Blue Tent Instructors

Irene Paine

Managing Director

​

bluetentclasses@gmail.com

​​​​

Irene Paine, the Managing Director for Blue Tent Online (BTO) since 2024, previously taught in the science department for BTO since 2015. A homeschool mom for over 25 years, she loves to teach and learn, to lead and encourage, to organize and maintain structure and loves to laugh! Originally from Southern California and the youngest girl of 12 children, Irene and her family moved to a small agricultural community in Southern Illinois when she was ten. Determined to become a pediatric nurse, Irene attended university, received her nursing degree, became an RN, and worked in the oncology/hematology field where she discovered her love of teaching.

Since moving to North Carolina, Irene and her family have been blessed to be part of a large and active homeschooling environment, which has supported and enriched the homeschooling of her two sons from birth through high school graduation. Irene has taught a variety of science classes throughout her own kids' middle school and high school years—and beyond.

In addition to bringing science to life for her students, Irene has taught piano lessons and has served as a coach for a local speech and debate club, SpeakOut. From 1998 to 2009, she served as a choir director for the Capital Area Homeschool Choirs, and from 2008 to 2015, she served as one of the adult advisors for a large homeschool national honor society chapter. 

As the Managing Director for BTO, Irene continues bringing academic excellence and student success for each course. Encouraging student enrollment growth, promoting operational excellence, enhancing student learning through innovative technologies, and maintaining financial affordability for homeschool families is a high priority. Building a high-performing team of instructors who are committed to excellence and professional development, and providing a mission-driven culture that emphasizes student success, innovation, and commitment to excellence is a goal Irene looks to achieve. 

Irene's wide-ranging interests include music, working out, crafts (quilting/ sewing/chalk painting), photography, reading, and playing board/card games.

​