The Founding of Sanford Inclusive Homeschoolers

Sanford Inclusive Homeschoolers (SIH) is a locally based homeschool co-op run by parent volunteers. The group meets several times per week, in different locations nearby, for a variety of learning experiences. If you’ve been to any of our meet-ups, you know by now that parents are putting their time and hearts into expanding their children’s interests, exposing them to new experiences and expanding their skills in all arenas. This group was formed and continues to thrive under the guidance of long-time homeschooler and mother of four, Sara Vanderbilt. Sara jumped into homeschooling early on, when public school failed to meet her daughter's educational needs. “My oldest daughter Kylie went to two years of traditional preschool,” says Sara. “Her teachers had a very hard time keeping up with how fast she learned new topics and her boredom was leading to classroom destruction. After spending two years trying to work with her teachers on how to better engage her mind it became clear that homeschooling her would be a lot less stressful.” Concerned with where to find the right curriculum and how to maintain socialization, Sara began looking for answers in local communities. “Thankfully, I quickly found a secular inclusive homeschool group for my area and we immediately started participating. I learned so much from those amazing ladies who really supported and encouraged us during the beginning of our journey. I fell in love with the inclusivity of the group and how well everyone got along, regardless of how different they lived their lives. We all had two things in common, the desire to educate our children in a way that works for our family and to teach our children to love all people without judgment. The best part about the group was that we didn’t charge for anything except field trips. As a young, growing family, that was gold! I was an admin for the group for three years and it was so much fun creating events for enthusiastic homeschoolers. I knew this was something I was going to do for a long time.” At the time, the Vanderbilts were living in Georgia, and a move to North Carolina was on the horizon. Much of those early experiences in the group she found would later be the foundation upon which our group is built. Once they moved, however, it wasn’t an easy transition and the creation of a new group was needed. “I immediately tried to find a group that was similar to our group back home but there was nothing for the city we were moving to,” she said. “,In the fall of 2016 I started Apex Inclusive Homeschoolers and quickly got to work creating events. Two and half years later we bought a farm in another city so I began searching again for an inclusive group and found nothing. In fact, I couldn’t find a group within 45 minutes of Sanford that was welcoming of any homeschool families. I created Sanford Inclusive Homeschoolers in summer of 2019 and it has slowly blossomed into the incredible group it is today. Everyone is welcome in our group free of judgment, bullying, arguing or shaming. We welcome people from all walks of life regardless of beliefs, religion, race, gender, disabilities etc.” We all pitch in together to foster the village we’ve built, and we don’t let Sara do it alone anymore. It wasn’t always like that. The tenacious mother and homesteader had taken on too much and with the group growing rapidly, it became apparent more hands were needed on deck. “I ran the Apex Inclusive Homeschool group for 2.5 years on my own,” she explains. “Then I was the sole organizer for the Sanford Inclusive Homeschool group for two years before we developed an administrative team. The 2020-2021 school year was a big success, and with the launch of the group website coming up, it was time to develop a team of parents to help me run the group. I announced the summer of 2021 that I needed help and the response was overwhelming. We put together a team of over ten moms from all different backgrounds and they quickly got to work offering their assistance wherever it was needed. These amazing ladies have helped lift a huge weight off of my shoulders so that I can have a better balance between my role as a group coordinator and being a mom. This group would not be what it is without the people who volunteer their time to help make it amazing for our kids. I am truly thankful for the village we have created here in the Sanford Inclusive Homeschool group.” SIH meets for Forest Wildlings on Monday and co-op on Wednesdays. We have field trips and holiday parties as well. Written by Dawn Wallace

Pictured: Sara Vanderbilt holds her new baby goat during Forest Wildlings