"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
var addthis_pub = ‘elljazz’; 
Although I do not believe that a certification is necessary to homeschool, you did not attend a BS in education did you? I would say that the LAST thing I learned was management and structure. I was taught content- which was a wide spread for elementary. To teach middle school a teacher here must have 30 hours of content (mine is 30 hours of Social Studies). High School here is 45 hours (a bit past a Masters) in that content.
I do not slam homeschooling- and I try not to give misinformation about something I don’t really know the current information on.
My mother is a 30+ year public school veteran with a masters degree. She is also my strongest homeschool advocate and taught Sam from kindergarten until eight grade.
It’s at 95% in favor of not requiring a degree. I don’t particularly like this paragraph, though:
“If upheld, the California ruling will send shock waves nationwide,” says Richard Kahlenberg, the author of a number of books on education. He says the case “pits those who believe parental rights are paramount against those who place a premium on well-educated citizens.”
(emphasis mine)
Why don’t I like it? Because I, too, place a premium on well-educated citizens. I just happen to think the best education can (and often is) gotten at home.
I disagree that, in general, the best education to be had is at home. I contend that maybe 20% of the population could educate after third grade at home. Most of those people are above average in IQ to begin with- and have the resources (or are willing to do without) to take the time to homeschool their children. In general that is not the population.
And Ell- if your mother’s degree was in classroom management and structure- she probably did not get it in the last 20 years….
Once again- I have nothing against homeschooling, and the Calif law is out of control (what else is new), but there are also many good things about public schooling (of which most of us are products of- even Catholic school is a public institution).
You are correct Christine, that was definitely a false dilemma fallacy!
Janette, you’re saying that only 20% could teach at the 3rd grade level, and that the majority of those were taught in the public schools… what does that say about a public school education that a graduate couldn’t teach past the third grade? Huh?
Look I’m not picking a fight with you. I’m just saying that I don’t need to be a credentialed teacher to teach at home because part of that credential is the ability to handle 30 kids of varying degrees in a classroom setting! I’m not doing that, so I don’t need it!
There are times Janette when I really feel that you want to fight with me. I wish you would stop.
I am not picking a fight- I am NOT questiong YOUR credentials to teach. I would say that the majority of the US population would have NO idea what to do with a kid past third grade (and I was generous- I would say the teaching of reading is the most complicated of tasks- even though it is developmental. You need to work through WHAT needs to be presented for EVERY child to read- which you did with your crew).
Could parents DO third grade work- I sure hope so- I hope that they can do whatever they were taught- but being able to PRESENT that work to another is a totally different thing. Taking the time to gather the materials, presenting in a way that gets to the child,etc. That- Ell- is a COMPLEMENT to you! You are a great teacher from what I have read.
What I was questioning is your assertion that I and your mother only studied classroom management and structure in college-
“Teacher’s training is about classroom management and structure. When kids are having a problem then send them to have one-on-one time- with a TUTOR!!”
– which would be incorrect. I stated that teacher education has changed vastly in the last 20 years. To imply that I do not teach- I only classroom manage is an insult. Basically, those teachers who only manage left the classroom in the last 10 years.
Parenting has also changed. Some (I would tend to say many) parents give up most parenting because of _____ (you could fill in – not interested, no discipline foundation, more interest in sports, work, going out, child is always right, many other reasons I have heard lately)I don’t know one reason. I have seen that change in the last 25 years. The tutoring you see in the public square comes in the rise of parent “disemgagement”- for that “tutoring” used to be done after school – AT HOME (called homework – which is vastly discouraged by parents these days).
I would tend to say that neither of these reflect what EITHER of us is about.
Are you really asserting that ALL of your neighbors and friends have the ability to homeschool at this point and time? Not changing ANY of their circumstances?
If you do- then maybe I am picking a fight and I will drop the subject.
What I was questioning is your assertion that I and your mother only studied classroom management and structure in college-
“Teacher’s training is about classroom management and structure. When kids are having a problem then send them to have one-on-one time- with a TUTOR!!”
But that isn’t what I said in that sentence at all. You’re totally taking it wrong. I never presumed that that was ALL or ONLY what teachers are taught.
– which would be incorrect. I stated that teacher education has changed vastly in the last 20 years. To imply that I do not teach- I only classroom manage is an insult.
You’re looking for a fight where there isn’t one. Besides, do you really think I would dis my mom’s 30+ year career? All I meant was that there are things involved with a credentialed teacher that aren’t needed in the homeschool setting.
Are you really asserting that ALL of your neighbors and friends have the ability to homeschool at this point and time?
I’m not asserting anything. Why are we fighting this strawman?
If you do- then maybe I am picking a fight and I will drop the subject.
Yea, you are picking a fight. You’re seeing things that I didn’t even think of when I took 5 seconds to put the stupid post up in the first place.
Sometimes that DELETE BLOG button looks mighty tempting…