15 Reasons Why Teachers Decide to Homeschool

Despite it being their profession at one time or another, many former teachers have decided that not only is it not the career for them but that they felt compelled to homeschool their own children and step away from the traditional education system entirely.

If you’re curious to know why many teachers have turned their backs on school, here are 15 of the most common reasons why teachers decide to homeschool.

Why do teachers decide to homeschool?

The quality of the education 

One of the main reasons why former teachers decide to homeschool is because of the poor quality of the education in school. This doesn’t mean to say they were or are doing a bad job at teaching; it’s that the education they have to provide is very poor.

A lot of former teachers have voiced that they think traditional education is going downhill and that they wish they could have changed what they taught and how it was taught. Instead of feeling like they are providing a quality education, the focus is more so on keeping behaviour in check and achieving the best grades. 

They stop believing in the curriculum

Many teachers find that they are forced to follow a curriculum that they just don’t believe in. Not only does it not suit or necessarily work for their students, but there is no freedom or flexibility in the curriculum. 

Deciding to homeschool seems like a no-brainer when you’re able to choose, adapt and change curriculums or have no curriculum at all. 

Invest too much time into other children instead of their own

What often sways teachers into choosing to homeschool instead of staying in a school is the simple fact that they invest too much time into other children instead of their own. Being a teacher means your attention isn’t just on one or two children, it’s on an entire class. And in that class everyone has their own individual needs. 

Many teachers have come to the realisation that not only does homeschooling allow them to spend more time with their children, it also enables them to truly provide that personal, one-on-one attention that their children deserve. 

They see the negative impacts of school first hand

Whether it’s in the classroom or in the playground, teachers see, first hand, the negative impacts that school has on children—whether it’s bullying or peer pressure, feeling pressured or getting down about grades. 

There’s no blaming them for not wanting that to happen to their own children. 

The restrictions of teaching in a school

Another reason why teachers decide to homeschool is because of the restrictions of teaching in a school. After all, they’ve got to follow rules too, and they are restricted by what they can and can’t do and what they can and can’t teach. Everything has to be done by the book, so to speak. 

With homeschooling, there aren’t any restrictions. Only ones which you impose on yourself.

How much time is wasted

A lot of time is easily wasted in school, and teachers frequently put it down to having to deal with behavioural issues (not because the children are naughty but because they’re unhappy). This can take a lot of time away from learning. 

A lot of former teachers realise that children are much happier when they’re free from the restraints of school and are able to learn what they enjoy. This is why homeschooling is becoming a more common choice. And because of this, learning (and a lot more of it) can be achieved in a shorter amount of time, leaving children more time to explore their own interests.

Lack of support

Many teachers feel that they receive a lack of support, especially from educational management. After all, being a teacher is no easy task and the workload is often stressful. Not to mention all the students they are responsible for and are trying to help.

Homeschooling is a favoured choice because it also has a sense of community and there is always support out there. Parents can also make sure that everything they do is manageable, and if things get stressful, they can easily reevaluate and adjust.

Very little time outdoors 

Not only are children told when they can have time outside, they’re also told for how long—which is actually not very long at all. During a six hour school day, children spend most of the time in a classroom, and occasionally go on school trips. 

And despite it being their job, teachers are starting to see the issue with this—which is why homeschooling is becoming a much more favourable choice, since families can spend as much time as they like outdoors.

The school environment

A big reason why teachers decide to homeschool is down to the school environment itself. There are the negative social dynamics like bullying and peer pressure, cliques and social exclusion. Then there’s the large class sizes, the rigid structure, the one-size-fits-all approach, an overemphasis on discipline . . . the list goes on. 

Homeschooling allows former teachers to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive learning environment where their children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally without the pressures and challenges often found in traditional schools.

Children’s needs not being met in school

Despite many teachers wanting to meet the needs of children in school, especially special educational needs, there often isn’t the capacity or resources to do so. And because these needs aren’t being met in school, teachers are choosing to homeschool their own children, where they can provide better support at home.

Too much pressure on children

There’s no denying the amount of pressure that children face at school, and even teachers know it’s too much. The pressure of doing well in exams and keeping up with peers can have a serious negative impact on a child’s mental health. They might love their profession, but a lot of teachers see this downward spiral and they do not want this amount of pressure on their own children. 

They choose to homeschool because there’s none of this pressure at home and their children can go at their own pace, rather than trying to keep up with their peers. 

The schooling system is outdated and broken

Many former teachers describe the schooling system as outdated and broken. It’s clear to see just how outdated the curriculum is when thrown into the real world, where life skills are so important. However, schools prioritise academic subjects over practical skills which we actually need in our daily lives.

Teachers decide to homeschool because they don’t have to follow outdated methods. Instead, they have the freedom to teach valuable skills to their children and create a more suitable and useful curriculum. 

They do not agree with what is being taught 

Some former teachers believe that school is now getting too political and that there are certain topics being introduced that they do not agree with. Choosing to homeschool means that they have some control over what their children are exposed to and taught.

There’s not enough play or positive interaction

The principles of school are centred on academic learning with a lot of structure and discipline, leaving very little time for play and positive interaction—two things which are very important, especially for younger children. 

Teachers realise that play is a big part of childhood but school doesn’t provide enough of it, which is why many are now choosing to homeschool.

To let their children follow their true passions

School is often criticised for diminishing a child’s creativity. When they’re forced to follow a set curriculum, they have no real chance to explore their interests and pursue their own passions. This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why teachers decide to homeschool and leave the traditional educational system entirely.

Homeschooling gives children the time and freedom to be curious and follow their interests. And when this happens, children not only discover new passions that they’re eager to learn about, they’re also much, much happier! 

We’d love to know if you are a former teacher and why you decided to homeschool. Let us know in the comments!