About Me.
Hi and welcome to Jernigan Literary Services. My story began decades ago in a little country community in Maryland! Since then, I have lived in a couple different states and had some amazing opportunities in life! My husband and I currently live in Maryland where we raised and launched four children! We are so proud of them as they live their lives in three different states! We also have a relatively new daughter-in-law and a granddaughter, so life is full!
I attended James Madison University and studied English and Speech Communication. While I assumed I would do advertising and marketing for a for-profit organization, I began my professional career in ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and worked at the University of Virginia and East Carolina University as a campus staff minister. I then began working with a non-profit shelter in eastern North Carolina that served sexually assaulted and abused women. Those years in North Carolina doing college ministry and crisis intervention would serve to grow me and mature me in ways I could never have imagined!
Once children came along, they would become my focus and I love being a mom and now grandma. As the children entered their educational years, we decided to homeschool and ushered four children through K-12, with the help of a hybrid school. We pursued a classical education, and loved that there was a strong emphasis on logic, writing, speaking and the great books at this two-day per week school. I received an education all over again, reading all the wonderful classics with my children. While at the hybrid school, a dream or vision grew within me (and several others) to start a hybrid classical school nearer to us, and in 2017, that happened with the founding of Frederick East Classical. This would be a defining moment for me and the other founders, and we taught and administered with much excitement. With Covid, though, and some other life shifts, I left FEC in the hands of others and pursued teaching at a private school in my community, with the hopes of a more balanced life, adding to our retirement savings and fewer responsibilities! This move to the private school brought a sense of homeschooling again as I teach these students the same writing, speaking and logic skills as I taught my own children and we read all the great literature we can fit in during a school year. I am also able to dabble in the school's drama production and am honored to work with other teachers in mentoring scenarios.
With some extra time in the evenings and on weekends, I finally faced an unrealized goal...that of writing a book, sharing struggles and disappointments as I walked with the Biblical Joseph and pondered all that happened to him. This book will hopefully not be the last.
My husband and I are are members of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Frederick, Maryland and have been involved there for over 30 years, as part of the music ministry, teaching Sunday School and working within various ministries. This body of believers has become family! Outside of church, we both are full-time teachers and enjoy all things Star Trek, traveling to see our kids, and taking care of our canine princess, Gypsy.
How Can I Help?
Tutoring/Workshops
I do most of my tutoring in the summer for students who are hoping to improve skills in writing. Prices vary depending on the number of students and whether our sessions are virtual or in person. Tutoring fees generally run from $25-$50 per session.
Homeschool Help
After homeschooling for 23 years, participating in several co-ops and founding a two-day/week hybrid school, I have become familiar with curricula, teaching methods, and learning styles. I would love to meet with you, either in person or virtually, to help you think through your educational goals and how to get them started. Small consultation fee for first meeting with additional fees per hour beyond first meeting.
Women's Conference Speaking
During my time with InterVarsity, speaking at conferences was one of my greatest joys. I have continued to speak locally, but have expanded into full conference speaking. I can provide either one session or up to four sessions. Paid expenses and conference fee involved.