Dr. Ben Carson

Here is the man I think would have done the best job. 

From my speech at the NAN Convention in 2015. African Americans do not need to be reliant on government to succeed.https://t.co/BnOzUWC5XM

— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) March 1, 2016

Classical Education cont.

I have been reading (when time allows) Cheryl Swope's book Simply Classical. Her philosophy and journey through education mirrors my own with 1 or 2 major exceptions, but still we come to the same conclusions about how a child or children can be educated. Our main differences are in her profession as what seems to be an process coordinator for special education, and the adoption of her two children with significantly unique needs. We both were able to see (though not at the time of our initial training) some alarming trends in education after we began teaching. Perhaps I will discuss it later, but today I want to keep it short.

She does an excellent job explaining what the differences are between classical Christian education and the [wishing for the "find" option in the paperback book while I look for her exact words, and not finding them I'll paraphrase] practical education that we see in the public schools. My understanding is that the classical Christian education focuses on the whole child, not just academics, but character and a Christ centered life as well.  These things are important to us. A few of our friends and family may be concerned that we shelter our children completely, or just a little too much, but one point Cheryl made helps me understand my own beliefs better. She says [paraphrasing here too] the goal is not to shelter them forever, just to help them [get ready for it] inculcate these skills and ways of being before they are put into situations where those things will not have opportunities to grow and be fostered. Go ahead and look up inculcate. I had to. But I actually remembered it for this post.

Her book primarily discusses specifics regarding the classical education of children with special needs in an attempt to encourage these families. But the families who are blessed with this "burden" are not alone in their need for encouragement. It is at the end of chapter 7 where I found this prayer. It can be said by anyone, even a mom exhausted by a child who won't sleep, it is mentioned here for the parents or teachers of children with special needs or who have suffered loss. From Starck's Prayer Book originally, and quoted by Swope on p.175 (see this page in her book for specific and correct citation):

     "But if it should please You to make my children a cross to me, either by their sickness, or death, or any other calamity that I might have to see them suffer, grant me patience in such affliction, and remind me that nothing happens without Your divine direction, that my children were Yours before they were mine, and that You have sovereign power to take them again to Yourself.
     But if it is Your design by the suffering, misfortune, and death of my children to draw me to You, in order that I may recognize also in them that Your visible gifts are perishable, to stir me up to love You alone, the true and perfect God, keep me while traveling this thorny path in firm confidence and hope in Your almighty power, which can end and mend all things, even the crosses of my children. ..."

What a blessing a classical Christian education will be. What a challenge, and what a blessing indeed!

God bless.

Education for ANY child? Any?

Yes. Any child.

I'm not sure you are aware, or if I have spoken of it before, but we are considering homeschooling our two children. The process of deciding has lead me to research as much as possible about the pros and cons of homeschooling, public schooling, private schooling, and various other types of "schooling".

I attended an informative meeting for one type of co-op homeschooling and met a couple marvelous ladies. The director for the area pulled out a book titled Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child, by Cheryl Swope, a Missouri gal. She has seen, first hand, the impact of this book in the lives of children she is surrounded by and who are in her own family. I immediately recognized the cover of the book as something my friend Kelly had shown to me and suggested I read, but also as something I had long forgotten.

Let me tell you what, after reading the Preface and Introduction, I'm captivated and compelled to encourage you to read it, especially if you are an educator: special, regular, at-risk, home, or otherwise.  The book is written at the request of the author's daughter, Michelle, who has more "disabilities" than one person could label. This young lady is already making an impact on me and hopefully, while I continue reading, I'll learn from her and be equipped to help other children who have struggles as well.  In Cheryl's own words (p.23): This book is my response to Michelle's simple request: "I want my story to help other children."

May God continue to bless her richly!

Thanks for reading and I hope to get back to you soon!!! Seriously check out this book!!!