the heart of my vision.
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Petrichor is that fresh experience. Now, we get to offer our microschool as a full time alternative education option, homeschooling families part-time enrichment experiences, 1:1 and small group tutoring, and weekly, themed summer camps for families in Lincoln, NE and the surrounding areas.
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Here, kids can be kids. They can learn and grow in a multi-age community. Parents can lean into the relationships of like-minded families, because as cliché as it might sound-it really does take a village.
OUR STORY
HOW PETRICHOR SCHOOL, SUMMER CAMPS, AND HOMESCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS WERE BORN JUST OUTSIDE OF LINCOLN, NE
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a junior in high school. I was growing up in Omaha, Nebraska and reading to a class of third graders from my former elementary school. In that moment of reading aloud, soaking up the sweetness of working with kids, and joy of being in the classroom helping student learn I just knew, "This is what God made me for-to be a teacher." It made me come alive and began to kindle a fresh passion inside of me.
I graduated from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska with my degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education. I began teaching middle school and high school special education and coaching volleyball in a small town. It was a wonderful first job. I felt the tug to move closer to my family and dreamed of having my own classroom, so when a position as a fourth grade teacher and volleyball coach became available I made the transition to elementary education. I also finished up my Masters in Curriculum and instruction, and was teaching and coaching at my dream school. I honestly thought I would teach there forever. I imagined my own children going to school with me and living out a long career at my dream job.
That is, until I had my first child, and my whole world changed.
After becoming a mother, I wanted to stay home with my babies more than anything. And, while this was never my "plan" I took a giant leap of faith and left my teaching and coaching career. I have been home with my two children ever since. Once again my "plans" changed from expecting to send my kiddos to public school when I returned to teaching to me thinking about homeschooling and staying home long term.
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Being a public school teacher, I had always loved and believed in public school. Yet, with the ever changing world and culture I felt called to homeschool and knew it would be best for my family.
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"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning."
Fred Rogers
MEET THE TEACHERS
The staff at Petrichor Microschool are invested in doing what is best for our children and families. We are experienced teachers with decades of teaching experience in public, private, and alternative education in and around Lincoln, NE.
We can't wait to get to know you more!
Ashley Wagner
I have had the immense joy of working with children in many different capacities. I've taught middle school special education, fourth grade for over a decade, and coached volleyball at all levels. I received my Bachelors Degree in K-12 Special Education and Elementary Education from Doane in 2006, and my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2008. Plus, I've enjoyed taking hours upon hours of continuing education focused on research-based best practices for teaching and learning, high ability learners, student engagement, and much more.
Ashley Wagner
I have had the immense joy of working with children in many different capacities. I've taught middle school special education, fourth grade for over a decade, and coached volleyball at all levels. I received my Bachelors Degree in K-12 Special Education and Elementary Education from Doane in 2006, and my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2008. Plus, I've enjoyed taking hours upon hours of continuing education focused on research-based best practices for teaching and learning, high ability learners, student engagement, and much more.
Ashley Wagner
I have had the immense joy of working with children in many different capacities. I've taught middle school special education, fourth grade for over a decade, and coached volleyball at all levels. I received my Bachelors Degree in K-12 Special Education and Elementary Education from Doane College in Crete, NE in 2006, and my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2008. Plus, I've enjoyed taking hours upon hours of continuing education focused on research-based best practices for teaching and learning, high ability learners, student engagement, and much more.
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I enjoy reading, tending to our animals and garden, watching my kids play sports, and spending lots of time with our family.
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I am also passionate about encouraging, equipping, and empowering other teachers and leaders to build their own dreams school and impact their communities around the country.
Jeremy Cardamone
Hi! I’m Jeremy Cardamone, and I’m excited to lead our homeschool enrichment experiences, the Learning Labs at Petrichor School this spring! My background in education centers on instrumental music, working with students across all ages, with a particular focus on middle school learners.
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In my summers teaching at Culler Middle School in Lincoln, I’ve had the opportunity to guide project-based learning around topics of the student's choosing. I loved helping learners explore what excites them while developing a genuine appreciation for the process of learning and sharing what they learned with others.
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I care deeply about giving students the freedom to explore, experiment, and learn through failure, and Petrichor’s Learning Labs are the perfect intersection for this kind of work. I look forward to meeting you and your kiddos!