Take me back to the Oral History landing page.
Julie Embalabala - Alternatives in Education
Julie (Van Sledright) Embalabala grew up in central Michigan in a strong Dutch Reformed community and attended parochial schools until her college years at Central Michigan University. While there she decided that when she had a family of her own, she would home school her chidren. Shortly after that she met Peter Embalabala, a grad student majoring in mathematics. Following their marriage in 1986, they moved to Springfield, Illinois in 1991. For most of the next two decades Julie home schooled their seven children. She talks extensively about that experience, highlighting the many advantages of home schooling, as well as the challenges.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Efficient & effective schooling
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life, education and marriage to Peter Embalabala
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Home schooling experiences with her seven children
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
An overview of home schooling
Photos
Caption
Julie Van Sledright was one year old when this photo was taken in 1962. Her family lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the time.
Where:
Grand Rapids, Michigan
When:
1962
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie at five years old, circa 1966, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Where:
Grand Rapids, Michigan
When:
1966
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie (left) and her siblings enjoyed a day at Mackinac Island in August 1971. From left: Julie, Mark, their father Elmer, Mike and Jill Van Sledright.
Where:
Mackinac Island
When:
1971
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Jarmen and Salome Kavinguha family in Vihiga County, Kenya in 1959. From left: Jane, Jarmen, Daphine (seated), Lawrence (seated), Hellen, Buxton, Salome, Peter (infant) and Grace.
Where:
Vihiga County, Kenya
When:
1959
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter (at thirteen) and Mary Embalabala, circa 1973. They are behind the family home in Kenya, with large water tank in background.
Where:
Kenya
When:
1973
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie and Peter’s wedding party. From left: Bill Bunch, Jill (Van Sledright) Veldkamp, Jeff Spicuzzi, Julie, Peter, Jenelle Zook, Paul Kato and Lisa Eskro. The wedding was at the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Pleasant.
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie and Peter at their wedding reception at the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on May 31, 1986.
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
May 31, 1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie and Peter in 1986 after their wedding reception on May 31, 1986. They were married in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie and her son Jeremy in 1987. They lived at the Washington St. Apartments while Peter was enrolled at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Proud parents Peter and Julie with Joel at his infant dedication, which was held at the Mt. Pleasant Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan in 1990.
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
1990
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter and Julie at Julie’s graduation from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, May 1991. (Narrator’s photo)
Where:
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
When:
May1991
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jeremy with Grandma Van Sledright at Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield, Illinois in the fall of 1991. It is tradition to rub Lincoln’s nose while visiting the tomb.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1991
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Julie’s son Jeremy was doing what Julie called ‘seat-work’ at the family’s home in Pawnee, Illinois in 1992. Peter and Julie converted one of their home’s bedrooms into a classroom.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Easter weekend at Washington Park in Springfield 1992. From left: Ardith Van Sledright with Joel, Martha Van Sledright (Elmer’s sister) with James, Cora, Jeremy, Julie and Elmer Van Sledright.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The family celebrated Thanksgiving in Pawnee in November 1993. From left, front: Jeremy, Cora, Alison and Peter. In the back are Elmer and Ardith Van Sledright with James, Joel and Julie.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
November 1993.
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter helped Joel, Peter, Cora and Jeremy with an African hut project in November 1993 at their Pawnee home. It was an opportunity to learn more about their father’s native culture.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
November 1993
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter reads The Little Pig to Alison in 1994. Reading to the children was a family tradition.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter (center in red shirt) returned to Kidinye, Kenya in 1994 to visit his father and other family members.
Where:
Kidinye, Kenya
When:
1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Several of the children try their hand at fishing off Granpa and Granma Van Sledright’s dock at Gun Lake in Shelbyville, Michigan in 1994. From left to right: Jeremy, Cora, Joel and James.
Where:
Shelbyville, Michigan
When:
1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jeremy, Joel and Cora showed off some of the produce from their Pawnee garden in August 1994. The children were expected to help with chores, while also learning in the process.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
August 1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jeremy and Joel studying together in September 1994 in the family home in Pawnee, Illinois.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
September 1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Homeschool ice-skating at the Springfield Park District’s Nelson Center in September 1994. Cora and Joel are on the ice.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
September 1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A group of homeschoolers visited the Wildlife Prairie Park near Peoria, Illinois in October 1994. Peter and three of the children are pictured. Such trips were an important addition to the children’s learning experiences.
Where:
Peoria, Illinois
When:
October 1994
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Joel obviously enjoyed his homeschool field trip to a Springfield, Illinois fire station in 1995.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1995
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The cousins at Grandma’s on Gun Lake in Shelbyville, Michigan during Easter 1995. Front: Michelle and Amy Van Sledright, Alison, Shawn Veldkamp and James. Back: Melody Van Sledright, Cora, Rebecca, Kimberly and Andrew Veldkamp, Jeremy and Joel.
