Homeschooling: Pressure for Young Althletes?

Recently I was interviewed by sports Psychologist, Dr. Patrick Cohn and Lisa Cohn on the topic of the pressures of homeschooling. Many athletes who participate in competitive sports that take them to a national level make the decision to take their education outside of the brick and mortar school in order to pursue their personal goals whether it be on a motorcycle, snowboard, or horse track. Since On Track has provided young aspiring athletes with a private school education that can go with them wherever their passion takes them, I was happy to address this topic.


Let me first say that initially when motocross took my husband and our son to Texas for a national when he was only in 5th grade, I was naive to the fact that motocross would also be taking our family unit back and forth across the USA for the next 9 years. Being a teacher for over twenty years at that time, homeschooling was something I had mixed feelings about. Ten years later, I am very satisfied with our decision to home school our children and we made the world our classroom wherever we traveled.


As for the pressure on students who are given the privilege to attain a private school education in order to follow their personal goals, I feet that these students are relieved to be able to work independently as they travel to their competitions, training facilities, and are more organized and successful in general. The pressure of failing due to absences in a sport that is year round and the lack of understanding from most public schools regarding amateur motocross, disables most students from staying in a school and training to their fullest. Our student and parent testimonials can attest to this.


Pressure does exist, however, I feel that the pressure of home schooling falls on the parents. In order for an educational program to be successful it is my theory that a team approach to reaching goals is essential for student success. It can make or break the experience. As with anything in life worth attaining hard work is required by all, with homeschooling that means students, parents, and a team of dedicated teachers to help support the process!

To learn more about On Track School, call 888-325-0879 and click here.


To listen to our interview on March 30, 2011 click here.

Benefits of Private School Education

For students and families who make the decision to attain a private school education the benefits are outstanding. Currently there are over 6 million students who are enrolled in private schools in the United States. Approximately 3.5 million students in grades K-12 enrolled in a private school are home schooled. This number has tripled in the last eight years.

Among the benefits private schools are able to provide a safe environment, which supports the family environment honoring morals and values. In addition, private education provides a motivating approach toward attaining academic excellence with limited distractions allowing students to score higher on standardized tests. Students are twice as likely to go on to college, and participate in community events on a larger scale demonstrating their desire to become involved citizens.

The facts dispel the myths that have stood in the way of thinking outside the box when it comes to attaining a private education.

· Ninety percent of private high school graduates attend college, compared to 66 percent of public high school graduates.

· Private schools produce an annual savings to taxpayers estimated at more than $48,000,000,000.

· Private schools are racially, ethnically, and economically diverse. Twenty-three percent of private school students are students of color; twenty-eight percent are from families with annual incomes under $50,000.

· The participation of private school students in community service projects is significantly higher than their public school counterparts.

· The fear of students being socially delayed if attending a private home school has become a myth since these students learn to get along with a wide variety of people, making them more socially mature and better able to handle new situations.

To learn more about On Track Private School education click here or call 888-325-0879.

A New Year...and I am feeling good!

It has been too long since I wrote an On Track blog. Perhaps the New Year ringing in has inspired me as many others to write a new page, not only here, but in my life as well. When people asked if I had a New Year's Resolution when I was younger I would think to myself, "Okay, this is your moment, come up with something BIG!" Then something like, "I am going to quit smoking!", would come out of my mouth. Yes, I know it is hard to imagine, I did smoke back in the day. You know what though? Big resolutions can lead to big results.

Resolutions are like goals. Without them we achieve status quo, with them we try to go the distance. If I had not stated that out load I would not have tried. Grant you, I had to state this a few times, however, the end result is that I quit smoking 23 years ago. I read something today in one of my morning readings that I would like to share with you since I feel it is so relative to ALL of us.

• When I ask you what's your goal for your health in 2011? If you say, ‘I don't have one,’ then your goal is to stay the same.

• When I ask you what's your goal in your relationships? If you say, ‘I don't have one,’ then your goal is for them not to get any better.

• When I ask you what's your goal for your finances and getting out of debt? If you say, ‘I don't have one,’ then your goal is to stay in debt.

• When I ask you what's your goal for your business career? If you say, ‘I don't have one,’ then your goal is to just drift along.

