The Daily A New Podcast From The Times: First Person
Jun 18, 2022
Will Estrada, the newly appointed head of parentalrights.org, dives deep into the escalating parental rights movement reshaping education in the U.S. He shares his personal journey influenced by homeschooling and highlights the push for legislative change across 26 states. Estrada discusses the impact of COVID-19 on parental advocacy, revealing how issues like mask mandates galvanized parents to become more politically engaged. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of parental involvement and its ramifications for communities and schools.
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Will's Upbringing
- Will Estrada grew up in rural Pennsylvania, the eldest of eight homeschooled children.
- His father, a public school teacher, prioritized his faith, leading the family to homeschool for religious reasons.
Grandparents' Concerns
- Will's grandparents initially opposed homeschooling, fearing a subpar education.
- They worried about the children's preparedness for future jobs and social integration.
Will's Career Path
- Will, after homeschooling and online law school, worked as a paralegal at HSLDA.
- He later became their top lobbyist on Capitol Hill at 23, advocating for homeschooling freedom.