East Central Texas News

While hundreds of thousands of families had to acclimate to home-based education during 2020 in response to COVID-19, many families had already chosen to teach their children at home for other reasons.

“We were concerned about the agenda of the public school system and the worldview of many who administrate and teach,” Kori Peterson, an East Texas mother of two, told East Central Texas News. 

Concerns about school shootings and the maturity of students contributed to the family’s ultimate decision to bring their children back home for education. Peterson, a strong Christian, also feels a duty to educate her children so they can distinguish truth from lie with a foundation in their religious faith. 

| Contributed photo

Peterson has been homeschooling her children for 12 years, off-setting some of the extended time at home with involvement in a co-op. While her children cannot participate in the extracurricular activities that public schools offer, Peterson teaches co-op classes from time to time and the family goes on select field trips. 

Some families find that a particular curriculum developer is perfect for their needs, but for the Petersons the resources are a little more varied. Apologia is a favorite of the family, as is Teaching Textbooks. For a general homeschooling manual, Peterson recommends “Educating The Wholehearted Child” by Clay & Sally Clarkson. 

“I am more eclectic by nature, and somewhat unstructured,” Peterson said. “For history, we enjoy reading great stories and traveling to places and attending living history events and reenactments.”

Peterson has high praise for the flexibility that homeschooling offers and recommends it to families searching for a better fit for their students. 

“I really love what I learn as I stay a step ahead of them and sometimes right along with them,” Peterson said. “And I am astounded at what they learn on their own. My kids are getting smarter than me.”