Quick Summary:
For the Feuerstein family, frustrations with the public school system, particularly concerning curriculum inaccuracies and a lack of parental involvement, ultimately led them to take control of their children's education. "It was an eye-opening experience," Rob explained, recalling an incident where their daughter was taught inaccurate information about Lewis and Clark. "It was at that point where I was realizing that education was not the point of her attending that institute."
The final straw came when they discovered the curriculum's bias and the school's inability to address their concerns. "The principal just said his hands were tied," Natalie recounted. "In order to get funding, that's the curriculum they had to use." This realization, coupled with other issues like group punishments and concerns about sex education and social manipulation, solidified their decision to homeschool. "It's about conditioning," Rob asserted, "not teaching."
The transition, while initially jarring, proved to be positive. The Feuersteins designed a personalized curriculum, utilizing online resources, books, and co-ops. "One of the benefits of homeschooling is that we could try different things," Natalie explained. They emphasized involving their children in the learning process, tailoring it to their individual interests and learning styles. "I tried to involve them in what we were going to be learning," Natalie said, "and what they were going to be learning as much as possible."
The children, while initially missing their friends, adapted quickly to the new routine and embraced the flexibility and personalized learning. "The friends that I made like once I came homeschooled were like actual friends," Bri shared. They also appreciated the increased family time and the ability to pursue their individual passions. "I enjoyed how much time I got to spend with my siblings and my family," she added.
The Feuersteins highlighted the stark contrast between the "glorified jack-of-all-trades" approach of public schools and the customized education they were able to provide at home. "Homeschool is just a very personalized and customized education," Rob emphasized. They also learned the importance of "detoxing" from the public school mindset and focusing on teaching their children how to learn, rather than just memorizing information.
"It's spendy," Natalie admitted, "to do it [homeschool]." From books and curriculum to hands-on learning materials and extracurricular activities, the costs added up. Their homesteading lifestyle, while enriching, also presented financial considerations.
The Feuersteins' commitment to faith played a significant role in their homeschooling approach. "Faith is very important to us," Rob explained. "We can center everything around…our relationship with our creator." They integrated their faith into all aspects of their learning, discussing moral and ethical implications of the subjects they studied.
They also emphasized the importance of teaching their children practical life skills. From animal husbandry and herbalism to building a house and managing finances, their children were actively involved in real-world experiences. "They're learning like how to find source information," Natalie explained, "how to put that information in a form…that helps them remember it, retain it, and then how they're going to use it."
The Feuerstein are strong advocates for school choice, believing that parents should have the freedom to choose the educational path that best suits their children's needs.
They also believe that funding should follow the child, allowing families to access resources and support for homeschooling or other alternative education options. "The money needs to follow the kids," Rob asserted, "and that's completely up to the parents."
