Homeschooling and the Freedom of Knowledge.
From the abusive school environment, to the wholesomeness of home.
It’s July, and that means grilling, trips to the lake, vacations, and impromptu days out. For most families, Summer is a time to do all these things and to catch up on family activities. For homeschooling families, we get to do these things all year long. If you have been feeling the nudge to pull your children out of school, summer is the perfect time to do so. When August rolls around, simply call the school and disenroll them. Or better yet, just don’t even bother. They will call you. And when they do, tell them you are homeschooling and they will never bother you again. When the schools have to make their 10-day, 40-days, and 90-day student count and report it to the state, if your child hasn’t been showing up, they won’t be counted and will automatically be disenrolled. Make them do the work.
As a former elementary public school teacher, I’d like to briefly explain my experience and what prompted me to never send my children to public school, in hopes of persuading you to take that step and never look back.
April 7, 2020 will forever be a date that lives in my head. After an extended Spring Break due to the “two weeks to slow the spread,” the Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and her cabinet, decided to keep schools closed until further notice. As I watched the press conference on the local news channel, something stirred inside me. I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. After all, when in the history of the Earth had schools ever been shut down and students not allowed to return for fear of catching a sickness? This is what began my awakening journey.
New Mexico schools were “running” without students for an entire calendar year. Only kindergarten through second grade and students with special needs were allowed to return in April of 2021. Later in the year older students were able to return. Even then only cohorts of five students at a time were able to attend direct instruction. Not without stipulations of course.
In August 2021, to begin the new school year, employees and students were required to submit test results to the district, while also being forced to put a mask on their faces before stepping foot in the building. Remember the Covid Cash? The Public Education Department (PED) of New Mexico also gave stipulations. One of them being that each school was to update the HVAC system and each classroom had an air filtration system that somehow magically sanitized the air. At the end of the day, the custodians went to each classroom and sprayed everything down with another magical sanitizer and we were told to not leave important papers or water bottles because they would get a sticky substance on them. I don’t recall seeing workers in or on the building replacing the HVAC system, so where did most of that money go?
By Labor Day, the governor declared that if state employees (along with companies that had more than 100 employees) weren’t vaccinated, they still had to submit weekly tests to continue to work, and they still had to wear a mask, while employees who were vaccinated didn’t have to do either of those things. Can you say, discrimination? I can’t even count how many teachers I know got the first jab simply so they didn’t have to wear a mask at work. Let alone how many children and teenagers were forced to be poisoned and muzzled because their parents feared they would die if they went to school.
From the announcement that schools would be closed indefinitely, to wearing a mask in the building, I was critical and skeptical of the entire façade. I would walk around without a mask. No one said a word to me. And if they were talking about me, it was when I wasn’t around. It is important to note that my principal, and superintendent at the time were related by marriage. I believe they were even college roommates.
Since I was “unvaccinated” I was required to submit my weekly test results to the superintendent. In all honesty, I believe I took one test, in August of 2021. But after reading about and hearing that even the tests were faulty and full of poison, (thanks, Dr. Brooks) I refused to take another test. During our “Meet the Teacher Day” in early August, I wore my mask around my chin, giving parents an idea of where I stood. On the first day of school I told my class that in my classroom they didn’t have to wear a mask, even though they were required everywhere else, even P.E..
So, my class went about our day and our year as normal. No social distancing. No hand sanitizer. No masks. I remember a particular student constantly kept it on. She was one of my better behaved and intelligent students, but unfortunately, her parents had her brainwashed and she never took her mask off.
In November I received an unexpected visit from the superintendent. He interrupted my class to pull me out in the hallway to scold me about not wearing a mask or not making my students wear one. He warned me that wearing a mask and submitting weekly tests was a condition of employment and that I could have it noted in my file for insubordination. I told him that I understood and that I wasn’t changing my mind. He left, then emailed me a week later, after Thanksgiving break, asking that I come to his office. It was there that he gave me three options. Two of the options required taking an unpaid leave of absence and a third option was resignation. I decided to take the unpaid leave of absence, and December 17, 2021 was my last day teaching.
