Hate The System

As a homeschooler, most uninformed people assume that I believe that I am better than teachers. It's not true. I have many friends, fellow churchgoers, and even family members who are educators in the public school system.

I want you to understand the respect I have for public school teachers and administrators. I did not go to school that long for a reason. I do not have the patience to educate large groups of children or keep their attention (or even adults in social situations)... and to be honest, sometimes I even find it difficult to care about other children's education.

While in college, I did some one-on-one teaching/tutoring where I could concentrate on the needs of individuals, instead of the collective needs of a classroom. And found a niche.

I am not so different from the public school teacher. I am dedicated to my son's education. I want him to learn the "material" not just memorize it because he was told to. I want him to succeed. I also am up early and in bed late to prepare lessons for him (although I can do it in my pajamas,  not after school in a classroom). I have a list of things that I would like him to know before moving on.

The differences between us are few, but important. While teachers get paid to teach, they also have to deal with parents. If my son doesn't understand something, that is strictly on me. I cannot pass blame onto another individual who has 20+ other students to teach... I can have a parent-teacher conference at any time, in my head or while conversing with my husband. My educational institution sees no government subsidies for educating my own child. In fact, I still have to pay taxes for the public school system, and they receive government subsidiaries whether or not my son is in their traditional school setting.

I do know that home education is not for every family, and I know it takes a different skill set and mindset. I also know through research, that Common Core teachers are held to equally high (if not higher) standards.

In fact, no group will feel the pressures of the Common Core Standards greater than teachers. Many teachers will have to change their teaching strategy altogether in the classroom in order for their students to succeed on the Common Core assessments.

Creative teaching will be tolerated for now, but as students fall behind the ever-elevated standards, it will be phased out ... and our kids' childhood lost. Over analytical thinking for underdeveloped brains is a recipe for disaster... or even a hatred for learning.

There will be more pressure than ever placed on teachers whose students do not perform adequately on the assessments. This could lead to many teachers being fired, and even more choosing a less-demanding occupation. The lack of educators will cause schools to merge and close, increasing class sizes.

The intense pressure and scrutiny that teachers will be under will create stress and teacher burnout which could lead to many good, young teachers leaving the field. There is also a chance that many veteran teachers will choose to retire rather than make the necessary changes.

Here's my main point:

If a person gives you a dirty look or grief for the way you are talking to/ raising your children you go all "Mama Bear" and defend your cubs. Why? Because you know what is best for your family, and your children. 

Why isn't the same opinion allowed about your child's education? You know what is best for your child. You know how your child learns, and what will help your child learn something...you know how long your child's attention span is, and what sort of things keep their interests...  so why aren't you able to educate your child about what you feel they should know to the best of their ability, and to the be the one who teaches them that at the best of your ability?

Do I think I'm better than my cousins, siblings, friends, fellow parishioners or former classmates at teaching? No, not at all. I do know that I am the best teacher for my son because I know all of his quirks, all of his interests and mainly because I want to be extremely involved in what he's learning. I want to see the light in his eyes when he's found something to be passionate about. I want to be the one who reads with him and not just before bed. I don't want to be a teacher; I want to be his teacher. Every year until he graduates high school. (Resources: About.com)