The Unique Power of a Homeschool Parent: Innovation

It has finally hit me. As a homeschooling parent, I have a unique superpower.

I am an innovator.

in·no·va·tor   ˈinəˌvādər/   noun

     1.  a person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products.

Specifically, I am an educational innovator.  

I am on the cutting edge of updating education in the 21st century.

I regularly try new teaching methods, test various curriculums, adopt the best philosophies, and work hard to implement the best educational practices for my children.

And I am not the only one.

The power of educational innovation rests in the hands of every homeschool parent on this planet.

Educational Innovators

Homeschool parents have some unique advantages when it comes to educational innovation.

We are not bound by a set of common core standards or any set of standards that are currently “en vogue” with the powers that be. We have access to those standards, but we are not tied to them. We can choose to follow aspects of them, but we have fields of freedom in the implementation.

Our homeschools are not required to adopt any one particular educational philosophy. We are free to explore a Classical approach, ground ourselves in the teachings of Charlotte Mason, adopt a method of unschooling, learn with unit studies, or follow our own eclectic mix of these methods.  Most of us tend toward one or two of the overarching educational philosophies, but we are free to bend and stretch the principles as needed.

But sometimes, we are scared to do the bending and the stretching. We continue to force a philosophy, a practice, or a curriculum even when something just isn’t working. We don’t always feel confident to modify or update an approach.

But we should.

A New Era of Education

Homeschooling parents are the very people who should be ushering in a new era of education.  An era that embraces the research, science, philosophy, and technology of the post-modern time period that we live in.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we reject the philosophies of that past in their entirety! Instead, we recognize the value in aspects of the educational methods and approaches of the 20th century but we adopt them and update them for the 21st century.

We are the educators of our time.

The World is Changing Rapidly

We have fantastic access to research in the fields of education, psychology, and science.  Do you realize that our understanding of quantum physics impacts how we should be educating our kids? Mind-blowing. Worthy of consideration.

Technology is a powerful tool in our educational arsenal. We can learn how to use it to bring information from all over the world straight into our classrooms.

We can usher in the future of education right through our own front doors.

And while it can feel overwhelming, we should allow it to be empowering.

YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Proceed with confidence as the teacher.

Innovator.

More Homeschool Encouragement

Five Days of Innovative Education

Embracing Good Enough

Homeschooling Teens: One Mom’s Transition

Transitioning to the Final Years of Homeschooling

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Mary Wilson

Mary is a writer and mother to four kids ranging from elementary to high school.

She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.

She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

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