Homeschooling Has Changed, & So Have the Homeschoolers | A Call to Action

Is this what all homeschool moms and families look like?

It looks like it from what’s shared as “funny” memes and the “typical” homeschool family imagery. Historically, well, at least since the 1970s, these images represented what most homeschoolers looked like. Today, things have changed, but you wouldn’t know it. The images and stories shared by and about homeschoolers uphold the stereotypical white, Christian, large, non-disabled, and neurotypical family narrative that drives the perception of who is and isn’t a homeschooler. While nothing is wrong with being a white, Christian, large, non-disabled, and neurotypical homeschooling family, they are not the only ones anymore.

One of the reasons I founded World Homeschooler’s Day is to raise awareness for becoming a more inclusive global homeschool community. Now, it’s time to take it up a notch.

This year, I want to bring even more awareness to the wide range of homeschooling families to show that we’re not a monolith. We don’t all homeschool for the same reasons, in the same ways, look the same, or live the same lifestyle. The modern-day homeschool community should reflect the world, rich in different colors, cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles, but it doesn’t. The long-held, myopic view of who homeschools is stubborn as a mule, but this year, we can change that. I have a plan, and I need your help to make it happen.

The concept is simple, but I think it’s powerful: To show the beautiful spectrum within the homeschool community, I’ll need pictures and brief stories from a minimum of 250 homeschoolers worldwide.

The “We are Homeschoolers” Project will be a video montage of images and words from homeschoolers worldwide. I know how diverse, inclusive, and non-stereotypical homeschooling families and stories are, and I want everyone to see that. Authentic images and stories are essential in deconstructing, then redefining this narrative, and I believe this project can change the way homeschoolers are seen, visually, perceptually, and otherwise.

Here’s what I’ll need to make this happen:

• A picture of you or your family (landscape orientation only)
• Where you live (Be as specific as you feel comfortable)
• Why you chose to homeschool (Be concise. No more than 150 characters.)

All you have to do is send me an email with this information by Friday, May 27, 2022, and you’ll be part of changing the narrative by highlighting a more diverse and inclusive homeschool community.

If you want to participate, tap the button below to get started. Let’s do this, y’all!

[submissionS ARE NOW CLOSED]

Note: By sending me this information, you agree to allow me to use it for public viewing.

To learn more about World Homeschooler’s Day, ways to get involved, find and follow the social media pages, sign up for the mailing list, and more, click here.