Homeschooling in the Mohawk Valley

By Allysa Rader

The school year has ended for most students in the Mohawk Valley, and summertime fun can begin.

Proud parents and family members share photos on social media of their kiddo’s Pre-K graduations, ceremonies to mark the transition from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school graduates celebrating a most momentous achievement.

These celebrations include families who homeschool and are moving their children up a grade in their learning. While the end of a school year and the anticipation of the next does not entail a new teacher, a different class of peers, or a new building as it might for those in public school, homeschooling students and their parents are still excited for the next chapter.

Mary Martens of Mohawk homeschools her nineyear-old son, who has just finished third grade. They use a curriculum called Bookshark that offers completion certificates when a subject is completed.

“I always make a big deal about signing the certificate and handing it to him. Then we take a picture to mark the occasion and get ice cream at Mrs. Shakes to celebrate. It’s a tradition, and it’s nice to celebrate his accomplishment of completing a grade. I really know how hard he worked because I was with him every step of the way, watching him,” said Mary.

Mary appreciates that teaching her son means having an active role in his learning. fall through the cracks because I’m paying close attention and putting extra help into areas where he needs it, and diving deeper into topics he’s particularly good at or especially enjoys.”

Mary also plans to homeschool her 2-yearold son once he is schoolage.

“We just love the freedom it gives us. We don’t have to live by someone else’s schedule. We make our own. We went to Florida last year, and we were able to go for three weeks, and I just planned our school schedule around it. We had a bunch of educational field trips down there too. Learning is all of the time, not just when you sit down and do your curriculum. I also feel like we get more field trips than public school does, thanks to the great homeschool groups around here. And, there is nothing better than first-hand experiences.”

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooled children score 15 to 30 percentile points above public school students on standardized tests. There were 3.1

Please See HOMESCHOOLING

HOMESCHOOLING From Page 12 million homeschooled students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States, roughly 6% of all students in this grade range.

Jennifer Pierce recently moved to Herkimer from Oriskany. She homeschools her two daughters, ages 13 and 8. “I was homeschooled growing up and experienced many of the benefits. I had always thought I’d want to homeschool my children eventually”, explained Jennifer.

“My older daughter was struggling in public school with math and English.

Along with a collection of other reasons, we started homeschooling in 2020. I didn’t want them wearing a mask all day or to get the mindset that social distancing was normal. I wanted them to be able to socialize like normal,” says Jennifer.

Parents and guardians who homeschool their children can also choose what they learn and how they learn it. For example, parents may base some learning around family practices and traditions, such as faith-based beliefs. Learning can also be structured around a family’s interests. While New York State does have

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educational requirements and mandatory reporting for students registered as being homeschooled, parents still have the freedom to incorporate topics, field trips, books, and other learning methods of their choice.

Jennifer also mentioned the flexibility of scheduling and setting a pace tailored to her children’s needs as a positive aspect of their homeschooling experience.

“I am able to cater to their learning styles and interests so they can develop a love of learning.

about this because I know the truth. When people get to read the book and look at the evidence, they’re going to know that Herkimer is the true home of basketball. Hopefully, we’ll get support from the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield to tell that story.”

Flansburg said that to be 28 miles from the Hall of Fame for Baseball and to have a hall of fame here, even if it’s just New York State, will be huge. “We really believe that Herkimer deserves to become to basketball what Cooperstown is to baseball.”

“It puts Herkimer on the map. If all we do is save those historic buildings that witnessed the beginning of basketball, I believe we can freeze that block in time, and people can come there and shoot baskets where baskets were first shot,” he said.

If you would like to see your story in the Mohawk Valley Express - email it to news@mohawkvalleyexpress.com

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I have the ability to go at their pace so they can go slower where needed and advance where gifted. We can have a flexible schedule that utilizes any time of day and any place for learning. My children get to really socialize with all ages so they can become more socially rounded. I appreciate the ability to add life skills and practical knowledge along with things like community service to their education. When you homeschool, you have a closer relationship with your kids because you spend so much more time with them, and they are also closer to their siblings.”

