My oldest son is finally approaching high school. Just when I felt like I had the whole homeschooling elementary and middle school thing figured out, high school is now just over the hill. Like many of you, I feel out of my league here. Even though my degree is in secondary education, I'm intimidated by what all is required to help my sons get in to college.
So, recently I sent an e-mail to two dear sisters in Christ.They are both very active in the Tarrant County homeschool community. They happen to coordinate successful programs, one in the north, in Keller, and one south, near Arlington. I have had the pleasure of being a part of both their programs over the past 5 years. These ladies are incredible mentors to homeschool moms in our area. I asked them if they would not mind posting some advice and encouragement for those of us with high school or soon to be high school homeschoolers.
I will post my letter to them both below. Then, this week, I am attaching the reply I received from Missy Hardy, coordinator of the Blue Sky Sports PE program for homeschoolers. Please read for your encouragement:
Good afternoon Ladies,
As
February often brings with it mid-year homeschool blues, I had an idea
to bring some encouragement to moms of upper level students.
My son is now in jr. high, and high school is on
the horizon. As I think of options to get him closer to our goal of
college, frankly, I am scared to death. I
know that I have many friends in my same boat and are seriously
thinking about throwing in the towel on their mission to homeschool all
the way to graduation.
I
admire you both more than you know. You both coordinate successful
homeschool programs in the Tarrant County area. But what I love the
most about being involved with your programs is your desire for true
Biblical principles to be in all you do, striving for excellence in the
instruction you give, and the idea that you are in it not for the money
but as a ministry to equip homeschoolers. You also have both
successfully homeschooled children on in to college.
Would
you consider writing a short something to encourage moms to continue
homeschooling through high school, and some practical advice towards
that end? Mainly inspiring those of us that are doubting, that we can
accomplish this task God has put before us.
I
am hoping to post your encouragement to my new blog that hopefully will
go out to moms that need to hear it. It does not have to be very long. I
know you both are very busy ladies.
Thank you,
Cindy Fleming
My Dear Friend,
I
know you are full of fear and doubt as you begin to contemplate
homeschooling through junior high and high school. I too felt those
exact feelings. But,
(and I know I shouldn’t’ really begin a sentence with but) both my son
and I managed to leap this hurdle to the satisfaction of us both. So,
how did we survive the daunting obstacles
before us? First, let’s list those hurdles because voicing them is the
first step. These were the big three for my family. “I can’t teach
high school levelsubjects.”
“I am concerned universities won’t admit my homeschooled student.”
Lastly, “My son and I were not handling the influx of teenage hormones
as well as I would have liked.”
Be encouraged! We dug deep and discussed all of our options to get through high school. Some friends chose the public or private school route but I knew that was not an option for our family. I do not judge but do want to encourage you thatif you have been called to home educate your children not to throw in the towel when the going gets rough. You can do it! If
I can, so can you! How did I do it? Well, what worked for me and my
son, may not work for you and your student but what I wish to convey is
“where there is a will, there is a way.”
Hurdle number 1 – I don’t feel equipped to teach upper level subjects. None of us do, I assure you. I am degreed in History and Geography, love reading and writing, and felt very able to tackle those subjects. Math, science, art and foreign language, no thank you. We met those
needs at a local homeschool education center staffed with teachers who
are experts in their fields. The cost was about $500 per class for
year, which is considerably less than private school tuition.
I also hired a private tutor when needed. Whenever I could, I would
co-op with other moms in order to save money. I would teach history if
she would teach the math. All of these options got us past the first hurdle successfully and with our sanity intact.
Hurdle
number 2 – I am concerned universities won’t admit my student”.
Hogwash! I just copied the format of a transcript online and filled it
in with my son’s high school work and submitted it. He was accepted to SMU and Texas A&M. It just takes time since you are now adding the responsibility of counselor to your list of home education duties. It takes time,not skill, to research universities and submit the required formson time. Hint- look at what universities you are consideringduring
your student’s freshman year. Be sure to meet those requirements
during his high school years. Keep records of curriculum used. But here
is the kicker – most universities look at standardized tests to
validate your transcript. TEACH TO THE SAT AND ACT! Begin your freshmen
year. I recommend College Prep Genius and if you can afford one, a professional tutor for those tests. www.collegeboard.com has
free resources – use them. My first born did well on his SAT and
earned a scholarship to SMU (not a full ride so now he is an Aggie). He
was very strong academically and knew what he wanted. I don’t think I
can actually take any credit for getting him into college since most of
his subjects were taught by someone other than me. Pray for me as I
embark with my junior on this college admission journey as she has no clue what she wants to do and doesn’t test as well as her brother. I am praying a lot!
Hurdle
number 3 – teenage (and quite possibly, Mom’s) hormones. This one
nearly did us in. Thank God for the homeschooling resource center where
my son took classes. Ninth, tenth and part of eleventh grade were hard but I have to say, he outgrew that difficult stage. Today, he is so appreciative of my time and efforts and is an outstanding young man of God.There is hope!
Finally, many of these hurdles leave out one important component that I have to daily remind myself. Why do I homeschool? It is not for academics but because I want to raise my children to love God with all their hearts. That is hard to do if they are not learning in an environment surrounded by others who love God. I could care less if they score high on the SAT or get a scholarship to university if they are not all God intended them to be.
I find that our homeschooling journey will be worth all the hard work
and tears if my children walk with the Lord and pass their faith onto
their children.
In Him,
Melissa
I will be posting the other response in a few weeks. I know that this has encouraged me. I am so thankful that the Lord has put these women in my life. It assures me to know that He provides all we need to accomplish His goals in our children when we come to Him and ask in His will.
Hope this has been helpful in reassuring you as well.
I will be posting the other response in a few weeks. I know that this has encouraged me. I am so thankful that the Lord has put these women in my life. It assures me to know that He provides all we need to accomplish His goals in our children when we come to Him and ask in His will.
Hope this has been helpful in reassuring you as well.
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