Classroom
Originally from Bissingen an der Teck, a town in southwestern Germany, Uwe and Hannelore Romeike and their five children immigrated to the U.S. in 2008 because homeschooling in Germany is illegal. Evangelical Christians, the Romeikes wanted to decide for themselves how and what their children would learn.
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Reading Time
The Romeikes settled in Morristown, Tenn., near other families that homeschooled their children.
Husband and Wife
The Romeikes began homeschooling their children in 2006. But not long after they withdrew their kids from public school, the German authorities started to fine them and police officers turned up at their doorstep and escorted the children to school. Once in the U.S., the couple applied for and received asylum from an immigration judge who sided with their argument that they were part of a persecuted group in Germany.
At Work
The Romeikes say they are disciplined teachers. Their school day begins at 9 o'clock in the morning and ends between 3 and 4 p.m.
Three Rs
Their curriculum includes math, science and history, and relies on textbooks and other teaching materials that are in compliance with state law.
Yard
The couple has joined with a local group of like-minded families for activities and field trips.
Library
The five children read while their mother prepares lunch.
Reflection
Uwe and his wife were strongly opposed to the public-school curriculum of their native Germany. "The curriculum goes against our Christian values," he says. "German schools use textbooks which force inappropriate subject matters onto young children and tell stories with characters which promote profanity and disrespect."
Melody
In Germany, Uwe was a concert pianist. He now gives piano lessons to Morristown residents. While he teaches, his kids do their schoolwork.
Focus
"There are no distractions when [the children] learn at home," says Uwe. "We can track their interests and skills, and they're flourishing in Morristown."
SOURCE: TIME Magazine