I say all of that, to say this: stepping away from teaching has been the greatest decision of my life. I have spent more time with my own children than I ever have. (Side note: the average American family spends 45 minutes a day together, and children are in school for 16,000 hours). This is time you can never, ever, get back.
I have learned to garden, make bread with and without sourdough, tend to chickens, taken a leadership position in a weekly Bible study (something I could never do working full-time) and I have grown closer to my husband, who supported me for 8 ½ years during my career, and helped take care of things when I pursued my Master’s Degree. Which, by the way, I have never used.
When my oldest son turned six last year and was set to enter Kindergarten, there was no hesitation from both of us about homeschooling him.
In 2020 and 2021 I realized the true motives of those in the education field, and none of them have children’s or teachers’ best interests at heart. When I explained to the superintendent that I was teaching my students what it means to take a stand for something you believe in, his exact response was, “You are also teaching them not to obey direct orders from your boss.” And, my principal, when referring to reporting me, said, “I had to do it. He is my best friend. He has been through a lot and has had to handle a tough situation.”
It was during those moments that I realized that teachers are slaves, and students are numbers. And every time the administration says they care about students, they’re lying. They don’t care about anyone or anything but money. Students are simply a number and the more students that are enrolled, the more money they receive from the state. And, according to them, having more money means they can better educate.
If it seems your local school district is constantly trying to pass levies, it’s because they’re broke. Less and less students are attending which means they are losing more and more money. In my local school district, each student counts for approximately $9,000. Having so-called conservatives on the school board, accomplishes nothing. Passing levies accomplishes nothing but raising taxes. The only way to hit these people where it hurts is to stop attending and to homeschool.
Since we began homeschooling, we have connected with like-minded families, made new friends, and have had the freedom to do whatever we want and call it school.
Do you struggle with getting your children out the door with a good breakfast? I don’t have to wake my sons up when they’re not ready, and we’re able to have slow mornings and eat a breakfast full of protein.
Does your son or daughter spend most of their time in the principal’s office because they don’t comply with sitting down and shutting up? That’s because they weren’t designed that way. God did not create them to sit still and be quiet all day. Especially boys.
Do you regret missing out on field trips? We take field trips once a week.
Do you worry about your children not getting enough time outdoors? We are outside every day taking walks, playing baseball, or playing in the dirt.
Do you worry what your child is learning in school and fear that it goes against what you are teaching at home? With homeschooling you don’t have to. You are free to teach them whatever you want, however you want, and whenever you want.
Don’t feel like doing schoolwork today? Don’t. Take a break. Go outside. Read a book. Watch a movie. Play with Legos. Visit a state park.
What about the socialization aspect, you ask? Let me answer with this: when was the last time you were in a room with peers your exact same age? Twelfth grade probably. Also, would you prefer your children learning inappropriate language and behavior, and things of the world from their peers while they are unsupervised at recess? Or would you prefer your children learn Biblical teachings, morals and life skills from the comfort of your own home? For many, this is a no-brainer.
The states can pass whatever laws they want. If they pass a ban on teaching CRT, it doesn’t matter. Some Marxist teacher will sneak it in. If they pass a ban on trannies using the wrong bathroom, it doesn’t matter. Pedophiles and creeps will still find a way to abuse children. Just two weeks ago the state superintendent of Oklahoma announced that every school will be required to teach the Bible. You know who doesn’t have to worry about bureaucrats telling them what to do? Homeschoolers.
I write all of this to encourage you to do what is best for your children. If you have been on the fence about pulling your children out of school, this year and RIGHT NOW is the perfect time. That nudge is from the Holy Spirit, telling you to protect your children.
I would like to leave you with some advice. First, and I believe the most important is to find a local homeschooling group. If you are on Facebook, this is an easy search. Connecting with a group of like-minded families has made the biggest impact. Not only for my children, but for myself. It keeps us accountable, and we have found ways to serve the community, and my sons and I have made new friends.
