A traditional education In high school I trudged through two years of physics and one year of chemistry. I had no real interest in either of these subjects but, at the time, that detail seemed irrelevant. I was told these courses would "look good" on my university transcript.  I was told that they would raise … Continue reading An education devoid of connection is one devoid of purpose.

Perhaps it was because we had just experienced the festivities of the half-marathon in our town, but after reading the Tortoise and the Hare for what seemed like the millionth time, its moral seemed to fall a little flat.  Since when does “slow and steady” ever actually win the race?   Theoretically, I understand that … Continue reading We all know that “slow and steady” wins the race. (But does the winning really matter?)

Britain's youngest Olympic medalist, skateboarder Sky Brown, also happens to be an autodidact. "I just learn tricks off YouTube," said Brown in 2019. Her father concurred by adding, "Her friends are all [at the skate park] so it's more like just playing with them. It's not serious. It's not 'going to training'." No coach, just … Continue reading Is it really that hard to teach yourself?

Education is a big deal for me.  Not the institution, but the actual learning.  I LOVE to learn.  About everything.  Mostly about how to learn. Having graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, I was convinced that a "good education" was the answer to all of society’s problems, and I was about to inspire hundreds of children to go … Continue reading When a teacher admits, “I didn’t sign up for this”.

"How old is she, again?” I asked.   "She just turned 3.”  I watched as she kept climbing until she neared the thinner branches toward the top of the tree.  Her mother was standing beside me, looking only a little concerned, so I tried to make my face look as calm as hers. What was … Continue reading Free-range kids: Do they still exist?

What if there was a way for your children to be more motivated in their learning AND to take on more responsibility in achieving their learning goals?   In our home, we have found a simple way to do just that.  It may look like a page out of a typical school diary, but this … Continue reading What happens when kids take ownership of their learning?

This year, the arts industry has taken one of the biggest financial hits of any industry.  And yet, we have arguably never needed it as much as we did this year.   In a year filled with stress, longing, grief, frustration, confusion, sickness, loss, and more, my family has come to appreciate and depend on … Continue reading What art did for us in 2020

Have you ever been so into a project that you forgot to eat (or pee)? Perhaps it was a book you couldn't put down, a Sudoku you needed to finish, a room that you were renovating, a rabbit trail of websites you were absorbing on a specific topic.  Hours later you look up and are … Continue reading 7 components of a great learning space

I'm just finishing a book by Blake Boles called, Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School? If you are on the fence about home educating or know someone who is, this is your book. In addition to reading Boles' book, I invite you to listen to a webinar that I presented as part … Continue reading Are you still on the fence?