Freedom can exist only in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights.”

Benjamin Rush (1745-1813)

Teachers and staff at the Toronto District School Board face termination if they’re not vaccinated against COVID by Nov. 1. Other school districts are likely weighing their options for increasing pressure on teachers to forego their fundamental rights. By threatening termination or other severe consequences, school boards are blatantly interfering with the principle of informed consent, which by definition requires an absence of coercion.

On the surface, homeschoolers and ‘vilified’ public school teachers may not seem to have much in common. However, there is one fundamental belief that underlies both groups: the freedom to choose. Homeschoolers have been defending their right and freedom to educate their children. Historically, homeschoolers have had to defend their rights through advocacy, legal action, and lobbying. Many families have faced harassment, ridicule, and rejection because of their choice to home-educate. Teachers are now defending their right to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. These teachers are not just facing vilification by the media and public, harassment, and incredible pressure, but also a loss of income as well as an uncertain future.

Teachers have a place in the homeschooling community:

There are a wide variety of ‘freelance’ educational opportunities where teachers are wanted. Here are just a few examples:

• Instructing co-op groups in specific subject areas. There are countless homeschool co-ops in each province who would love to hire a teacher with specialized knowledge and experience, especially at the high school level.
• Instructing classes in a hybrid school. These schools meet two to three times a week and combine the best of homeschooling with a classroom setting.
• Offering tutoring services to homeschool ‘pods’. Over the last year, smaller homeschool ‘pods’ have formed which consist of three to five families that share teaching responsibilities. Many have opted to hire tutors and share the cost.
• Offering specialized teaching instruction to individual students. The countless lockdowns and ensuing interruption to learning has left many students struggling to catch up. Parents are desperate to find quality instruction that will help their child get back on track.
• Offering online instruction to homeschool students located around the globe. One great advantage of homeschooling is that it is not bound to place. Many online schools bring together students from far-flung locations in one classroom via online platforms.

Humanitas Family wants to connect with you:

We are building a network that connects teachers with homeschoolers:

If you are a teacher facing termination because you are defending your fundamental right to choose, contact us at humanitasfamily@protonmail.com.

If you know of a teacher who might like to connect with a homeschooling community, please share this post with them.

If you are a homeschooler, a co-op leader, or a member of a homeschool pod, and would like to connect with a teacher, contact us at humanitasfamily@protonmail.com.