Q: So how did you get the idea to start AP Homeschoolers? 

A: Well, before AP Homeschoolers, I wrote the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Newsletter. When my oldest son was in high school, I decided to help him on his AP US History exam, and then I wrote an article encouraging homeschoolers to take AP exams. The article inspired nearly two dozen homeschoolers to take AP exams, though most did not perform well because they didn't get through all the material. We brainstormed ways to support these students. My husband wanted to have kids who had done well to teach other kids, but I said that wouldn’t work. Instead we got on the Internet and started designing the courses there. 

We had some rough years in the beginning, but we’ve learned a lot: how to work with our teachers, our students, and how to keep our program organized while also flexible. 

Q: And how have you dealt with the technological challenges? How has your mission stayed the same over the years? 

A: I think what families are looking for is a relationship with teachers and students with other students. There are lots of free online programs– like Khan Academy– where there isn’t a teacher giving actual feedback on student work. And another thing that’s been interesting to see over the years is student interaction and how important it has been. The very first year I told my son (he was the web designer) that he had to figure out a way to make it so that students could comment. He had already been in some classes, but he had no idea who else was taking the course, which made the experience feel isolating. And it’s been fascinating to see; we’ve seen classmates who lived far apart that became good friends through our classes later become college roommates or form lifelong friendships. 

You always hear these negative things about online friendships and to watch out. I think in our program people can feel safe and trust that these are actual homeschooled students and they’ll be fun to get to know. 

Q: Yeah, and it’s really important, too, because we hear so much about how homeschoolers are isolated, how they don’t meet as many people, so when we do meet people we connect to it’s very powerful. 

A: Yes, I remember some years ago Mrs. Inspektor had her students enter the Peace Essay Competition (a competition that no longer exists). State winners were invited to D.C. for a national competition. And some years Mrs. Inspketor had multiple state winners. It was always funny that these “lone homeschoolers" already knew each other from online while all the others didn’t know anyone. 

Many kids participate in local co-ops and so on, but they have to hold back their enthusiasm for something because no one would be so interested. So they were getting together for social things, but not for learning. And a lot of our students love both, both socialization and learning– and they’re absolutely connected– and they often couldn’t find a good match in their community, while in our classes they could. 

Q: Yes, and to build on that, I think that having a community of intellectually stimulating peers helps us grow; you have classmates that are just as good as you to push your boundaries and challenge you.  

A: Exactly– they inspire you. I remember one student who remarked that she liked our community because everyone was so helpful to one another– that it wasn’t like if you did well, another did poorly. And she knew a lot of kids in her town and said that it was more of a cutthroat, “I’m better than you” atmosphere. She said it was so nice to be in a program where the ethos was helping one another. 

Teaching Assistants (TAs) have also been a part of this supportive community. None of our earliest classes had TAs, but over time more and more teachers started to have them. 

Q: What makes a good teacher? 

A: I think one of the key things is to appreciate the students– their initiatives, that they’re willing to take risks and take on new things. My learning philosophy is what is sometimes called  “growth mindset”– that it’s not that you’re a great student, but that you’re working hard, you’re showing perseverance. And as the director of our program, I certainly try to encourage kids to not be afraid of trying something challenging. People shouldn’t have to feel like “I tried it once and failed so I’ve failed.” 

Q: What are some of your favorite books? 

A: That’s a really hard question. I always find a new book I must have, and I always have a bunch of books going at once. I certainly found that as a homeschooling mother, I met many new books by reading to my kids. I never read, for example, Jane Austen as an English major. 

I do have a funny story about my previous favorite book. In 11th grade, we were assigned to read Moby Dick, and I was really insulted that they gave us an abridged version. So I tried to read the first 4 chapters, but I didn’t know anything about whaling and the language was dense. I promised myself when I graduated and had free time I would read the unabridged version. And I did. My first year in college I spent just reading Moby Dick– I learned all the references and studied it very well. And I loved it. So that just shows me that when students are engaged with a book and take it seriously, that really makes a difference. When you’re reading for self-motivating purposes that can be some of the best reading.

This interview was conducted by Gaia Daniel. Gaia is a sophomore from Minneapolis, MN, currently taking AP Lit with Mrs. Inspektor, AP US Gov with Mr. Munson, and AP Macro with Mr. Burns. She has previously taken AP Lang with Mrs. Inspektor and AP World History with Ms. Newman. Outside of school, Gaia is a prize winner of national and international piano competitions, most notably having recently been named a ‘25-'26 NPR From The Top Fellow.