Home Educators Association of Roxboro

     It is the desire and vision of the HEAR support group to see all homeschooling families first grow in their relationship with the Lord, and then with one another. Our society offers us many opportunities, many of which steal our time and prohibit the building of relationships. We want to be an organization that cares more about its people than its "programs". Therefore, we have made a commitment to keep operations and group related activities simple.

The underlying theme for all support group meeting and activities is "The desire to encourage and build one another up in the faith". We want to assist the Lord in "recharging your battery", so to speak; in order for you to press on without growing weary in the calling that God has given you for your family.

    When we unite ourselves with like-minded people, we are strengthened and encouraged. We hope that all the new homeschoolers will experience the wonderful networking and "safety in numbers" feeling that we are blessed to have within the HEAR support group. If this is your first year home schooling, we ask that you not volunteer for anything within the support group this year. Glean from seasoned home school families and allow us to serve you.

    This is the nineteenth year as a support group and we want to extend a warm welcome to all the new homeschooling families. Please read on for a list of important reminders about HEAR.

    The following is a list of important reminders about the Home Educators Association of Roxboro:

    1. Support group meetings are held in the Timberlake Gallery of Piedmont Community College on the 2nd Friday of September, November, January, March, and May. We start at 7:00 p.m. and anyone may bring "for sale" items and set up a table.

    2. This is a parents' meeting with topics geared toward parents. Please make other arrangements for your children (except nursing babies). In the event that babies are brought, or the child care plans that you make fall through, we ask that you consider your fellow homeschooling parents and sit with your child/children near the back and slip out if necessary, to avoid distracting others.

    3. Our library of home school resources is available to all members. Members may check out or return materials at the HEAR  support group meetings or other designated times. Please ask to see our guidelines for the HEAR Library. Our guidelines are included in the membership packet.

    4. Our Coordinators are available to assist you in organizing activities such as field trips, events, and enrichment classes. All scheduled HEAR activities must be approved by the coordinators and will be posted on the HEAR website calendar. We encourage members to organize an event and participate in the things that interest your family. Don't wait for a "scheduled" outing. Many times the impromptu field trips taken as a family bring the greatest educational benefits and strengthen family relationships.

    5. If your children (K-6 grade) enjoy reading, you may want to sign them up for the BookIt reading program, which runs from Oct.-Feb. You may contact the Book-It coordinator to make arrangements to receive your program information and free pizza coupons.

    6. The email chain is an option to receive important HEAR reminders and announcements.  

    Please continue reading about our important reminders!

    7. Our members recieve the HEAR Herald newsletter. The newsletter will be made available for download from the website. Submissions to the newsletter are encouraged and welcome!

    8. Members can refer to the 2007-2008 HEAR group calendar of scheduled activities for this year to plan out activities your family will be participating in. Activities will be added as they are planned. Please mark your family calendar with the dates of HEAR activities you want to participate in.

    9. HEAR membership is $20 per year and must be renewed each year from the date you join. This fee covers the bulk of our expenses, which includes the website, graduation, packet and newsletter copies, secretarial/treasury expenses and library expenses. Our treasurer keeps accurate records, which are open to all HEAR members. Membership is not required in order to participate in HEAR events (unless otherwise stated). We invite all families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others interested in learning more about home education to attend HEAR meetings.

    10. HEAR membership privileges include HEAR membership card, website accessibility, newsletter, email, Book-It, HEAR Lending Library, group graduation, voting privileges, first choice for parent workshops, first choice for enrichment classes and planned activities.

    11. The HEAR website address is HEARsupport.org and the HEAR mailing address is PO Box 792, Roxboro, NC 27573.  

   Our HEAR Mission Statement provides information about when our group was founded, our faith, our purpose, and our restrictive covenants. It clarifies our statement of belief. If you are considering becoming a member of the HEAR support group, we encourage you to carefully read our Statement of Purpose and Belief prior to seeking membership. 

   The Home Educators Association of Roxboro was founded in the fall of 1988 as a support group for Christian home educators in the Roxboro, North Carolina area. HEAR, from its conception, was formed upon the principles and commandments found in the Holy Scriptures, (ie...the Bible). We provide support for one another in an effort to help each family grow in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to walk out their calling as a family according to God's Holy Word. This purpose, by its very nature, sets us apart from organizations of a secular nature.

    As an increasing number of families seek alternative means of educating their children in the coming months and years ahead, we believe that a tremendous growth will occur in home education. As these families seek out support groups to help them get started, we believe that it is imperative that we as HEAR members are open and honest as to where we stand and to who's calling we are responding. If these people then choose to be a part of our group, then they will do so having the full knowledge of our stand for Christ Jesus. Should a family or families decide that they cannot agree to our "Statement of Purpose and Belief", then they can begin a support group with others of like mind, or receive help from NCHE or HEAR members outside of the group setting.

    In obedience to the scripture: "...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being in one spirit and purpos..." (Phil. 2:2 NIV), we of the Home Educators Association of Roxboro have purposed that our support group be consistently and forthrightly Christian. We believe that it is essential that everyone be "like-minded" if our group is to function harmoniously. Therefore, it is vital that all be aware of the foundation on which this group is built. Implications of this are as follows: HEAR will not allow any activities, presentations, witnessing, literature or communications within the group that are in opposition to the following statements of belief, either directly or indirectly, stated or implied, in whole or in part:

1. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and is without error in whole and in part, including theological concepts as well as geographical and historical details.

2. God has existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is God come in human flesh being fully God and fully man except without sin.

3. All men are in violation of God's righteous requirements and His holy character both by nature and act, and are therefore under His wrath and just condemnation. The central purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty for man's sin through His substitutionary death on the cross - the successful accomplishment of which was attested to by His subsequent visible bodily resurrection.

4. A Christian is one who confesses with his or her mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believes in their heart that God has raised Him from the Dead, as outlined in Romans 10:10.

Jayne and I are grateful for the opportunity to lead the HEAR (Home Educators Association of Roxboro) support group. We have been homeschooling our eldest grand daughter (13) for 5 years now and started homeschooling our youngest (8) this past year. In today’s world where morality and Christian beliefs are restricted, prohibited, or not fostered in our local institutions, we felt it imperative to take matters into our hands to ensure our grand children are educated in academics as well as solid Christian teachings. We are extremely grateful for the local Home school group and the mutual support its members demonstrate.

I served 20 years in the U.S. Army in positions of leadership, training, and safety. I hold a Masters degree in Human Resources, and after my retirement, I worked as a Human Resources and Safety Manager for 2 manufacturing companies. I am currently employed as the Environment, Health and Safety Manager for Force Protection Industries. All these  positions involve the development and administration of training and policy.

Jayne and I have been married for 28 years. She has completed several college courses but due to our frequent relocations in the military, was not able to complete her degree. She is a full time homemaker and full time educator of our grand children. She is very active, not only in the homeschooling of our grandchildren, but the home school group, the local 4H chapter, as well as our many church programs.

To contact Ernie and Jayne, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We live in Timberlake. After living here for almost 2 years now, we have decided that we want to make this our permanent home. We love the area, people, and overwhelming presence of Christian organizations and people. We are active members of the Antioch Baptist Church and enjoy the fellowship of our church family.

We look forward to helping to lead the HEAR group through this year and beyond, and to help grow the group in a Christian minded culture.