There are so many teachers in my family that I've felt, at times, that I should have followed that path. My mother was a teacher for several years before she had me and my brother. My grandmother Thompson was a teacher. Two of her three sons became teachers. My dad was a banker but he did some teaching in graduate school. I have two close friends who are teachers.
Teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world, if you think about it. If the kids aren't well-taught who will take over when it's time? I am not far from retirement ago, so this is something I ponder daily.
Sadly, I have come to the conclusion that most of our schools are not up to the job. Things need to radically change, but that is not going to happen quickly. Our educational system was designed to make obedient workers, I read recently. It rewards children who are good at sitting still and following directions. It was designed by Prussians, according to this source.
That makes perfect sense.
I was a good kid in school. I behaved myself. I made good grades.
I loved Art, Music, and History classes. I feel so fortunate we actually had Art and Music! I hated Math, and Science was only tolerable.
I was a "good " kid. I didn't bore easily. My brother was not so lucky. I think he might have had some ADHD because he found it very hard to sit still in class and pay attention. Nobody had ever heard of ADHD or ADD in the 1960's and 70's, unfortunately. My brother would have thrived in an unstructured program like Montessori but the tuition was out of reach for my parents.
More and more parents today and choosing to homeschool, and I totally understand that. I homeschooled my daughter for a year, with tutors, since I had to work full time. She was newly adopted and still learning English. It worked well, but then she wanted to go to high school and they agreed to admit her, even though she needed some extra help and an IEP due to some learning issues.
I wish I had been able to stay home and homeschool both my kids, but it just wasn't possible.
Kids like mine who suffered significant trauma often have a hard time in school. Before I adopted my kids they went through a lot. My kids both made good grades and did fine, but they had a Granny at home teaching them, and I got them the help they needed with English.
Even kids from loving and solid homes thrive when homeschooled. I have a cousin who homeschooled both his daughters. They did well. That was years ago, and I thought it was weird at the time but now I totally understand the reasoning behind it. He wanted them taught according to his values, and not exposed to biases, bullying, violence, etc.
I was bullied all through school, until high school. I wouldn't wish that on any child.
Here are a few more thoughts.
I also think children learn best when they learn at their own pace. Being forced to learn just to meet testing standards isn't the best idea, IMHO.
Recess is essential, and I am so thankful I grew up at a time when we got recess breaks daily, right through 8th grade.
I don't think kids should be given smartphones until high school.
I have a friend who adopted 5 children, all with varying degrees of learning issues. Though not a college grad, Cindy quit work and started homeschooling, and did an incredible job. One of her sons owns his own business. One is headed for medical school to be a doctor. You don't have to have a degree in teaching to homeschool your kids.
We need to encourage parents to think outside the box, when it comes to education.
Here endeth the lesson...
