Homeschooling With Confidence: Christy-Faith’s Journey From Traditional Educator to Homeschooling Mom

Christy-Faith was a director of a learning center, but it wasn’t until she started homeschooling that she found the teaching approach that works best.

Homeschooling taught Christy-Faith that true education isn't about chasing grades. Courtesy of Christy-Faith

Each year, the number of families choosing to homeschool grows. For those in the trenches, gleaning wisdom and inspiration from experienced homeschooling parents is a lifesaver.

Christy-Faith not only is an experienced homeschooling mom, but also has the perspective of having worked in traditional school settings. She shares her knowledge online with homeschooling parents, encouraging and guiding them. We asked for her advice as a new school year gets underway.

The Epoch Times: When did you decide to homeschool your children, and what led you to that decision?

Christy-Faith: The decision to homeschool wasn’t just a choice; it was a turning point. After years immersed in the traditional education system—as a student, educator, and director of a bustling learning center—I saw the cracks up close: kids drowning in anxiety, parents feeling powerless, and a culture valuing grades over true learning. But it wasn’t until I became a mother that the weight of it all hit me. Holding my first child, I realized that I couldn’t let this system shape my kids’ future. I didn’t want their childhoods stolen by endless pressure, burnout, and disconnection.

I wanted to redeem my kids’ childhoods, to give them space to breathe, to explore, and to grow into their best selves. I wanted them to pursue academic excellence without sacrificing their joy or individuality. And as I looked deeper into the traditional school system, I saw it for what it was: a relic of the past designed to create a workforce, not to cultivate whole, thriving human beings. It wasn’t preparing kids for the world we live in now, let alone the future.

That’s when I knew: Homeschooling wasn’t just an option; it was the answer. It was a way to reclaim our time, our values, and our joy while still challenging my kids to reach their full potential. It was terrifying to break away from the system I once trusted, but it was also the most liberating decision we’ve ever made. Because homeschooling isn’t just something you can do; it’s something that can transform your family’s life.

Once an educator in traditional schools, Christy-Faith now teaches homeschooling parents how to make the most of their children's education. Courtesy of Christy-Faith

The Epoch Times: You guide and inspire homeschooling parents online now, but your career has included traditional classroom experience and training. Can you walk us through your path and how your professional experiences have informed your desire and ability to homeschool?

Christy-Faith: My journey began in the traditional classroom, where I taught and later ran a learning center that served thousands of students. Our clients were high-profile, ambitious parents who wanted to set their kids up for bright futures. I worked with kids facing every challenge imaginable. Some were fighting to keep up, and some were striving for perfection. I saw firsthand how the system often failed to meet their needs, turning education into a relentless treadmill of grades and achievements.

But I also saw what was possible when learning was tailored to the child—when education became a tool for growth, not just a measure of performance. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of curriculum, individualized learning, and the emotional toll of the traditional system. They also gave me the tools to create something better for my own children.

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics; it’s about reclaiming the joy of learning and the freedom to grow into who you’re meant to be. And now, I use everything I’ve learned to guide and inspire other families to do the same.

The Epoch Times: What have you found to be the greatest benefits of homeschooling your own children? What have been the greatest challenges?

Christy-Faith: The greatest benefit of homeschooling is the gift of time—time to truly know my children, to watch them grow, and to be an integral part of their learning journey. It’s the freedom to honor their individuality, to let them chase their passions, and to create a life that aligns with our values.

But it’s not without challenges. The hardest part has been unlearning the lies I grew up believing: that success is measured by grades, that perfection is the goal, that I’m not enough. Homeschooling has forced me to confront those lies head-on and replace them with something truer, something better. And in doing so, I’ve been able to give my children the freedom to live out who they were created to be.

At the end of the day, the greatest gift we can give our children is the space to grow into their best selves academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Epoch Times: What common mistakes do you see homeschooling parents making?

Christy-Faith: One of the most common mistakes I see is trying to replicate the traditional school system at home. Homeschooling is a chance to break free from the rigidity of the system, not recreate it.

Another mistake is overloading the schedule—too much curriculum, too many activities, and even too many extracurriculars. More doesn’t always mean better. In fact, it often leads to burnout and diminishing returns. Then everyone feels overwhelmed and no one is thriving. Homeschooling isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters.

And finally, I see parents doubting themselves, thinking that they’re not “qualified” enough. Let me tell you this: You are enough. You know your child better than anyone. You don’t need a teaching degree to give your kids an extraordinary education.

The Epoch Times: How (if at all) do you recommend that parents adjust their homeschooling strategies from the elementary years through the high school years?

Christy-Faith: Homeschooling is a journey, and like any journey, it evolves. In the early years, it’s about building a foundation: teaching the basics while nurturing curiosity and wonder. But as your kids grow, the focus shifts. In the high school years, it’s about preparing them for the world: teaching them to think critically, to take ownership of their learning, and to chase their dreams.

My advice? Involve your teens in the process. Let them have a say in their education. Homeschooling gives you the freedom to tailor their learning to their passions and goals, whether that’s diving deep into a subject they love or exploring new opportunities. Because homeschooling isn’t just about academics; it’s about raising independent, confident, and capable adults who are ready to thrive in the real world. Get the planning started sooner rather than later to keep the most doors open.

Christy-Faith's book, "Homeschool Rising."

The Epoch Times: What do you wish that all homeschooling parents of college-bound students knew?

Christy-Faith: I wish that every homeschooling parent knew this: Your child’s homeschooling journey is his or her superpower. Colleges are increasingly recruiting homeschool students. They aren’t looking for cookie-cutter applicants; they’re looking for individuals who stand out, who think differently, and who bring something unique to the table. Homeschooling gives your child that edge.

So keep good records, encourage them to pursue their passions, and don’t be afraid to reach out to admissions offices for guidance. And remember, there’s no one “right” path to college. Your child’s journey is his own, and that’s what makes it extraordinary.

The Epoch Times: What motivates you to continue the work of guiding and inspiring homeschooling families?

Christy-Faith: What drives me is the belief that we can do better for our kids. I’ve seen the toll the traditional system can take—the anxiety, the burnout, the loss of joy—and I know that there’s a better way. Homeschooling isn’t just about academics; it’s about giving our kids the childhoods they deserve. It’s about raising whole, healthy humans who love to learn and who know that they are loved.

Every family I work with reminds me why this matters. Every story of transformation, every parent who finds his or her confidence, every child who rediscovers her spark—that’s what keeps me going. Because childhoods matter. Kids matter.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.