I'm excited to be part of the Old Schoolhouse Magazine's State Coordinator team. My name is Colleen Smith and my husband, Les, and I have been homeschooling our children since 1992. We started homeschooling when living in B.C., Canada when our eldest son was entering 2nd grade. Over the years we have changed our homeschooling style using various packaged curriculum to computer based learning, unit studies and finally settling on unschooling as our preferred method.

Kevin, our eldest was homeschooled the longest and was placed in a Christian school for 11th grade, only to be promoted to 12th grade after the first quarter, graduating 3rd in his class. At 21, he is now working as a video editor and programmer for a computer media company here on Guam and attending Guam Community College part time. We continue to homeschool our other four children, Adam - 17, Stephanie - 11, Eric - 6 and Cassandra - 3. We live on the tropical island of Guam in the Mariana Islands and have been here for 10 years now. My husband and I own and operate our own driving school.

I have always been involved in the homeschool group of my community. Back in B.C., Canada, I helped coordinate a homeschool "Friday" group where parents volunteered to teach music, art, drama, cooking and P.E. activities each week. Once I came to Guam I contacted the local homeschool group here and have held various jobs over our 10 years here. I was the newsletter editor for 2 years, and am the current coordinator and "webmistress" for our group's website: http://www.tumon.com/ghsa. I have also helped plan and organize our annual curriculum fair and have been actively involved on the leadership team at various times.

I'm looking forward to keeping the Old Schoolhouse Magazine updated on Guam's homeschooling events. Public schools on Guam are overcrowded and underfunded. Private education is often too costly for families on limited incomes. Homeschooling is fast becoming a popular alternative for Guam families.

There are many other wonderful places to visit on this island:
Talafofo Falls
Tropical Fruit World
Chamorro Village
Ritidian Wildlife preserve and Brown Tree Snake research facility
Fish Eye Park
Gef Pa'go Caves
Jungle River Boat Cruise

World War II buffs will enjoy visiting actual landing sites of the American forces that liberated Guam from the Japanese. There are also ancient Spanish fortresses from the days of Magellan here.

Educational Book & Learning Stores

Church Related & Umbrella Schools