With homeschool, every day is different

NEWELL - According to home-school parents in the Newell, Vale and Nisland communities, there are a lot of reasons they have chosen to teach their children at home.

"One of the most important things to me is that I can work with my child's individual strengths, work on challenges and not get bogged down in a specific schedule," said Michele Raposa, who home schools her three children, Gabe, Seth and Kalee.

Raposa said the children move at their own pace, and if they work quickly through something and want to start something new, she doesn't have to wait for the rest of the class to catch up. It is just her child.

"It is a daily hands-on experience," said home-school parent Cheyenne Winkler.

Raposa said she is part of the Black Hills Area Home School organization. Raposa said she appreciates the support and the different activities that are available to her children through this organization. The group meets monthly, when members share their talents. Raposa has taught several sessions for the organization, including classes in science, geography and social studies.

"The kids involved get a different teacher now and then," she said smiling.

The organization also helps promote activities such as track and field day, ski day, dance, presentation club and a variety of other activities to promote socialization skills.

"Parents want the best for their children," Raposa said.

For most home school parents, part of the allure of teaching their children at home is the flexibility.

"We can educate our children through normal curriculum but also through things outside the classroom," Winkler said, adding that religion also plays a role in her decision to teach her children at home, but it is not the sole reason. Read the full article by Colleen Brunner here.