It's Nice to Meet You!
Thanks for visiting my website! If we could be face-to-face, I'd offer you a cup of coffee (or tea, if you swing that way) and we could talk about the latest books. You're here to learn about me...a very humbling thought! I'm not super interesting, but hey! I'm a writer...I'll spin a tale of wonder about my life for your reading pleasure.
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If you love waking early to read outside, walking through nature trails, and quiet music, we have much in common. If you also live in Michigan, are a stay-at-home mom and drive an over-sized, gas-guzzling truck (sorry Earth!), then we will be fast-friends! If your favorite moments are sandwiched between raising four kids, trying to write the next NY Times bestseller and make dinner, we need to talk!
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For a few years I tried my hat at teaching and I loved it! (Hi to all my students from St. Thomas the Apostle in G.R. M.I.! Drop me a line!) But the draw to be a mother was stronger than my desire to keep excellent lesson plans. When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I left teaching behind for a time and have stayed home. Last fall marked the beginning of our 12th year homeschooling my daughters; an experience in parenting unlike anything I had ever hoped. In October I went back to work part-time as the Faith Formation Coordinator at my Parish. It is hands-down the best job ever!
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Seven years ago, we were blessed with a son through adoption. He's added a level of activity in our household that I had only seen from a distance. My heart and mind have been stretched by his arrival and I am a stronger person for it! He's a gift from God, a spunky addition to the Schaub clan, and he completes our family.
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With every job, within every organization I've worked, we were driven by a mission statement. I've written my own - for my life and my writing - To be a beacon of faith and hope and to write stories that do the same. That said, I work extra hard to not preach, but to entertain. I strive to create worlds with flawed characters who overcome darkness through the basic elements of Christian faith.
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Today I'm working on marketing my current book, writing the next one, re-learning algebra, grading a few spelling tests, preparing a science experiment, and working in the barn. Tomorrow will be much of the same, but we'll try to do a little laundry and cooking.
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Blessings to your day!
Jessica
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As a parent, I understand the pressures of raising children. As a homeschooling parent, that pressure is enhanced by the fact that my husband and I are soley responsible for teaching our children everything they will need to know to lead meaningful lives.
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Reading is the first step in any education.
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With my Master's Degree in Reading Instruction, I help parents take small steps to increase their children's reading success is big ways.
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I also present on the idea of Living Our Stories. Every life can be a bestseller or a back-shelf dud. By examining the parts of a classic story, I break apart the worldly ideals of success and dive into the aspects of a successful story, lived intentionally, and for a purpose.
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I would be happy to come to you parent group, MOPS meeting, church groups, or school to talk to parents about what reading really is, how parents play a vital role in the success their children can find in education, and simple things al parents can do at home to Raise Readers.
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Contact me if you have any questions.
Press Kit
Who is Jessica Schaub?
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​A wife and a mother, a sister and daughter, coffee addict and fan of wine-tasting . She wakes early to write, spends the day homeschooling her four children, and loves to volunteer at her church - her home-away-from home. ​
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During pleasant Michigan weather, Jessica packs up her exercise videos and takes up running. "My children and I make an effort to visit every playground in a 50 mile radius each summer."
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Her family is a musical group; her husband plays his guitar at Mass and her children play several instruments each. "I try to join in as much as possible, but my daughters have reached the point that they are advancing faster than I am. I'm not worried. Every musician needs an audience."
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"One of our committee members thought that this was our best speaker of the year and we all thought it was a thoughtful, inspiring evening."
Emily Rottinghaus, chair, Women's Walk
Areas of Expertise
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Jessica has uncanny skills of cooking and editing at the same time, changing a diaper in 15 seconds flat, tracking lesson plans for her homeschooled children, and making yogurt from scratch. She can also stretch a budget, make eggs work for any meal, and quote any line from the Princess Bride.
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With a M.Ed. in Education from Grand Valley State University, Jessica loves teaching children how to read, to understand what they read, and express thoughts, ideas, and budding stories through writing. She has helped parents help their children become strong readers.
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As a former Junior High Language Arts teacher and now as a homeschooler, she has put her expertise in action for over 16 years. Jessica leads an Enrichment Day and will begin an Academic Co-op Day for area homeschoolers seeking other like-minded families in education.
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Jessica speaks to MOPS, church groups, and parent groups about reading education at home: How to Raise Readers. For young adults interested in writing, Jessica leads workshops that enhance understanding of basic story-telling devices, as well as helping students find places to publish their work. Elementary and Middle Grade students will enjoy Jessica's Story Behind the Story presentation.
Writing With Adults. journal writing, specifically: how to use journals to capture heritage, faith, to break down intergenerational barriers. It's all about keywords, the love of story, and knowing that children and grandchildren benefit from learning true stories.
Contact Links
© 2012 by SAMANTA JONES