Why I Chose Homeschooling and How It Led to Creating NextGen226

As a former 6th-grade teacher with a deep love for youth development, my journey towards homeschooling began with a realization: while everything around us evolves, traditional education methods largely remain the same. Consider how we've gone from cassettes (my first was Ace of Base), to CDs (Savage Garden), to an iPod I resisted because of my huge CD library, and now to streaming music on Apple Music or Spotify. Yet, education still follows age-old routines. My experiences as an athlete, coach, and educator, paired with my time at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (GO BIG RED!), led me to question if there could be a more dynamic approach to learning.

The first year we homeschooled, my wife did everything because I went to work every day. Wanting to help, I used my educational background to create a color-coded Excel spreadsheet with the entire week's schedule (this is how my brain works). As I later found out, she just laughed and developed her own method when I wasn't looking. Seeing her success made me realize there are countless ways to homeschool, each unique to the family's needs.

Homeschooling my three daughters—now in 5th grade, 1st grade, and TK—has been an incredible experience, allowing me to witness their unique growth. This personal journey highlighted the potential for a more tailored, flexible educational path, though I recognize this isn't an option for every family.

Inspired to support other homeschoolers, I founded NextGen226. Our mission is to offer enriching P.E. classes where kids thrive, learn, and build connections, while parents get a well-deserved break. Looking ahead, I envision expanding our offerings to include business classes for young entrepreneurs and tutoring services.

Through my journey in education and personal experiences, I've seen firsthand the impact that tailored, flexible education can have on a child's development. Traveling extensively across Africa during my youth, learning from various cultures, and appreciating the diversity and resilience of children everywhere, deeply influenced my desire to instill empathy, respect, and global awareness in my children and the students at NextGen226.

Ultimately, I aim to complement and enhance the homeschool experience without overshadowing the valuable work done by homeschool parents. Join me in this mission to inspire and support young learners on their unique educational journeys. Thank you for being a part of this mission and for helping us inspire tomorrow's leaders through your support and participation.