Back to School - For All of Us

My own kids are homeschooled, and like students across our region, they’re kicking off a new school year this week. The past couple of weeks at our house have been a whirlwind of planning, supply shopping, and coordinating with other homeschool families. My wife has taken the lead on most of it, and I’m grateful for the countless hours she puts into making sure our children have a strong educational foundation. We participate in Classical Conversations, a homeschool program rooted in the traditions of classical education, with a weekly community meeting that brings families together to learn and support one another. This year, our oldest daughter, Emmalyn, is beginning Latin—and that means my wife and I are learning it, too. That’s one of the beautiful things about homeschooling: as the kids grow, the parents grow with them. Subjects we haven’t thought about in decades suddenly reappear at the dinner table, and we get a chance to see them with new eyes. It’s not just about helping the kids—it’s about learning alongside them. I’ve always believed in the idea that learning shouldn’t end with a diploma. Whether you finish formal schooling at 18 or 22 or beyond, the responsibility to keep learning never goes away. Homeschooling keeps that idea alive in our home. So does teaching Sunday school, where I revisit scriptures and principles I’ve read many times before but now see in a different light, shaped by experience and discussion. Education isn’t just for children—it’s for all of us. And this time of year is a great reminder of that. Back-to-school season is a fresh start for students, teachers, and parents alike. Whether you’re in public school, private school, or homeschool, this week marks the beginning of something new. New subjects to explore. New friends to make. New challenges to tackle. So to all the kids headed back to school: I hope you discover something this year that lights a fire in you—whether it’s math or music, history or horticulture. To the parents: I hope you find joy in the journey, even in the busy moments. And to the teachers, whether in classrooms or around kitchen tables: thank you for the work you do. You are shaping lives. Here’s to a great year ahead. Let’s all keep learning.