MICK HOLMES is a teacher of English as a second language. He was homeschooled until the age of nine and wished he had returned to homeschooling in high school. His experience teaching in schools and private tutoring then deepened his appreciation for exactly how and why his homeschooling experience was valuable. This prompted him to write Home Time.
Mick spent his time at home before regular school age just playing, like most children. He continued living and having fun in the same vein while homeschooling from age five until almost nine years old.
His parents didn’t start “giving lessons” or use any curriculum, even though they were both school teachers. He directed his own learning adventure, with his parents offering support and guidance along the way when asked. He was unschooled.
Mick spent four years in Australian elementary school (3rd-6th grade) which he excelled at both academically, socially and in the sporting arena. He was a positive and enthusiastic student.
In his final year, he was elected school Captain, became the school Dux (Valedictorian) and was also the swimming champion, athletics champion, cross-country running champion, while also joining almost all of the school sporting teams.
Mick started high school (7th grade) with the same enthusiasm he held in elementary. However, by 9th grade he had grown tired of how much time was wasted as well as the topics being taught.
He asked his parents if he could return to homeschooling. Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication, he continued attending high school for the last three years, becoming increasingly despondent about school and learning in general. He still fudged admirable end-of-school grades.
Mick began work as a school teacher of young learners, teaching English as a second language in Turkey. His experience teaching in schools and private tutoring deepened his appreciation for exactly how and why his homeschooling experience was valuable.
He still teaches English as a second language but focuses exclusively on private tutoring. In this way, the kids who have lessons with him want to be there and never think they are “having a lesson”. Instead, they are just playing naturally, which is the best kind of learning environment.
After two years of teaching in kindergarten full-time, Mick began writing down his thoughts and experiences. This would eventually become his soon-to-be-released book, Home Time.
