Bold Homeschooling
Ever wonder if you’ve got what it takes to homeschool? One woman’s story to inspire you…
To all the parents who freaked out during the early days of Covid when their kids were at home instead of school…to all the parents confused about whether or not to homeschool their kids during the time of Covid now…to all the parents who don’t think they are qualified to homeschool their kids…meet Jan, my cousin.
After a hurricane huffed, puffed, and blew down their local elementary school in Florida, Jan jumped into the homeschooling fire. No matter she didn’t have a college degree like her husband and worried how she would teach her kids higher math, biology, physics, and other STEM subjects. Jan rolled up her sleeves and educated herself about how to educate her kids.
Jan homeschooled three kids—two girls and a boy—from their elementary school days through high school. Today, between them, she and her husband’s children hold six advanced degrees from national and international universities. Speak six foreign languages. Know how to build houses and furniture from scratch. Can process their own meats. Are part of archeological teams working around the world. Oversee sophisticated Air Force satellite operations that protect America. Make heads and tails of dead languages and decipher ancient Biblical scripture. And prepare to use what they know about climate change and the environment to one day fulfill the dream of working on a ranch.
“I taught my kids they could teach themselves anything. There is no subject or project they don’t have the confidence to tackle. And I made sure I matched my teaching style to the best way for each child to learn. I really got to know them in a way I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t done homeschooling.”
Reading was revered in their home. They have a library of six thousand books. TV watching was kept to a minimum. And respecting others was a core value in their family. Calling someone “stupid” or telling someone to “shut up” was forbidden. Needless to say, the family is very close.
Jan and Charlie now have six grandchildren, and each of their kids loved being homeschooled so much they are going to school their children at home, too.
Ya Gotta Wonder…should homeschooling parents now become paid professionals supported generously by the federal and state governments? Of course, proper certification would be crucial. Maybe treat this new profession like a “federal contractor” position. Federal contractors in the defense industry are well compensated when they bring recognized certifications to a job. Surely being part of an “army” of parents well-educating their children at home, particularly in the time of Covid, is a service much needed so America can Build Back Better.
