The decision to homeschool is rarely made lightly, especially for those who have dedicated their professional lives to the public education system. In this week’s Homeschool How-To podcast episode, we meet Terri, a former special education teacher who made the dramatic shift from classroom educator to homeschooling mother of four (soon to be five).
Terri’s story begins like many others – as a first-generation Mexican-American whose parents emphasized education as the pathway to success. She dutifully followed this path, earning her teaching degree with a specialty in special education. For five years, she worked within Arizona’s public school system, believing she had found the perfect “mom-friendly” career that would allow her to balance professional fulfillment with family responsibilities.
However, what Terri witnessed during her time in public education gradually changed her perspective. Working in a resource room with students who had various learning disabilities, she gained a unique perspective on the entire educational ecosystem. Though she acknowledges that most teachers genuinely try their best, she observed systemic issues that concerned her deeply – rigid behavioral expectations, peer pressure, classroom management variations, and minimal individualized attention.
“I think the gen ed teachers, 99% of them really try to do the best for their students,” Terri explained. “But for my kids, especially my son – he’s the oldest, he’s in middle school now – he was a little bit of a class clown. He liked to make people laugh. And I think it was harder for him because he was a teacher’s kid, so there was more pressure on him.”
The COVID-19 pandemic became the tipping point in Terri’s professional journey. She witnessed concerning behaviors from fellow educators regarding vaccination status and observed how the pandemic response negatively affected students. “We know that suicide rates went up,” she noted, reflecting on the mental health impacts of distance learning.
Making the transition to homeschooling required significant sacrifice. Terri and her husband made the difficult decision to move across the country from Arizona to South Carolina, where the cost of living would allow them to survive on a single income. “We really had to downsize and just make a huge sacrifice,” she shared. Despite her educational background, Terri still experienced doubts about her ability to effectively teach her own children.
After giving public school in their new state a one-year trial, Terri was unimpressed and finally made the leap to full-time homeschooling for all her children. Her oldest son, who had primarily attended school for socialization, thrived in the home environment where he could focus without constant distractions. Her middle daughter, who had experienced anxiety about academic testing in kindergarten, found relief from the performance pressure.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of Terri’s homeschooling journey has been how it’s strengthened her family bonds. When they welcomed their fourth child, the older children appreciated being home to witness their baby sister’s development. “It almost makes me want to cry because they really just loved that part of being at home. We get to see our baby sister all the time.”
The family’s approach to curriculum has evolved over time. Terri has experimented with Good and the Beautiful and Easy Peasy, focusing especially on finding the right reading program for her children. She emphasizes flexibility in their schedule, typically homeschooling four days per week, and allowing for breaks when needed – particularly as they prepare to welcome their fifth child.
One significant advantage Terri has found in homeschooling is the opportunity for her children to develop practical life skills. “My house stays cleaner now because they can all chip in. They’ve learned how we clean the bathroom, how you put your clothes away, how we unload a dishwasher. They’re learning real skills, real things of how to take care of a home and pitch in.”
Looking toward the future, Terri acknowledges some apprehension about high school-level subjects, particularly math. She’s exploring co-op options and supplemental resources that might help when her son reaches that stage. Yet despite the challenges and sacrifices, she remains confident in their choice: “It was hard, but I’m happy. At the end of the day, it was the right decision, and I could never imagine going back.”
For those contemplating a similar journey, Terri offers this encouragement: “You’re never going to regret having that time with your children. There’s so much beauty in that, in being able to say ‘I walked away from this career because I see the value in homeschooling my children.'”