Home­school Teachers

The teacher is the key to the success of home­schooling. In most cases, the teacher is a parent or a close relative. In some cases, parents may divide the subjects between them. Rarely, if both parents are busy, they may hire a home­school teacher. Whatever the case, children need time with their parents.

Qualification is a big concern because opponents of home­schooling believe that parents do not have the ability to teach children like a certified teacher does. I do believe that teachers have accreditation beyond what typical home­schooling parents do, but I also believe that parents have the ability to teach a child any class that they would need, especially in elementary years.

The truth is that parents naturally make good teachers. After all, the first lessons that a young child learns are what he has observed and imitated from his parents. Young children look up to their parents as people who never do wrong. That is why in home­schooling the participation of parents is highly recommended. However, this does not realistically happen all the time. Some parents may be too busy with work to be the home­school teacher. In any case, the success of home­schooling depends greatly on good teacher-parents, them being the natural candidates.

Teaching is not just being able to pass as much information to the child as possible. Learning, in a lot of ways, is greatly anchored on the emotional reception of the child. Lessons have to be tenderly incorporated into the child´s daily life for him to truly absorb it and be able to apply them. A parents' natural gift of charisma with their own children comes into the picture.

More so, their patience and natural concern to teach their child is very essential. Teaching does not involve a clinical presentation of facts. Learning has to be integrated lovingly into daily life for it to interest the child. That is where parents come in. Grandparents also make great teachers, especially due to their tender nature and abundance of patience.

If you feel anxious about your skill or knowledge, relax. There are countless home­schooling resources that are aimed at helping you. Professional curriculum packages, support groups, online help desks, virtual schools, and library resources are all available. When you start out, you may want to make use of the commercial curriculum packages. Ready-made software also allows you to record and log important achievements.

For parents who are not as confident about teaching higher level classes there are now resources to supplement them such as online or correspondence courses, co-ops, and community college classes. With these classes--usually utilized in math or science but available in all subjects--students have the benefit of a teacher knowledgeable in the subject, tutoring and usually access to the teacher for specific help. This closely resembles the online courses being offered at community colleges.

Local support groups are an excellent source of help, ideas and material. This is where you get to meet experienced home­schoolers, who will be more than happy to offer their insight and advice. Once you settle into the home­schooling routine, you will find yourself tailoring the curriculum to suit your own needs.