Have you ever found yourself wishing you could consult a homeschooling expert? Someone who can give you advice about curriculum, scheduling, and organization? A guide who could help you choose the best resources and tools to accommodate your family’s homeschooling needs? Your wish can come true thanks to a network of HomeWorks consultants all over the country.
HomeWorks by Precept partners with more than 200 experienced homeschoolers who offer advice in every aspect of homeschooling. In this article, we’ll explore several benefits you can gain by working with a HomeWorks consultant. If you are new to homeschooling, if you have questions about homeschool curriculum, or if you’re getting ready to transition from public school to homeschool, you may want to check out “How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum for Your Family” or “Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool” first.
What is a HomeWorks consultant?
HomeWorks consultants are homeschool parents with many years of experience in teaching. In some cases, consultants aren’t actively homeschooling anymore and have already graduated their students, while others are right in the middle of their homeschool journey like you. They all focus their time on helping other homeschool families find a path toward success. Available year-round, consultants can help you choose curriculum for your children and assist you with your everyday homeschool experiences.
Ways a HomeWorks Consultant Can Benefit You
1. Curriculum Choices
HomeWorks consultants can help you find the best materials or courses that your child needs. By working with you and what you know about your child’s educational strengths and challenges, a consultant can offer advice about choosing curriculum that will complement your child’s learning style and provide extra help in his or her more difficult subjects.
2. Homeschooling Group and Co-op Choices
Experienced consultants can help you decide whether joining a homeschool group or co-op is right for your family. They might also be able to point you toward a group or co-op they know of in your area. Based on information you provide about your homeschooling style, schedule, preferences, and priorities, a HomeWorks consultant will direct you to the kind of group or co-op you need. If there isn’t one in your area, a consultant might be able to help you find an online group that you can collaborate with.
3. Extra Academic Support
As former or current homeschoolers themselves, consultants can offer valuable advice in finding extra assistance. For example, perhaps your child is struggling with reading and you’re not sure how to help. A consultant can direct you to many different avenues such as a private tutor or a specialized consultant who can help with your child’s needs. Maybe you have questions about academic testing and whether your child needs it. Again, a consultant with many years of experience can provide insight and resources to help you make the best decision for your family.
4. Practical Homeschool Advice
Looking for helpful tips on organization? Need suggestions for extracurricular activities? Trying to decide which electives your high schooler should take? Searching for appropriate outside-school reading material? Although you can find plenty of information on the internet, on social media, and in the library, sometimes the best source is a real-live person who can relate directly to you as a homeschooler. Consultants can draw upon their years of experience to share useful tips you can implement in your everyday homeschool routine.
5. Spiritual Encouragement
Homeschooling is wonderful, but it can also be challenging. And, at times, it can be discouraging. Sometimes you need extra wisdom, grace, and strength in your homeschool journey. How comforting would it be to have a fellow homeschooler you can call and ask to pray for you? How helpful would it be to share your burdens with someone who understands your unique burdens, concerns, and struggles? One of the greatest benefits of having a HomeWorks consultant is the spiritual encouragement they can provide. Consultants care, not only about your educational needs but also about your spiritual ones, and they are always ready to support you.
Where to Find an Experienced HomeWorks Consultant
You might be thinking, “Yeah, that all sounds great, but also expensive. We can’t afford another expense!” What if you could find all this great homeschooling help for free? This is where HomeWorks by Precept comes in. More than 200 homeschooling consultants across the United States are ready to share their expertise and encouragement with you.
HomeWorks by Precept
BJU Press has partnered with HomeWorks by Precept to represent their homeschool products at live meetings. HomeWorks consultants are homeschool parents with years of experience using BJU Press materials. They are also independent consultants that provide close and personal homeschool advice to families all over the country. These dedicated homeschoolers can encourage and support you throughout your homeschool journey, and they can give you insight and guidance in purchasing BJU Press materials. They are ready and willing to help you with scheduling, organizing, teaching, and anything else in your everyday homeschool routine. Visit the HomeWorks by Precept website to learn more or find a consultant near you.
Homeschool Conventions and Curriculum Displays
A great way to meet HomeWorks consultants is by attending one of the many homeschool conventions where BJU Press displays their materials. If you are unable to attend a convention, you can still meet a consultant at one of BJU Press’s free Curriculum Displays. These displays are usually held at hotel conference rooms around the country and give you an opportunity to talk one-on-one with consultants. This is how I met my HomeWorks consultant several years ago.
I received an email from BJU Press inviting me to visit a local Curriculum Display. Even though I was already using BJU Press materials, I decided a little extra free advice wouldn’t hurt and was curious to see all the curriculum options. I was the first one to arrive and was the only person the entire time I was there, so I was able to get great one-on-one interaction with my consultant. She was very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I decided to start purchasing all my homeschool curriculum through her. She has always been eager to help me and efficient and thorough in ordering my materials. I have never had any problems with my orders through the years. She is always cheerful and has offered me sound academic advice, and I plan to keep her as long as she’s a consultant! She has saved me time and money and has provided valuable support in homeschooling. Attending that Curriculum Display was one of the best homeschooling decisions I ever made.
How much does a HomeWorks consultant charge?
HomeWorks consultants do not charge for their consulting. They will order all your BJU Press curriculum and handle all the billing and shipping details. They can also help you decide which subject or grade kits to order and which avenue [AK1] [KL2] [AK3] would work best for you: textbooks only, DVDs, or online curriculum. You will also receive a discount when you order through a consultant—another benefit of using one.
How to Become a HomeWorks Consultant
If you’ve worked with a consultant and are getting toward the end of your homeschool journey, you may be thinking about becoming a HomeWorks consultant yourself. If you have been homeschooling for more than a couple of years, use BJU Press materials, and love helping people, becoming a consultant could be a rewarding experience for you. It would also be convenient since you can set your own hours and work from home or even while you’re out and about. If you are interested, apply here for further information.
Even the most experienced homeschooler can use extra advice, support, and encouragement. A HomeWorks consultant can provide valuable direction for whatever homeschooling matter you are facing. Between choosing curriculum, ordering materials, finding a homeschool group or co-op, discovering new resources, navigating a schedule, sharpening teaching skills, and providing spiritual encouragement, a HomeWorks consultant can help you make the most of your homeschooling journey.
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Jennifer is a pastor’s wife and mom of two young girls and loves homeschooling them. During her own twelve years of being homeschooled, Jennifer developed a passion for reading and writing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and relishes writing during her free time.
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