My name is Pam Asberry. I own and operate Asberry School of Music, which is located inside my home in Dacula, Georgia (near the Hamilton Mill area). I home school two sons, ages 11 and 16, and have an adult son who is a home school graduate.. I speak and write on the subject of home education. Information about all of these can be found here at the Norman James Academy website.

One of the first books I read on the subject of home schooling was "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. This book introduced me to the work of Charlotte Mason, an educator who lived at the turn of the century. Although Charlotte Mason lived many years ago, her ideas were ahead of her time. Her emphasis on using great books—she called them "living books"--in place of textbooks and workbooks was what really caught my attention. Although "For the Children's Sake" did much to help me formulate a vision for home education, it is not exactly a "how-to" manual. I struggled for several years to overcome my public school mentality, experimenting with various curriculum materials and educational methods, eventually dumping most of them. Instinctively, however, I always used great books as the framework for whatever we were studying, and eventually I found my way back to Charlotte Mason. I began following her suggestions for using so-called "living books" as the basis for all school subjects--especially language arts, science, art, and music--and now use her methods almost exclusively. The more I am able to let go of the institutional model of education, the more successful and happy our school days are.

This website began as a place to share some of what I have learned, both from personal experience and from others who have benefited from Charlotte Mason's approach to education. You will find lists of recommended resources, links to related websites, articles I have written, ordering information on our publications, and a copy of my speaking schedule.

Check back often, as I hope to add to this website frequently. And please e-mail me with any questions or concerns you might have. I love to talk about education!

Wishing you well,
Pam Asberry