Homeschool Consultants?

Discussion in 'Other Conversation' started by ginnicsim, Feb 6, 2005.

  1. ginnicsim

    ginnicsim New Member

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    I was wondering if I could pick your brains.

    I have been told by many people that I should become a homeschool consultant and I wanted to know how common it is, as far as you know, and whether or not you feel there is a demand for it. It is something I believe I would really enjoy doing and be very good at, but I tend to sell myself short in that, with many of my aspirations, I don't feel I have a marketable idea. In this case, I told one lady who suggested I become a consulatant that I didn't think people would really pay good money for something they could find out on their own for free! She seemed to think I was underestimating the potential.

    I have counseled many new and prospective homeschoolers and I really love doing it. What do you ladies think? If it is something I decide to pursue, how do think I can go about getting clients? What do you think I should charge for my services? If you were to hire a homeschool consultant now or when you first began, what kinds of services would you have liked her to provide?

    Thanks in advance for your input! I'm really looking forward to hearing what you all have to say!
     
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  3. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    It's not something *I* would be interested in, but that doesn't mean it's a bad idea. When I started, there were many others in my church that were homeschooling, and so I would pick their brains, so to speak. Any of them are quick to give ideas and suggestions, or let you borrow some of the stuff they had used in the past to see if it would "fit" before I bought it. For someone just starting out, with no idea of what, who, or how, I could see your service as an asset. Are you qualified to do end-of-year evaluations? In Ohio, that means that you hold a current teaching certificate for Ohio. I don't know WHAT it means in your state, or if you must do testing or what. If you CAN do evaluations, you might start off that way and give those you evaluate an idea of what to do the next year.

    As far as a "market", it would depend on where you live. In a large city I would GUESS there'd be much more of a market. Are you a homeschooler yourself, looking for a home business? I think that would give you more credibility. I'm afraid we often tend to look down a bit on "professionals" who tell us what to do, but have never really done it themselves. I know that's a terrible generalization, but that's often the attitude that comes across. We tend to listen more to someone who we think "understands", because they've been there.

    Anyway, good luck! I'm sorry this doesn't seem very encouraging. Again, it's NOT a bad idea. If you can pull it off, I believe it can be good for you!
     
  4. ginnicsim

    ginnicsim New Member

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    Thanks for your input! Yes, I am a homeschooler with several years under my belt. I am not looking for a home business so much as I love helping homeschoolers especially getting started and I seem to find myself in positions to counsel people frequently. I don't want to get rich from it or anything, but people have told me I shouldn't be doing it for free. I'm like, "you think people would actually pay me to do this?" lol

    In TN, we don't have end of year evaluations or anything like that. There are no state homeschool consultants or education consultants that come in the home and do any kind of evaluations whatsoever like there is in some states.

    I know what you mean about picking others' brains. When I started hsing, I was the only one I knew, until I got connected with the homeschool community here. No one in my church was (some are now) and no one I had ever known did. I found out all the stuff by myself (and probably wouldn't have had it any other way!). So that is one of the reasons I can't see someone paying me for it. Why would they pay when they can get it for free? But I've been told some people value their time more than their money or value the opinion of someone with experience enough to pay. I guess my money is worth more than my time and I had no one with experience to ask!

    Thanks for your input. Let me know if you have any further comments, especially about how I might get started and get the word out about my services should I decide to try.
     
  5. KrisRV

    KrisRV New Member

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    ginnicsim: I think it would be a good thing if it's what you want to do. But, to be truefully I wouldn't pay for a service. Because when a homeschooler gets started they have so much to buy and get set up for that something like what you want to do would be one of the last things I would do. There are so many people out there, just like this web site is one that will give you all the free and advice you need without putting any more money into it. I think that is one of the reason I homeschool is because there was so many wonderful ladies out there willing to give me FREE advice and help me make the first step. They are still out there and helping me in every step I take if I ask for help. It's wonderful. But, that is just me it's has to be something you want to do. I don't know what the turn out would be like because I feel there are more wonderful ladies out there to give you FREE help then charge you a cent for it. But, that's just my opinoin on it.
    I wish you all the luck in the world if you do go in on it. But, if I were you I would do alot of research first to see if there is a need for it. I feel there is to many wonderful people out there to help you and give you FREE advice I can't see having to pay for it.
    But, like i said that is just my opinon I wish you all the luck in what ever you decide to do.

