Hello, I'm a teacher in a public middle school, and my kids to to our neighborhood public elementary. My daughter, a fourth grader, is doing very well where she is, but my son, a second grader, is having a much harder time. As a parent, I'm having a very tough time watching my son stress out as much as he does about school. He has ADD, a teacher who tries to be helpful but mostly just comes off as critical and impossible to please, an open concept classroom full of extra noise and distractions, and a high number of behaviorally challenged classmates. He's gotten to the point where he absolutely hates going to school, and the stress is causing some troubling behaviors. It's not working. As a teacher ... oh, don't get me started. That's a rant for another day. I don't want to be negative; it's not all bad. It's working out well for my daughter. For now. Let's just say that from a so-called insider's perspective, I'm concerned about the way certain things are done. I haven't decided for sure what to do, but I know this much: I'm definitely quitting work, and my son definitely won't return to his current school after this school year. We're close to a Catholic school, and I've heard positive things. However, the more my husband and I research the homeschool option, the better it sounds. Anyway, there you have it. So, HI! I'm looking forward to wading through the scary sea of information on the internet and joining in some of the discussions here.
Welcome! We have several former teachers here. I am, and my husband is still in the public high school (computers). We also have some here who feel that the schools simply weren't meeting the needs of their kids, many with special considerations like yours). Feel free to ask; chances are someone here has "been there, done that!"
Welcome to Homeschool Spot! Ask lots of questions, but don't be surprised to hear lots of different answers. We love what we do (most days!), and we all do it a little bit differently.
Welcome. You have come to the right place. The ladies on here got me through my first year and now I can't believe we are in our third year and I am still loving it. My girls are in 10th and 5th grades and doing very well. They were so far behind in public school and seemed to be learning very little even though they got good grades. I am so happy with our decision to homeschool.
Welcome! I am a former public school teacher (and parent of former public school kids) whose whole family now absolutely LOVES homeschooling! Best wishes!
Welcome...I'm also a former ps teacher and am considering homeschooling my daughter (once she is "old" enough)! I know you'll find a ton of good advice and great site recommendations!
Thanks for the welcome! It's cool to see that there are quite a few former public school teachers around here. Sometimes it takes a little time in the classroom to realize that you want something better for your kids, you know?
Welcome! I love it here, everyone has gotten me partway through my first year when I didn't think we could do it at all! Everyone is so different and I love that because we've tried all sorts of different things until we found what worked for us. My stepdaughter found nothing but frustration and was constantly getting in trouble at school. With homeschool she learns and wins! She was behind at the beginning of the year and she's all caught up now and going full speed ahead! Not all days are easy, but they are rewarding. So poke around and have fun!
It does make a difference when you know the behind the scenes stuff. Homeschool teaching is alot different than classroom teaching. It took me awhile to get over that. I think that's one advantage "non-former-teachers" have when getting started. Best wishes.
Welcome! I home schooled my sons from K-12 using Abeka/Abeka Academy. They graduated last May from Abeka Academy. I am proud to say that my boys are successful young men with careers in which they love!
Welcome! I have a 2nd grade son also. Your son's 2nd grade teacher and classroom sounds like my son's public school kindergarten experience. My hubby and I decided it would be in our son's best interest to homeschool. We also have a newly turned 5 y.o. daughter, who will more than likely go to public school kindergarten in the fall. I wish you the best with the decision for your son!
Welcome, glad that you joined us. The more my husband and I looked into homeschooling the more excited we got. We can hardly wait till the fall to get started.
