Why We Chose to Homeschool: Pt. 1

A Former Educator’s Perspective

If you had told me ten years ago that I would be homeschooling my children, I probably would have laughed. As a former educator with a Master’s degree in education, I spent years designing professional development, leading instructional coaches, and working on initiatives around technology integration and digital learning. I have always been a strong supporter of public education, an advocate for teachers, and a believer in a curriculum that fosters creativity and critical thinking skills.

And yet, here I am, homeschooling my kids.

Like many, I had my own biases and preconceived notions about homeschooling. I thought it was for “super granola moms” who made their own almond milk and raise their own food (both of which I have now done, by the way). I assumed homeschooled kids were either academic prodigies or socially awkward. The stigma surrounding homeschooling was real, and I was guilty of believing it.

Despite my professional background, I wasn’t worried about whether I was qualified to homeschool—I knew I could do it. My real concern was more personal: Did I really want to? The idea of being home with my kids all day and taking full responsibility for their education felt overwhelming. 

The Unexpected Journey into Homeschooling

Like so many families, our homeschool journey began during the pandemic. When it became clear that everything was shifting online, I immediately withdrew my daughter from school, assuming it would be a temporary solution. But as schools reopened with strict restrictions—masks, social distancing, plastic partitions—I knew there was no chance I was sending her back.

During this time, we took an unconventional approach. We bought an RV and traveled any chance we could to national parks, making our classroom out some of the most scenic locations in the country. Homeschooling gave us the opportunity to embrace adventure, explore hands-on learning, and create meaningful experiences as a family.

It was also during this time that we bought our current property and began building our home. Homeschooling provided the flexibility we needed during that transition. But once we settled in, my daughter wanted to try school in our new district, which was highly sought after and high-performing. Academically, she was ahead—fourth grade was essentially a repeat of what we had already covered at home. But she had a great teacher, she was happy, and we went with it.

Then came fifth grade.

Our Concerns with Traditional Schooling

As my daughter transitioned into fifth grade, I began noticing some concerning patterns—especially around curriculum, teaching methods, and the overwhelming emphasis on standardized testing. Everything was STAAR this, STAAR that. (For those unfamiliar, STAAR is our state’s standardized test.)

Side note: My kids do not take the STAAR test. As parents, we’ve always exercised our right to opt them out—a topic for another day.

Beyond the emphasis on testing, another alarming trend became clear: the majority of their learning was taking place via technology. (And here is where I tell you that our kids do not have TVs other than in the main living areas, they get very limited screen-time and only under our supervision, and will not have smart phones until they are sixteen or older.) Now, I find it ironic that I was a district administrator whose objective was to integrate technology into learning. However, what I have seen in the past few years is not technology enhancing curriculum or bringing learning to a deeper level, but rather replacing good pedagogy and years of data-based research on best practices in child development and learning with a device. Instead of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and engagement, technology was being used as a shortcut—one that diminished the quality of education rather than enriching it. Case in point, there are no novels that are part of the 7th grade language arts curriculum in our district. Everything is passage reading via their Chromebooks to prepare them for success on a standardized test. Major ick! And what a way to foster a love of reading… 

Unfortunately, public school is designed for kids who fall in the middle of the bell curve. If your child is an outlier—whether they need extra support or are academically advanced—traditional schooling often falls short. My daughter is gifted, and while she loved certain aspects of school including many of her teachers and coaches, sports, and the social aspect, she needs to be challenged and pushed. And she is bored and told us so on multiple occasions.

As for my son, he loved school in kindergarten and first grade. He had two teachers who were, quite literally, the equivalent of Disney princesses—kind, engaging, and flexible while maintaining clear boundaries. But by the time second grade rolled around, we saw a shift. He wasn’t excited to go to school anymore. He was being asked to sit a lot more, which is counterintuitive to way boys are designed. He also seemed bored and was pushing back about things he deemed an unnecessary part of his day. And honestly, I didn’t disagree with him, although we never condoned any behavior that was contrary to his classroom expectations . Based on several conversations, I also inferred that there was a clash of personalities in regards to his teacher.

We’ve always told our kids that some years they’ll click with a teacher, and other years they won’t. Learning to adapt and work with different personalities is an important life skill. But in this case, there were deeper concerns—enough that we decided to pull him out at Thanksgiving this last year. We saw an immediate difference in his personality and demeanor within a week of bringing him home. He was bright and happy again. And he was excited to learn.

Why We Chose Homeschooling

At the core of our decision was a simple belief: We feel called to raise our children. And for us, this mean educating them as well for the foreseeable future. They are only with us for such a short season, and we want to be the primary influence in their lives during these formative years. Homeschooling allows us to cultivate their love for learning, tailor their education to their strengths, and create a family culture built around our values.

Beyond that, we craved the flexibility and control that homeschooling offers. No rigid schedules. No teaching to the test. No wasted hours sitting behind a desk when learning could be so much more.

Our journey into homeschooling wasn’t planned, and we remain open and fluid as to what it will look like over the next decade.

At the end of the day, do what’s best for your kids. Whether that’s public school, private school, or homeschooling, you have a voice in your child’s education. And if you’ve ever considered homeschooling but felt unsure—it might just surprise you.

In Part 2, I’ll share what the transition looked like, how we structure our days, what curriculum we use, and how homeschooling has transformed our family.