Update Appended: March 1, 2010
The Romeikes are not your typical asylum seekers. They did not come to the U.S. to flee war or despotism in their native land. No, these music teachers left Germany because they didn't like what their children were learning in public school — and because homeschooling is illegal there.
Uwe Romeike and his wife, reflected in the glass, homeschool their children in Tennessee
"It's our fundamental right to decide how we want to teach our children," says Uwe Romeike, an Evangelical Christian and a concert pianist who sold his treasured Steinway to help pay for the move.
Romeike...
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
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.
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.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
Reading Time
The Romeikes settled in Morristown, Tenn., near other families that homeschooled their children.
The Romeikes settled in Morristown, Tenn., near other families that homeschooled their children.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
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.
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 Home with Homeschoolers
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
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.
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.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
Three Rs
Their curriculum includes math, science and history, and relies on textbooks and other teaching materials that are in compliance with state law
Their curriculum includes math, science and history, and relies on textbooks and other teaching materials that are in compliance with state law
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
Yard
The couple has joined with a local group of like-minded families for activities and field trips.
The couple has joined with a local group of like-minded families for activities and field trips.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
Library
The five children read while their mother prepares lunch.
The five children read while their mother prepares lunch.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
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."
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."
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
Melody
In Germany, Uwe was a concert pianist. He now gives piano lessons to Morristown residents. While he teaches, his kids do their schoolwork.
In Germany, Uwe was a concert pianist. He now gives piano lessons to Morristown residents. While he teaches, his kids do their schoolwork.
Carl Kiilsgaard / Getty Images for TIME
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."
"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."
