Happy Hive Homeschooling

Christy is a homeschool mom in California. She didn't send her 3 "bugs" to school because she knew no one would be a better teacher than she is. (Christy tends to be a bit over the top) She was also terrified, quite frankly. Christy didn't want her kids to call her "mom" all day, and it was really awkward to have them call her "Mrs. Gandara" - so during their first week of school, the kids and Daddy brainstormed together and came up with a special teacher name just for the Happy Hive (then the Gandara Bug Academy). - Mrs. Crabtree... the name comes from the teacher in the Little Rascals television show. The best "curriculum" the Happy Hive Homeschool ever used was off the cuff vs textbooks. One year we based everything we did on the "Holiday of the Day". It was an amazing year full of learning and memories. This website is dedicated to helping you use such Holiday learning in your educational endeavors. Christy was also a classroom teacher in California, holding a valid California Credential and teaching in multiple grades K-8, with the emphasis on grades 3-5 for the majority of her 19 year career. She has experience working in both public and private schools. Christy now works with families who are Homeschooling their children. She provides support to those who withdraw from public, private or charter schools as well as those who wish to home educate continuously from birth.

Personal connections matter. Find curriculum that fits the students, not the standards.

In May of 2019 Christy was awarded the Catholic Board for Inclusion’s “Dandy Award” for her work with students; advocating for and accepting all students despite different abilities, continually demonstrating kindness and compassion. Christy genuinely believes that every human learns differently and strives to allow that to thrive in whatever educational environment their family chooses for them.

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Christy lives with her husband, three children, 3 cats, 1 dog and loves to sit with the backyard birds and squirrels.