I am often frustrated by the question, “But are you a certified teacher?”  I happen to be one, but I don’t believe it has any impact on my ability to teach my own kids.  Do I use any of what I learned while I worked towards certification?  Perhaps.  But more likely I use techniques and ideas I developed or improved upon while I was in the classroom.

But I also develop a lot of techniques and ideas right here at home. And guess what?  Because I am working with the same kids year after year, I am much more effective.  I don’t have to learn the dynamics of my classroom each year; I don’t have to figure out who the leaders are and where the trouble makers sit; I don’t have to seek out the advanced kids or the strugglers and find ways to meet their needs.  I already know who they are and I already know what works.

So I can focus on meeting those needs and I can adjust to the fact that they are improving; they are getting stronger; and they are developing more and more skills each year.

So, did I need this certification to be an effective teacher?  Absolutely not!

And you know what?  Homeschoolers are always standing out among their peers so I can say with confidence that the parents out there who are teaching their children don’t need it either.

If you are faced with the certification question, pass on this article, which addresses the facts about certification and success and tell the questioner to read up on what the research says.

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