Homeschooling and Certification

Aug 23rd, 2009 | By Jessica Parnell | Category: Issues in Homeschooling, Lead Article

I am often frustrated by the question, “But are you a certified teacher?” I happen to be one, but I don’t believe it has any impact on my ability to teach my own kids. Do I use any of what I learned while I worked towards certification? Perhaps. But more likely I use techniques and ideas I developed or improved upon while I was in the classroom.

But I also develop a lot of techniques and ideas right here at home. And guess what? Because I am working with the same kids year after year, I am much more effective. I don’t have to learn the dynamics of my classroom each year; I don’t have to figure out who the leaders are and where the trouble makers sit; I don’t have to seek out the advanced kids or the strugglers and find ways to meet their needs. I already know who they are and I already know what works.

So I can focus on meeting those needs and I can adjust to the fact that they are improving; they are getting stronger; and they are developing more and more skills each year.

So, did I need this certification to be an effective teacher? Absolutely not!

And you know what? Homeschoolers are always standing out among their peers so I can say with confidence that the parents out there who are teaching their children don’t need it either.

If you are faced with the certification question, pass on this article, which addresses the facts about certification and success and tell the questioner to read up on what the research says.

Additional homeschooling posts:

What Government Budget Cuts Mean for Your Child’s Education
Will cuts in education effect your child's education? All around the country, education has been asked to take a seat in the barber's chair – and it’s not just for a trim.

Homeschool Graduate Attends Georgetown University for Almost Nothing
There is one homeschool student who has impressed me from the first year I met him.

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Tags: Homeschool certification, homeschool qualifications, homeschool success

5 comments
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Alice Kelly May 24th, 2010 12:31 pm :
Home Schooling is also nice since you got to always see your kids.~;,
Jessica Taylor May 24th, 2010 1:55 pm :
Home Schooling is also nice since you got to always see your kids.*`~
Lexie Wilkinson July 22nd, 2010 9:18 pm :
i was home schooled too but i would still prefer regular schools.;,`
Libby Murray September 9th, 2010 6:57 am :
i was home schooled and it is quite satisfactory when providing basic education`;*
CEW January 15th, 2011 6:10 pm :
I spent much of my elementary years at home although I was officially enrolled in school. I do think it’s nice to be able to connect with a school too – for after school sports and clubs for example, especially in the upper grades. It would be nice if more high schools provided links for parents to a particular class at the appropriate grade level and to their curriculum. And finally some community colleges provide links to way to get a home school diploma certified!