When I polled readers of the brand new Homeschool Encouragement three months ago, I asked “What would encourage you most as a homeschool Mom?” One answer often repeated was “Hearing from homeschool graduates.” I began my search and will continue to seek out homeschool graduates who would like to write an encouraging essay for Homeschool mothers here at Homeschool Encouragement. If you are a homeschool graduate with a heart to bless — please contact me for more information! This is the first in the series — from Victoria Jaime.
My name is Victoria and I am the tenth of twelve children. Yes, that is correct and I didn’t write it wrong, I have seven brothers and four sisters. I grew up in a house where there was always something to do and someone to do it with. I was not homeschooled in the traditional sense. My mother was my primary teacher but she was not my only teacher. I took several writing classes, two art classes, Astronomy, Alabama History, Physics, Chemistry, French and Treasures (a class where we memorized scripture, learned geography, made things from clay, learned about some of the presidents, and many other things). All were taught by other homeschool mothers either at their homes or at my mother’s resource center (Creative Learning Connection). When doing my school work I was rarely at home; looking back I am thankful it was that way. I could still think of my home as home and school as somewhere else.
My experience as a whole was good and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Yes, there are some things I wish were done differently. For example, I wish I wrote more papers such as essays, research proposals, and the like. I enjoy writing and I think it is good to know how to write in a way that clearly communicates what you are trying to say. Obviously there are always going to be pros and cons. As a girl I was bummed that there were not many events for me to dress up for. My junior year I heard of a homeschool prom someone was putting on for the second year in a row, I ended up going that year and also my senior year with a group of friends. Nowadays they have added Homecoming.
For those worried about not being in social circles I think that would have to be a deliberate choice you make. I served as secretary of my Government Club one year, president the next and then Chaplain my senior year. I participated in the Montgomery YMCA’s Mock Trial program five years in a row improving my public speaking skills considerably. I was active with the local AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) region participating on teams for ten years in row — and because of that I interacted with *gasp* public schoolers! I say this in jest because for the most part I was criticized for being “homeschooled”. I think that mainly has to do with the fact that people have a hard time grasping fully what it means to be homeschooled. For me, it meant my mother and I choose what I studied and got to pick who taught me, when and where. It did not mean I was home 24/7. Though there were the perks of sleeping in past 8am and sometimes 9am.
Since graduating from high school two years ago, I have lived overseas in Albania for seven months (teaching soccer once a week and learning the language), I have attended a semester at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and I am currently pursuing a career in the health and fitness field.
