Our Story
Hello! I'm Shelby!
A wife, mother of three, and the founder of Lighthouse School and Resources. I started this space to share a deeper look into our homeschooling journey as well as provide tangible resources that you can use in your own home just like us!
Q+A
Tell us a little about you.
I am originally from the United States and have an educational background in design and marketing. In 2016 I married my Desi best friend and together we are raising our two boys in India! I don't necessarily like to call ourselves expats because we are technically half Indian. But living in a country like India has been so rich for our family and I thoroughly enjoy it!
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Fun facts about me: I am a first gen homeschooler, which means I don't know what I am doing half the time, my favorite drink is an ice cold bubble tea and my favorite food is an American casserole. My favorite snack is Dahi Puri (or really any kind of chat!) and my favorite dessert are brownies! I love to design things, however I can't draw. I play guitar and I LOVE to travel!
Where did you get the name Lighthouse School?
Lighthouse School was named in honor of my late mother. She had her masters in Early Childhood Education and Development as well as her very own preschool classroom. She loved Lighthouses as she spent most of her childhood living next to one on the Pacific Coast. I get alot of what I know from her so it only felt right to name this space after her legacy.
Lighthouses are often symbolic for the light that we share with the world around us. They are also known for their strong foundation which is symbolic for the impact we can have when our light shines bright from the foundation that is built-up right.
Why do you homeschool?
There are a few practical reasons why we have chosen to homeschool our boys. Practically speaking, we travel a lot from US to India. So taking school with us just seemed right. I also wanted to incorporate both US History + Language as well as Indian History + Language -- which we both couldn't get in any one physical school.
But more than that, I wanted to give my children the very best education and childhood that I possibly could. I also wanted to spend as much time with them as I physically could. I wanted to be in charge of what they learned, and when / how they learned it. I wanted them to love nature and experience the world around them first hand. I didn't want them to be restricted to four walls and I wanted to pursue their desires and passions even from a young age.
The list could go on, but being their teacher and doing school at home has been the absalute best fit for us!
What are Montessori Mats?
The idea started when I finally grew tired of doing our Montessori style, homeschool activities on the hard floor on a blanket.
I was reading a blog one day on the life and legacy of Dr Maria Montessori herself when I happened to take note of the mats she used on the floor for her students. Something I had always known before, but just never thought to actually do in our own home.
This began my search for how I could create a Montessori style mat, with a modern spin.​
Mats that are based not only on tradition but on academics too.
So I started designing all the mats myself.
Our mats are printed by a family owned production facility in Jodhpur, India where we have been able to source traditional Rajasthani textiles for all of our mats.
My hope and dream is that they can be a foundation piece to invite education and learning into your home in a wholesome way.
What will I find here?
On this blog, you will find inspiration, hopefully encouraging you that it is possible to educate your children at home.
You will find downloadable resources to help you along your journey.
As well as physical wooden and mat resources that you can incorporate in your playroom.
All with the highest quality, and the most practicality!
From one mama to another!
