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WINTER 2018
HOMESCHOOL IOWA 5
Y
ou could have heard a pin drop as my wife and I looked at
each other, astonished but with smiles slowly spreading
across our faces.
“We’ve decided to homeschool!” our schoolteacher friend had
exclaimed.
We’d known this young couple for years, and this declaration was
entirely unexpected.
Sometimes, as a homeschool father, I wonder just how much my
work affects the lives of those outside my family. The daily grind of
raising and homeschooling children is a joyful responsibility, but it
doesn’t often seem to influence others beyond my doorstep.
Yet, we had just received the startling but joyful news. This hus-
band and wife, who were decidedly unlikely homeschoolers, had
told us that knowing our family over the years had helped them
make this important decision on how to raise their kids.
Really, I shouldn’t have been so surprised.
Homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds as people from
all kinds of backgrounds and family situations are starting to home-
school. At Homeschool Iowa, we believe all parents have the God-
given right and calling to raise their children, and we want to cheer
parents on!
Homeschool Iowa is responding to the growing homeschool
community.
• In 2017, we launched our Regional Representatives program to
connect families with knowledgeable and experienced guides in
their part of the state who can help answer questions like:
“How do I start?”
“Can I do this as a single mom?”
“What curriculum should I use?”
• This year, Homeschool Iowa expanded our services with Spe-
cial Needs Advisors. We are blessed to provide this seasoned, car-
ing team of consultants to assist homeschooling parents dealing
with various learning challenges because we believe that children
should have an education that fits their needs and giftings.
• We continue to serve families through our three annual events:
Capitol Day, Graduation and the annual Conference, because we
believe that parents who receive encouragement, support, and pro-
tection are best able to educate their children.
But we don’t want to stop there.
Our board of directors and key volunteers have taken the for-
ward-looking steps to consider homeschool needs unique to our
state and to develop a 5-year strategy on how to address those
needs and continue to build this great homeschool movement.
Planning for the future is important. Here at Homeschool Iowa,
we believe Christ-centered home education develops the full po-
tential of the next generation, and we want to promote and protect
continued homeschooling freedoms.
One key component of this strategy is to build a stronger advoca-
cy team. Although home education is well-established in our state,
we are always just one election, just one legislative session, just one
horrific child-abuse story away from losing our hard-won freedoms.
Another key component is making personal connections with
homeschoolers, like you, across the state. We hope to do this by
adding regional events and continuing to build up and partner with
different demographic groups.
All of this will take volunteers and resources that we don’t already
have. And we are committed to doing all this without increasing the
cost to hardworking homeschool families who need help.
That is why I am asking you to partner with us to make these
dreams a reality.
Would you consider giving a one-time or recurring gift to Home-
school Iowa to help support homeschoolers across the state?
Most importantly, would you join us in praying for God’s contin-
ued protection and blessing upon families striving to disciple their
children at home? Especially pray for those who are struggling...that
God would draw them to Himself and grant them grace to press on.
Homeschool Iowa Needs YOU
BY JOE BAILEY, PRESIDENT HOMESCHOOL IOWA
Joe Bailey, Homeschool Iowa Board President, his wife, and their family, all serve the
Iowa homeschool community as volunteers, dedicating their time, creativity, and energy
to promoting homeschooling in Iowa. Photo Credit: Hannah Bailey