Homeschooling your children is not always easy, says Jennifer. “The challenge for me is getting subjects done that my kids would prefer not to do - math & English. I also have to referee sibling disagreements while teaching them. And, at times, it can be challenging to find something to spark their interest.”

For anyone considering homeschooling their children, Jennifer advises knowing the state regulations on what is required. She also recommends getting to know your kids and their learning styles and interests to help with curriculum decisions.

“And, get a network of friends and support, along with telling yourself you can do this!” said Jennifer.

Jennifer leads the Herkimer County 4-H homeschool club. “I started a 4-H club as a way to develop friendships, to have the ability to participate in 4-H events and use their resources. I was in 4-H growing up.”

Jennifer’s homeschool 4-H group has 15 active families from across Herkimer County and continues to grow. The group visits local farms and businesses, hiking trails and parks, and learns practical skills such as foraging and sewing.

Jennifer is happy to be homeschooling in the

Mohawk Valley. “I think this area is gradually growing the number of options for extracurricular and group activities, and it would be nice for this to continue. There are resources with libraries, co-ops or LEAH groups, and other youth organizations, and being in touch with other homeschoolers can be a wealth of information. There is a gradual increase in the number of co-ops in the area. Hopefully, it continues!”

Erika Carrier of Frankfort is also part of the Herkimer County Homeschool 4-H group. Erika homeschools her two sons, ages 10 and 8.

Erika has been homeschooling her children for three years and hopes to continue for as long as her kids would like to.

“We chose to homeschool when the district we lived in was mandating masks in school. My son has asthma, so him in a mask all day just wasn’t going

Please See HOMESCHOOLING Page 15

HOMESCHOOLING From Page 14 homeschool-specific classes.” lives because of the path we have chosen.”

Erika also feels there are many benefits of homeschooling her children. “I get to spend a lot of time with my children. We aren’t rushed to get up and get to school all week and then hurry up and fit everything in together on the weekends.”

Erika stated that one of the challenges with homeschooling was finding groups to make friends, but they overcame this challenge. “A lot of other families are starting to homeschool, so we are starting our own groups. We have 4H, and karate, and the library sometimes has

Erika would recommend homeschooling to anyone that wants to give it a try. “You can find resources to help with what curriculum to use. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is helpful if you need someone to navigate the laws. And other families are always willing to help as well. I wish the programs we have available weren’t so expensive but everything is expensive these days. We just don’t have a Parent Teacher Association to help cover the costs.”

Sonya Conners is the leader of the Herkimer LEAH, a faith-based homeschool club with many chapters across the state. Sonya and her husband have been homeschooling their children for ten years. “Initially, we started homeschooling because the thought of sending our son to school felt like we’d be letting strangers raise our children,” said Sonya.

They continue to homeschool their son, age 13, and their daughter, age 10. “For us, I’d describe the homeschool experience as life-changing. It is a rewarding journey filled with trials, errors, laughter, true purpose, and an amazing community. I love the people that have become a part of our

Sonya feels there are many benefits for her children when it comes to schooling them at home. “For our son, the ‘how and why’ for homeschooling him is the flexibility it provides and having his parents as his teacher. For our daughter, she likes the comfort of home, knowing who is teaching her, and the friends she has made in our community.”

And as for the kids’ opinion on homeschooling, “That depends on the subject!” laughed Sonya.

The Mohawk Valley is rich with a thriving homeschool community and available resources to support and bridge any gaps in learning. Children from toddlers and younger up to teens learn and play together during homeschool community trips, outings, and gatherings. Homeschooled students can also participate in extracurriculars such as ASO soccer, Girl and Boy Scouts, karate, dance, and gymnastics. While homeschooling may not be possible, practical, or the best option for every family, for these Mohawk Valley families, this path seems to work and provide enrichment for both the parents and their children.

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