Unschooling is Liberating

I want to "unschool" my life.  I am going to "unschool" my life.  As a life-long learner, I am always learning and curious about what the Universe wants to teach me.  I am going to wake up every morning and ask myself, "What do you want to explore today, Shayla?"  Or, I may ask City, "What do you want to explore today?' And...we will explore!

The term "unschooling" is very new to me.  The idea and concept is not new to me at all.  I have longed for the freedom to teach this way since I began my teaching career in college decades ago.  Oh, the struggle I had in public school! I was uncomfortable in my teaching skin, trying to mold and maneuver my teaching to look like it was fitting in the curriculum box.  As creative as I was sometimes, it was still uncomfortable.  I found some solace in the charter school- I had just a smidgen of autonomy being the ENTIRE special education department.  The day treatment school is where I found my 'home' spot in education.  My caseload was finally 100% full with the most challenging children in the surrounding school districts.  I was challenged every day in ways that kept my brain creative in ways to connect, bring peace, and help children feel successful when the rest of the world says they don't have what it takes.  

I find myself at home now with two littles (ages 3yrs and 1yr).  I have discovered our walks to the playground, park, coffeeshop, library, grocery store, . . . is our learning canvas.  Our trips out of town for soccer tournaments, volleyball games, vacations, museums, . . . are our learning adventures.  We have had conversations about a dead bird and how it may have died.  We have been witness to a chicken literally crossing the road and how funny it really is outside of the joke.  We have discussed the importance of having an alarm and cameras on our house to keep our favorite things safe.  If we are constantly curious and exploring the world around us and the environments we enter, then we are continuously learning and growing!  The stories, findings, challenges, and enjoyments continue to come as I travel this journey.  I have once again, found my home spot.  

*My fantasy home is pictured above with books lining the walls in a treehouse.  💗

First published on 9/12/24