About Me

I’m so happy you are here! I hope Teaching Nook will be a source of inspiration and encouragement on your journey – whether you’re a homeschool parent and teacher, school teacher, or just an all around great Mom, Dad, or other adult caring for children.

Born Bethany Ruth Wheeler, I grew up the youngest of five daughters – yes, I was the baby of the family, a title you never outgrow! After graduating from Houghton College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and early education, I got married to Chris and worked at various places: Radio Shack, an asbestos removal company, a plumbing and heating company, State Farm, St. Bonaventure University, and a few other odd jobs here and there. For six years, I was the Program Coordinator for the Houghton College’s adult degree completion program in Olean, NY. There I did a little of everything from recruiting students and admissions to evaluating transcripts and life experience.

When our family decided to move to Florida, I became a full-time homeschool Mom.  We had so much fun exploring everything Florida had to offer. We joined Willow Creek Home Educators in Winter Springs and Northland (now NearHim) Home Educators in Longwood. I served as a board member for several years for both groups. In 2002, with the help of many amazing parents, we started co-op classes at NearHim Home Educators for which I’ve had the pleasure to serve as Director and watch it grow from 18 families to 59! After fifteen amazing years, we have retired from homeschooling. We look forward to this next leg of the journey. Phew!

In the meantime, I’ve avoided “empty nest syndrome” with a full-time career as the Children’s Ministry Curriculum Associate at Northland, A Church Distributed. How awesome is it that I would be able to continue working with children and curriculum?!

I think I will always find somewhere to teach and that’s why I decided to create Teaching Nook. After thirty years of teaching children and youth, fifteen years of homeschooling, and countless co-op classes,  I want to share what I’ve done and what I’ve learned with you.

Teaching is cool.

Bethany Wheeler Durys