About

Welcome!

I believe the way we choose to invest in our children is one of the greatest ways you and I will have an impact in this life.  From their earliest days our little ones begin learning at an incredible pace. And as parents we are our children’s first teachers.

My goal is to provide you with inspiration and encouragement as you meet the needs of your unique children. Homeschooling during the preschool years and beyond can be a wonderful experience. It can also be an intimidating prospect. Teaching is hard work, but it can also be a calling. I believe  that if you have children you can be sure God has called you to be a parent– and if He has called you He will equip you for this good work.

I also believe that you can be your child’s greatest teacher because I experienced this as my mother, who struggled in school herself, gave me an amazing K-12 homeschool education. I know homeschooling won’t work in every family circumstance, but I do want to encourage those who are interested but need more information and support. There is an incredible amount of resources available to help you achieve your homeschooling goals– and no matter how many negative voices you may hear there are also those of us ready to cheer for you as you take on each new challenge.

I want to hear about your fears and successes– as well as your ideas, suggestions, favorite resources, and biggest challenges. Please send an e-mail to teri@thebrightyears.com, sign-up for e-mail updates at the top of this page (or the bottom of the page on a mobile device), and join the discussion in the comments section. I would also love to have you join in the discussion on facebook through The Bright Years Homeschool Encouragement Group or connect with me on Twitter: @tericapshaw.

Through monthly (or more often) posts I plan to share my adventures in this parenting journey as my almost-five-year-old daughter begins her elementary education, my two-and-a half-year-old son begins dabbling in preschool topics, and my eight-month-old son does his level best to eat their books. I will also provide information about useful products I’ve found along the way (including books the baby can’t possibly eat).

These early years are a time to treasure and make memories as a bright-eyed child asks you “why” one more time–even if slowly driving you crazy in the process. 🙂

Teri’s Background

Teri currently lives in Taichung, Taiwan with her husband, Jesse, and their three children. They plan to return to Idaho in 2016.

Teri grew up in the United States near Sturgis, South Dakota training horses, participating in rodeos, raising small animals, and learning about the small businesses owned by her parents and grandparents. Following her K-12 homeschool education she was accepted into Black Hills State University. As a freshman she landed a job writing for the local Lawrence County Centennial Newspaper. The following year she was hired as a weekend reporter at KOTA-TV. In 2005 she accepted a position as evening news producer for KBCI-TV (now KBOI-TV) in Boise, Idaho.

After meeting and marrying her husband in 2006, Teri opened a custom sewing business in 2007. In 2009 the couple moved to Mannassas, Virginia– near the nation’s capital. There Teri joined Campaign for Liberty, a non-profit educational and lobbying organization, where she soon became the Donor Relations Officer. That was a job she continued to enjoy doing from home even after her daughter, Eliana, was born in 2010 and the family returned to Idaho for her son, David’s, birth in 2012.

In early 2014 the family moved to Taiwan where the couple’s youngest son, Jonathan, was born in October.