a family rekindled - our homeschooling convention experience
August 12th, 2022
In preparation for homeschooling this year, we attended two conventions in Austin, TX – Teach Them Diligently and Great Homeschool Conventions, after some veteran homeschooling friends recommended we go. Drew and I left each weekend feeling as energized as one does during an upbeat worship service or fellowship event. It helped too that both conferences took place at the Kalahari waterpark resort! It was empowering and inspiring to see hundreds of parents gather together who shared the primary goal of providing a Christ-centered education at home. Over the past few years, I have begun to attend more Christian-centered events outside of Sunday service. However, the homeschooling conventions were the first opportunity we took to learn and listen as a family. The workshops offered covered a range of topics from parenting kids through the many phases of life to a biblically-centered marriage; from balancing work and homeschooling to classes just for fathers; and, of course, lessons from the many types of homeschooling approaches and how to build a curriculum. The classes were professionally executed, varied, and thorough. Each weekend went by much too quickly as there were more exciting classes than hours in a day. In addition to being able to absorb from the speakers, many of whom are veteran homeschoolers, the conference provided many topics for Drew and me to discuss throughout the day. We began to put our parenting goals on paper during these weekends and structured our curriculum draft around those goals. We plan to modify our curriculum and schedule through trial and error and as we gain new insight from other parents along the way. The set-up is attractive for anyone who has not attended a homeschooling convention. Most speakers are vendors, and many have developed their own curriculums and programs over the years as homeschooling parents. A few science textbooks I looked through rival in content and presentation those that you would find in a traditional classroom setting, with the difference being that these are written from a Christ-centered, biblical worldview. Several subscription educationally-based products were also available. One program delivered unique musical instruments from around the world, along with a storybook and instructional guide. Another is a conversation-first-based foreign language program, developed by a mom who traveled the world with her family. And yet, one more example from a pool of many is Brave Books – a monthly conservative, values-based children’s fictional series and activity guide (which we love!) Like the storylines in Brave Books, the two homeschooling conferences we attended promoted not only Christian values but also patriotism and the importance of parents and students advocating for teaching methods and material that have stood the test of time. Classical education, one of the primary approaches homeschoolers utilize, includes logic and rhetoric as two of its three core stages. My understanding of classical education is that it teaches students how to learn and analyze information, in order to develop wise written and oral arguments. A classical education will emphasize learning Latin, reading, and discussing the Great Books of the Western World. There’s a lot of dismay today about some public schools in America. I believe it is fair to say that many educators are left-leaning. Some of the educators I love and admire most are. One’s political leaning only becomes an issue when agendas are pushed in the classroom and topics that are not age-appropriate or pertinent to the subject are discussed. Additionally, any classroom debate outside of monitoring by a fair and impartial teacher or professor should not be allowed. In my opinion, teachers that fail in this area should be quickly corrected by administrators. Most importantly, all tax-payers, including parents, grandparents, and those without kids alike, should be heard regarding what is taught and promoted in public schools. The school choice movement is growing. The co-op we have recently joined has increased from 80 to over 300 families in the past few years. The christian private school where our daughter went last year has added three additional kindergarten classes in one year. This is no coincidence. More and more parents are electing to have more control over their children’s educational experience. I joke with Drew that the scariest part of homeschooling is realizing that we cannot look left or right if something goes wrong....we only have ourselves to blame! Though homeschooling is the route we are choosing at this time, I do not endorse that any method is superior to the other, but believe every family must do what is best for them in that season. I sincerely believe parental and family involvement is the biggest key to a child's success.
Private, public or homeschooling, a common theme at the conference was that we cannot take a backseat to what is happening in the public school system, for better or worse. We must join the warriors who are fighting against inappropriate content and agendas in the classrooms. I do not believe this is about politics but rather getting back to the basics of a proper education and keeping our children's minds, eyes, and hearts noble to the best of our ability. As citizens and neighbors, we are obligated to all children to ensure that public schools are an effective means for building individuals of character who know how to learn, problem-solve, and communicate. Imagine if our media could do that well, moreover the rest of us adults?!
So I think I have made it clear the homeschooling conferences energized us! We haven't even begun yet and I'm ready to get involved in our co-op and run for the local school board- just kidding! But really I would recommend these to anyone, independent of how you are schooling your children. They really are about so much more than that. We left feeling more focused, confident and inspired...in other words, rekindled.