Getting Started with Collegedale Area Homeschoolers

Excerpted from a letter by Jeff Atheron, - CSTHEA (Chattanooga/Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association) is the local chapter of the state homeschooling association THEA (Tennessee Home Education Association). We are a volunteer Christian organization seeking to serve homeschooling families by providing support, encouragement, and assistance; advance the cause of home education in the state of Tennessee; and safeguard and promote the general right of parental authority in education. CSTHEA is supported primarily by annual activities such as its curriculum fair.

THEA was formed in 1984 for the purpose of preserving and defending the rights of parents to direct the education of their children and to provide a state–wide network of support, encouragement, and assistance to regional chapters, local support groups and to home schooling families. THEA is supported exclusively by your annual $10.00 membership dues. Without THEA...

Home education in Tennessee, in its present form, would probably have remained illegal.
Even if some type of home education were legal, you would likely have parent/teacher “certification,” in–home inspections by Department of Education personnel, mandatory annual course–specific testing, state–issued mandatory curriculum requirements, etc. All of these exist in many other states.
There would be no unified voice for “Mom and Pop” homeschoolers and little, if any, monitoring of legislation affecting home education.
There would be no area–wide curriculum fair, used book sale, newsletter, high school graduation, area–wide field trips, P.E. classes, mock trial team…get the point?
Last, but perhaps not least, there would be no liability insurance to provide protection to you and your family from legal action in the event of an accident while engaged in a THEA/CSTHEA sponsored, home education related, activity. THEA provides liability insurance coverage. If you are not a member of THEA, you are exposed.

Please be aware that you are not a member of CSTHEA. You cannot “join” CSTHEA. You join THEA. There is no “separate” membership. If you have not paid your $10.00 membership fee to THEA, you are neither a member of THEA nor CSTHEA. CSTHEA does have a separate subscription fee for the Esprít newsletter. However, mere subscription to the Esprít does not make you a member of CSTHEA or THEA. For more information about the Esprit and the CSTHEA website, click here.

We're so glad you are interested in joining Collegedale Area Homeschoolers! Before I can "officially" add you to our membership list, you need to answer the questions below and then email them back to me. This is how I introduce you to our group and how others can put a face with your name.

I will be putting your introduction on your personal web page on our CAH web site. BUT don't worry! I don't put anything on the web site that would make you feel uncomfortable like last names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. Click on the Members link above to get an idea of what your page will look like.

You may notice several of these have pictures on them and I would LOVE to have a picture of you and your family too! You can send me pictures electronically or you can mail them to me at: Angie Lippard, 4319B Katy Kim Lane, Ooltewah, TN 37363

We strive to make this a place where you can grow, not only in your homeschooling efforts, but in Christ as well. I am looking forward to seeing you at a meeting or event, so get typing and send it back soon!

1) Your name
2) Your children's age and names (if you feel comfortable)
3) How many years you have homeschooled
4) What you love about homeschooling
5) What you hate about homeschooling
6) Do you have a business or interest you delve in on the side
7) Your pet's name or most interesting animal you have ever owned

8) Your favorite color

9) How would you describe your homeschool style
10) Schedules - thumbs up or thumbs down