Home Education at Sager Academy

 Home Education at Sager Academy

Reflections from the First Generation Parent

By Ed Sager

David Smith and Eli Sager graduated from home education 1993. Eli got his G.E.D.

As a home education father and grandfather I have been blessed to experience the fruit of God’s goodness in our family reaching into the lives of our two sons and now the next generation. My wife Terrie and I are both public high school graduates from Sebring High School. We became Christians in 1974 and were soon aware of the lack of biblical foundation provided by the public education system. 

Our first son, Eli, was originally in a private Christian School until he was in sixth grade. Terrie did volunteer work at Sebring Christian School when Eli was a student there. After much prayer and discussion Terrie and I decided to educate him at home. We got involved in a local home education support group which was helpful. Curriculum choices were somewhat limited then but there were some available that worked for us. After seventeen years with no television at home we eventually used a tiny black and white one with the A Beka video curriculum. We experimented with some others and compared notes with other families.

Coming home daily from work for lunch helped alleviate some periodic stress. As school principle I could lighten the atmosphere sometimes by having a 'pep rally', and making up an impromptu school song to cheer Terrie and Eli on. Prayer also was part of our regular school day.

Having mechanical aptitude he began part time work in a small engine repair shop for Roy Haley by the time he was about fifteen and later did part time work for Mike Carr doing tree trimming. Extra-curricular activity involved membership in a 4-H chapter and our local church (both sons). After completing his high school curriculum he passed the G.E.D. examination in 1992 and graduation was celebrated with his best friend David Smith who was also home educated. Eli went on to work in a metal fabrication and welding business for Larry Pepper and put himself through vocational school and was certified in welding and machining. He also worked maintaining equipment on a large commercial sod farm in Lake Placid, Greenbrier. He and Margaret now own their own business, CWS Fabrication and Hydraulics. https://cws-fabrication-and-hydraulics-inc.business.site/

She was also home educated and has her Masters Degree in Education. They have four children, aged eleven to seventeen and Margaret is educating them at home. The oldest is attending college and preparing to work toward a degree in engineering. The three younger children are musically talented and perform chamber music locally and play with the Treasure Coast Youth Symphony.

Our second son Roy is fourteen years younger! That meant that my wife, Terrie, basically had non-stop home educating to do from 1986 until Roy graduated with his G.E.D. in 2008! Prior to that she volunteered at the Christian school for six years and is now  a substitute teacher in the public school system! That makes 36 years! She also was involved as a 4-H leader for years and extremely active in our local church. She has been through many tests and trials, and God has supported and enabled. We have made a serious, long-term commitment to home education as you can tell. Roy is now married to Deanna, and works with his brother doing metal fabrication and hydraulics. Roy also has obvious mechanical abilities and continues various other vocational projects. He began welding around age 14, and later worked for a local company making aluminum castings for agricultural irrigation system couplings at Webster Manufacturing, and was a foreman for a local upscale specialty vegetable farm owned by a German Michelin rated chef that flew him in summers to Long Island, NY to run their farm there, Satur Farms. Roy and Deanna have two children, aged one and three. Deanna is just starting to educate Abigail part time since she was asking to begin. 

Roy graduated with his G.E.D. 2008

To see the fruit of our decision and commitment is very gratifying and we give all the praise and glory to God. Our local school board has been very cooperative and worked well with us. We have been blessed as a family with cohesion, stability, and grace. It is such a joy to see a new generation of young people with wholesome interests applying themselves to grow in character and develop skills, acquire knowledge, and cultivate talents that will prove a blessing in their lives. God has faithfully directed our steps as we committed our ways to him years ago. Our sons have mastered many life skills and acquired the biblical educational foundation necessary to succeed in life. God molded and fashioned their characters into men of God. With godly wives they continue a blessing begun years ago. No (grand) parents could ask for any more.

2016