BACK TO HOMESCHOOL: Homeschool mom uses her small business to teach

Ready or not, the fall 2017 school season is about to begin, and while parents are taking their kids shopping to buy cool lunch boxes and appropriate school clothes, homeschoolers all across the Valley are gearing up to go to class as well - at their kitchen tables.

Small business owner, Tammy Shields plans to continue to educate the last few of her eight children the unconventional way, partially through the running of her homemade soap business, Gladheart Acres.

Her method of educating her children might deter some, but she praises the benefits of teaching through real world experience. She considers herself more of an unschooler, focusing on allowing students to pursue their personal interests in their education, instead of the traditional textbook system. This naturally develops a child’s love of learning by allowing them a certain amount of control over their own education.

This does not mean that Tammy Shields is neglecting to teach her kids necessary information just because they might have no interest in it.

“I think the basics of the reading and writing and math, that foundation is laid. I’m a big believer in making education something that they want to always do, that they want to always be learning,” she said, “They will as adults teach themselves the things that they may have missed, or the things they want to know about.”

The Shields kids have spent much of their growing-up years helping with the business, making transactions, and interacting with many different types of customers. A common stereotype about homeschoolers is that they lack social skills, but according to Tammy Shields, running Gladheart Acres has possibly given her kids more experience with people than a classroom ever could.

“My kids are always with people, and it’s not just their peers, it’s people of every walk of life, every age, they’re always with people through the business and through our church.”

Because of the commitment of running the shop, traditional studies sometimes temporarily fall by the wayside.

“I am not a very good homeschool parent. I always wanted to be one of those Charlotte Mason unit study moms, and I’m not, time has just not allowed me to do that,” Tammy Shields said.

Despite her self-criticism, the Shields kids who have already left home have experienced no major roadblocks stemming from being absent from public school, in fact they seem to have found success.

Following what seems to have become a family tradition, three of her daughters have started their own small businesses; the oldest is a political consultant, the third oldest owns an accounting/bookkeeping business, and the fourth oldest plans weddings and events.

“I don’t think that there’s anything that they’re set back [in], as far as being viable, productive citizens. They’re very well-adjusted, and they have a heart for people,” said Tammy Shields.

Her kids are thankful for their education; they believe they that they have been given unique benefits from helping to run Gladheart Acres as well.

“Each of us, in our own way is successful in what we want to do anyways, at least with our goals, and so I think it surprises people because I feel a lot of times we’re more, maybe not educationally advanced, but more outgoing to people…more mature and - not to bash anybody else - but I think a lot of those qualities are instilled from homeschooling,” said Hannah Shields.

“For me in general, I’m a really shy person, so [Gladheart Acres] taught me how to be a little more outgoing, and kind of a people person,” Hosanna Shields added.

Tammy Shields began making goat milk soap with her daughters as a hobby. They started to sell it at the Colony High School Christmas Bazaar, and then at a new and used maternity and baby clothes they previously owned on the Palmer Wasilla Highway. Now, soap has become their main product that they sell at the Boardwalk Shop in Wasilla.

For the most part, she has found few downsides to running a business while homeschooling. The problems that do exist are money and time.

“Money has always been a struggle. You don’t get rich, at least I haven’t gotten rich having a small business.” She said, laughing.

Right before and after her husband passed away three years ago, Tammy Shields considered giving up the business, but now does not see herself moving on quite yet.

“It is the thing that enables my family to be together, I don’t have to work full time outside the home. I can take my children to their various jobs and activities. I considered it, but I’m in for a few more years,” she said.