About us
Learning for Every Stage of Life
Illinois Learning Center is an independent educational resource and publishing platform created to support children, teens, adults, families, homeschoolers, and educators with practical, meaningful learning opportunities.
We believe education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. Learning also happens when a child develops independence, a teen learns how to navigate real-world responsibilities, a family explores a new subject together, or an adult gains information that helps them make a more informed decision.
Illinois Learning Center brings together educational books, literacy publications, free resources, homeschool support, literacy activities, learning challenges, practical life-skills programs, and resources for adults and families—all in one growing learning community.
Our Educational Philosophy
At Illinois Learning Center, we believe learning should prepare people for life, not simply help them complete an assignment.
Our philosophy is built around several core ideas:
Learning should be practical.
Academic knowledge is important, but learners also need opportunities to develop communication, responsibility, problem-solving, decision-making, organization, independence, and other skills they will use throughout life.
Learning should build on a strong foundation.
New concepts are most effective when learners first understand the skills and information that come before them. Our educational materials are designed to introduce foundational knowledge first and then build toward greater understanding and independence.
Learning should grow with the learner.
Age can provide helpful guidance, but every learner develops differently. Whenever appropriate, Illinois Learning Center encourages progression based on readiness, ability, and demonstrated understanding rather than age alone.
Learning should be accessible and flexible.
Education happens in traditional schools, homeschools, libraries, homes, communities, and everyday experiences. Resources should be useful in different learning environments and adaptable to different families and learners.
Learning should encourage curiosity.
Children and adults are more likely to continue learning when they are given opportunities to explore, ask questions, discover new interests, and make meaningful connections.
Learning should support independence.
As young people grow, they should have increasing opportunities to practice real responsibilities and develop the confidence to do more for themselves.
Learning should encourage growth—not competition.
Progress does not need to look the same for everyone. We believe accomplishments should reflect individual growth, effort, developing skills, and meaningful achievement.
Our Literacy Publications
Illinois Learning Center publishes two literacy-focused publications created specifically for young readers:
Illinois Kids Connect provides children with age-appropriate stories, educational features, activities, games, and opportunities to read, discover, and explore new ideas.
Illinois Teens Times gives teen readers their own publication with stories, informational features, activities, games, resources, and topics designed for an older audience.
Both publications are part of The Illinois Learning Center's commitment to encouraging reading, literacy, curiosity, and continued learning outside of traditional assignments.
Downloadable and printable editions also make it possible for families, homeschool groups, classrooms, schools, libraries, and community organizations to print and share issues with the young people they serve.
What You’ll Find at Illinois Learning Center
Illinois Learning Center offers and continues to develop resources in several areas, including educational books for children and teens, Illinois Kids Connect, Illinois Teens Times, homeschool resources, free printable materials, literacy activities, practical resources for adults and families, and community learning programs.
Illinois Learning Center programs include the Reading Challenge, Geography Challenge, Move More Challenge, and The Builders Club.
The Builders Club reflects our philosophy especially well. Young people work through practical, age-guided challenges that help them build skills, character, responsibility, and independence. Suggested ages provide guidance, but Builders can progress according to their individual readiness and abilities.
Publishing With a Purpose
Whether we are creating a workbook, literacy publication, printable resource, learning challenge, or family guide, the purpose remains the same: to create educational material that gives readers something useful to learn, practice, explore, or apply.
Our publishing work is designed to serve different ages and different learning environments. Some resources provide structured instruction, while others encourage reading, curiosity, creativity, independent learning, practical skill development, or family participation.
By offering both published materials and freely accessible resources, Illinois Learning Center aims to make useful educational content available in more than one format and to more than one type of learner.
Supporting Lifelong Learning
Illinois Learning Center is not intended only for children.
Our adult and family resources focus on practical information that can help people prepare, navigate important situations, understand available options, and make informed decisions. As the Learning Center grows, we also hope to create additional opportunities for readers to discover books from independent authors.
The goal is to create a place where learning can continue through every stage of life.
About the Founder
Illinois Learning Center was founded by Jennifer Driskill-Waters, an author and independent publisher whose professional background includes serving as a Director of Education and as a court-appointed child advocate.
Jennifer writes under the pen names of Genevieve Steinhardt and Vienna Stein with The Novel Tea Publishing. The Novel Tea Publishing powers the Illinois Learning Center and its educational publishing projects.
Jennifer also serves as an Illinois Reads Ambassador, reflecting her continued commitment to literacy, reading, and educational opportunity.
Her approach to Illinois Learning Center is centered on a simple principle: educational resources should have a meaningful purpose and give learners something they can actually use.
Our Commitment
Illinois Learning Center will continue developing resources that are practical, thoughtful, family-friendly, accessible, and designed with the learner in mind.
Some resources—including selected printables, educational tools, and downloadable editions of Illinois Kids Connect and Illinois Teens Times—are offered free of charge, while books, optional achievement items, merchandise, and recommended products may be available through outside retailers.
Learn something useful. Build something meaningful. Keep growing.
Important Information
Illinois Learning Center is an independent educational resource and publishing platform. It is not a school, accrediting organization, law firm, medical provider, or government agency. Resources are provided for educational and informational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice when professional guidance is appropriate.