Episode #7: Beginning Unschooling During a Pandemic: Part Two

This was originally a conversation recorded for and posted to the Stories of Unschooling Families online community in Spring of 2022 and we decided to include it as an episode. Ashley and Erin had an opportunity to talk to Jenna Reich of Rogue Learner podcast and website and Jenna Reich Photography about Ashley’s and Jenna’s journey into beginning home education, specifically unschooling or self-directed education. This was an interesting opportunity to discuss beginning homeschooling during and/or because of the pandemic with two parents who also happen to have worked in the education system.    We Discuss: Whether beginning homeschooling during a pandemic is easier as far as it being accepted Being a certified teacher and home educating How the pandemic gave the space to do research and find what really worked for an individual family Increased questioning about homeschooling around the time of certain milestones: eg. Kindergarten, Grade One, Junior High years, High school Explaining what we do (with or without the word “unschooling” and depending on how much time we have, level of listener’s interest)  The benefit of having a spouse working from home during the pandemic giving the opportunity for both parents to see living and learning in action  The explosion of online information from newer home educators and whether people are more confident and knowledgeable in sharing The role of sharing experience on social media and in online groups The desire to share as a way of offering possibilities and information to others, but also the consideration of privacy in sharing about one’s family  Home education as just part of a wider life, interconnected with decisions and thinking about other systems The beauty of having a wide range of voices in the podcasting, blogging, authorship world Decentering school – supportive and connected parenting regardless of where kids are being educated   Resources mentioned: Rogue Learner Podcast The Homeschool Project Podcast Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids Clubhouse  Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids Podcast Kiki and the Wildlings  Exploring Unschooling Podcast The Unschool Files Podcast Unschooling School