Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom
A note from Jamie: I know, I promised to write about cleaning today. But then my husband went overseas on an important work trip. For six days. Enough said. So enjoy this repost, which originally published on January 17, 2011.
For years, I’ve dreamed of earning a Master’s in Education one day. It’s been on my list of future goals for quite some time. I’m specifically interested in studying alternative education and the philosophy and history of education. Not surprising, since I’m one of those crazy homeschoolers, you know.
Recently, I was comparing my list of goals with my available free time–trying to compute how they would ever fit together.
I am a busy mama, just like you. On top of my mothering and homeschooling, I’ve been blessed with a unique and wonderful dream job as a writer here in the blogosphere. I also hope to begin another book later this year.
So just when am I going to squeeze in this master’s program?
Researching potential degree options, I felt a rush of giddy feelings exploring the required reading list. All those educational books are like candy in a candy store to me. But when I imagined receiving the list of assignments for the semester, my giddy feelings turned to nausea.
Then I realized something amazing–I don’t really want a master’s.
I just want to learn.
There’s no reason I need to complete a degree so someone else can deem me “educated.” I have no plans or desire to ever teach in the traditional system. I don’t need a teaching certificate to enable me to homeschool. The program that interests me most is currently unaccredited anyway.
John Holt, founder of the unschooling movement, helped me with this epiphany. Recently I’ve been reading a selection of his letters that were published. In one of them he writes the following to a fellow educational reformer:
“I’ve been told many times by well-meaning friends that I would be more ‘effective’ if I had a post-graduate degree in education. I don’t agree with them.
I think the fact that I can do useful work in a number of fields, and that I am invited to participate in a great number of different kinds of professional conferences in spite of not having academic qualifications, is a very powerful argument against the necessity of those qualifications in the first place.”
There’s never been a technologically superior time to design your own master’s. Check out this amazing list of 12 Dozen Places to Educate Yourself Online for Free.
Continuing our personal education is a powerful way to set an example for the little ones we teach at home. Without a doubt, there is a place for educational institutions in our world, and many people want or need that seal of approval to fulfill their goals in life.
But what a blessing to know that we need never stop learning, no matter where we crack open the books.
What would you love to study? Do you need an official degree in the subject, or is there a way you can get started now?
What would I love to study? Bah! That’s the problem! Everything! I switched majors a bunch of times and never finished. So for that – studying everything – no, I don’t need a degree lol.
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Great post! I’ve been going down this road for several years now (having already gotten my bachelor’s and discovering I hated the planned course load). Following your own interests is so much more effective use of your study time! Plus, it’s how “real scholars” work, right?
Two challenges I’ve discovered, though:
— without that “assignment list”, it’s easy to settle into just the observation phase of learning — simply reading, and never actually digesting what you’ve read. You must ask yourself questions about it, then dig up those answers (interpretation phase). Even better, go forward and produce some sort of output — an essay or paper, usually (synthesis phase). Those of you who are familiar with classical education may recognize the grammar-logic-rhetoric phases — they’re not just for kids!
— you do miss out on the community of scholars. Having someone else to discuss the ideas you’re encountering is very useful in clarifying your thinking. Fortunately, it is possible to find such things online. You may find a dedicated discussion forum, or you may find a half-dozen blogs to follow and comment upon.
My suggestion is to start a blog of your own (or become a contributor on someone else’s). Gets you that necessary writing component and feedback as well.
Now, go forth and study!
I love this post. I have a B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies and have previously worked as a preschool teacher. However, for the past two years I’ve been a SAHM. I am CONSTANTLY being asked (especially by MIL) when I plan to go back to school for my masters. I always say “oh, maybe in the future.” but honestly I have no desire to go back to school. These past two years I’ve been reading the books I want to read and taking classes I always wanted to take but never had the time for (like sewing). I feel like I’m becoming more of my authentic self by simply pursuing things that I am truly interested in.
I do absolutely agree that continuing self-education is important, great fun and a wonderful role model for our children. Recently, however, I did decide to go back to school in a more formal way. It is a distance-ed program, though, which allows me to be home/homeschooling while learning more about a field that I am interested in (and have been studying on my own over the past years anyways). Compared to my previous 6 ys in university, the cost is low – about $3500 for the two year program. Dishing out the $ did cause some stress at first but now I don’t care if I ever do anything formally with this diploma or not. People put that $ out all the time for vehicles, leather sofas, winter vacations to Mexico.We do not. I feel so good about making this investment in myself – just because I love learning.
