Nellie, did you notice that this report is from 2004? I'd be curious how the figures today compares to then! Also, do they include HS in with "private" schools? Again, I'm just curious!
I am a former ps teacher (as is my mom). All of my friends who are still teaching that know we are planning on homeschooling think it is great. They all say not to come back if I can help it. That is pretty sad.
Of all my old teacher friends, only one has her kids in PS, and she has moved to 2 different little towns trying to find the right situation. I was nervous about how my teacher friends would react to our hs'ing, and then, I got a sweet note from one who had just started hs'ing, too. My doctor was hs'd, and she was telling me last week that none of her patients who are teachers will send their kids to the local PS. Our local situation is a true reflection of the article.
I am a former PS/PS teacher as well. Most of the teacher I know tell me never to send our kids to their school.
I have met several PS teachers in various groups as well. I have always wondered about that. Ecpecially with the attitude I recieved from PS teachers when they realize we homeschool.
This all fits with my personal experience. Of the 12 hs moms I have frequent contact with, 6 were teachers. I asked one "why so many teachers?" She said, "Because we, more than most, know that the system doesn't work." That was a real eye-opener for me.
Jenlynn, you made me think about something! I believe it takes a good, humble teacher to admit that there is a problem with our education system. It is my opinion that a teacher who is truly in the job for the love of the child, not just the pay check, will be understanding to homeschooling. Often times teachers take it personal and I must admit that sometimes it is. All we need to do is read the papers to see what many teachers are doing to our children and what they are being taught. We all know that a public education is not a well rounded education. It is not simply academics and in no way is it a safe haven for our children. I have found, for the most part, that it is the teachers who have taught in the system for many, many years who seem to understand what parents are talking about or it is the new teacher who went in with the idea that they were going to give the gift of education and are rudely awakened when they realize what they are up against. These tend to be the understanding ones. More experienced teachers have been around long enough to have seen the decay of our system. Many of the freshly, out of college teachers are taught in a different fashion then teachers of days past. I can understand the concerns of some teachers but if they did their homework, they would understand why homeschooling is growing so fast. So thank you, Jenlynn!:lol: :lol: You helped warm up my brain for the day. Patty
I, too, am a former public/private school teacher. I was always rocking the boat (especially at the public school), because I expected better for our kids. I did have my daughter at a Christian school through 1st grade, as I taught there and could monitor and enourage. When we had to move, I saw what happens when parents lose control of their child's schooling. I felt so helpless! I once in a while get negative comments about being a former teacher and now homeschooling. But most parents are eager to know why and saddened, but enlightened, why I tell them. Sorry for the rambling.