So, I challenge you to join me, take the opportunity to step out in faith and believe in the things to come, the things that you cannot yet see, and SEE them. It doesn't matter if anyone else sees these things, these new goals of yours. You have to be the change in your life that you want to see. Now go and dream big... and you WILL get closer.

***excerpt shared from Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Making A Difference

With voting day this week, I find it interesting that so many young people of voting age would rather not vote than try one vote at a time to make a difference. It is frustrating for sure, and I easily see the point that most bring up when it comes to how to decipher through all of the messy advertisements slinging slander at one another. However, it is our country and our responsibility to have a voice for change, especially if we are unhappy with the current situation.
So I suggest educating yourself on the pros and cons of each candidate, do your homework and find out more about what the truth is behind the scenes, and get involved in your community. The bottom line is we are all too busy, right? Wrong!
In the end, this country will be the result of our actions or our lack of actions, one vote at a time!
It is really just like anything else in life: "If you think you can or you think you can't, you are right!"... Henry Ford

Pace Yourself

This month the message became loud and clear while attending Loretta's for what would be the 10th year. Only this time I would be there with my husband and not a racer, a race team, or our daughter who accompanied us most of these trips. Yes, we have a daughter. = )

Although the heat was truly unbearable, it was a great visit to be there without the pressure of racing and have the chance to connect with racing families that we have known for years and to also talk to new families about our new and enhanced 2010-2011 customized school program.

As the heat index rose to something insane like 124 degrees, watching our riders go out on the track with high expectations and then watching them come off like soldiers returning from battle drove the message home. Pace yourself. Whether it be in sports competition that demands every ounce of energy and strength or in life in general it is so important to do.

So many times we jump in and don't weigh the consequences and loose sight of the big picture. I was privileged to be a part of some amazing family discussions during my time at Loretta's and happy to report that there are benefits to pacing yourself and looking down the road to seeing the bigger picture.

Whatever it is that you do in life, take the time to digest it all when you come to the bumps in the road, or as Vanessa Redgrave calls them, "the messy bits", and think things through, have a plan, and feel free to modify as you go. Most importantly, have a little faith...

Where There is a Will...

It is true, where there is a will there is always a way. That has been my motto all of my life. It is in the students who share this view that I see success both on a personal and a professional level.
These individuals do not give up, instead they hold on to their dream and go for it, always making a sacrifice to get the job done.

It can be as simple as completing a course or more challenging as earning a high school diploma.
One thing I have noticed over the last 10 years of working with On Track students is that these same individuals are the ones who are able to make it happen on the track as well. They have learned that hard work pays off and that patience is the key. I think Trey put it best in his advice to my son Michael, "Keep on working hard and it will come...".

Sacrificing for the future goals that you want to get in life is hard, that is for sure, especially in a world of instant gratification. The lesson is seen in the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, our favorite movies when good out wins evil, and in everyday life when trials present themselves over and over again. A little faith can go a long way. Look at the legends of our sport and read their stories and you will understand that none of them reached that level of success overnight.

Plan B; by Andrea Leib Director of On Track

Nine years ago, when the idea of the On Track program was born, I used to say that it was essential for young athletes to have a PLAN B. Since education to many at that time was obviously not a priority, I was able to shed some much needed light on what has become my passion over the last 30 years, education. After all we all need a PLAN B, right?! I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you the announcers and promoters who gave me their time as I learned to take the mic into my own hands and give education a voice.

Now with current headlines showing the new national unemployment rate at 10.2% and foreclosures being held back intentionally by our banks due to government restrictions solely to keep our economy somewhat steady, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As these circumstances pertain to many of us who have been around the motocross industry since the 80's, it is unbearable to witness top professional motocross racers become privateers, not to mention the hundreds of riders who cannot afford to ride anymore without any support from the sponsors that backed them for years who now cannot continue in order to keep their doors open.

So what about PLAN B? Ironically, this year I have seen many of my graduates go on to college than any other year since 2000. On Track now offers many college level courses so we can offer young athletes incentives as they pursue furthering their education. College? Yes, you got that right! As times change so must our goals and aspirations. Do you have a PLAN B? Take time in this year and consider your options. Invest in yourself and you will go further in life!