My Education

Bethlehem Christian School

     My educational experience was very unlike what one would typically expect. Typically, one would begin by attending an elementary school, before moving on to a middle school. They would then finally continue on to high school. My personal education, however, was different from what one might view as "normal." I attended a Christian school, and was later homeschooled, as well.

     My first few years of my education were spent at Bethlehem Christian School in Cherryville, where I first went the year I began preschool. I attended there for three years, from the beginning of preschool until the end of first grade.
   
     I had enjoyed attending Bethlehem Christian School, for a variety of reasons. Each of the teachers I had had were encouraging, and seemed that they genuinely wanted to help any student that was struggling. They nearly always had a positive attitude and a kind word for others, both staff and students. I have many wonderful memories from attending school there.

My Homeschool Classroom

     After I had completed first grade at Bethlehem Christian school, my parents pulled my younger sister and me out of the school to begin homeschooling, due to financial reasons. When we first began homeschooling, the transition was difficult for me. I had been used to seeing my friends and teachers nearly every day, and it was difficult for me to become used to not seeing them as often as I had previously. I had also been used to sitting in a classroom during the day, not at my kitchen table. However, after I had become used to homeschooling, I began to enjoy it more. We had more flexibility when it came to scheduling, and were able to make impromptu field trips to different events and places. Rather than having a single curriculum for each of my sisters and me, we were able to choose different curricula that best fit each of our academic strengths and needs, in order for us to be challenged in our learning. Even though we did not get to see our friends as often as we would if we had attended a public or private school, we still were able to participate in events with other homeschooling families often.

     When I graduated from high school and began college last fall, the transition was a bit challenging. However, I feel that I have been prepared for college, and am determined to continue to work hard. Looking back on my educational experience, I can say that I am thankful for experiencing two different types of schooling, and have learned a lot from both of them.