Mandy Davis’ journey from school principal to homeschooling advocate

Join me for this exclusive interview with Mandy Davis, author of A Matter of Principal, talking about her journey from dedicated school principal to passionate advocate for homeschooling. Below, Mandy shares insights into the limitations of the traditional education system, the benefits of homeschooling, tips for parents of young children, and more.

Disclosure: In this sponsored Q&A, Mandy Davis inspires by sharing her views and path openly, empowering parents and students seeking meaningful, personalized opportunities to learn. I do not earn affiliate income from posts in this link.

Interview with Mandy Davis

Let’s get to it! Mandy, I’ll be asking you about the advantages of homeschooling, but first, I’m curious about your experience working in the education sector. So, let’s start the conversation there.

Can you please share a bit about your professional background in education?

Before embarking on my homeschooling journey and writing A Matter of Principal, I spent a significant part of my career deeply immersed in the education sector. My experience spans over a decade, during which I worked in various capacities, both in public and private educational settings.

My journey in education began as a classroom teacher, where I developed a passion for creating engaging and dynamic learning environments. This role gave me valuable insights into the diverse needs of students and the importance of adapting teaching methods to cater to individual learning styles.

Eventually, I stepped into the role of a school principal. This position provided me with a broader perspective on the educational system. As a principal, I was responsible for not only the academic growth of the students but also the overall functioning and ethos of the school. It involved curriculum development, staff management, policy implementation, and, most importantly, ensuring that the school environment supported every student’s holistic development.

Throughout my tenure in the education sector, I’ve always been an advocate for educational reform and innovation. My experiences have reinforced my belief that education should be a personalized, dynamic journey rather than a one-size-fits-all model. These collective experiences laid the groundwork for my transition to homeschooling and subsequently inspired me to share my insights and learning through my book.

What took you from principal to your present-day career?

The transition from being a principal to my current career in homeschooling and authorship was driven by a deep desire for educational reform and a more personalized approach to learning. Witnessing the limitations of the traditional school system and its one-size-fits-all model, I felt compelled to explore and advocate for more adaptable and individualized forms of education.

This led me to homeschool my own children and, in turn, inspired me to share my insights and experiences through writing, with the goal of helping other families navigate their educational journeys.

What inspired you to write A Matter of Principal?

To share my journey and the beautiful homeschooling movement with parents, educators, and all those who have a passion for education.

To a parent considering homeschooling instead of sending their child to private school, what would you say?

If you’re a parent considering homeschooling as an alternative to private school, my first piece of advice would be to trust your instincts about what’s best for your child. Each child is unique, and their educational path should honor that uniqueness.

Homeschooling offers an unparalleled opportunity for personalized education tailored to your child’s specific interests, learning pace, and style.

It’s important to recognize that homeschooling, much like private schooling, comes with its commitments in terms of time, resources, and energy. However, the flexibility and freedom it offers often outweigh these challenges. You have the liberty to design a curriculum that resonates with your child’s natural curiosities and passions, something that traditional private schooling cannot accommodate.

What are some benefits of homeschooling?

Homeschooling offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance a child’s learning experience. These include personalized education, tailored to a child’s unique learning style and pace, the flexibility to explore subjects more deeply, and the opportunity to integrate real-world experiences into learning.

Homeschooling also allows for a more nurturing and stress-free environment, away from the pressures of standardized testing and social challenges in traditional schools. Additionally, it fosters closer family bonds and enables parents to impart values and life skills directly to their children.

In addition to these benefits, what do you want parents new to homeschooling to know?

To parents embarking on the homeschooling journey, it’s important to know that it’s okay not to have all the answers at the beginning. Homeschooling is a journey that involves learning alongside your child. Embrace the flexibility and freedom it offers and use it to explore various educational methods until you find what works best for your family. Connect with homeschooling communities for support and resources.

Remember, the goal is to create a love for learning in your child, not to replicate school at home. Lastly, trust your instincts as a parent; you know your child better than anyone else.

If the child isn’t motivated to learn at home, what are some ways for parents to help improve that?

