Embrace and celebrate the good

May 24, 2024 | Sharon Sedlar

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the daily toll (and trolls), that we forget to embrace and celebrate the good – and particularly that which exists in our own homes, and likely due to some amazing hard work and dedication.

We forget that we live in the best country in the world, where freedom does ring; where entrepreneurship and innovation is encouraged, especially when we collaborate to bring about positive change for our children.

That’s not to say that district schools don’t work hard every single day to best serve their students.  But, as we parents know, there are just some parts of life that are beyond our control – so we need to pull ourselves up, gather our resources, and chart a new or different path for ourselves; and sometimes, for our children.

You can step forward to create change for not only your own child, but for other children as well.  (And trust me – you are not the only one who may be feeling that your child needs “different”!)

Microschools can be a solution.  They take many forms, but an important note is the children “enrolled” are all designated as homeschoolers – it’s just the “school” set up that is different, and varies widely.  The “microschool” can be as small as just a few students, getting together for a few hours per week with learning as directed by the parent community. Rather than formal payment, a barter system sometimes is used (such as in rural communities where farm products are shared). It could even be online!

Or a microschool can be 5-6 students with specialized needs in a home (in one case, within an environment such as Failte Microschool , started by a special needs educator, motivated by her own son’s journey.

Or a microschool can be 30 students with a focus on not only core subjects, but farm animals, horticulture, and fresh air, like Buckland Cottage Farm & School, starting next school year in West Virginia.  (I wish we were closer, because my kids would likely be among the first to sign up!)

Or a microschool can be larger (hundreds of students) with a more formal approach to education – being provided in a community center, church hall, old school building or business space.

If your child is not thriving in their current educational environment – regardless of what it is – you can be the solution for them, and if you like, others as well.  If you’re interested in hearing more about how you might be able to do this for yourself or others and would like to participate in informational events, please fill out this google form to be included on our information and alert list.

And of course, by all means, share this information with others you know who might like to be “in the loop” as well – parents, teachers, administrators, grandparents, retired educators, your church or community organizations… 

The possibilities are truly endless.  Embrace it!  We are here to help!