Homeschooling empowers families in many ways, but parents new to homeschooling can often feel overwhelmed and underconfident. There is a misconception that you need a teaching degree or teaching experience to educate your children at home successfully. We are happy to tell you this is untrue.
In fact, many parents at Strike School have increased their confidence levels by working with our teachers. One parent said, “I love this program. Every teacher we get is great!… I was totally scared when we started, but now I love it. It is the best thing we have ever done. We have no regrets.” Parents make great teachers for their children, and in this post, we share some tips to help you boost your confidence as a homeschool educator.
Understand that you know your child best.
The best way to increase your confidence as a homeschool educator is to recognize that you know your child better than anyone else. This is one reason why parents make excellent teachers for their children. Parents know their children need individual attention, and homeschooling allows this in a way that most traditional schools are unable to. It is also a wonderful opportunity to tap into your child’s unique needs, quirks, and interests, and further personalize their learning and make it fun.
Lean on other homeschool parents.
If you are a new homeschool parent, consider reaching out to other homeschool parents to increase your confidence as a homeschool educator. Fellow homeschool parents are happy to share their knowledge and experience. They may also have ideas for curriculum, activities, and co-ops or similar programs. To find other homeschooling families in your area, check social media sites like Facebook. You can also use the Homeschool Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) Search Groups feature to find homeschool groups near you.
Utilize existing resources.
One reason why parents are hesitant to homeschool is that they feel overwhelmed when faced with choosing a curriculum and creating a schedule and routines. Good news: you don’t have to start completely from scratch with homemade materials and resources. You can access ready-made curricula or utilize sites like Pinterest and TeachersPayTeachers for resources and materials. We would love to take the guesswork out of curriculum and get you started with our comprehensive and interactive online curriculum.
Don’t be afraid to impart your personality.
Taking on the title of “teacher” for your own children allows you to add your own personality to the school day. At Strike School, our teachers will guide you and your child in fun and unique ways. For example, while studying ancient Egyptian civilization, one of our teachers, Mrs. C., had a student create bricks out of straw. Mrs. C. is known for her creative lessons that keep students engaged, and this lesson allowed her personality to shine while supporting the student in her learning.
Know that things will never be perfect.
It’s so important to recognize that you will never be perfect, and neither will the way you run your homeschool. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you will increase your confidence as a homeschool educator. Things come up throughout the day. Your children may need more time on a certain lesson. And sometimes, you may all just need a break. If you have a plan, it’s ok to deviate or switch things up. With our flexible and personalized approach, our teachers will make sure there is wiggle room while also staying on track throughout the school year.
If you would like support in your journey to increase your confidence as a homeschool educator, let Strike School help you. Enroll with us today.
