Toolbox for Learning Podcast

Are you concerned that if you homeschool your kids won't fit in? Maybe you are concerned that homeschooling will leave them ill-equipped to handle life in the real world. If so, you are not alone. Today we are going to look at research that has been done on this subject, along with Chaz and Christie's own experiences.

Chaz and Christie are in a unique position to share this podcast with you. Chaz was homeschooled from pre-K to 12th grade. He graduated with honors with his bachelors in accounting and now works as a CPA (certified public accountant).

Christie homeschooled her three sons (Chaz included). She ran across her first homeschool family when she was 14 and knew at that moment that she wanted to educate her children in the same manner. 

In this podcast they will be sharing three pieces of research from peer-reviewed journals which show how homeschoolers rate alongside traditional students in areas ranging from academics to socialization and depression.  They will also be discussing Chaz's experiences in college and in the working and social worlds after homeschooling. 

Further into the podcast Chaz and Christie will discuss how Chaz and his brothers were intentionally trained in social skills and how that  impacted them both in the short and long terms. They also discuss the benefits they received from being in a homeschool environment, and how homeschooling  better reflects the real world than its traditional counterpart.

Finally, we encourage you to check out some of the other podcast that we have published, along with keeping your eyes out for future episodes. Thank you for listening and we look forward to hearing from you. 

How do I teach my child a subject I don't even know? All homeschool parents will ask this question at some point during their homeschool careers. In this podcast Chaz and Christie will be sharing not only their experiences (good and bad), but make specific suggestions for helping you teach your child in the areas you are not comfortable. 

As a veteran homeschool mom and a former homeschooler, Chaz and Christie have a unique perspective as ones who have been where you are, both as a teacher and as a homeschooled student. Listen as they discuss evaluating the interest and abilities of friends and family and incorporating their talents within your homeschool. They even touch on how to use Zoom, Skype or other communication platforms to learn from those who do not live near you. This is especially useful information in light of the COVID pandemic. They also spend time covering online classes.

They include a discussion of locating senior adults who may enjoy working with your child - even discussing a volunteer reading program provided by the AARP. In the podcast they cover free, low cost and other tutoring opportunities through local colleges, in person tutors and online programs. They also discuss using the library and You Tube as a resource for parents and students in learning difficult subject material. 

They relay the story of how Radio Shack unexpectedly became a great learning resource for their family. This story shows the importance of always watching for new opportunities for learning in areas where a parent needs help in covering certain topics in the classroom.

Chaz and Christie also talk about learning subjects alongside your child or taking a class in a subject ahead of your child in order to learn or even just brush up on a subject. Chaz discusses the benefits of shared learning between parent and child. This podcast will be a great encouragement for any parent struggling with concerns over teaching subjects in which they do not have a background.

We look forward to sharing this podcast with you and invite you to explore our other podcast here at Toolbox for Learning. And please stay tuned for our future podcast.  

Welcome to Toolbox for Learning Podcast first episode. In this podcast Chaz and Christie will be introducing themselves and explaining why they decided to produce this show and what they hope you will get from listening to the podcast.

Christie discovered homeschooling when she was 14 years old and immediately knew it was what she wanted. In college she met her husband, who wholeheartedly supported her homeschooling dream. It was not until after her first son was born that she realized he didn't understand what homeschooling was. 

Christie homeschooled her three boys, including Chaz, from birth through high school graduation. In this podcast she will be sharing what it was like to send her oldest off to college and the realization that college professors were now in a position to evaluate her abilities as a homeschool mom.

Also in this show, Chaz will be sharing what it was like to be "mom's guinea pig" during his year as a homeschooler. He will also be sharing with you about his college years and career as a certified public accountant. Finally, he will be sharing with you what he gained from his homeschooling years and the influence he feels it has had on his adult life. 

We look forward to sharing our homeschooling experience with you and hope that it will be an encouragement and help for you in your homeschool adventure!