Hi, I've been a public school teacher for over 13 years and I want to let you know that my kids in my class talk and socialize and are happily learning without being reprimanded for it. Please remember that most public school teachers are 100% committed to ensuring that children learn in a safe, nurturing environment. We think we're doing a pretty good job, and I wanted to remind you of that. I'm sorry some of you had bad experiences, in life there are some... I'm glad that you all are so committed to giving your children the best education you can, but so are we. Jennifer
I agree that most of the teachers are wonderful dedicated people that really care about our kids. They do an excellent job. Of course, you'll always find a few "bad apples", but they are the exception. However, they are working in a FLAWED SYSTEM. There's so much they can't control...lack of administration support, apathy among parents and students, changing values in society in general, the inability to discipline, lack of funding,the NEA's hunger for power, the "tolerance" crap, etc. I've not had a "bad experience" with public education; we've HS'ed from the start. But that decision was made partly because DH and I were both PS teachers and saw the problems from the inside.
I agree about the flawed system. I guess sometimes as a PS teacher I feel that some HSers are so against PS that they have forgotten that we're not all that bad! It's easy to generalise I guess. Jennifer
Jennifer, Personally, I don't know any homeschoolers who dislike teachers. Around here it is either the system or the principal. Teachers at the ps my kids used to go to are even pulling their kids out and homeschooling. They know better than any of us just what the principal and/or system is like. They don't want their kids involved. I LOVED my daughters teacher for both K and 1st grade. We pulled her out though because of my son. Both said they agreed with us. He had the same teacher for K and the 1st grade teacher had heard about him. I liked his teacher too, but felt he played too much. It is his first year to teach, he is learning. My son is gifted and the system really couldn't do anything with him. The advanced class was only a couple of hours once a week. I do worry that his teacher took it personally. It really had nothing to do with him. He (the teacher) did have some problems this year, but our pulling Josh out had nothing to do with them. I am sure after some experience he will be a great teacher. I know several other families who will be homeschooling next year. None of them have problems with the teachers. Their problems are with the principal and the way she runs the school. (As I said, some are teachers themselves.) Others teachers are trying to find jobs elsewhere and plan to take their kids with them. I think it is great that there are teachers who are dedicated enough to teach in today's schools. I know I couldn't do it. I know there are bad teachers out there. There are also bad doctors, lawyers, home buildres, electricians, etc. There are even bad homeschool Moms. The only thing we can do is pray for all of them. AND for the good teachers too! I don't think anyone should judge an entire group of people by what a few others have done. I certainly don't like being judged because of another homeschool family. Just remember good teachers and good homeschool mom's have alot in common. We love the kids and we want to teach the kids everything we can. If we work together we can learn from each other. (I often exchange websites and ideas with teachers from our old ps.) And if you judge teachers or homeschoolers by what they are instead of WHO they are what are we teaching our kids??
Note to Jennifer- I am a HSr. I agree that the tension that is sometimes present between HS and PS is unfortunate. I have always viewed HS not as a response to public school, but as an entirely different approach to education. There's PS, private and homeschool, each of us has to pick the one that suits us. I have always found that I enjoy being around people in helping professions. It shows a concern for our society, and a certain kind of heart. HSrs don't always have the support and admiration of others, as I tend to think teachers do, or should at least. I think that is why we enjoy coming here to be able to be perfectly candid in our thoughts and comments, and to keep us going. Leah
I found a website for homeschoolers that talks about the socialization issue (I accidentally stumbled onto it). Go to: http://www.homeschoolfun.com/ It will allow you to look at things that pertain to home schooling and socialization was one of the things that really caught my eye and I thought of you all as I was reading it. Brenda
