Education Demystified: Lessons From a Principal, Teacher, Homeschooler

March 26, 2020

Education Demystified: Lessons From a Principal, Teacher, Homeschooler

Have you ever felt unqualified to homeschool? Is talking to teachers about homeschool or unschooling intimidating? Want education demystified?

In this episode I chat with a teacher and former principal who is now an unschooling mom. We tackle the myths and beliefs held around learning and school and explain why the traditional school system is due for a change.

At the age of 27 Golda David decided to return back to school for her education degree. After graduation she taught in a wide array of places; From Inuit communities to International Schools in China, Youth Prison Schools to First Nation Reserves and public schools. Golda has always been an out of the box thinker. From her first teaching experience she questioned the school structure. She went on to complete her masters degree and become a school principal with the hope of being in a better position to help reform schools.

Unfortunately, Golda found out pretty quickly that school principals can change almost nothing about the system. But in her current position as the Homeschool Facilitator for our local public school division, things are a little different. Through this role she supports families in alternative education and all forms of home education, including unschooling. She feels that through this position she is actually in a better place to help make change.

Episode Highlights

Golda comes to the podcast with a unique insight on a system that many of us struggle with. She knows how the system works and why people inside of it say and do what they do. In this episode Golda shares how she went from her traditional role as a school principal to homeschooling her son. She talks about her biggest obstacles to home educating as a single parent and as a public school teacher. She also has fantastic insight as to why homeschooling and unschooling are misunderstood by educators in school.

Even a knowledgeable educator like Golda struggles to let go of “schoolish” beliefs. She shares what has helped her to let go of these beliefs, along with ways to find success in homeschooling, offering advice to parents interested in homeschooling and that need a little confidence boost. We also tackle a few common myths around school and learning.

Education Demystified: Myths Around School and Learning

Testing- In particular standardized testing. Are tests an accurate measure of a child’s learning and understanding? Why is there so much importance placed on these tests? What is a better indicator of learning?
Reading- Late Readers. Kids are expected to read at an earlier age. The pressure for both kids and parents is immense. Yet there are kids that homeschool or unschool that learn to read at a much later age. Are they at a disadvantage? Are their chances of success decreased? What does she say to the parents whose kids are not reading by the “recommended” school age? (Here’s a hint- it’s okay if they don’t begin to read until a later age)
Learning must be academically rigorous for it to be good. Play should be for preschool and kindergarten age children. We talk about what learning really is vs our society’s idea of learning. What is deep learning and the benefits of autonomy, space, confidence, engagement and play? We also discuss the harm of the school system and why self directed learning can be the answer to many of the problems that schools face today.

Contact her via email: davidg@prsd.ab.ca or phone (1)780-219-2119

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If you want to learn more about some of the authors mentioned in this episode, check out my interview with Peter Gray or Pat Farenga (co-author with John Holt). If you would like to hear more from teachers turned Unschoolers, check out my episode with Leah McDermott.