Helping Teens Own Their Education, Interview with Meryl van der Merwe

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Helping Teens Own Their Education, Interview with Meryl van der Merwe. Helping Teens Own Their Education, Interview with Meryl van der Merwe Homeschool high schoolers need to develop independent learning skills. As they do this, they start to own their education. That's why Vicki is excited to talk with our friend, Meryl van der Merwe from the Homeschooling with Technology Podcast. (BTW- If you have not checked out that podcast, you are missing out SO many good resources! Check it out.) Meryl and her family moved to the United States from South Africa. They started homeschooling because they moved to the US in the middle of the school year. However, the family loved homeschooling so much that three of her four graduated from homeschool high school. (Look for an upcoming interview with her daughter, Rachel, who is a homeschool graduate and is now a college professor.) Even though Meryl's own children are all graduated, Meryl stays connected to the homeschool community through the podcast and FundaFunda Academy (online courses and academy for homeschoolers). One gift Meryl gave her teens was a voice in their education, so when her youngest approached high school age, she asked to go to a traditional school. Meryl allowed her to own her own choice and give it a try! Which brings us to this episode's topic: Helping teens own their education Most homeschool parents want our high schoolers to own their education, to become independent learners and independent adults. With that in mind, let's check out Meryl's tips that have worked for her family. Give teens a voice in their education As we mentioned, Meryl's youngest went to a traditional school. That was what she wanted to do. On the other hand, her older three children homeschooled through graduation because they wanted to. Also, Meryl gave her homeschool high schoolers a voice in the selection of courses and curriculum. Parents need to create the framework based on state graduation requirements and what they are planning on doing after high school. For some guidance on a high school framework, here are some helpful posts: * College Attractive Transcripts * Interview with Associate Provost Dr. Renae Duncan on what colleges are looking for in incoming freshmen * Discussion with Lauren Patrick: How I Prepared for Competitive College * Interview with Angela O'Shaughnessy: How to Help Non-College Bound Teens Find Success * Advice from Susan Stewart on Careers that Don't Require College As you work with your teens on choices for homeschool high school, help them look at: * Interests * Electives- they can explore interests and earn elective credits