This week, as part of our ~monthly installation of VOICES, we hear from Tiffany Diamond. She tells her story of leaving traditional school environments to start her own school. Maybe you can identify with her struggles.
Tiffany gets kudos for taking a leap of faith and creating a learning environment truly centered around children. Check it out.
In other news, our two October fairs are shaping up nicely. If you’re an education provider or homeschooler in the Hudson/Nashua area, register for a slot!
-Jody
Jody Underwood, Ph.D
President, Education Options
[If someone forwarded this post to you, please consider subscribing to EdOpt.]
TEACHER VOICES
Because Children Deserve Better
By Tiffany Diamond
For fourteen years, I worked in charter, private, and public schools. Over time, I noticed a disheartening pattern: traditional classrooms were failing the very kids they were meant to support.
I saw smart children put their heads down on cold desks and refuse to engage and others overwhelmed, stressed, and completely unmotivated. While there were wonderful teachers in every building, the traditional system still turned learning into a set of mechanical tasks. Children were losing their spark and simply didn’t enjoy school anymore.
I knew there had to be a better way to support a child’s entire growth. While finishing my Master’s Degree, I took a leap of faith to pave a new path. I left the security of traditional education to start Evergreen Elementary, a independent private school in Hudson, New Hampshire.
We officially opened our doors in 2024 with 6 students. Today, we serve 20 students in grades PreK-1st and will grow through grade 5th grade in the coming years.
I built Evergreen on a simple idea: challenging, exciting learning must go hand-in-hand with emotional trust and strong support systems. I wanted to welcome parents into the process, giving families a real look into their child’s daily growth instead of relying on gaps in learning and report card benchmarks.
Today, Evergreen is full of life. Students are excited for school. We watch kindergarteners sit down to write their own stories just for the fun of it. We see children who used to struggle with severe anxiety step up as kind mentors for younger classmates.
Leaving the traditional system wasn’t just a career change for me. Leaving the system and creating a new path was a way to give childhood back to our kids. When you offer children freedom, strong academics, and real support, learning becomes the adventure it was always meant to be.
To learn more about our school and community, visit us at www.EvergreenElementary.org
Upcoming EdOpt Fairs
- Saturday October 3 from 2-4pm, Evergreen Elementary in Hudson (near Nashua) will host a fair. It’ll be a Fall Fest theme with a food truck (the same one from our Bow fair!) and Truck-or-Treat fun! The fair will be both indoors and outdoors. Education providers and attendees can register here.
- Saturday October 24 from 9am-1pm. Join us in Loudon (near Concord). It’ll be held indoors at the Benjamin Franklin Academy Charter School, 157 Chichester Rd in Loudon, in conjunction with a 5k run, so we expect a lot of families to show up. Education providers and attendees can register here.
Let us know if you want to organize a fair in your area.
Let your friends know about these fairs. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise. Also, follow us and share our events and posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
About EdOpt
EdOpt is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose aim is to help families understand all their education options, from non-traditional (homeschooling, homeschool co-ops, microschools) to traditional (charter schools, private schools, tech centers, dual enrollment, learn everywhere).
Use our website to find education providers options around the state. If your organization isn’t there, please enter it!
EdOpt also provides guidance to help you figure out what will suit your children. Set up a FREE Education Options consultation today.
Also check out our AI Assistant, the EdOpt Navigator, available on every page on our website. It’s wicked smaht about education in New Hampshire.