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Oh……….I would study philosopy in depth. I enjoy learning about abstract sciences and math proofs also. In fact, my last post just a few days ago was about just that, my love of math and science. MIT now has all of their degree programs online – FOR FREE! http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm Complete with syllabus, readings, and assignments. You cannot earn credits from these programs, they are available for self study. Khan Academy is my personal favorite. I am working my way through the math section. This shift toward free education for everyone is wonderful.
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I dropped out of my Master’s program when I got pregnant with my daughter and people are always asking me if/when I’ll go back. I usually give a vague answer but the truth is, if I do ever go back to school it will be a long long time from now. I love learning and I always loved school. But I’ve also realized that my desire for a formal education is strongly rooted in my own pride. I believe this is one of the reasons transitioning to motherhood was so difficult for me: there’s no report card or instant feedback to inspire confidence. Ouch, that’s hard to even write.
This is actually one of the reasons I want to homeschool our daughter. I want to show her (as I keep learning it myself) that her worth does not come from the letter on top of a paper or the feedback of one teacher or her ability in one subject. Life is so much bigger than that. I want my daughter to learn that her worth comes from being a child of God. Period. And that learning and competence can happen without a syllabus or a degree hanging on a wall.
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I love, love, learning!!! I wanted to go to college so bad because I just wanted to keep learning! I was talking to other moms who moan the fact that they need college classes in order to get brain stimuli, and I laugh a bit!
I am constantly learning, stimulating my brain! I read medical books, books about birth, Montana history, diaries of homesteaders, history of Europe, and much, much more. If you check out my blog, you will see lists of books of many topics and varied subjects that I am learning on, from being a better to teacher to deep historical topics.
I feel highly educated, yet I do not have a degree!
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I started a grad program in medieval art history but quit to have more babies and only work part-time. I also realized that I didn’t really need the degree for my career path but that I just loved the material. I don’t plan on ever going back to grad school but I’d love to be more serious about studying what I love!
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I actually just had this same epiphany. Educating my own children doesn’t require the piece of paper. I’d love to know where you are getting your booklists and program ideas from. The link with ideas doesn’t really include any in education.
Well, I am incredibly late to the party, Jamie, but since this is the first time I’ve seen this post, I had to respond anyway. I so agree with you. In fact, I wrote an article for Natural Life Magazine about my own experience; I like to say that over the past twenty years I’ve homeschooled my MFA in Creative Writing!
Here’s a link to the article, if you’re interested. http://patriciazaballos.com/homeschooling-my-mfa/
In the article, I come to the same conclusion that you do: one of the best reasons we should peruse our own learning is to model self-directed learning for our kids.
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Jamie,
I’m glad you’ve decided not to pursue a Masters in Edu. I have a Master’s in Edu and believe me, if you just read all the great books and articles out there already and participate in all the wonderful forums out there and attend online workshops and seminars, you’ll be getting an even better educational experience than I did- and you wont’ have to pay back $50,000!
I’m glad I taught because it led me to where I am now – a passionate advocate for interest-led learning. I know my calling is to write and speak about this topic for as many people that will listen.
Also, you’re so right in that you can customize your own learning program. You can get in touch with thousands of experts through Twitter and Facebook who are more than happy to help you structure and plan your own learning.
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Thank you so much for writing about this. I really loved this
Hi Jamie! Great article! I own all your books and love them! I love your website, too!
This topic has been on my mind lately. I did try out online grad school just for a few weeks before the registration period closed. I loved the information and attending lectures in my pajamas but hated having my assignments critiqued! I also realized that I could do a masters but it would take 5 years of taking 1 class a semester and me studying in any available downtime. Sure, I could stop homeschooling after doing it for 16 years but that isn’t going to happen! My kids and I love it too much! Even though I know I am choosing the better things, it still makes me sad. Our world tends to put a lot of emphasis on achievement, and I also put pressure on myself to achieve. I will keep reading books and websites from likeminded people (like you!) and try to shut out those other voices.