Chief Operating Officer
tobylauren@wisdomhomeschooling.com
tobylauren.burgess@gilbertineinstitute.com
"There are no teachers, only learners - it is my job as a teacher to create a learning environment." - Monty Roberts
From a young age, TobyLauren thrived in an environment where conversation and curiosity reigned supreme—no baby talk here! By four, she was already an avid reader and adventurous spirit. Eagerly anticipating her first day of school, she quickly found herself disenchanted, often left to color while her peers engaged in lessons. This led her to embrace homeschooling mid-way through grade 3, a decision that allowed her to explore her passions for horse training, agriculture, painting, writing, and both learning and teaching piano and violin.
After college, TobyLauren joined WISDOM full-time, starting as Associate Office Manager in 1999 and advancing to Business Manager in 2007. In 2020, she became the Chief Operating Officer of The Gilbertine Institute, WISDOM’s school authority. To further enhance her expertise, she returned to school to earn her Master of Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurial Management—a journey that has enriched her contributions to the organization. In addition to her operational role, she enjoys representing WISDOM at conferences and supporting parents and students.
TobyLauren is happily married to Jim, and together they raise their three youngest children on a 'back to basics' homestead, with the elder two having graduated and left home. Their educational philosophy blends various approaches, emphasizing a love of learning while avoiding the constraints of traditional schooling. By nurturing curiosity and creativity, they aim to cultivate a fulfilling educational experience for their children.