The past few years have been challenging for countless reasons, and one of the most daunting tasks for parents was ensuring their children stayed on track while the world faced upheaval. Schools struggled to adapt, and teachers approached online lessons with varying degrees of success. As a means of support, many educators provided workbooks and individual assignments, which only added to the burden of balancing our children’s education with our own responsibilities.
Personally, my daughter, a perfectionist, benefited from a tech-savvy teacher who skillfully integrated technology into three daily Zoom sessions and assigned about an hour of independent work. However, my daughter still required assistance every 15 to 20 minutes. Juggling my own work alongside her educational needs felt nearly impossible.
Despite the challenges of at-home learning, I want to make one thing clear: I was not homeschooling my children. While some families did take the plunge into homeschooling during this transitional period, the rest of us were engaged in distance learning, which is a fundamentally different experience.
Having previously homeschooled two boys—one in sixth grade and the other in third—I can attest to the distinction. I designed lessons across multiple grade levels, with minimal guidance from the school district, receiving only textbooks and a list of state-mandated standards. In contrast, teachers are responsible for crafting lesson plans that convey essential knowledge in an engaging manner, which requires considerable effort beyond classroom hours. As a homeschooling parent, all lesson planning fell on my shoulders.
Imagine the challenge of not only helping your children with their studies but also planning all their virtual and supplementary activities—that is what true homeschooling entails.
Though the experience of distance learning was taxing, it should not be confused with homeschooling. Recognizing this distinction does not diminish the hardships faced by families; rather, it acknowledges the valuable contributions of teachers who navigated unprecedented challenges with dedication and resilience. Our educators deserve all the recognition and support we can give them.
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In summary, while distance learning posed significant challenges for families, it is crucial to differentiate it from homeschooling. This distinction honors the hard work of teachers and the unique experience that true homeschooling entails.