Every parent wants the best education for their children. It doesn't matter if it is in a public school, a private or parochial school, or even at home.
In the past few years, more and more parents have made the decision to teach their children at home. In fact, it is estimated that the number of homeschooled children in the United States has tripled over the past decade.
Even though homeschooling allows parents to tailor learning environments to their children and their family, becoming a homeschooling parent can be challenging.
Some parents worry about what curriculum they should use and how to implement it. Some may question whether or not their children have enough social contacts. Others may have concerns about their own qualifications for teaching their children.
In Nodaway County, the Maryville Area Home Educators serves 20 homeschooling families, which meet frequently to share ideas, experiences and activities.
Charyti Jackson is currently the leader of the home educators in the area. She said she and her husband started homeschooling their children before they moved to Maryville.
"One of the main reasons we homeschool our children is so that our children can see their father," she said. "He works on a shift that he would not be home when they get home from school if they weren't taught at home."
Jackson said she likes the fact that her children can be allowed to learn at their own pace in the homeschool setting.
"If there's something they don't understand we can slow down and give them extra help, or they can fly through the things that are easy for them," she said. "We also like it that we can teach the kids from our worldly perspective –– our values."
The Maryville Area Home Educators participate in a number of activities throughout the year. They attend field trips. They participate in group activities. Some attend the Midwest Parent Educators Conference each spring in Kansas City. There are also activities just for parents such as planning meetings and Mom's nights out.
Some of the field trips the group has participated in are the Missouri Conservation Kids Day/Outdoor Classroom, the Red Barn Farm in Weston, Mo., tours including the Maryville Public Safety Fire Department, the Maryville Daily Forum, sign language workshops at Northwest Missouri State University and zoo trips.
As a group they have organized Valentine's parties, a chess club, a science night, and the Mad Lib theater.
The group meets to plan activities in August for fall and in January for spring activities. Mothers get together monthly not only for planning and comparing experiences, but sometimes just to socialize. They attend movies, listened to guest speakers or presentations and written curriculum.
Mark and Amber Galbraith are members of the home educators group. Amber said she enjoys attending the group activities and feels she gains a lot from being a member.
"It is so nice to have families get together who value the same things we value," she said. "It's neat to watch the little kids and big kids play together. The older kids are so good to the younger ones."
Galbraith said it's nice for the kids because they have friends who are interested in the same things.
"They have similar attention spans," she said. "Many are from larger families and have similar experiences."
Galbraith said sociologically the time comes when the family alone is not adequate to meet their children's social needs; however, socialization is not a good enough reason to put their children in public schools. Being involved with the group allows their children to have more social time with kids their own ages.
Darren and Cynthia Perkins are homeschooling their daughter, Amber, and are members of the home educators' group.
"We enjoy having the opportunity to attend field trips," Cynthia said. "The social activity part is important to us as well. It is really hard to homeschool an only child. We homeschooled our older son and we are doing the same with Amber. We attend group activities whenever possible — when it fits into our schedule. It gives Amber the opportunity to get to know her friends better. We aren't isolationists, like many people believe homeschool families are."
Cynthia said their philosophy is to do what is right for their children.
"My children have been in public and private schools as well as homeschooled," she said. "It depends on the situation, the time and their needs. I believe in doing what's best for my children — that's why I'm homeschooling Amber right now. Each year we reassess the situation and talk about what's best."
"I feel strongly that no matter what education choice parents make for their children, they have to stay involved," Amber Galbraith said. "I support every parent's God given right to make educational choices for their own children. But I think every parent should make the choices, not abdicate it to any other entity."
Anyone interested in information on the Maryville Area Home Educators can call Charyti Jackson at (660) 582-5903.
Maryville, Mo. —
