38 JULY 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition EDUCATION Today’s homeschooling families are as diverse as their reasons for choosing this path: dissatisfaction with the system, concerns about school safety, mental health, a desire for personalized learning or the flexibility and tools technology now offers. To all of you who have chosen this path, I commend your courage. When our family began homeschooling almost 30 years ago, things were very different. Most families weren’t motivated by fear, frustration or academic goals. It was a calling — something we felt deeply convicted about. We believed our children’s education and character development were our responsibility, not something to outsource to the state or even private schools. It wasn’t about control; it was about connection. We wanted to shape not only what our children knew, but who they were becoming. Back then, homeschooling wasn’t common or popular. There were no digital resources or online tools. Math was done at the kitchen table; reading happened snuggled up on the couch. But our motivation wasn’t about method. We valued relationships over routines, character over curriculum, and family over formality. What once felt like a fringe movement is beginning to feel mainstream. The old school model with bells, rigid schedules and standardized expectations has failed us. Despite the efforts of many great teachers, the system is becoming — or some believe is already — obsolete. The U.S. lags behind most developed nations in educational outcomes. So why not try something different? An abundance of resources Technology has changed how we teach and learn. Lessons that once required a chalkboard and textbook now happen on laptops and tablets. But even the best tools can’t replace the richness of family relationships, shared experiences or real-world learning. Field trips, family co-ops, family travel and hands-on projects bring learning to life in ways no app ever could. You don’t need to be an expert in every subject — just willing to guide, support and explore with your children. With today’s abundance of resources, homeschooling is more accessible than ever. Through our family’s 20-year homeschooling journey, we met the diverse academic needs of our four children. We built personalized paths for each of them using rigorous academic courses, volunteer work, life experiences, internships, specialized tutors, dual-enrollment programs and excellent SAT coaches. By avoiding the hoops of the traditional school system, we preserved their love for learning without burning them out. Homeschooling prepared them well, both academically and athletically, giving them a head start in college and the opportunity to compete in collegiate athletics. They completed one to two years of college while still in high school, earned scholarships covering more than 100 percent of their college expenses and attended the colleges of their choice. After college, they continued in graduate studies in law, business, medicine and CPA certification. Best of all, they are now homeschooling the next generation. Lifelong relationships If you’ve decided to begin this homeschooling journey, take heart. No matter your reason, you can do it, and there are many seasoned homeschoolers ready to support you. Along the way, you’ll reap far more than you sow in your child’s growth, your family’s connection and the lifelong relationships you’ll build together. This is the training God called you to when you became parents. Like in life, there are no guarantees in your parenting journey, but strong relationships are one of the greatest gifts you can give your children, so it’s worth the effort. Homeschooling is more than an educational choice; it’s an invitation to do life together and pass on your faith and values to the next generation. And that might be the most powerful learning of all. Sue Puchferran is a 30-year home education veteran, speaker, advisor and author. She is president and co-founder of Home Education Enrichment Day (HEED), a 501(c)(3) home education instructional program in Boca Raton: www.HEEDHomeschool.com. She is also vice president of the Home Education Foundation, Florida’s home education lobby: www.flhef.org. - Sue Puchferran - President and Co-Founder, Home Education Enrichment Day The Puchferran family: Standing: Elise and Josh Puchferran, Chris and Lisa Puchferran; Seated: Sarah and Matthew Puchferran, Rick and Sue Puchferran, Allison (Puchferran) and Larry Krause and the grandchildren The Heart of Homeschooling: From Calling to Crisis
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=