Secondly, please do not expect to sit at the table doing bookwork all day. My son and I spend 30 minutes at the table, we read a chapter or a book together, and call it a day. The cool thing is you can be flexible and meet your child where he or she is.
Third, don’t be married to a single curriculum or textbook. We didn’t even use a curriculum this year. For science and history, we studied anything he was interested in. For math and language arts, we used a workbook from Walmart. Sometimes things will work, sometimes things will not. Many homeschoolers go back and forth often between curriculums.
If you’re worried about the cost of textbooks, there are very good programs out there that are cost effective. For example, this year I will be purchasing a Language Arts and Math program from The Good and the Beautiful. Both textbooks will cost me around $130. Both programs are straightforward teaching, have engaging activities, and include teachings of Jesus. If you prefer a more in-depth program, Abeka is more expensive, although it has everything you need, all you have to do is facilitate. Saxon Math is an excellent program that teaches math in a very traditional way, if you prefer that style. Read, do research, ask around. You will find something that works for your family, because you have the freedom to do so!
Finally, here’s some sage advice to encourage you as well:
“Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone.”- John Adams
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” - James Madison
“If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.”-Benjamin Franklin
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6
“And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” -Jesus Christ, John 8:32
BIO: Cicily Hellekson, M. Ed., was an elementary school teacher for 8 1/2 years. In 2021, she was fired for not going along with the “COVID” lie. She has been married for almost 10 years and is currently a homemaker and a homeschooling mother of two. Cicily Hellekson is also on Gab. Her previous Substack article titled, The Quiet Subversion, can be read here.
This is a subject I feel very strongly about, we who have children are so incredibly blessed. Do you remember how much having children changed you? It’s a connection and a love that simply cannot be explained to someone that doesn’t have children. It’s an instant life changing connection and a bond that is so special that I’m kind of tearing up just writing this, it changed my life for ever. Why on earth would I want someone random person shaping my children’s lives for me? No person will ever have the connection with your child that you have. These are your children they are a product of your love, your experiences, your hard work, they are your responsibility, it is your responsibility to shape them to educate them help them become good, caring, hard working, honest, Loving people, to help them become better versions of you by admitting your mistakes and explaining consequences to them, by loving them to in a way that it is impossible for them to be loved in a public school setting. Think about, public school is the biggest slap in the face to the gift of being a parent that there is. Public school says that all kids are the same, and should be taught the same thing to prepare them to become wage slave in a forced work force!!!! By doing your job as a parent and accepting responsibility for your kids, you get to see what they excel at and help them build on that instead of forcing them to learn the same as everyone other kid. Public school does not create people it creates something else, it’s toxic, and let’s be honesty almost everything in those text books is a lie, how can we tell kids that things happened if we were not there ourselves to witness these things happen? You can’t sugar coat that, if you didn’t see it for your self you can not know the details, you can read what is said in those textbooks all day but can not call it truth, because you don’t know that it is for sure. This is another major problem with public school, all facts are subject to change upon examination from a different perspective. There are not many real facts, what is most important is to teach our children what it means to be honest, and the responsibilities that come with being in a family, the importance of hard work, also how to be passionate about everything they chose to investigate, how to question everything, how to do there own research to narrow down truth, how to problem solve, how to watch for people who want to take advantage of them, how to defend themselves, how to do the the right thing, the truth about what government actually is, capable of destroying everything, responsible for genocide, responsible for planning, executing, and funding wars, constantly researching new ways to cause death, responsible for all forms of debt, entitled to take as much of anything they want from you, land, money, mineral rights etc, entitled to control every aspect of your life and know exactly where your are every second of your life, never willing to accept accountability but always willing to hold you accountable, oh and they say that they have to lie to you for your protection, and they mandate school curriculums!!! Again it’s our job to teach our children the importance of honesty, lying is not ok?!! Oh and the most important part things we can teach our children, there gut instinct is a gift from the one and only God, and his son Jesus Christ came to teach us the truth and save us from our sins!! He gave the ultimate sacrifice out of pure love to make us a path to heaven by dying on the cross!! This is where I stand on public schooling, god bless!!!
Informative AND inspiring article. Thank you.