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Jeff W., North Dakota

I’m giving my first FIS this evening to a group of homeschoolers that live 75 miles north of me (Grand Forks, ND). They want me to come up once a week to give lessons. They’re willing to pay my regular monthly fee, plus split the mileage costs amongst themselves. I have rsvp’s from 5 families, so I know there is definitely some good interest there!

I haven’t decided where I’ll give the lessons if this actually works out. I know the pastor at a church in Grand Forks and he’s letting me give my FIS there. I don’t know, yet, whether or not I can use the church to give lessons once a week. Otherwise I might see if one of the families in each group is willing to host the lessons at their home. I’ll have to cross that bridge when and if I get there, I guess.

Anyway, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for and give this FIS. I’m not nervous, yet, but I know it’s coming!!

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In response to this, a question was asked:

Just curious, Jeff, are they willing to pay for your travel time as well as gasoline? What will you do when weather does not permit travel?

Jeff replied:

Yep, they’re paying for everything — travel time, lunch, gasoline — got it all covered. As far as weather, I guess we may just have to have a few cancelations if necessary. Then I can offer a make-up lesson on another day or credit the following month’s lesson fees, whatever I decide will work best.

Thanks for the question, though. I’m leaving home in about 1/2 an hour, so the time is drawing nigh. Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement. I know it will go well, it’s just the whole speaking in front of people thing, plus the first time doing an FIS. I just want to get everything right, you know?

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Later that evening, Jeff added this:

Well, my first FIS went fabulously, despite the fact that I forgot my notes at home!! I did the whole thing from memory and when I got home, I looked over my notes and discovered that I didn’t leave out anything. 

Watching the video several times over the last week and doing mock presentations with my family really paid off!!

I had rsvp’s from 5 families with a combined total of 12 interested students. Six families came and 9 students signed up immediately after the presentation. A couple of families took enrollment forms home with them to send me later. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t, but I thought 9 students was pretty good for the first time – and without notes!!

Just had to let y’all know how it went.

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And the next morning, in response to a further question, Jeff added:

There were a LOT of questions asked after the presentation. Many of them dealt with ages and maturity levels of different students, some were regarding group lessons and how they work; whether different ages of children or different levels of experience could be in the same group together (all to accomodate siblings). 

Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the presentation. I had Jonathon, an 8 year old boy, come up to do the demonstration on the RH of Ode to Joy. He did a fantastic job and the rest of the people were incredibly impressed. After the session, Jonathon asked if he could go up to the piano and play it again. I said that he could, and so he did … again and again and again and again … He was so thrilled to be able to play something recognizable on the piano that he couldn’t stop!! He and his two younger brothers all three signed up.

I won’t be able to start my lessons in Grand Forks until October because we have our sixth baby due on September 30th, and I’m forbidden by my wife to travel between now and then. But people took home extra business cards and brochures to give to everyone they know. That’s how impressed they were with the program. I brought up 30 brochures, there were 6 families in attendence, and only 5 brochures were left. 

So, that was my experience. I’m glad it went well and that it’s done. I’m looking forward to my next one and actually having my outline in front of me!!