Graduation season has always been a favorite of mine. It is gratifying to know that people of all ages are growing and succeeding. Last year I blogged about home schooling and what a leap it is in perspective. As a home school teacher/advisor, I was fortunate to work with many hardworking, tuned in parents who paused their careers to facilitate their children’s education. It takes a basketful of qualities to homeschool.
And there are huge decisions to make. Foremost, the family will probably lose income. Along with that, the teaching parent will lose some freedom. I admire those parents who educate themselves about the process but then choose not to homeschool. This endeavor is not a good fit for every parent or child. A discussion with a charter school administrator is the first step in the decision process.
It has been some years since I traded my teaching hat for that of a writer. Still, one of the most fun surprises for me is hearing from former students I’ve advised.
Most recently, I received news from a young woman who is now a graduate of University of CA Berkeley who went on to Babson College in Boston where she earned an M.B.A with emphasis in entrepreneurship. Another young man is a talented writer and filmmaker who is currently a scriptwriter hobnobbing with Hollywood elite.
Two of my advisees were siblings. One graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in English and is on their staff. The other, a U.C. Davis grad with a degree in computer science, is now a software engineer at Oracle. And a young lady with a music education degree, started her own company teaching English as a Second Language while using a curriculum we pulled in for her as a student.
These are extreme success stories, shared to emphasize the possibilities for homeschooled kids, and they are but a few among the many that I could share. Teaching to the individual’s aptitudes is the greatest gift that educating at home provides. The child's passions drive the curriculum choices the advisor and parent make. Outside-the-home classes and lessons are available for homeschooled students to engage in social interactions, as well.
If you have the slightest twinkling of an idea about homeschooling your child—early August is the time to reach out to local charter schools who staff teachers as homeschool advisors.
Like a geode, see what’s inside.
All the Best,
Corliss
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