Meet our Director Sarah Marie Paul.

She and her husband Steve immediately fell in love with the property that Home Free Acres lies on and bought the 12.5 acre property in October of 2020. They were originally going to home goats in the barn but, were called to make it into a one room schoolhouse. Their goal was to create a nonprofit, drop off, homeschool co-op where students would be able to spend most of their time outside, running free, learning off the land as the seasons change. In summer of 2021, that happened with Home Free Acres summer camp program. In the next few years, they hope to expand the barn into a larger area and be able to open enrollment to middle school aged children. 

 

Sarah spent 10 years teaching the PA public school system as a Kindergarten teacher, 1st grade teacher, ESL teacher and Reading Specialist/teacher trainer. She was awarded Pottstown SD teacher of the year before she “retired” to start her own business in 2017. You can find her wearing an apron, baking sourdough, tending to her chickens, lathering on oils & homeopathic remedies while reading a pile of books that live on her nightstand.

Meet our teaching assistant Ann

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Ann is a nature loving mom of three who unschooled her now adult children through their entire learning journey.  She had a successful network marketing business when her kids were young, and then became a certified holistic health coach who has studied many areas of health.  She also teaches workshops, leads retreats, and teaches cooking classes.  Ann has also worked as an educator, with GMO Free PA. She has co facilitated a children’s food and farming program at a friend's organic farm for the last two years. She is always happy to chat with parents about her homeschool experiences and help them to create an wonderful learning foundation for their children while sharing her wisdom and tips she has learned along the way. 

Meet our Lead Teacher Miss Beth

I am a mother of four and a grandmother to five. I love spending time with my family making beautiful memories. I love traveling, and feel that it gives me a lot of experience to share with the children. I am constantly learning new things from people and through self guided research. I feel this approach makes me well rounded as both  a person and teacher. My degrees are in Early and Elementary Education. I also have a degree in Childcare Management with a focus on Child Development. Although I believe that my education was a foundation for teaching, I feel strongly that experience working directly with children is vital to understanding their needs and interests. My goal is to get to know each child as an individual. I strive to build trust with the group and maintain a healthy safe and environment where they are able to thrive. I also believe that children benefit greatly from learning independence as it helps to build confidence. My reward seeing happy children learning new things, enjoying the outdoors and building relationships that last. I try to see things through the children's eyes which isn't difficult since I'm a big kid at heart.

Meet our teaching assistant Joan Smith

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I grew up in Pottstown and graduated from Pottstown High School. Teaching always

topped my list of career choices. Graduating from Elizabethtown College fulfilled that

dream. I taught my entire career at Rupert Elementary School in Pottstown. I feel

blessed to have taught there. In fact, that is where I met Sarah and had the joy of

teaching first grade with her for a few years before I retired!

I live in Boyertown with two resident furbabies who basically ‘rule the house’!

Retirement has allowed me to experience many new opportunities. Spending time at

HFA is a delight!