ABOUT OUR FAMILY BUSINESS

The Paradigm Company was founded by Peter & June Watt in January 1984, in Boise, Idaho, to publish books for Samuel Blumenfeld, author of such books as Alpha-Phonics and How To Tutor. They have continued to offer what they feel are the best possible materials to educate young children, especially in the so-called "3-Rs," reading, handwriting and arithmetic.

During that 24-year span they have constantly added experience in helping families, especially homeschooling families, to successfully educate their children. To hold to a Christian perspective has always been their goal.

Paradigm's products over the years have been sold throughout the USA and the world; on virtually every continent. Paradigm's original website (alpha-phonics.com) is seen by nearly 70,000 unique visitors annually, producing nearly a million-and-a-quarter "hits" per year. Their new sister website (mcguffeyreaders.com) called McGuffey's Readers World, features selected tried and true old-fashioned teaching materials like Ray's Arithmetic, Harvey's Grammar, Webster's 1828 Dictionary and, of course, several versions of the timeless McGuffey's Readers sets. The new website, while only up since April 2006, is generating visitors at the rate of over 6,000 per year.

Our Family Christmas 2008
One of the special features of their business is to make themselves available nearly 24/7 to their potential or actual customers who have questions about selecting or using Paradigm's materials. Potential and actual customers have grown accustomed to calling the Watts by phone even on evenings or weekends and speaking to a "live" person. If not in that manner they were able to leave a message on the answering machine and know they would get a return call quickly. It has not been uncommon for Peter or June to return a call and speak to a parent-in-need for a half-hour or more. Occasionally they have counseled someone to continue using or to purchase a competing product because it would be best for their needs. There has never been a charge for this assistance.

In order to assure continuity they have worked their children and even grandchildren into their business.


Boise, Idaho, September 2006 (below)

This is the Watt family at play and work:
(Please scroll down for photo gallery of 12 photos)


Peter & June's Family:

L to R: Rear: Grandson Jaryn; his Dad, our son Darik; son Mark; Peter; Phil Hurley; son Deran.

Middle: Daughter-in-law, Darik's wife Michelle; granddaughter Hailey (Darik); June; daughter-in-law Tracy (Deran) holding grandson Christopher.

Front: Granddaughter Karyssa (Darik); Madalyn Rose (Deran).


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August 11, 2007 Jaryn was at football practice.


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L-to-R: 12 yr. old Karyssa; oldest son Mark; Peter; June


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13 yr. old Hailey


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15 yr. old Jaryn, taught with "Alpha-Phonics."


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6 yr. old Madalyn Rose packaging books. She was taught with "Alpha-Phonics."


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12 yr. old Karyssa with her dad Darik. Karyssa was taught with Alpha-Phonics
and is featured (at age seven) on Paradigm's "Alpha-Phonics the Book on CD ROM."


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June at her desk


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Paradigm's Webmaster & Tech Manager Phil Hurley


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The grandchildren "Raising the Colors" the family gave grampa Peter for his birthday. 3 yr. old Christopher hasn't found a job in the business yet but he undoubtedly will soon.


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Christopher (almost 5) now has found his place in the family business. November 2007