My only child graduates in 2024 . . . and then what? What comes next?
These are the questions I have asked myself for the past four years. I see the end in sight, I want to finish well with her, but then what happens to me?
I reluctantly asked my husband about starting a Master of Arts in Classical Studies through CC Plus, thinking the answer would be no. My husband, who never has a quick answer, quickly said yes. Before he could change his mind, I was applying to the program.
Three Reasons Why I Chose to Pursue a Master of Arts in Classical Studies
So why did I want to earn a master’s in classical studies? Three reasons: I needed an empty nest plan, I love classical education, and I wanted to continue redeeming my own education.
An Empty Nest Plan
I’m not a housewife—I’m a homeschool teacher.
Ever since my child was born in 2006, my full-time job has been to care for and educate her. This started from birth and will continue until I die, but my responsibilities are shrinking.
So what will happen to me when she graduates?
I wanted to start a new career to contribute to our retirement income and keep me out of trouble, as my mom would say. I knew that if I got my MA, I would increase my opportunities and build my resume for my post-full-time homeschool teacher years.
Read: “What to Do After Homeschooling Your Child”
A Love of Classical Education
I love classical education.
When I first learned about classical education, it answered a question that had nagged at me throughout my education about education: how can you teach to every student?
I had classes that taught all the different learning styles, classroom set-ups, and even different types of education, such as Montessori. Yet I found that none of these styles or methods worked for every student, nor did they match anything taught in the Bible.
The biblical connection really is my favorite part of classical education. You can read my paper on that connection here. That, and I truly believe the classical method is how anyone at any age can learn anything well.
Why wouldn’t I jump at the opportunity to learn more about something I love?
A Chance to Redeem My Education
This opportunity would help me to finish redeeming my education. I attended a large, inner-city public school. I got good grades and graduated in the top 15% of my class, yet I didn’t feel as though I had a great education. I studied. I passed. I forgot.
So when my child started learning with Classical Conversations, we were actually co-learners. She and I listened to the memory work together. We learned how to parse sentences together. We learned how to outline and write a paper together. We both read the Challenge books, and we even learned Latin together all the way through Challenge III dual credit!
Learn more about college credit opportunities for students in the CC Plus Program.
And now, as part of my master’s program, I have had opportunities to dive even deeper into topics we’ve approached in the Classical Conversations Challenge programs. For example, while tutoring Challenge III poetry in Exposition, I took a class on short fiction, creating the perfect opportunity to immediately apply what I was learning.
I was redeeming my education while giving her the best I could, and I even got to write about the legacy I want for my daughter as part of my MA program.
The Master of Arts in Classical Studies: A Program for Everyone
Are your students still young and the empty nest years far away?
That’s okay! The CC Plus MA program is also for you. Imagine being able to lead and guide students and parents in the classical method from the trenches of homeschooling.
Worried about homework, deadlines, grades, and workload? I won’t say it’s a walk in the park—you will have homework, deadlines, grades, and a decent workload—but the CC Plus MA program is meant for CC families. They understand the ebb and flow of family life, and they have designed the syllabi with the intention of offering lighter weeks and harder weeks, but it is then up to you to take ownership of the schedule and make it fit your lifestyle. I have completed work early just to get it done, and I have completed work right at the deadline because that was how my life was going that week.
You’ll have the opportunity to take one class at a time or double up. I took two classes one semester, and my husband let me know that was not best for our family; however, some of my classmates have been able to do two classes at once.
And if getting an MA is too much for you right now, then check out the cohort program; there, you’ll learn the in-the-trenches tips and tricks to leading dialectic students well.
Read: “Have You Heard About the Classical Learning Cohort?”
Southeastern University’s Master of Arts in Classical Studies—The Perfect Opportunity
The opportunity to get a leg up for my next career, learn more about something I already love, and finish redeeming my education was presented in the CC Plus MA program.
I know that even if I don’t get my dream job with the CC home office, I will have multiple other opportunities to work with classical schools near me. I have had the opportunity to dive deep into classical education, and I’m loving it more at each turn. I have redeemed my education.
Are you ready to join me?
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