When a parent proclaims home education as the way to teach their own children, the overall consensus is protest and outrage. Why?
People love teachers. They are esteemed, loved and adored by all.
Part of what makes public education the most popular way of learning is that our community buys into the idea that in order for a child to learn, a teacher must be present.
When a parent proclaims home education as the way to teach their own children, the overall consensus is protest and outrage. Why?
Teachers go to school and study education. They are trained in curriculum, behavior management and common core standards. But are they skilled in self-directed learning, one-on-one encouragement and the ability to identify gifts and passion?
A classroom ratio of 1:25 makes for a great babysitter, but a teacher?
So, why don’t you need to be a teacher to homeschool?
Love.
Love drives us to facilitate learning.
Parents don’t teach, they facilitate. They don’t have to force learning, it comes naturally through love.
That’s what most homeschool parents do – it’s organic and in our DNA.
“True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.” ― Nikos Kazantzakis
My toddler loves music. I didn’t teach her this. What 2 or 3 year old doesn’t start to wiggle when a song comes on the radio?
Because I know how much she loves music, I facilitate it. From Buble to Bocelli – Mozart to old school rap. I like diversity, and so does she. It’s an area I’ll expand, promote and encourage if she continues her present affection.
To facilitate learning you don’t need a degree in education.
“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ― Albert Einstein
Some of my former schoolteacher friends have enlightened me that their background got in the way when they first began homeschooling. They had to completely reform their skill-set that ignored self-directed learning. They had to get more educated in facilitation and motivation, and less involved in teaching.
Love is natural. It’s not forced, contrived or bound by limits.
Love motivates. It encourages. It never tells, but shows.
