Interview with Amber Trani:
What came first – homeschooling or your sport? Were you already homeschooled or did you begin homeschooling to meet your training requirements?
I attended a public school from kindergarten to sixth grade. I started home schooling in seventh because I needed to be able to spend more time in the gym.
Tell us a little more about your homeschooling. Do your parents teach you, do you have a tutor, do you do online schooling? What curriculum do you use?
I use Bridgeway Academy, it involves booklets that I read and fill out. I have a tutor for math.
What is a typical day for you?
I usually wake up around 6:50 and get ready and leave for gym by 7:50. I work out until 3:30, come home and do school work. Then I eat dinner, shower and do more school work. After that if there is time, I watch some TV or go online before going to bed.
Is your family part of a homeschool support group? Do you participate in any homeschooling activities, classes or field trips?
No, I am not involved in a home school support group. But I get to do a lot of traveling with my sport.
What strategies do you use to keep focused and manage your time? Do you do all your schooling in a "block" of time, or one subject now and another one whenever?
To stay focused I just remind myself that no matter how good of an athlete you are, you need to have an education to fall back on. I do alternate between two subjects until they are finished and then I move on to two more. For me, that works best.
Are there any components that you end up short-cutting or eliminating altogether (like library time, report writing, other things that can take up loads of time)?
No, I try not to eliminate anything that would normally be done in school.
What are your favorite classes or subjects?
History has been my favorite subject this year.
Do you study while you are at camp or traveling for events? If so, do you do your classes online, reading, etc.?
I study whenever I can. If I have a (national women's team training) camp I bring my school with me and do it during our break and at night. I also bring it with me when I'm traveling to competitions. All of my school work is done in booklets.
It is often said that homeschoolers are isolated and lack social skills. With your homeschooling experience, what is your opinion of this? As an Olympic hopeful, how have you overcome this so-called handicap?
FI think that is a huge misconception. I have met so many different people through my sport. Also, how many kids that go to public schools can say they have done as much traveling as I have? I think it is an incredibly opportunity.
How has homeschooling helped you, both academically and with your sports career?
With home schooling, I don't have to worry about strict deadlines. I am able to take my time and make sure I understand what I am learning before having to take any tests. With gymnastics, I have been able to spend more time in the gym and not have it affect my school time.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to get where you are today?
I haven't had to overcome any major challenges.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your chosen sport?
I love listening to music. I also enjoy going to movies with my friends and just hanging out.
What do you like to do to unwind?
Listening to music always calms me down, reading or just laying in bed and watching TV are also things I like to do to unwind.
How has your journey to the Olympic team affected your family?
I don't think it's had any affect on my family. They have always been extremely supportive and have believed in me 100%.
What's your grade point average?
After the first semester this year it is at a 4.46.
Will you graduate in May/June?
Yes, I will graduate at the end of May.
What are your educational and lifelong goals? Do you feel that your homeschooling has prepared you for these goals?
I will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall on a full gymnastics scholarship. I haven't decided on a major yet, but I do think home schooling has helped me achieve this.
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Amber Trani is a member of the U.S. gold-medal team at the 2007 Pan American Games.
