Clarification: In-person and virtual support groups are advertised freely, voluntarily, and without charge on this page as a community service. Advertising does not imply, under any circumstances, affiliation with our organization and is not required. TCHERs does not host or endorse support groups under its name. The groups are autonomous and operate independently, so interested individuals should contact them to verify their rules and procedures.
Note: These ads are for support groups that host homeschooling families, who meet to foster friendships and participate in educational/social activities. We do not accept ads from schools, preschools, therapy centers, teachers, tutors, or any other businesses that sell curricula, educational materials, or offer private or group classes. To advertise services to the homeschooling community, please visit Pulguero Homeschool Puerto Rico.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1746504912236020/
Two very important questions that T'CHERs often ask:
- What local support group do you belong to, if any?
- If none, would you like information about groups in your area?
While state-level organizations like T'CHERs certainly provide support and opportunities for homeschooling families to get to know each other, it is at the local level, in support groups, where frequent face-to-face support and encouragement occurs.
So, what is a homeschooling support group? I would say the best definition is the broadest. A homeschooling support group is two or more families who homeschool, supporting and encouraging one another in various ways. It would be impossible to specify every way this definition manifests, but we offer some common examples so you can get a glimpse into this diverse yet very encouraging community. Individuality is a hallmark of homeschooling, and this is reflected in the variety of local support groups in Puerto Rico.
Support groups are usually considered either closed or open. Although the words "closed" and "open" might seem to have negative and positive connotations, respectively, in our usage here they don't. They simply refer to the type of membership the group has. Closed groups are those that restrict their membership according to some criteria. Some examples are:
- defined by a particular methodology
- defined by a particular religion
- based on a specific theme (e.g., ecology)
- small cooperatives
Open groups are those in which membership is open to everyone, all year round.
Support groups operate with varying degrees of organizational structure. They may have their own style, including all, some, or none of the following: rules, board, membership fees or dues, committees, calendar, meeting schedule, etc.
Most support groups fall into one of two operational models: 1) top-down, or 2) bottom-up. In the top-down model, the board, or if there is no board, then certain individuals, typically make decisions for the group and determine its direction. In the bottom-up model, the members typically make the decisions and determine the direction, and the board, or certain individuals, are responsible for guiding the group from that point forward.
While most support groups discuss issues such as homeschooling legislation, they vary in what they do next. Some choose to speak as a group, while others choose to express their opinions not as a group, but in their personal capacity on these topics.
The groups meet on a variety of schedules. Some have pre-planned schedules, others make plans on the fly, and still others simply get together in the heat of the moment. They may meet daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or casually, etc.
The best support in support groups occurs when homeschoolers interact, and each group fosters such interaction in its own way. Some examples include: online chats or message boards, thematic meetings for adults, activity meetings for children, field trips, yearbooks, achievement days, community service projects, clubs, and so on.
The number and variety of support groups in Puerto Rico is growing, and that's a good thing. More groups mean more people can find the best support for their particular family. That said, what if your support group isn't quite what you'd like? What options would you have?
If there are other groups in your area, you can visit them to see if they offer more than what you have in mind. If there aren't any other groups in your area, perhaps you can initiate change by taking a more active role in your group. If your group seems set in its ways, should you simply quit? No, if it really is the only group in your area, you're well on your way to meeting others who think like you when they're seeking support, and from there you can create a new group. I think a sign of a healthy local support group is that it isn't afraid to encourage its members to find or create the niche where they feel most comfortable.
Much progress can be made by staying with your group, even if it doesn't fulfill all your needs or desires. It's also excellent when a group isn't afraid to let its members go amicably if their needs aren't being met and they're ready to leave. Sometimes, they can even help them form a new group. Homeschooling is dynamic, and so are support groups; some are born and others disappear as their interests or needs change.
Whether your homeschooling support group looks like two homeschooling friends sharing coffee and life, like an extra-structured organization, or anything in between, nurture that group and the individuals in it and you will find yourself rewarded in return.
