Our Story |
Through their local church, Jim and Sheila Carroll have been involved in missions and assisting missionaries for several years. In doing so, they realized that the spread of the Gospel worldwide has increased at an amazing rate, yet more than forty percent of the world is still illiterate. Without reading skills, how can people read Scripture for themselves, let alone enjoy a book or engage in other print-based activities? Without literacy, there can be no education. Without education, those who live in extreme poverty and/or under oppressive regimes cannot hope to improve their situation. Jim and Sheila believe the Christian faith should not only prepare people for eternity, but also enable them to live life more abundantly and responsibly here on earth. By fostering a love of learning and providing a strong moral foundation, children have a chance to rise above the poverty and ignorance that keep them from fulfilling their God-given potential. Their experience with the Charlotte Mason approach has convinced them of its ability to produce these results. A number of American governmental programs overseas as well as faith-based organizations work hard to provide schooling around the world and have truly made a difference in the lives of many children. Most of these programs, however, are based on the assumption that children are to be taught by a college-trained teacher, using textbooks, in a building exclusively dedicated to schooling. These assumptions have made the cost of providing an education prohibitive in many countries. Because of high overhead, the work of bringing education to many has not kept pace with the increase in population. By the year 2050, demographers project that the earth's population will reach nine billion people—half of whom will be children. A unique solution for those in need With the entire curriculum packaged in one box, Education in a Box provides high-quality educational materials and proven teaching methods that are written in the native language of the people it serves. Jim and Sheila’s idea is that any individual, whether a parent or a community leader, can teach children as long as he or she is literate and has a heart for children. Of course, the program can also be used when a trained teacher is available. Charlotte Mason's "living books, life experience" approach requires no textbooks and few materials beyond high-quality literature, a teacher's manual, and basic supplies. This approach is flexible enough to meet the needs of many different cultures and educational settings. Everything needed for instruction at a given grade level is packaged in a box, hence the name Education in a Box. The box is made available to anyone in developing nations who is interested in providing children an education, whether the provider is a parent, a community worker, or a pastor. To further the work of Education in a Box, Jim and Sheila formed a non-profit, tax-exempt organization called Worldwide Educational Resources (WER). Its purpose is to facilitate communication, fundraising, and curriculum development. Though their beginnings are small, Jim and Sheila believe the project will grow. They are confident in the effectiveness of this approach to education in developing nations, and they expect to be joined by like-minded individuals and groups. Jim and Sheila’s Background Accomplished homeschool parents, Jim and Sheila have three daughters, two grown and one still at home. They live together with their daughter Bridget, two horses, two cats and a variety of other animals in mid-Michigan. The family loves and serves the Lord Jesus Christ. Jim has a doctorate in Educational Psychology and has taught at the graduate level for more than thirty years. He has also earned a reputation as a researcher and assessment specialist. Sheila has two master’s degrees, one in Educational Leadership and the other in Children's Literature. She was an elementary school teacher, a college professor, an educational consultant, professional storyteller, and writer. Combined, Jim and Sheila have published five books on educational topics.
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