I understand parents who choose to homeschool.  In schools, there can be an overwhelming focus on the differences everyone brings to the table.  If everyone is different, the only unified expectation is in academic success.  Thus, the continued emphasis on academic success remains the only measured expectation of success in schools.

Many parents who homeschool also see the value of character education in determining one’s sense of achievement and self-worth.  In fact, the business world values this all the time.  It is not just the brightest employee who gets the promotion, but more likely, the one who works well with others (collaboration), has a compelling personality (positive attitude), or just works hard regardless of reward (persistence).

This is not to take away from the bright and well-educated employee, but rather makes a case to balance out expectations.  Good character is at least as important as academic success in life, in business, and in happiness.  Homeschooling parents understand this and are willing to forego the overwhelming emphasis in schools on academic competition for the more personal touch of developing and appreciating the talents one’s child can bring to the table beyond academics alone (e.g. character).

We welcome you to the conversation.  Please let us know that you care by liking comments, forwarding posts, or joining in our dialogue at johnzurn.com.

Coming Next Wednesday- Parameters for Character Grades that Work

 From our first posting:  

“As parents and teachers, we need to reclaim our traditional role as influencers of our children – not by shouting louder than the influencers our children discover online, but by stressing ideas that are more important than fancy shoes and snappy TikTok tunes. We need to emphasize traits that everyone agrees children will honor.  We need to convince our children that the people who are most important to them have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in life.”

John Zurn began his educational career teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children in K through 8^th grade independent school settings.   He went on to serve as Head of School for three independent schools over a twenty-eight year period.   John has written a book on a comprehensive school-wide character education program which was published in 2022 and updated in 2024.  He is currently working on a book directed towards teaching Traits for Success to students in grades 4 through 8.

#charactereducation #successtraits #parentingtips #homeschooling #teachertips