High School Apprenticeship at Home
by Maggie S. Hogan
There are a great number of ways to creatively gain high school credit at home besides
using a curriculum bought from a publisher. At this age, volunteer work, as well
as paid employment, can be counted as a work experience elective. For example, a
student with an interest in nursing can volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home,
crisis pregnancy center, or other health care facility. A student interested in
wildlife management may want to volunteer at a state park, nature center, or wildlife
preserve. Even just a “plain old job” has much value in teaching responsibility,
time management, work ethics, accountability, and much more. It is perfectly reasonable
to award a credit for a part-time job held throughout the school year.
What about apprenticeship? Apprenticeship by definition is “training in an
art, trade, or craft, under a legal agreement defining the relationship between
master and learner and the duration and conditions of their relationship.”
This kind of mentoring goes a step further than just a job. It’s a well-thought-out
plan of action. The key to successful apprenticeship is a blend of instruction and
“hands-on” experience supervised by an expert in the field. This has
gained much popularity among homeschoolers for several reasons:
- It’s practical. What better way to learn a business than under the tutelage
of a “master” in the field?
- It’s do-able. Within our circle of family, church, and friends, it is quite
likely we could find the right match for our student.
- It’s good preparation. Wouldn’t we all like our young people prepared
for “real life”?
Two True Tales
“Is it my imagination, or is Flossie standing exactly where and how she was
last night?” Janice asked her family aloud. Her 11-year-old daughter, Lauren,
assured her that it was not her imagination and that she had been trying to tell
her mom that Flossie looked sick! Their two acres out in the country filled with
all description of animals was exactly to this middle child’s liking. She
willingly worked hard on the property and had earned the title, “Farm Manager.”
They called the vet, who came out and examined the pregnant cow, Flossie. It was
a good thing they called her when they had, because it turned out that Flossie was
in pretty bad shape.
Thus began their relationship with a large animal vet. Being the child who always
loved animals, Lauren was extremely interested in all the procedures that this doctor
performed on her many visits. One visit prompted the inevitable “Why are your
children home during the day?” question and the answer, question, answer,
question, answer type conversation that inevitably follows that particular inquiry.
(The doctor was intrigued enough by homeschooling that she attended our state conference
that year.)
Lauren was so very interested in learning more about how people help sick animals
that eventually the vet was asked if Lauren could possibly accompany her on her
rounds one day. The answer was positive, and sure enough, the day came when Lauren
was invited to go along. She loved it. Then, unexpectedly, she was invited to go
again, and again, and again! Lauren treasured those experiences and longed for more.
A friend suggested that Janice should try to establish a relationship with the vet
where Lauren could accompany her once each week in exchange for Lauren volunteering
her labor once each week. The labor would be the “dirty work” that needs
to be done but that no one relishes. The doctor instantly agreed to the arrangement,
and the following year was a very happy one for the “Farm Manager.”
She learned all kinds of things and was functioning as a nurse-assistant. Her expertise
grew to where she could anticipate what tool was needed during surgery and was invited
to tag along whenever there was something particularly interesting happening. She
even looked forward to doing the work on her volunteer evening. Sometimes she washed
the trucks, sometimes she did paper work, sometimes she filled pill bottles, and
sometimes she cleaned the office. She worked hard and enthusiastically. The arrangement
worked out great for everyone involved and was continued into the next year. This
shy, middle child grew into a self-confident, knowledgeable young lady.
The following year it became apparent to the veterinarian that the business had
grown to the point where she needed to hire part-time help. To whom do you suppose
she offered the position? Of course, Lauren was exceedingly pleased. It not only
was her first paying job, it was a job at which she was skilled and one she dearly
loved.
When it came time to figure out her high school science requirements, it was easy
assigning her a credit for science after the many hours of labor and incredible
knowledge she had gained during those years. Now, ten years later, we find Lauren
has earned her nursing degree!
BJ was a quiet kid like his dad. He enjoyed playing the piano and messing around
with his friends. There was one thing that really got him excited, though, and that
was computers. As soon as he finished his studies each day, he would spend whatever
time he could on the computer. His mom got him books on programming, and he pored
over them. What he read, he put into action on their Mac. Over the years, his interest
grew. He really wasn’t sure he was interested in going to college; he really
was sure he was interested in computers! His parents took the money they had saved
up for his college education and bought him a state-of-the-art computer, printer,
and many peripherals. He had learned so much about computers and programming over
the years, they believed he would learn what he needed to know to be a valuable
employee or entrepreneur if just given exposure to the right equipment.
At about this time, BJ began volunteering in the TV studio at their church. He started
out sweeping the floors and emptying waste cans. Just by being there, he was learning
much. Folks began to notice that he had an incredible amount of interest and aptitude
in the use of computers in television and movie production and was even able to
help them through various difficulties which arose. Soon a paying position opened
up; BJ applied for and got the job. Then the homeschool graduate was making good
money doing what he loved. Now, several years later, his reputation in his city
for being the fellow who knows how to handle problems that arise in computer and
film production is well established. BJ is in demand for this type of consulting
and is happily doing his life’s work.
Experience is the best teacher … so the saying goes. Many young people are taking
advantage of the enormous opportunities available to them as home educated students.
The flexible schedules they usually possess, as well as the ability to take the
time to really focus on an area of interest, are very valuable and envied by many
of their non-homeschooled peers.
However, these opportunities don’t usually just jump into your lap. It takes
an alert, caring, tuned-in adult to search out the possibilities, to turn occurrences
into opportunities, and then to encourage the student to actively participate in
them. There are many adults who would be pleased and honored to share their vocation
with an interested young person. Pray, look, and be prepared for amazing opportunities!
Biographical Information
Copyright, 2009. All rights reserved by author below. Content provided by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC.
Maggie Hogan lives with her husband Bob in Dover, Delaware, where they began homeschooling
their two (now grown) sons in 1991. She is a regular contributor to homeschooling
Internet sites, as well as print magazines like The Old Schoolhouse®.
She’s a nationally-known speaker and co-author of The Ultimate Geography
and Timeline Guide, Gifted Children at Home, Young Scholar’s Guide to Classical
Composers, and other resource books. They’re also owners of Bright Ideas Press,
publishers of the all-new Illuminations curriculum as well as award-winning
The Mystery of History series, Christian Kids Explore series, and
All American History series. When not reading or writing, Maggie can be found drooling
over travel brochures.
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