Choosing your Childrens' Mentors

This week the older two and I are looking through the a la carte classes available at South Heights Christian Co-op for next semester.  (There are many other similar co-ops in the Twin Cities area like CHAT and YEAH)  As we are doing this, it makes me think of another reason I am so thankful we chose to home school.  We get to pick our children's mentors in all subject matter.

Years ago, Hope took art classes from Kathi Mann in Eagan, MN.  She is amazing!

At South Heights, the tutors there (yes - tutors - because mom and dad are still officially the teachers) are amazing as well.  They don't teach there as a career.  It is usually a person who is passionate about a subject and wants to share it.  They must qualify, obviously, and it seems to draw mostly home school parents whose children are a little older.  I always loved teachers who were passionate about the subject they were teaching.  First level Chemistry at Marquette University was looking tough for me when I had to put it on my schedule as a freshman, but the cute little old guy (I don't remember his name, ugh!) made it so fun!  I loved chemistry.  Who knew?

My very good friend, Mary, will be Hope's tutor next semester in "Essays and College Prep".   Now, stop and think about it.  That does not sound like an exciting course at all!  But we know Mary!  And it will be phenomenal!

Terry and I get to be the kids' teachers in History, Leadership, Finance, and Economics, just to name a few.  Of course, we rely on the historians and statesmen we respect and learn from.  (Orrin Woodward, Oliver DeMille, Richard Maybury, Michael Farris, Ludwig Von Mises, etc.....)

I also have to give huge kudos to Mark Ball (Tutoring with Mr. Ball).  He is the most passionate math teacher I have ever come across.  Hope and Sam have been a part of his South Metro Home School Math Team for several years and they both love it.

I know there are amazing teachers at every public and private school and everyone can name a teacher or a coach who meant a lot to them, but I really love being able to research and pick those people myself.  What are the chances of all of the people I mentioned above all working for a teacher's salary at the same school and have it be in my school district?

I must add that I didn't magically know or know of all of these people when we started home schooling.  I didn't have a grand plan and know how every year would go.  (In fact, I figure it out as we go each year.)  All I had was Carol Joy Seid's book list and her seminar under my belt.  Beyond that, it was sooooo helpful to join a co-op and learn from other home school parents who had all different levels of experience.  There are also conferences we can attend.  (MACHE in Minnesota has a conference every year, for example.)

Well - I've got to run!
Time for History!

P.S. On 12/15/14 ... I had to add this note here.  The kids' math team coach has been a great help in guiding Hope and Sam's math curriculum.  It is very individualized attention to what they need.