And The Times They Are A-Changin’
Filed in: parenting
Jonas will officially no longer be attending school as of Friday.
I’m a little nervous- but mostly, I’m relieved. I’m going to let him detox from regular school a bit, and slowly start to build the routine we plan to follow over the summer. We have a long, relaxed vacation around the corner, and it will be so good for all of us to pull back from projects and work and unplug from the constant phone, internet and television and spend some quality time together. I have been busy gathering some fun books, games and activities to get started on the fun of learning together.
I do want to clarify one point. I have had some people be very critical of me, taking my choice to homeschool for a season as a personal attack on teachers. I have nothing but the highest respect for good teachers. And I think there are a lot of them. I was blessed to be taught by some very, very fine people who have permanent places of honor in my heart, and who I think of often with fondness and gratitude. There are many dedicated educators who go above and beyond helping our children, and they deserve a lot of respect and gratitude. We, as a society should be absolutely ashamed of the wages we pay the people to whom we entrust our children’s education.
Not only are teachers underpaid, but they suffer from a system and administration that continues to tie their hands and demand results that are not conducive to a truly happy, educational classroom. Many teachers who could be fabulous are scraping by with mediocrity because they have too many students, are expected to police and parent children more than teach them, and lack the funds to have a well stocked classroom.
The educational system is in trouble because our society is in trouble, not because the teachers aren’t doing their jobs. The educational system is in trouble because parents don’t parent, society doesn’t want to suffer the taxation necessary to fairly pay educators, and we are more focused on what the world can give to us, rather than what we can give the world. Society is selfish. People don’t want to give the time and money to make improvements, and expect government red tape to fix problems that started in the home and will continue to run rampant until the home is fixed and given the place of honor in society that it deserves.
This is everybody’s problem, and it is something that will need to be changed by everyone stepping up and making changes for the better in their own sphere of influence. That is all I’m trying to do here.
Your job is to do what is best for your family–sounds like you are doing that. Best wishes on your new adventure!
Comment by Jackie — May 6, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Can I quote you? You say these things so much better than I can.
Comment by Mome-rath — May 7, 2008 @ 5:03 am
You go! I always question home-schoolers, not because I think they are wrong, but because I want to understand. I want to know what I can do better in my classroom to make them not feel like they need to home-school.
You do what you feel is best!
Comment by msdramateacherlady — May 7, 2008 @ 11:49 am
YUP! If you don’t believe it go see it in your child’s class room for yourself. You can see who has parents who parent and who doesn’t. You can see how your child is in class. You can see how the teacher is. I have gone to my son’s class. It is tough to learn when there are children who won’t listen and act up. It is tough to teach when you are constantly policing. I have great respect for teachers. I am thankful for the good teachers my kids have had and saddened by the ones who haven’t been good.
Good luck in home schooling. At the very least Jonas will know you care about his education and he will continue to learn over the summer. Kids need to know their job as student is important. Teach him how to learn. Then any subject he wants to learn about is at his grasp.
Comment by Jen — May 8, 2008 @ 7:47 am
Lou, Good for you! I Have been homeschooling since my oldest was in 3rd grade. I thought it would be horrible. But it has been the best thing for our family. I am sure you are on overload but a good thing for your son’s age is five in a row. You cuddle up read lots of books and do activities that relate to the book. Maggie would be able to join in too. If you ever need to chat. send me a note
Comment by Heather Bowser — May 9, 2008 @ 5:24 pm