BUSINESS BUILDING
Panel of Homeschooling Parents
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 6 SHELBY & AJ FORD
DIRECTORS 7 HANNAH & STEVEN BURLBAW
When the pandemic temporarily shut down the schools, most kids had to begin meeting and doing their schoolwork completely online. Shelby and AJ went a step further and began homeschooling instead. They wanted to provide their kids with a positive, in-person learning environment that they could take at their own pace. “Homeschooling gave us the ability to choose our learning path, give our kids the individual support they needed, and spend more time as a family—all with a super flexible schedule!” Shelby says.
The Burlbaws always wanted to homeschool their kids. “Our home state of New Mexico ranks 50th in public education,” Hannah explains. “As our oldest neared kindergarten age, we wanted to make sure we were giving our kids a high-quality education.” Switching to homeschooling required some sacrifices. Hannah left her job, and the Burlbaws adjusted to a single income. “We wanted to ensure our kids were our number one priority,” Hannah says. “Working in my family, like working in my Melaleuca business, requires a servant’s heart. That’s what I find so fulfilling each day.”
SENIOR DIRECTORS 4 MEGHAN & KEITH FOSHAY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 6 JOSÉ & YUKI COCA
As of 2022, the Cocas have been homeschooling their kids for seven years! But it took some divine direction to make the decision to bring their kids home. That direction didn’t come until the end of a difficult school year for their oldest. Bringing her daughter home after a disappointing last day, Yuki discovered a book about homeschooling. That was the divine direction they were waiting for, the Cocas decided. “I was able to stay home and teach my children,” Yuki says. “Our Melaleuca income allowed me to do that. We’re together 24/7 now, and we love it!”
The Foshays brought their kids home after watching their son endure a terrible year of bullying. Meghan had doubts that she could teach her kids anything. But in homeschooling she quickly recognized a greater purpose for her family. Here was just the opportunity they needed to embrace their faith as an essential part of their everyday classwork. “I wanted to pray with my kids,” Meghan says. “I wanted to talk about Christ freely with them. I feel called to raise children who know who they are and who can go and do good in the world!”
OCTOBER 2022 | MELALEUCA.COM 41
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