AUGUST 1, 2019 VOL.

CASHMERE CLASSROOM TIMES

The official news publication of The Cashmere Classroom

IN THIS ISSUE
And We're Up!
by Rachel C. Scott

TEACH, MAMA! - A
Hello there! Thank you so much for checking out this
CANDID INTERVIEW
first issue of Cashmere Classroom News, a digital

news publication, chronicling tips and tales from the

world of education!

BACK TO SCHOOL - I've wanted to create something like this for many

A PARENT'S GUIDE years, and have written articles for a lot of different

publications. This summer, I decided that it's finally

time to launch out and do this thing for real! I'm

excited to bring you authentic stories from real

people, and information you can use!

ASK THE PRINCIPAL

Each quarterly issue will include new stories,

feature interviews from parents, information from

diverse educational leaders and business folks,

insights from students, giveaways and more! You can

GET SOCIAL WITH RACHEL follow The Cashmere Classroom on Facebook,

Instagram or Twitter to stay in the know! Thank you

again for stopping by!

AUGUST 2019 VOL. 1

For this inaugural issue, I wanted

to connect with parents who

pursue non-traditional pathways to

educating their children. I am very

grateful to have had the

opportunity to connect with four

moms who were willing to share

their experiences and some

valuable insights, from their

endeavors in securing the best

education for their kids.

Let's dive in!

Teach, Mama! (ages 6 - 12) who transitioned from

Christian private school to

Four Florida Moms Take Us Back to School
homeschooling, and is now

Can you believe that school reopens in just a

considering a move to public school.

month? Between the tv commercials for back to

We dialogued about the education

school deals, automated voice messages from your

practices that they have adopted

child's school and homeschool curriculum sales,

for their families, and what they are

it can all be a little overwhelming. For many

learning from their journeys. After

families, the summer represents a time of transition

pleasantries, we got down to

between schools or sometimes major shifts from

business!

one kind of educational practice to another.

Cashmere Classroom News (CCN):

My goal with this interview was to explore the value
What made you choose the kind of

and investment of diverse educational practices

schooling your family currently uses?

from the vantage points of four moms: Kia, a

homeschool mom of five (ages 5 to 14), Liz, mom of

Liz (L):  A close friend recommended

four (ages 2 - 8), whose elementary-aged boys

the school and we also prayed

attend a Christian, private school, Racquel, a

about the decision.

homeschool mom of three (ages 4 to 8) and

Victoire, an educator mom of six,

AUGUST 2019 VOL. 29

Kia (K):  M y son was born prematurely with a host of K (continued): The friendships they

medical challenges.  His birth was quickly followed have grown, pruned, and nurtured

by my daughter, who also came with challenges.  with each other is something I

At that time, we had friends who looked and lived could only dream of.

like us who had just begun exploring V: Being able to pour life into my

homeschooling.  We prayed about it and were children. Educate the in a positive

encouraged.  The thought was that if we teach our environment. Help build them up so

children to go to the bathroom and tie their shoes, they will becoming God fearing

with the right support, we could provide them with leaders in our society

an education as well. R: I like the freedom of making our

own schedule. If something is

Victoire (V): When we initially made the going on in outside or in the

choice to homeschool, I had reached a place surrounding community or that

where I didn't like the way the educational would be a great teaching

opportunity, we can just get up

system was changing. I felt that some childern

and go explore. We're not tied to a

weren't being given the same educational

schedule.
opportunities as others because for their

culture, skin color or socioeconomic status. As

CCN: What has been the wrst part
a mother of six Haitian- American children,
of the process?
that was a concern for me. When I teach
L: Nothing really, it's been great!

my children, I let them know the sky is the limit

K: Well there is an element of

no matter what color we are or what social

financial strain.

class we fit in. At home, I can teach them life

V: Yes, there's the financial

skills and expose them to things like challenges for us too.

engineering, and history and so much more. R:   S a m e here. It's really a sacrifice

Racquel (R): It's similar for us too. We just you have to make to homeschool

wanted our kids to be treated fairly and given and to do it well, so the kids don't

feel like their missing anything.

as much opportunity as possible.

CCN: What has been the best part of the

K: Also, because my kids are in so

many different grade levels, it is

education process for you and your children?

challengig to manage the array. At

L: I really like that my kids are learning on both
times I am trying to be all things to
spiritual and academic levels.
all people, and I end up spreading
K:  W a t c h i n g them grow and develop has been
myself pretty thin.

such an honor.
AUGUST 2019 VOL. 29

CCN : W h a t do you want teachers and

school leaders to know?

L: Well for Christian schools, just

don’t lose sight of God's will. Invest

in the teachers as much as possible

and be fair, to reduce turnover.

K: Communicate with the kids.  Allow

them to respectfully express and

develop their unique perspectives. 

Also communicate with the parents.

There are so many parents who have

a deep desire to be involved, but

PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH
don't know how or what to do. 

Encourage them in ways that give

CCN: What would you say to a parent trying to decide them enough confidence to know

what type of schooling is best for their family? that they can help their children.

L: Seek God's will for your family-it’s not the same for Don't confirm a child's trajectory

everyone. Out family isn't sold on private Christian based on a few interactions.  Assess

schooling forever, and we aren’t against public schools the environment. Assess the whole

or any other type of schooling. We make prayer a child.  Then encourage their

priority, and we wait on the Lord to lead. strengths and strengthen their

K: Tune out all the outside voices.  Pray about it, and perceived weaknesses. And play lots

once you get clarity that this is what you should be and lots of games!  Let them play!

doing, stay the course and ignore all other influences.  V: Remember that all kids don't learn

Understand there will be hard days. Find your tribe! A the same.

good support system of like minded individuals that will R:   B e nice to children. Children love

encourage you, celebrate you, or just be quiet and listen learning if you're kind and you make

to you when you need them to do so.  People who can it fun. There's more than just

do life with you! Call and lean on them.  Allow them to worksheets that kids can do. Tap into

be there for you, then reciprocate. their curiosity.

V: Do what's best for your family. We homeschool now,

but homeschooling isn't for everyone. You have make

your choice based on a reason that matters to you. A special thanks to Kia, Liz, Racquel
R: Don't beat yourself up if you feel something didn't go & Victoire for sharing with CCN!
perfectly. When I started homeschooling I was so worried
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on Facebook, Twitter
I was doing it wrong! Leave room for yourself to make
and Instagram,
mistakes! It's totally fine! The beauty is you can wake up
to ask these awesome
the next dat and try again or try something completely
moms your questions!
different!