For a child lacking motivation in homeschooling, it’s essential to identify the root cause. Are they bored or unchallenged by the material? Is the teaching method not resonating with them?

Once identified, you can address it by varying teaching methods, incorporating their interests into lessons, or setting achievable goals to give them a sense of accomplishment. Encouraging autonomy by allowing them to make choices about what or how they learn can also boost motivation. Above all, ensure learning is engaging and fun.

Do you have tips for maintaining a consistent schedule for home learning?

Consistency is key in homeschooling, but it doesn’t have to mean rigidity. Start by establishing a basic routine that outlines when you’ll focus on learning but allow flexibility. Adapt the schedule to suit your family’s rhythm; some families prefer mornings for academic work, others afternoons.

Regular breaks are important, too, as they help maintain focus. Including your children in the schedule planning can help them feel more committed to it.

How else can a child get more out of home learning?

To get more out of home learning, integrate diverse learning methods and resources. This could include online educational platforms, project-based learning, field trips, or hands-on activities that align with real-world experiences. Encouraging exploration and curiosity is crucial; if a child shows interest in a particular topic, delve deeper into it.

<Additionally, social interaction remains important, so include group learning opportunities through co-ops, sports, arts, and community events. Personalized feedback and recognition of achievements can also significantly enhance the home learning experience.

What do you hope people take away from reading A Matter of Principal?

My deepest wish is that readers come away from A Matter of Principal feeling empowered to take an active role in their children’s education. Whether it’s choosing homeschooling or advocating for changes within the traditional school system, I want them to recognize that they have a voice and a choice.

I also hope the book encourages a reevaluation of what true learning and success mean beyond grades and standardized tests. Ideally, readers will finish the book feeling equipped with the insights and confidence to create or seek learning environments that foster creativity, critical thinking, and joy in their children.

What surprised you while writing this book, about homeschooling benefits or anything else?

While writing A Matter of Principal, one of the most surprising revelations was the depth of personal growth that accompanies the homeschooling journey, not just for the children, but for me as a parent and educator. I learned that stepping away from the conventional path requires immense courage and leads to profound self-discovery.

I was also surprised by the universality of the challenges and triumphs in homeschooling. The stories, doubts, and successes of other homeschooling families resonated deeply with my experiences, underscoring a shared journey that goes beyond individual backgrounds. This interconnectedness of experiences across different families was both humbling and eye-opening, emphasizing the common thread in our collective quest for a more meaningful and personalized approach to education.

Get the book A Matter of Principal 

About A Matter of Principal on Amazon:

Rooted in her experience as an elementary school principal, Mandy highlights the gaps in a system that often overlooks the diverse needs of individual children. As a dedicated mother and educator, she felt the call to transition to homeschooling, seeking a more personalized and meaningful educational experience for her own children.

This book is not just about Mandy’s transformative journey. It’s an inspiring call to action for families everywhere to rethink the essence of education. Mandy shares her challenges, triumphs, and invaluable insights, encouraging parents to explore the vast potential of learning beyond traditional boundaries. Dive into her world, and discover a universe where education is tailored to the unique rhythm of every child.

The book is also available at Barnes & Noble.

Connect with Mandy Davis

Find out more about Mandy Davis, get free homeschooling resources, and read her blog at Home Built Education. There’s also a Contact Form on the website to reach out to her.

She’s on social media, as well.  Find her on Instagram and YouTube.

Thank you, Mandy Davis, for sharing your experiences with us

I appreciate how Mandy chooses to take what she’s learned in the traditional school system to help parents, given what she believes so passionately about. She highlights the importance of flexibility and creativity in young children’s education.

She also emphasizes the personal growth that is a part of the homeschooling route, not just for kids but also for their parents. In my opinion, the main takeaway is that individuals can look at education in new ways, whether homeschooling their kids or seeking meaningful changes in the traditional system.

Over to you: Talking homeschooling and more

How has Mandy Davis’s journey from school principal to homeschooling advocate detailing benefits influenced your perspective on education? What changes, if any, are you inspired to make in your approach to your child’s learning? Were you surprised by any of Mandy’s answers? Let’s talk in the comments below!