Forty four adults and nineteen children came together in the home of Sri Sri Kishore Kishori in Chicago during the weekend of July 13 and 14 to participate in the first-ever Krishna Homeschool Convention. The registrants came from 12 states across the USA, namely, Utah, Missouri, Colorado, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois. Many are currently homeschooling, while others are exploring homeschooling as an option for their children. 

Homeschooling pioneer and author of “Homeschooling Krishna’s Children”, Aruddha devi dasi set the stage with her sons, Radhika Raman das and Gopal Hari das by opening the seminar with a “Homeschooling Basics” presentation. They shared the nuts and bolts of homeschooling, including how to create a conducive home environment, using Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam as the basis of the entire curriculum. Then, multiple devotees who have experience homeschooling shared their perspectives and experiences via interactive sessions and presentations. Vidharbha Suta devi dasi from Maryland shared her experience homeschooling a single child. Anand Vrindavan devi dasi from Silicon Valley presented her nine year- long homeschooling journey with two delightful boys. Varsana devi dasi from San Diego, who is a certified Waldorf teacher brought a fresh new perspective with how she incorporates Waldorf principles into her homeschool. Atulya devi dasi from Boston showed how one can make homeschooling work when both parents are working and homeschooling together. The Menon family from Chicago and Taraka devi dasi from Denver shared their very simple yet effective homeschooling models. Radhika Raman das led an interactive session on the “Role of the Father in Homeschooling”.  

Participants reported more enthusiasm to try homeschooling. One said, “I heard lots of success stories at the convention. It has really given a boost to my enthusiasm to start homeschooling.” Another echoed, “This gives me confidence to start homeschooling.” Those who were already homeschooling also gained from the convention. One participant reported, “I feel inspired and rejuvenated to continue homeschooling my children. I would love to see this happen every year and possibly at different temples.” Another stated, “I got lots of ideas and encouragement in the process of homeschooling.”

To keep up the enthusiasm generated, the presenters will be making themselves available to the participants via a monthly conference call. 

Real education means character development. By exploring models of education based on the Srimad Bhagavatam, may we be empowered to create a ‘truly educated’ generation of soldiers for Srila Prabhupada’s army!