I homeschool my 4 kids. I couldn’t do it without the help I get from nannies I hire so I can work.
In a world where traditional education often reigns supreme, Tara Vanderveer is redefining learning through her unique homeschooling journey with her four children. Currently residing in Antigua, Guatemala, Vanderveer has embraced a lifestyle that spans multiple countries including Canada, the US, the Bahamas, Cuba, and her latest stop, Guatemala. Her approach to education is driven by a desire to move away from conventional methods that prioritize rote memorization, which she found unfulfilling during her own schooling. Instead, she aims to foster a hands-on, experiential learning environment, where her children engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways. For instance, while living on a Canadian farm, her children learned about volume by measuring milk for baby goats, seamlessly integrating practical knowledge with their academic curriculum.
Vanderveer’s decision to homeschool was catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to take on the role of teacher for her eldest two children. This unexpected shift has transformed into a rewarding experience, allowing her children to explore different cultures and languages as they travel. However, this nomadic lifestyle comes with its challenges. Vanderveer reflects on the transient nature of their friendships and the struggle her children face in defining their roots. Her eldest son often looks to her for guidance when asked where he’s from, highlighting the complexities of their unique lifestyle. Despite these concerns, Vanderveer believes the benefits of their experiences far outweigh the drawbacks. In Guatemala, the family engages in discussions about nature and food, contrasting sharply with the more socially stressful environment they encountered in Canadian schools, where topics like bullying and the desire for cellphones dominated their conversations.
As Vanderveer continues her journey, balancing her role as a teacher and pursuing a doctorate in education, she remains committed to providing her children with a rich, culturally immersive education. While she employs local nannies to assist with childcare, Vanderveer’s dedication to creating a nurturing learning environment is evident. The family’s adventures not only cultivate curiosity but also encourage meaningful connections with diverse communities. Vanderveer’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities of homeschooling and worldschooling, showcasing how education can be tailored to fit the unique needs of a family while fostering a love for learning that transcends borders.
Tara Vanderveer with her children in Antigua Guatemala.
Courtesy of Tara Vanderveer
Tara Vanderveer has homeschooled her kids in Canada, the US, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Guatemala.
The single mom said pros ranged from exploring different cultures to avoiding the cellphone dilemma.
She said cons included transient friendships and the children not knowing where to call “home.”
This story is based on a conversation with Tara Vanderveer, 42, a remote teacher currently living in Antigua Guatemala. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I’ve taught at
colleges and universities
, including a nursing faculty, for most of my adult life.
My passion is education, and I don’t think the traditional way we’ve always learned is the best approach. I reflect on my own schooling, and I realize I was a “successful” student because it was easy for me to memorize things.
I was attracted to other learning styles
I had an epiphany
after graduation
when I couldn’t get a job. I had a science degree, but I didn’t know how to apply it to a profession.
I made it to the second round of interviews for one position in a lab. They asked me to perform a procedure, and I couldn’t even take the right equipment from the shelf because I’d never seen it before.
Vanderveer is part of the homeschooling/worldschooling community.
Courtesy of Tara Vanderveer
Being able to write authoritative papers was all very well, but the practicalities were lost on me.
So, when I started teaching, I encouraged people to focus on the end goal and be hands-on. I wanted my kids — an 11-year-old, 8-year-old, and a set of
4-year-old twins
— to learn in the same way, without placing too much emphasis on theory.
My kids studied volume while feeding milk to baby goats
It was never my intention for me to be their teacher. But COVID happened. The schools closed down, so I didn’t have much choice but to take the role, at least for the eldest two.
Do you have an interesting story about homeschooling? Please send details to Jane Ridley at jridley@insider.com
Since then, it’s been a joy. In 2021, we lived on a
farm in Canada
for four months, and the kids learned about ounces and millimeters by preparing the milk for the baby goats.
Vanderveer’s children on a beach in Guatemala
Courtesy of Tara Vanderveer
Those informal classes would segue into nutrition and other topics. I created a curriculum based on their regular life and interests. The children got more excited and curious by the day.
The arrangement also gave us the opportunity to travel. It’s in our
family DNA
. I was something of a nomad growing up because my dad was in the Canadian Light Infantry, and we relocated every couple of years.
We couldn’t manage without local nannies
Since 2020, the kids and I have moved between Canada, the US, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Guatemala. We’re
visiting Mexico City
for the holidays before heading to Nicaragua in February.
There’s no way we could do this without employing local nannies to watch the children during the times of the day when I’m not schooling them.
One of Vanderveer’s kids studying on a dock.
Courtesy of Tara Vanderveer
The rest of the time, I continue my regular job of teaching high schoolers and college students online while
pursuing my doctorate
in education. It’s a hectic lifestyle.
It’s great to watch the kids learn languages, meet people from different cultures, and evolve in each new environment.
However, I worry about repeating some of the negative aspects that I experienced during my own childhood. People and places were often transient. I felt as if I could only share a certain depth of relationship with others before we — or they — moved away.
I’m concerned the kids don’t have roots
The kids enjoy making friends in each place, but how do you foster those connections to ensure they’re bonding on a meaningful level? The 11-year-old keeps in touch with them by
playing chess online
. It’s obviously not the same as being physically together.
Meanwhile, there is the question of not having roots. I can see it in my eldest. Someone will ask him, “Where are you from?” and he’ll look at me for guidance because he doesn’t really know.
Vanderveer also teaches classes to high schoolers and college students online.
Courtesy of Tara Vanderveer
But the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We had to return to Canada between the fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024. The older children attended regular school for a change.
During those six months, we constantly discussed bullying, lockdowns, and boyfriends and girlfriends. We’d sit around the dinner table, and they wanted their own cellphones.
Today in Guatemala, we talk about nature, food, and animals. It feels so much healthier. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Read the original article on
Business Insider
