Hi, I’m Kelly Sage. I am an ELA (English Language Arts) teacher, the person behind Curiosity Encouraged, and the founder & teacher of the online community Creative ELA.
The short version-
I write, mother, teach, and live with my people (see more about them below) in a little hidden hollow.
I teach and tutor on Creative ELA, Outschool, and Cambly. I am also a co-creator and teacher at Kindred Explorers, and I facilitate creative writing circles for women at Women Writing for (a) Change.
Teaching and Mentoring ~ I taught middle/high school English for nine years in public and private schools. Much of my work focused on helping neurodiverse students with dyslexia and other learning differences. Always drawn to the child/teen who hates school, I love helping kids overcome challenges and find confidence.
I started teaching and tutoring online in 2017. Since then, I have taught hundreds of kids and adults from around the world. Some of these students are learning English; some need help with their English classes, standardized test-taking, or getting a high school on the SAT. Some students need help with reading and writing, some hate ELA, and others love it.
My youngest students are four, and my oldest students are 80+ years old.
I’m so lucky to work with all types of learners in all sorts of ways!
My mentoring, blog, and shop help homeschoolers, teachers, and families create family rhythms, problem-solve through challenges and struggles, organize all aspects of their lives, lead reading/writing workshops, create conscious learning environments, and build connections in homes and classrooms.
The long version-
My Journey ~ I wrote for nine years on a blog called Sagetribe. If you’ve been with me since then- thank you!
Now retired, it held a record of my life as a woman learning to mother her children and herself.
In my early life, I lived with an ER nurse, a Special Agent, a little sister, and a house full of pets. I was a diplomat living in the Middle East twice.
The year I turned twelve, I started working with children. That summer, I hosted a neighborhood summer camp in my parent’s backyard and created a babysitting club. Ever since, in some capacity, I’ve tried to help children love to learn.
Before I became a teacher, I worked as an aide at an experiential preschool, I was a lead preschool teacher, a nanny, and a respite caregiver.
I have mentored many teachers and worked with countless families.
Much of my teaching has focused on helping children who struggle, but I’ve learned that at some point, we will all have a child who feels challenged. There are ways to help them.
I believe in using writing as a tool for change and healing, in the importance of seeking simple joys and self-care.
I am a lifelong learner. I am always looking for ways to clear the clutter in my mind and house. I love creating cozy spaces, cooking nourishing yummy foods, finding places to explore, and being outside.
I have lived in 12 houses and moved 14 times. I became a homeowner at age of 40. We hope this is our forever home. It is the first time in my life a move isn’t pending. It is the first time in 40 years I feel like I am home.
I love writing retreats, seek truth-tellers, and look forward to the first sip of coffee every morning.
Samples of my writing life can be found here.
My Sage Family
While I no longer blog solely about my people, they are very much part of my journey, helping me learn and encouraging me!
We are the Sages. I am also a Gleason.
Two legs- Clark, Kelly, Clark, and Sophia.
Four legs- Casey Jones, Annie, Gerdy, and Carmen
Our family is passionate about creating and choosing the life we live. We are makers, writers, teachers, and artists.
We are introverts and extroverts.
We struggle with anxiety and depression.
We care about the Earth, animals, where our food comes from, and how our choices impact others. Some of us believe spiritual energy guides us.
I’m on and off on social media, but you can find old postings of our adventures on Instagram.
Thank you for being here.
~ Kelly Sage