Where:
Shelbyville, Michigan
When:
1995
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Cora, Alison, Joel, Jeremy, Julie and Rebecca got a chance to tour an Air Force aircraft at Springfield’s Capital Airport in August 1996.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1996
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Embalabalas attended Springfield’s First Church of the Nazarene Christmas service. Jeremy, Cora, and Joel participated in the church’s Christmas Cantata in 1996.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1996
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jeremy worked with Walter Robinson, a University of Illinois professor at the University’s computer lab in Champaign, Illinois in 1996. The two were collaborating on a Science-by-Mail project.
Where:
Champaign, Illinois
When:
1996
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Embalabala children all joined in the fun of Jeremy’s birthday in 1997 while they still lived in Pawnee. From left to right: Alison, Cora, James, Jeremy, Joel and Rebecca. Note the poster of Plymouth Plantation in the background.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
1997
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jeremy and Cora help with a Science-by-Mail experiment at Dennis and Rosalee Crady’s home in Rochester, Illinois in 1997. Noah Atkinson and Robert Crady joined in on a fun learning experience.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1997
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter coached Joel’s soccer team in 1997. The soccer games were played at the Springfield, IL YMCA soccer fields. Jeremy, Joel and Peter are part of the group.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1997
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Several of the Embalabala children were involved with the Caravans Scouting program at Springfield’s 1st Church of the Nazarene. From left: Jeff Owens, Jeremy, Curtis Owens and Cora.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Peter posted Department of Natural Resources posters around the home to help teach the children about the natural world. This photo was taken in 1999 when they lived in a farmhouse outside of Athens, Illinois. (Narrator’s photo)
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Joel is busy tearing down the kitchen chimney in 1999. The family had recently moved to their new home in rural Athens, Illinois.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This family portrait was taken in Springfield in 1999. Front: Rebecca, Mary and Alison. Middle: Joel, Julie and James. Back: Jeremy, Peter and Cora.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1999
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Julie and Peter moved to rural Athens, Illinois in February 1999. This was their home in rural Pawnee from January 1992 to February 1999.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
February 1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
After the family moved from Pawnee to a farm house near Athens, the roof needed reshingling. Tom Hiatt, Mike Van Sledright, Jeff Tucker, Peter, Arley Wason and Jeremy are hard at work doing tear-off in the spring of 1999.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Embalabalas took a family photo in front of their Athens, Illinois home on Easter, 1999. Front: Rebecca, Alison, James and Joel. Back: Julie, Mary, Jeremy, Cora, Peter.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
1999
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Mary doesn’t look too excited about the ride Joel is giving her in a wheel barrel in 1998. They still lived in Pawnee at the time.
Where:
Pawnee, Illinois
When:
1998
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
From left: Alison, James, Cora (milking a goat), Joel and Rebecca, circa 2000. After the move to rural Athens, the family had more room for animals, which gave the children more valuable learning experiences.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Joel, Peter, and Jeremy are inspecting a frame of honey bees which they tended at their Athens home in 2000.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Cora practices on the family piano in Athens, IL in 2000. Music was a passion for the girls while growing up.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Rebecca practices the piano in the family’s home in Athens, IL in 2000.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Alison, Cora, Mary and Rebecca all help to strain goat’s milk at the family’s Athens, Illinois home in 2000.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Mary and Peter Embalabala in the family home in Athens in 2000.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
2000
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Cora showed a Toggenberg goat at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois, circa 2001.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2001
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Joel showed a Hereford steer at the Menard County Fair in Petersburg, Illinois, circa 2002.
Where:
Petersburg, Illinois
When:
Circa 2002
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The family took a trip to Mackinac Island with Peter’s mother and sister Mary, who were visiting from Kenya in May 2002.
Where:
Mackinac Island
When:
May 2002
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The children’s Christmas Program at the Sherman Church of the Nazarene in 2004. Alison is in the back row, while Mary and Rebecca are in front.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2004
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Salome Kavinguha (Peter’s mom) at her home in Kidiye, Kenya in 2006.
Where:
Kidiye, Kenya
When:
2006
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Embalabalas gathered to celebrate Elmer and Ardith Van Sledright’s 50th wedding anniversary at Ludington State Park, Michigan in August 2007. Front: Rebecca and Alison. Middle: Joel, Cora and Mary. Back: James, Peter, Julie and Jeremy.
Where:
Ludington State Park, Michigan
When:
August 2007
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Aunt Martha sent this anniversary card along with a photo album she compiled celebrating Peter and Julie’s twenty-five years together. May 31, 2011.
Where:
Athens, Illinois
When:
May 31, 2011
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A poster announcing Rebecca Embalabala’s Senior Piano Recital in March 2018. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.
Where:
Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana
When:
March 2018
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Cora performed as a soloist with the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony (Springfield) in 2005. She was a concerto competition winner.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2005
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo