The Joys of Learning: Why In-Person Experiences Outshine Remote Education

In-person learning provides so many precious moments that have made my teaching

experiences deeply rewarding. When I work with children, I am continually reminded of why I’m so passionate about developing personalized curricula and lesson plans. There’s something truly priceless about those moments when a child’s face lights up after grasping a challenging concept, laughing over a silly comment or drawing, or finding the humor in a difficult situation, emerging with renewed courage and determination. These moments are increasingly rare in the realm of online education, based on my personal experiences. I do feel that prolonged periods of remote learning can significantly impact mental health, leading to heightened stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

However, there’s GOOD news on the horizon!

We still have the freedom to nurture the intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth of our

children by encompassing a distraction-free environment with hands-on learning, even in a world increasingly dominated by technology and devices. Mankind was created for one reason: to know and love God, and to have fellowship with Him. It’s also important to remember the value of coming together, as we are encouraged to do, to support and uplift one another with the goal of fostering creativity and self-expression in our educational journeys. We can take charge of our educational paths as pioneers, creating a standard that is flexible, resilient, individualized, equitable, and, above all, joyful.

The BEST Educational News!

Georgia’s educational requirements offer families the flexibility to provide personalized

instruction that aligns with their core values and beliefs. Here’s a closer look at how these easily adaptable regulations can benefit students and families:

The rules and regulations are simple:

1. Parents, teachers, and tutors are required to have a high school diploma or GED

equivalent.

2. Parents must send a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool to the Georgia Department of Education annually by September 1 of each year, or within 30 days of beginning to

homeschool. This is the only official document required.

https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Study-DOI.aspx

3. If your child was previously enrolled in a public or private educational institution, your

Declaration of Intent to Homeschool must be submitted to that institution within 45

days of withdrawal.

4. Required subjects: Reading, Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and

Science. Parents have complete control when choosing curriculum for their homeschool

journey, and the library is an amazing and free resource that is available to every child.

5. Students are required to be evaluated every three years beginning at the end of third

grade. Common standardized tests include: CAT (no specific requirements for the test

administrator), ITBS, Stanford Test, and Terra Nova. These results are never submitted

to the Georgia Department of Education, but parents must retain these evaluations in

their homeschool records. https://ghea.org/test-suppliers/

6. An annual progress report is also required to be completed and retained in the parent’s homeschool records.

In a world where technology often takes center stage, let’s not forget the powerful impact of face-to-face interactions and personalized learning. By combining these elements with the flexibility offered by Georgia’s educational requirements, we can create an enriching and joyful learning experience for our children.

Interested in homeschooling in Atlanta, Georgia?