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What Qualifications do I Need?
by Phyllis Fouts and Linda Price
Q: "I feel that I could never
homeschool my children, even though I would like to, because
I didn't graduate from high school. What are the qualifications
I need to homeschool my children? Since I didn't graduate
from high school, would I need to go back and try to get
a G.E.D. before I start homeschooling?"
A: Under Iowa and Nebraska homeschooling laws, anyone can
home school their own children regardless of their personal
educational level. More importantly, you can SUCCESSFULLY
homeschool your children without either having graduated
from high school or having obtained a G.E.D. diploma. A
parent’s desire to homeschool, combined with a willingness
to learn and an excitement about learning, are the most
important qualifications needed for homeschooling. Parents
can certainly teach their children through elementary school
and probably through most subjects in the junior high years.
If you are unsure of your own knowledge and abilities, find
a good solid curriculum with complete answer keys and follow
it. Joining a support group could also be a source of help
and encouragement for you.
None of us are knowledgeable in all subjects. Any teaching
parent finds that they learn many things right along with
their child. If you don't know the answer to a question
your child has, say: "Let's look that answer up together.
Where do you think we will find that?" Besides finding
the answer to the question, you are also teaching research
skills.
You may feel you are unable to teach some of the subjects
as your child moves in the high school. The Omaha metro
area has various options open to assist you as you continue
home schooling:
1) Find another home school parent through your support
group who is knowledgeable in
subjects where you are not
2) Video classes
3) Community college classes: (Metropolitan Community College
and Iowa Western
are both “homeschool- friendly”)
4) Tutoring
5) Home School Learning Center classes
If you truly feel lead to teach your children at home, try
teaching for a year. If it doesn't work after that, send
your children back to the classroom. Keep in mind that the
first year of home schooling is the hardest. You are learning
how to be teacher/mom, and your children are learning how
to relate to you and your expectations as their teacher.
Some things work; and some things don't as you are teaching.
Some days you see the light bulbs of learning shine brightly
in that little head; some days, it's like pushing a marshmallow
through a brick wall.
As your child stands at the podium on graduation day, and
tells the world how wonderful his or her days of being taught
at home have been, you will see one of your very best friends
proudly standing there. You will know it has all been worth
it. Give home education a try. Prayerfully plan as you prepare
to begin homeschooling your children, and remember that
God is able to provide everything you need.
If you have a homeschooling question and
would like to “Ask The Veterans”, please put
it in writing to Board@OmahaHEN.org
or to: HEN Newsletter, 2610 Morrie Dr., Bellevue, NE 68147.
We will forward your question along to our veteran moms
who will respond for publishing in a future newsletter.
The information provided on this site does
not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any of
the members of the Home Educators Network. HEN does not
endorse the viewpoints nor recommend the products represented
by any of the links from this site. These links are offered
as points which are of interest and use to many homeschoolers.
None of the information distributed by HEN, either verbal
or written, is intended as legal advice and should not take
the place of legal counsel from a qualified, informed attorney. |
