Recently, my students asked me when I decided to become a teacher. I had to tell the embarrassing story of how I would come home from first grade, line my stuffed animals in rows in my bedroom, and teach school. Woody Woodpecker was the WORST student! He was always getting into trouble and being put in the corner.
Mrs. Hunt's first grade class at James Bowie Elementary, 1970. I am on the front row far left.
I did temporarily divert my dream of being a teacher during high school, because I fell in love with playing the flute and music, and so I entered college as a music major. Then, I quickly fell out of love with music when I had to take theory, and I could care less how a chord was made. I simply wanted to play the chords and enjoy the sound. The music appreciation class, which was requiring an individual to simply memorize the music and identify which era it came from rather than really appreciating the music, did not help my attitude either.
I promptly went back to the registrar's office, exited my music classes, and changed my major to elementary education.
As a result, education has been a part of my life, I suppose one could say, since I was six years old and in Mrs. Hunt's first grade class at James Bowie Elementary in Baytown. I graduated from Texas A & M and came back to teach at that school for over a decade. Once my boys were born, I chose to stay home. I later worked some small stints in private school, at junior college, and I homeschooled my boys and others over the years. I also have had, at various times, a thriving tutoring business. Throughout that time, I taught everything from emerging readers in second grade, to gifted and talented students, to reluctant learners, to struggling college readers and writers and a few other subjects in between.
So, in short, education has been a big part of my life - and homeschoolers and private schoolers are particularly close to my heart.
And so - I have created the Red Apple Closing Credit - so I can give back to those parents struggling, as I did, to homeschool my children and/or to find alternative learning environments because one size does not fill all.
How does the Red Apple Closing Credit work?
If you choose me as a realtor, to either buy or sell property (rentals excluded), and your child is being homeschooled and/or is enrolled in private school the day of closing, I will credit your account with $250 from my commission. $250 pays for a lot of school supplies. It can help with uniforms, which children grow out of way too fast. It can help with gas money and fees for field trips, etc.
If you are an employee of a private school? I will credit you as well with $250 at closing. Most private schools have awesome teachers, and they are not paid nearly enough.
Do you know someone who supports homeschool and/or private school? A grandparent or other family? A close friend? I will credit their Red Apple Closing Credit to the homeschool organization or private school of their choice!
This offer is good between now and May 31, 2024, so call me if you are interested in learning more!
Together, let's help our children succeed!
Donna Hechler Porter is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Elite Realty in Baytown, Texas. An educator, a published author, and an arm-chair historian, Donna runs a small publishing business in addition to educating people about how to build future wealth through home ownership. Feel free to contact Donna at dhporter@kw.com.
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