State Senator, Homeschooling Mom: An Interview with Patricia Rucker

Lauren Gideon saw her children struggling with their workbooks and became determined to find a curriculum that worked for her family. Join Lauren and your host, Jim Mason, as they discuss children’s individuality and the need for a unique education that fits their needs. Discover how parents can enjoy the freedom and opportunity to define their educational goals!

“Enjoy [homeschooling]. Kids learn a lot more when they're having fun. Assume that you won't get it right the first time! And that's okay. I probably have pivoted more than most in homeschooling, and each time I learn something. I learned what I didn't want to do in my homeschool. And through that, I [have] curated a vision for what I wanted”—Lauren Gideon

Meet Abraham Hamilton, general counsel of American Family Association and host of the Hamilton Corner, a daily radio program. Abraham joins Jim Mason (HSLDA President) to explore the power of discipleship in homeschooling and Abraham’s dedication to homeschooling, a commitment that he and his wife made long before welcoming their own children into the world.

“[Homeschooling] has been a phenomenal journey. One of the things we found is that our children have cultivated a voracious appetite for learning; they view learning as an outgrowth of their commitment to Christ”—Abraham Hamilton

Rogers Hellman is an innovator and pioneer for homeschool families and those in need.

He initiated a healthcare computer system for underprivileged nations, sowed the seeds of HSLDA’s Compassion Fund, and delivered a moving presentation before the Panama parliament. Rogers joins Jim Mason, HSLDA's President, to engage in an uplifting conversation about small beginnings paving the way for the most beautiful and impactful journeys of making a difference in the lives of others.

“I try to give myself the same grace that I give others. We're all struggling, but that's okay. You know, we've got a role to do, and we've got things that we need to do. And loving one another and serving one another is way up there on the list”—Rogers Hellman

When Katy Van Horn asked her mom to homeschool her, her mom didn’t feel equipped. But then, a friend encouraged her that “Christ equips the called”. 

This encouragement sparked the beginning of Katy’s homeschool journey. Now, 22 years later, she is taking her own experiences and using them to encourage other families. Join Katy and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) to discover how homeschooling provides an individualized and flexible education that focuses on the heart of your child, and reaches the whole person. 

“Having the opportunity to encourage these families [and] say, ‘I know that you can't really see the light at the end of the tunnel right now. And this is looking difficult. But let me tell you, I've been there, and I can tell you there's so much blessing to be had from this choice that you've made to homeschool your kids’”—Katy Van Horn

Aziza Butler's journey from a public-school teacher in Chicago to a passionate homeschooling advocate is inspirational. Frustrated by the overwhelming focus on managing children rather than actual teaching, Aziza decided to homeschool. In her pursuit, she uncovered a powerful truth: the ultimate qualification for being the best teacher for your child is being their parent. 

Join Aziza and Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, as they discuss how your heart for your child and commitment to your child’s success that is the center of an excellent education. 

“You don’t know who your kids will touch because of how you invest in them. You never know who you might impact because you have reached out and told [them] about homeschooling. [You] gave them permission to think and dream differently for their family and for their community.”— Aziza Butler

Historically, child protective service investigations happen at the school; however, for homeschooling families, education happens in the home. When investigating homeschoolers, officials must knock on the door of the single most protected place under the United States Constitution: the home. 

HSLDA President, Jim Mason, shares his first-hand experience with defending member families with a common thread: infringement of their 4^th Amendment rights. 

Rest assured, HSLDA is just a phone call away to protect your rights and your innocence, and to give you peace of mind just like these families. 

“We have [cases like the Berryman’s to create precedent] from what happened to the Curry family [from happening again]. But that doesn't happen without years and years and years of laboring in that vineyard and actually understanding the law.” —Jim Mason

Servant leadership and parenting go hand-in-hand. Leading your family well is no small task! As a homeschool parent, it can be hard to see the fruits of your labor some days, but as Phil Tuttle (Walk Thru the Bible) finds, Christ equips the called, and parenting is one of the greatest callings and expressions of leadership. Join Phil and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss parenting, leadership, and the culture of today. 

“I think parenting is one of the greatest expressions of leadership there is. I may just be focused on my four kids or my seven grandkids, you might say. ‘And how is that ever going to change the world?’ You never know. What you trade for breadth you make up for in depth. And then that is released in all sorts of ways by God. So, I mean, I'm always going to put the spotlight on parenting as the best laboratory of leadership development that there is.””—Phil Tuttle

The modern era of home education began in the 1950s and has continued to grow dramatically since. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and homeschool mom and researcher Dixie Dillon Lane as they discuss the history of homeschooling through the lens of Dixie’s doctoral thesis, “Leaving School.” Dixie provides a historian’s perspective on the various eras of homeschooling and Jim details HSLDA’s role in establishing and maintaining homeschool freedom. Dixie also shares the immense joy that she has found in homeschooling her own children.

“This feeling that the legality is gray, that you're in a gray area of the law? Not so much anymore, but for many, many decades that really affected the behavior of homeschoolers. Well, this is a really intriguing story […] One that involves both determination and fear and how the fear eventually became smaller and the determination stronger” —Dixie Dillon Lane

Did you know that HSLDA has helped members in a wide variety of homeschool-related cases from veteran affairs and social security benefits to issues with local school districts? Listen in as Kevin Boden (HSLDA Staff Attorney) and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) discuss past cases that have had significant influence on homeschool freedom and why these cases serve as a reminder that we must, as James Madison said many years ago, “take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties.” 

“It would have been really easy [to comply with the school district]. . . . [But] by standing up at that very early intrusion into liberty, not only do other school districts in Virginia not follow suit . . . but it also [tells] these officials that homeschoolers know the law; they respect and follow the law, but they want you to do that too. And they will make you do it if you don’t do it in the first place.”—Jim Mason

Each child is unique, and so is their learning style. Join Jim Mason and entrepreneur Greg Heinemann for a discussion on the entrepreneurial spirit and how homeschooling facilitates outside-the-box thinking, allowing parents to create an environment that fits the needs of each student, helping them grow into flourishing adults.  

“The beauty of homeschooling is that the parents have already rejected the normal way of doing something. . . . [These kids] tend to be born into entrepreneurial thinking or an alternative way of thinking. [Homeschool students and graduates] are better critical thinkers. . . . They often have better work ethic because the parents instilled that in them through the homeschooling process. They know how to get information and solve problems.”—Greg Heinemann