Homeschooling has come a long way since my first encounter with it in 1967, but its core values—flexibility, independence, and quality learning—remain the same. My personal experience as a homeschool student in Nigeria deeply influenced my life, career, and ultimately the founding of TEL Education.
Discovering Homeschooling in Nigeria
In 1967, my parents and I moved to Nigeria, where they served as volunteer missionaries with the Southern Baptists in Kontagora, a town in northern Nigeria at the edge of the Sahara Desert. My father, a physician, was the only doctor at the only hospital within a 100-mile radius. My mother was a “pharmacist” at the hospital and ministered to young women in the local church. Missionaries were spread across Nigeria, often in remote locations—so remote that even small towns like Kontagora felt like the edge of the world to us as Americans.
For missionary children, homeschooling was the only option in these isolated areas. Children were typically homeschooled until 4th grade, after which they attended a boarding school in Oshogbo, about 120 miles north of Lagos. The boarding school, Newton Memorial School, was named after the first American child to grow up and survive into adulthood in Nigeria.
I attended Newton Memorial School as a sophomore. However, instead of following a traditional classroom approach, 9th and 10th graders like me completed our studies through correspondence courses with the University of Nebraska’s high school division. In essence, my sophomore year was a blend of homeschooling and boarding school life.
A Unique Homeschool Experience
Our academic setup at Newton was a lot like modern homeschooling. During school hours, the 9th and 10th graders sat in a designated study hall. A teacher for the 5th through 8th graders doubled as our study hall monitor, learning coach, and exam proctor.
The biggest challenge we faced was the painfully slow communication. All our lessons, assignments, and exams had to be sent by mail between Oshogbo and Lincoln, Nebraska—a process that could take weeks. Even with the delays, the system worked remarkably well.
Despite the lack of modern conveniences like video lessons, online quizzes, or instant feedback, we thrived. The assignments were clear, and we could work ahead if we wanted. I learned as much, if not more, than I did in a traditional school setting in the U.S.
What did I miss? High school sports, TV, and, frankly, the chance to interact with more peers my age—especially girls. But academically, it was an enriching experience.
Homeschooling’s Lifelong Impact
That early experience with homeschooling taught me the value of self-discipline, adaptability, and being responsible for my learning. These lessons stayed with me throughout my academic and professional journey, from earning advanced degrees to spending 30 years as a professor at Oklahoma State University.
As online education began to emerge, I was drawn to its potential. My time in Nigeria had shown me that quality education could happen in the most unlikely circumstances. If we could thrive academically with nothing but snail mail, limited resources, and a bit of guidance, imagine what could be achieved with today’s technology.
The Vision Behind TEL Education
Eight years ago, I left my tenured position at Oklahoma State University to create TEL Education, partnering with institutions like Mid-America Christian University & Briar Cliff University to provide dual enrollment courses for homeschool students.
Our mission is simple: to deliver high-quality, affordable, and flexible education to anyone, anywhere. Today’s technology allows us to go far beyond what was possible in Oshogbo—instant feedback, interactive quizzes, engaging videos, and extensive digital resources make learning more efficient and accessible.
Homeschool families, in particular, have been at the heart of our mission. Like the missionary children in Nigeria, today’s homeschoolers value education that meets their unique needs, whether they’re pursuing college credits, exploring new interests, or seeking the flexibility to learn on their own terms.
Encouragement for Homeschool Parents
As a former homeschool student and lifelong educator, I want to encourage homeschool parents: you’re giving your children a gift that goes beyond academics. Homeschooling fosters independence, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt to new challenges.
I also understand that as your child progresses, teaching courses can feel daunting. That’s where TEL Education and our regionally accredited university partners come in. With our dual enrollment courses, you don’t need to teach advanced subjects—we handle that for you. Your role is simply to keep your student on task while they gain high-quality instruction and earn college credit.
Dual enrollment dramatically reduces the cost of college and accelerates your child’s entry into the workforce. By the time they graduate high school, they can have a significant head start on their post-secondary education and career goals.
Homeschooling shaped my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined as a 10th grader in Oshogbo. Today, it’s exciting to see how families like yours can benefit from modern resources and opportunities that make education even more effective and accessible. Together, we’re proving that high-quality education really can happen anywhere.
