Education.

It’s a word we all hear often: the importance of an education, the benefits of an education, the promise of an education.

Writers get it. We understand the need to continuously expand our knowledge on varying subjects. Without my knowledge of veterinary medicine, management, geography, sociology, and more my characters would be dull and lifeless. It is my experience and research of different lifestyles, cultures, and occupations that has enriched my body of work.

But getting an education does not always mean sitting in a classroom, doing as you’re told, and earning a degree after paying thousands of dollars.

Knowledge and wisdom come from many different aspects of life. Learning should never stop.

Books, essays, articles, and opinion pieces may help shape ideals but experiences, occupations, and interactions with others are what truly define a well-rounded education.

I am a homeschooling mother. The decision to take control of my children’s education was made when I lived in an area with an unaccredited school district. I knew that my kids deserved better and that I could provide it if I worked hard enough.

It is not for everyone. It is definitely frustrating at times and requires respect and team work.

Most friends and family members who were concerned about homeschooling didn’t worry about my ability to teach, but a “lack of socialization.”

In the time of social distancing I am now giggling over that, but to me, school should be academic. Extra-curricular activities and neighborhood events are where my children have found their circle of friends and flourished as social beings.

They study hard and take their lessons much more seriously than other children their age. That is not to say that public school or private schools are not a good option, they just weren’t for us.

I have fought to be respected and heard and prove successful results for 8 years now. My eldest wishes to get her High School Equivalency testing done and finished when she is 16 years old, go to community college for 2 years, and then move on to veterinary school. She is very driven and I’m proud of that.

Her sister would like to take a slower pace and see what options are available when she gets older, which I think is a great idea. She is also dyslexic like me.

And of course, the toddler likes to run circles around the coffee table. His speech is a little delayed but his cognition is advanced and so we do what we can but aren’t concerned at this time. (He’s not even 2 years old yet-I mean come on).

Each child is different. They all deserve customized lessons that help them learn the way their brain works for now and gradually learn how to fit more formal standards.

I recently read a few concerning articles straight out of Harvard Law School noting the “risks” or “dangers” of homeschooling and it seems to have been written by teachers who fear their jobs may be taken away.

I adore teachers. I am one. Just because I don’t hold a piece of paper certifying my ability to explain core subjects does not mean I am inadequate.

But that’s not even the main concern from this Ivy League institution.

Once again the fear of “racism” is driving an un-researched movement that has no actual basis or factual evidence to link homeschooling to “white supremacy.”

Now the concerns that homeschooling “does not protect from child abuse” may be valid. But as someone whose father knocked her around or was sometimes “spanked” so hard repeatedly I couldn’t sit for days, I can attest to the very true fact that public school didn’t protect me from abuse. If anything it led me to seek out other abusers who I then dated and were sometimes abused by in school. Yes, on my very public school campuses where teachers did nothing.

Now, addressing the claims that homeschooling promotes “white supremacy,” I wish to point out that one of my dearest friends is a woman of color who is a wonderful teacher and stay-at-home mom. Just because POCs are not the stereotype one thinks of when they recall homeschooling doesn’t mean that homeschooling is racist, it means the people assuming it is only for “white people” are the racist ones. I am 1/16^th Native American, and though I was not raised on a reservation that heritage speaks to me greatly as well. I may be pale and “mostly white,” but my heritage is as rich as anyone else’s.

Concerns of high numbers of Christians homeschooling are also drawn forth.

I am a Pagan woman. I guess I don’t count because I’m not the main statistic?

I have no problem with Christians teaching their faith alongside core subjects. Just as Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists and whomever should be allowed to teach their children their beliefs.

Religion, much like education, starts at home.

A higher institution of learning actively campaigning against homeschooling, during a period when quarantine has made that our only option, is ludicrous. It displays just what Harvard is: an elitist college concerned only about pushing their politics and earning a profit.

Well, I am a proud homeschooling mother of three highly intelligent children and I am happy to say that they will NEVER attend this closed minded backwards organization of misinformation.

#NeverHarvard

I expect more from a “top school.”

We all should.

To lead a fight against homeschooling in the name of “diversity” is comparable to leading the fight against hunger by promoting bread lines.

The unaccredited school district I lived in at the start of my children’s was in an area populated with 98% black people. A select few families were allowed to apply to transfer to other schools, but what about those who couldn’t afford the long commute, or who don’t have the resources to homeschool?

They had no other options but to receive a subpar education.

If Harvard really cared about students’ futures they would be fighting to offer more opportunities and educational options for families in unaccredited areas, not working to limit the few that exist.

But this isn’t really about education. It’s about control, power, greed, and fear. See, this college has been losing favor due to their snobbery and one-sided politics.

The teachers and administrators of Harvard feel threatened by parents and students who are smart enough to wise up and take control of their education. They fear a future where students opt to get affordable community college degrees before transferring to smaller state colleges. They fear a future where their price gouging and elitism is rendered obsolete by freedom of choice.

I choose to educate my children to take control of their future and not allow corporatized education to stunt their progress.

I am not a Christian.

I am not a white supremacist.

I am not a racist.

I am just a mother who believes in the right to the best education possible for EVERYONE. Not just my children.

I want all parents to decide what is best for their children; whether homeschooling, public schooling, or private schooling, I support them.