I'm a bit perplexed as to why one of St. Louis's homeschooling websites won't acknowledge one of the pro-homeschooling candidates running in our local 88th district representative race.
I don't campaign, honestly, I don't have the time or the interest. However I do know Shamed; I've met him several times, and one of the first things I ask any politician is where they stand on a parent's right to home educate.
I emailed homeschoolers before about this when I noticed that not all the pro-homeschooling candidates were being showcased to the homeschooling community. I didn't hear back. I know; I'm just one parent, right?
I think it's dangerously narrow-minded to support ONLY candidates who are homeschooling parents. There are a litany of others issues to discuss and people need an elected representative who has experience - not a guy who sorely lacks it, a guy whose financial savvy has been questioned, who's running solely on his homeschool connections and a couple of lackluster endorsements. In an effort to promote just their one issue, some homeschoolers will sacrifice the rest of the lot without realizing it.
And homeschoolers wonder why they get stereotyped. The homeschooling community shouldn't be exclusive as to only promoting homeschoolers. That goes against some of the religious motivation which brought people to such an educational choice to begin with. Who gets supported for what shouldn't be a popularity contest.
It angers me because for many parents, their only source of online encouragement are websites and online communities where like-minded independent educators can gather and exchange ideas; sadly they don't realize that those overseeing these platforms ultimately control the flow of information, they power the megaphone, and if something doesn't pass their discretion, well, then, it won't get through to the rest of the community. That both worries and scares me as a homeschooling parent.
Homeschoolers shouldn't trip themselves up in an effort to strictly promote their own exclusive community. From what I've seen regarding this particular race in the 88th district, it has.
So those of you who homeschool, who live in the 88th district and are voting tomorrow (or today, depending upon when you read this), please consider Shamed. He's staunchly pro-homeschooling (he and his wife are expecting and they're actually considering homeschooling their child) but even more - he's got actual experience.
I love my homeschool community, I do. But this? Has me a bit concerned for it.
I don't campaign, honestly, I don't have the time or the interest. However I do know Shamed; I've met him several times, and one of the first things I ask any politician is where they stand on a parent's right to home educate.
I emailed homeschoolers before about this when I noticed that not all the pro-homeschooling candidates were being showcased to the homeschooling community. I didn't hear back. I know; I'm just one parent, right?
I think it's dangerously narrow-minded to support ONLY candidates who are homeschooling parents. There are a litany of others issues to discuss and people need an elected representative who has experience - not a guy who sorely lacks it, a guy whose financial savvy has been questioned, who's running solely on his homeschool connections and a couple of lackluster endorsements. In an effort to promote just their one issue, some homeschoolers will sacrifice the rest of the lot without realizing it.
And homeschoolers wonder why they get stereotyped. The homeschooling community shouldn't be exclusive as to only promoting homeschoolers. That goes against some of the religious motivation which brought people to such an educational choice to begin with. Who gets supported for what shouldn't be a popularity contest.
It angers me because for many parents, their only source of online encouragement are websites and online communities where like-minded independent educators can gather and exchange ideas; sadly they don't realize that those overseeing these platforms ultimately control the flow of information, they power the megaphone, and if something doesn't pass their discretion, well, then, it won't get through to the rest of the community. That both worries and scares me as a homeschooling parent.
Homeschoolers shouldn't trip themselves up in an effort to strictly promote their own exclusive community. From what I've seen regarding this particular race in the 88th district, it has.
So those of you who homeschool, who live in the 88th district and are voting tomorrow (or today, depending upon when you read this), please consider Shamed. He's staunchly pro-homeschooling (he and his wife are expecting and they're actually considering homeschooling their child) but even more - he's got actual experience.
I love my homeschool community, I do. But this? Has me a bit concerned for it.
