Hello! My name is Heather McKinsey.

I am the mom of three amazing children (ages 18, 16, and 12), and we also have one cat and our dog. I recently got married, and my husband Jeremy, is a teacher as well! Soon my name will be Heather Pusey! Together we have a blended family and also have four adult and teen children (ages 26, 25, 19, and 17), although they do not live with us. Our family is full, busy, and always on the go!

I have been an educator for the past 22 years, and I truly love helping children and families learn and grow. My teaching journey began in Santa Barbara, where I taught 4th grade at a Christian school. My family then moved to Irvine, where I took time away from the classroom to raise my children. During that season, I ran a family resource website where I shared ideas with parents about raising children, local events, and fun educational activities to enjoy in Orange County. It was such a rewarding experience.

After several years, I returned to the classroom and taught TK through 4th grades in Modesto and then later in Clovis. In 2020, my children and I moved to Clovis, where I continued to teach and eventually came to Yosemite Valley Charter. I have always loved homeschooling and teaching reading and was so excited to be given this opportunity to homeschool my own child, as well as help all of you achieve your dreams of your homeschool journey. 

This is my fourth year with Yosemite Valley Charter, and I absolutely love being part of this incredible school community! 

When I'm not working, you'll usually find me outdoors. I love hiking, paddle boarding, playing pickleball, taking walks, reading, visiting coffee shops and discovering new places with my family. My three children stay busy with volleyball, gymnastics, and track, so I spend plenty of time driving from one activity to the next—but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love cheering them on and being part of those special moments. As a family, we also enjoy serving together at our church, and it brings me so much joy to watch my kids use their gifts to serve others.

I am so excited to partner with each of you this year! I truly believe homeschooling is an incredible way to educate children, and I look forward to getting to know your family, sharing conversations over coffee, and watching your children learn and grow throughout the year.