Today we’d like to introduce you to Maricela Luna.
Maricela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved my job as a teacher and high school counselor. Early last year, after much contemplation, I left a secure job with a public school district to reach the underserved homeschooling community at a time of great need. I opened up a little office where I’d consult with families interested in homeschooling and who needed guidance on how to navigate through the system. I started with just a handful of high school students that had dropped out of high school and/or intended to. I provided them with curriculum, post-secondary guidance, and proud to say that they finished my program. Soon my former colleagues and a homeschool hub called FEAST (Family Educator’s Alliance of South Texas) whom I work closely with, started referring families that were in search of a program like mine to partner with. My small multi-purpose office was soon overgrown and I mustered the courage to leap into a larger learning center. I just celebrated my first-year anniversary on July 1st which was the same day that I opened up my new collaborative learning center. This would not had been possible without the help of VELA Funds, sponsors, and my awesome team. I am excited about Pathways HomeEd’s new endeavors!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Well it has certainly been quite a journey! One of the challenges I have faced stem from lack of funding in order to support families that need a little more assistance than others. Some of the families we work with are not financially equipped to provide their children with adequate educational resources. This has posed a few challenges for these students that have the drive and potential to thrive in a homeschooling environment. Since we are currently a “for-profit” business, funding is nearly non-existent. Our goal is to convert Pathways HomeEd to a non-profit organization so that we are provided with more grant opportunities. We believe that if every student has at least one working electronic, transportation vouchers, paid post-secondary entrance exams and dual credit courses, he/she will be on a brighter road to success!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pathways HomeEd?
I love to build relationships with parents, students, and families I work with. I pride myself on having the ability to encourage and support my students so that they can complete my program successfully and have a post-secondary plan in place. As a guidance counselor, I target social-emotional learning before academics so that students are understood and supported in the best way possible. I am proud of the feedback/reviews I have received thus far. Working with a student that struggled in the public school system, graduate from homeschool, and is now accepted with a full scholarship to a private 4-year university is priceless! My job is not a job, I believe it is a calling. As I move forward with a small team that shares the same vision, we are slowly changing lives one student at a time. Our services have expanded from serving at-risk high school students to now serving various homeschooling families with different needs, as well as middle school students. Every student is unique, and our approach is not cookie cutter. We specialize in meeting individual needs depending on their goals and post-secondary plans. Partnering with homeschooling parents is what we do best and look forward to further growing our program to meet more homeschooling needs.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Playing outside with my neighborhood friends is definitely one of my favorite childhood memories. I may have not known it then but looking back at those days now, I cherish every moment I spent outside, playing baseball, riding my bike, climbing trees, and playing hide and seek with my siblings and friends. This is not the norm today and wish our kids could experience being a kid on a hot summer day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PathwaysHomeEd.com
- Instagram: @pathwayshomeed
- Twitter: @HomeEdCounselor
