Hello everyone! I've read and reread several of the posts in this forum and on atoz as well looking for advice and support. I've even posted a couple of times about my situation but it doesn't really make it feel any easier... maybe that's because I forgot to introduce myself?! So here goes. My name is Amy and I live in Ontario, Canada. I received my teacher training in New South Wales, Australia and was granted official teacher certification for my province in spring 2005. I have had a really hard time finding a job as an elementary teacher so I took a position at a daycare working with 2-4 year olds. I love kids but that job was so hard (props to all you moms out there!). So I've never actually taught in a classroom except for my practicums. Also, I'm not a mom. And I've never homeschooled before. But ... I homeschool. For a family in my neighbourhood. The family situation is complicated due to divorce and remarriage, all together there are 3 children. I only homeschool the oldest one, he is 12 and has just recently left the public school system (three weeks into the school year). I never thought I'd regret leaving the daycare, or that I'd miss it for the reasons I do (mostly I miss having a boss and colleagues to talk to about work). But here I am, actually doing elementary teaching and not liking it as much as I thought I would. I am a fan of homeschooling and would love to have it happen in my own family when that time comes but this situation seems so weird to me sometimes. Has anyone ever heard of hiring someone else to homeschool your children? I'm sort of planning lessons the way I was taught in school but maintaining quite a bit of flexibility and allowing a lot of input from my student based on his interests. For my first three weeks, they've been ok. So that's me and my situation, in not so much of a nutshell. Sorry I don't tend to babble so much but I might just be a tiny bit lonely for adult conversation. That's where this forum comes in handy! Hope to 'talk' to you all a lot more :razz:
Actually, I DO know someone who homeschools kids other than her own! She does her two kids, and I know she does at least one, if not two, at the same time. She is also a certified teacher, having taught the last three or four years at a Christian school. My cousin still teaches at that school just one day a week, and has heard that she'd enjoying her homeschooling experience.
There are several people around here who "homeschool for hire" so to speak. I have even seen two of them advertise in the classifieds. Two other women I know don't advertise at all but average 2-3 families each year. Those two women are certified teachers, but the other are not and still stay busy. It is really no different than having a small private school. I think alot of people see the benefit--if not necessity--of homeschooling but can't afford to stay out of the workforce at the time. I've known some people to work to that goal and within a year or so are home and teaching their own kids. Welcome! Hope you enjoy it here.
I'm just wondering at the legality of it. Understand, I don't have a problem with anyone chosing to do it!!! But what IS the difference between that and a private school? Is there a minimum number of students you need to be considered a "school"? And if you're a "school", there are additional hoops you need to jump through.
In IL homeschoolers are considered private schools after a lawsuit back in the 50's I think. It states that there is no minimum number of students in a private school. But that is IL. I've not a clue about Canada laws???? I think in most states it doesn't matter who gives the instruction as long as the laws about reporting/testing, etc. are followed.
Brooke, I understand what you're saying, and I'm NOT disagreeing. BUT...then why couldn't a Christian school with various age classes, etc. say they're "homeschooling" and thus be exempt from state testing and regs? Here in Ohio, homeschoolers are the only ones not required to take Profeciency testing. Personally, I don't think it's right to require private schools to follow state guidelines. They tried fighting against taking the tests, claiming that their high admissions rate into colleges and their high SAT tests should be "proof" enough, but it was ruled they had to follow them anyway.
I don't think in SC that private schools has to go by the state rules. I know a private school that cut 20 days off their school year because of construction. I don't know about a certified teacher teaching for someone else to homeschool. I guess HSLDA would have to answer that for SC.
You know what stinks? In Wisconsin you can not legally homeschool other children but your own. At least that's what I've been told. What a shame. There could be excellent opportunities for people to be able to do that. And what a wonderful experience it would be for those children.
Jackie, in our district the private schools don't have to follow state guildelines. Most do, but they are not required because they are not funded by the state.
In IL private schools have no regulations, and thus neither do homeschoolers. There is the compulsory ages of 7-16 that all have to abide by. IA has something called "Competent Private Instruction". Any child under CPI has to file paperwork with the local school district each year....and that goes for kids in non-accredited private schools, too. The only accredited private schools are usually the Catholic schools around here. Sooooooo....the school district gets the goods on every single student that does not attend their school unless, of course, they go to Notre Dame. An interesting note..our local district doesn't accept any credits earned under CPI either, so when one of the local Christian schools closed, those high school students won't be able to graduate from the ps high school because their credits were earned under CPI. Major issues coming down here right now.
In SC it is illegal to school kids besides your own or ones you are legal guardian too. But I have been ask my many to homeschool their kids.
Before I accepted this position I looked into the legal aspects of homeschooling in my province. Children are allowed to be homeschooled and if they've been registered in a public school previously then you must submit their name and age in a letter to the school board they were in stating that they will be homeschooled. The only other requirement is that they must be receiving satisfactory alternate education as deemed by the school board. So there is a possibility that an education officer may investigate the quality of education the child is receiving. This is why I think the parents chose me (having an education degree), oh and because of my sparkling personality :wink: I'm sure there are more mystifying cases of legal problems/issues in Ontario but I'm not as aware of them yet. Thanks for all the welcomes!
Again, I want to make it clear that I'm NOT against what you're doing. I see nothing wrong with it. It seems to be quite satisfactory for both you and the parents. I was just curious about the legal ramifications of it.
Homeschool laws vary in different states HSLDA will have the laws for all states. In Texas The parent has to be 51 percent involved.but outside tutoring is allowed and having a certified teacher is allowed.
Yeah, you could get that from playing outside (PE), making dinner (science, nutrition, math with measuring, and reading the cookbook), and watching the History channel. Not bad for a full days' worth of school. Oh, wait, that would be 100%.
I live in Arkansas. By state law, only parents/legal guardians are permitted to homeschool their children. I am very interested in learning of the laws of Canada. Good luck to you and God bless! Jenn
Welcome, aduncan365! I'm Anne, I hs my 7yo ds, who is in second grade. This is our third year of "formal" homeschool. I also have my degree in El. Ed. I haven't had much classroom experience, but what I did, I didn't enjoy. Maybe it was because I was subbing in 2nd-6th grades and the year I taught one class it was preschool (not my cup of tea). Anyway, I LOVE homeschooling my son! Yes, there are bad days, but the good far outweighs those. I have a friend who successfully homeschooled and graduated her children and then homeschooled a highschooler who was struggling and had a difficult home life. She is now homeschooling another child from a difficult background. I think that's great. Keep up the good work! Blessings,