    :lol:
     
  6. ginnicsim

    ginnicsim New Member

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    Thanks for your comments. You are pretty much where I have always been. The people that have encouraged me to do it don't see it the way I do at all. It is something I would enjoy I think, but I'm like you, I don't see why anyone would want to pay me for something they can get for free. I guess there is something to be said for those that don't know about or have connections with ladies to help them though.

    When I have counseled people from my church, I didn't charge them anything. But they seemed to think I should because my time is worth something and I put a lot of time and effort into helping them.

    Who knows what, if anything, I will ever do. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. Researching the idea is exactly what I'm trying to do right now.

    Do you know of any other ways I might be able to find out if there is a need/market for it? Asking those within the homeschool community on the boards and loops I'm a member of was the only thing I could think of.
     
  7. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Sometimes people just feel good about paying. Maybe if someone wants to pay you, but you feel it's more of a minsitry and don't want to except money, you might consider asking them to donate the amount to somewhere. Like I know HSLDA has funds set up for HS'ers with special money issues...widows, etc....and also a fund set up for those HS'ing special need children. Or perhaps donate some good HS'ing books to the church library, or some such thing. I don't see anything wrong with paying someone, if that person is putting a lot of time and effort into it. But so much of my information I get more informally from chatting with friends. I go to a friend's house, and she shows me what she just bought and tells me how much she likes it, or I complain that I'm not satisfied with what my child is doing in some subject and they ask if I've tried...... You know what I mean!
     
  8. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    Here in my state you would have an easier time of it. We have more restrictions and regulations. Each homeschool, has to either be taught by a state licenced teacher; or you have to have so many contacts per year with one. There are also papers to file with the state and records to keep. Some school districts provide these and some don't. Many teachers are making money providing a needed service here.

    If you are doing lots of volunteer work, keep track of everything. You might put together a getting started brochure for your state/ Consider doing your helping in group settings. This would put new hsers together, and provide you with more contacts and less repeat time. If you aren't comfy charging consider something else. You might need a meal, sitter, etc.

    Tammy
     
  9. ginnicsim

    ginnicsim New Member

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    Thanks for all your responses!

    I wanted to thank all those that gave me input on my question. You all are great!
     
  10. Deena

    Deena New Member

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    I was just thinking today that new homeschoolers may be grateful for someone to take them by the hand for a little while, and show them the ropes. It wouldn't be a huge money-maker, cuz from what I've seen/heard, many homeschoolers don't have lots of extra money! However, when I first started, I had a lady that did that for me, and it helped me so much! I would have gladly paid her!

    Do you live in a large city or near one? Do you have a large homeschool community? Are there local coops and other homeschool groups and classes? Many times they have newsletters, either on-line or on paper, that you could advertise in for nothing, or not much. Also, if there are any MOPS groups around, you might want to check into presenting info. on homeschooling, and offering your card/rates/contact info. etc. as a handout to the ladies who are there. I know the MOPS I went to had people wondering whether they should homeschool and how to go about it if they did, so maybe there are some in your area that would be wondering the same things as the kids got closer to school age. You may be able to check with local churches and see if they have homeschoolers in their congregations.

    The encouragement, guidance, support and willingness to answer a "Panic" call if need be, could be worth it for some people!

    I know some mom's in my area that teach some elementary and/or highschool age classe like science and chemistry and literature---ones that are often harder for parents to teach. They charge a certain amount, but then they also do other things. One mom does "How To" Clinic type classes for homeschool parents on making a transcript, setting up schedules that work, testing, etc. So maybe that's a possibility also???

    Just some ideas that you may have already thought about, but they're things I've observed that seem to work in the area where I live....
     
  11. ginnicsim

    ginnicsim New Member

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    Thanks Deena, You have some great ideas!! Most of which I have never thought of. I guess we'll see where I go from here......
     

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