Inspire, Fall 2000

18 Fall 2000 Alumni Profile: Sandy Douglas Birch ’71N W hen Sandy Douglas Birch ’71N started home- schooling 17 years ago, people initially were skeptical and reacted with questions like “Is it legal?” or “What about socialization?” Most people that Sandy comes in contact with now see nothing but positives—partially because of the results of Sandy’s efforts. Sandy started home-schooling when her oldest daughter was 11. “Tina was frustrated with school boredom and peer pressure,” Sandy explained. “At the same time, the Lord had been leading us to the growing realization of our biblical parental responsibilities.” So Sandy and her husband Ray decided to try home schooling. Sandy noted, “For Tina, it was a huge, almost audible, sigh of relief.” Tina finished high school at 16, was a National Merit Scholar, and graduated from college at 19 with a degree in home economics. She later earned an MBA. Today, at age 28, Tina works for a small international company. Sandy also home-schooled her other two children, Eric (22) and Debbi (15). Eric recently graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in business management. Debbi has won several competitions involving her varied interests. “Debbi is academically motivated because she knows that she has to finish her school work before she can do the things that she enjoys more, like writing books, training her dog, and playing the piano,” Sandy said. “I think that home schooling has allowed our children the freedom to explore the abilities that God has given them at their own pace, instead of being crammed into a pre- programmed standard of what they should know, do, and be,” Sandy explained. Sandy stated that academics were only a part of their home-schooling experience. By training her children in a loving, safe environment, she and her husband were able to help them to develop character along with compassion for others. “Together we were able to explore God’s world and disciple our children toward spiritual maturity,” she added. Debbi echoed her mom’s views that there are real benefits to being home-schooled. Although she finds it hard not being with her friends every day and missing out on some things, she shared, “I am honestly glad about a lot of the stuff I’ve missed. I’ve never been pressured to try drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes, or even dirty language. That’s something I’m so thankful to God for and would never sacrifice to be with my friends.” Silencing the Skeptics—17 Years of Home-Schooling Success Ray, Sandy, Eric, Debbi, and Tina at Eric’s commissioning ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy