VIDEO: Ellen Crain discusses ins and outs of Planet Homeschool

Ellen Crain sat down the PHS Press reporters Soren LePage and Tyler Skidmore to talk about upcoming classes being offered, why she homeschools and what sets Planet Homeschool apart.

Gerald Benford: Minnesota Swordplay

 by Tyler Skidmore

PHS Press staff member

Gerald Benford, a man of 50, teaches fencing at a homeschool co-op named Planet Homeschool. He has been Fencing since the 1980’s, in highschool and then college.

Benford’s Grandmother sponsored Maria, who was trained in Cuba to Fence. Maria is known as "The Mad Cuban." She and Benford started dating and Maria taught him how to Fence. They got married in the 1990’s.

“ Fencing is one of those few sports where you actually compete one on one. You are testing your skills against another opponent in mock battle.  Its more of an art than a self defensive sport. I like it because you develop long lasting relationships [ / ] friendships by the sword, “ said Benford.

 He encouraged Maria to start a Fencing business, and they eventually started Minnesota Swordplay in 2000. Minnesota Swordplay has locations all over Minnesota and Wisconsin.

They plan on opening a U.S.F.A ( U.S. Fencing Association ) club in Minnetonka. The website is minnesotaswordplay.com.

They were referred to teach at Planet Homeschool as a Fencing instructor.

Benford’s favorite book is the Bible, and his favorite pastime is ministry. Benford majored in business in college.

They have been in Fencing matches on TV and overseas, and plan on traveling all over Europe this summer for fun.

Meet PHS Guitar Instructor Joe Filipovich

Get to know Planet Homeschool guitar instructor Joe Filipovich (jfmusiclessons.com). Video and interview by Parker Lehman and Malachi Johnson.

Joe is a guitar teacher who offers lessons at PHS. He has almost thirty years of guitar experience and has been teaching for five years. You can contact him at http://www.jfmusiclessons.com or through the PHS website.

They made screaming mandrakes in Harry Potter class

At PHS, there are many classes, of all types.  There are the ones that you might find in a normal school, like classes on math and history, and then there are the more interesting ones, the ones that are hard to find elsewhere.  These include things such as Lord of the Rings as literature, or the Harry Potter crafts and gizmos class. 

Here are a few video interviews with some members of the Harry Potter class, and its instructor, Michelle Lehman.


Interviewer: Solomon Midwinter
Filmed and edited by Aurora J. Pass