My STORY

Hi! I’m Jane.

Welcome to

Charlotte Mason

Home School

New Zealand!

 

Growing up, my school education glorified memorizing facts and passing tests/assignments. I learned that well-educated meant attaining top marks.

 

I didn’t learn to think;

I learned to memorize.

 

 

In reality, I was not being educated because the term education comes from the Latin words “educare” meaning “to bring up or to nourish” and “educere” meaning “to bring forth or to drag out.” My education was not nourishing, nor did it require me to act on the presented information.

No opportunity was given me to think, respond or build a relationship with what I was learning. I came out of school knowing how to read, write and do arithmetic, but not how to think, respond or engage with the lesson.

 

The result?

I didn’t have a relationship with what I was learning.

 

It wasn’t until I was about twenty-one that I had a clear call from God to become a teacher. I learned about a Christian teacher’s college called MASTERS Institute (now available through Laidlaw College).

 

It was here where I started my real education:

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• I obtained knowledge, not just information, because I was taught to think and apply ideas, not just facts. I was introduced to different worldviews, with a focus on a Biblical Worldview, and how these worldviews affect all spheres of life.

• I was taught how to apply the Biblical lens into every part of teaching.

 

The four years of teacher training were only the beginning of my education. My mind was still primarily trapped into believing education was the teaching of facts and skills in order to pass the test. Then when I stepped into my own classroom, the curriculum I had to use dictated my planning and teaching.

 

So I went out into the Christian school world and spent 11 years teaching in Christian schools both in New Zealand and China, imparting what I had learned to my students and teaching them “Christianly”, but still failing to see that

education only happens when the mind is nourished, allowing the person to see ideas and build a relationship with God, His creation and others.

 

I gained experience in reading and applying curriculum and eventually I became involved in writing curriculum for the international school where I taught in China.

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Then about 6-7 years ago, I learned about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education through my sister. My understanding of Biblical education deepened because

 

I learned some simple truths:

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• “The mind feeds on ideas, and therefore children should have a generous curriculum.” (Charlotte Mason – Principle #8). This concept of feeding the mind really drew me into Mason’s philosophy of education. Why? It gives us the freedom to stretch and grow our minds and lead us on the path of self-education.

• “Children are born persons.” (Charlotte Mason – Principle #1).  A child is born with a body, soul, mind, spirit, will and emotions.  As the parents raise/train/educate their child, they must remember they are educating the whole child.

• Education happens when the mind acts on the information and a relationship is formed. This is where knowledge is obtained. Jesus taught out of relationship; therefore we learn through and from relationship.  Learning this way means knowledge is gained and education happens.

• This philosophy of education places value on the child, a person made in the image of God. Each child is valuable and deserves the best. We want to feed our children good food; why not the mind? After all, doesn’t Paul command us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?” (Romans 12:2).

• I was also drawn to this philosophy because it allows the Holy Spirit to be the teacher (John 14:26, John 16:13-14).  It allows the child to be educated as a whole, by focusing on growing the body, soul, mind, spirit, will and emotions through a healthy, life giving atmosphere, the discipline of healthy habits and the presentation of living ideas. This all requires the presence and enabling of the Holy Spirit. 

 

In 2019 I started home schooling my daughter using the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education. For a few years we had a number of other home schooling children join us. While researching and planning our curriculum,

 

I could only find American Charlotte Mason curriculum/resources.

 

No one appeared to be writing or researching Charlotte Mason curriculum and resources for New Zealand Charlotte Mason home schoolers. So with a background in teaching and curriculum development and my love for the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education, I started researching and writing  New Zealand Charlotte Mason curriculum and resources.

 

And now it is my joy to support New Zealand Charlotte Mason home schooling families in implementing a New Zealand Charlotte Mason education in their families.

 

So whether you are an eclectic home schooling family who would love to incorporate parts of the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education or a Charlotte Mason purist, I am here to support you as the best teacher for your child  by:

• Providing a place of community for New Zealand Charlotte Mason home schooling families to connect.

• Providing access relevant resources/curriculum for New Zealand Charlotte Mason home schooling families.

• Providing practical advice specifically in the implementation of the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education into your own home school.

Are you ready to simplify your life by feeding your child’s (and yours) mind, enabling them to eventually self-educate?