“So You Are a Teacher.”

Published by

Jenn

on

February 19, 2026

Last week, when we went to the library, a kind man said something to me that made me pause and rethink how I see myself as an educator.

I was diligently searching for library books for our homeschooling studies—glasses on, checking my handwritten list of titles and call numbers, and pulling a wagon filled with stacks of books I had already thoughtfully selected.

A voice breaks my concentration while I am searching for alphabet-themed picture books for my five-year-old.

“You’re on a mission, huh?!”

I look up to see who is talking to me, and I see—who I assume to be a grandfather—an older man with his young granddaughter smiling at me.

I politely smile and say, “Oh…yes, I am!”

Then the man asks, “Are you a teacher?”

I apologetically reply, “Oh…no. I homeschool my kids.”

The man nods his head and says, “Ah.”

But after pausing… he turns back to me and says,

“So you ARE a teacher.”

I look up at his smiling face and chuckle. “Yes, you’re right. I am a teacher.”

Sometimes I don’t know why I still doubt myself and my talents. Of course, I am a teacher.

Not only do I have an extensive college education and a few years of experience in the public education field, but I have also been a home educator for over 12 years now.

I spend countless hours researching home education methods, learning materials, crafts, projects, field trips, community programs—you name it!

I’m always filling notebooks with notes on unit study ideas, school supply lists, book titles, learning objectives, and assessments.

I listen to podcasts, read homeschool articles (including legal info), and watch videos other home educators share.

And I am always at the public library checking out over 60 books at a time—with just one or two books for my own reading. Lol! 😂📚

I think I just got so used to people scoffing at me or saying something negative when they find out I homeschool my children. I’ll be honest—I’ve let some of that negativity get to me at times.