Your Child Might Have A Teacher Who...

It’s the beginning of a new school year. The past two weeks, I’ve been thinking about why our family homeschools when I’m a public school teacher who believes public education needs to be an option. 

This year, my school hired four new teachers. Only one of them is truly new to teaching, but it got me thinking about how sometimes homeschool moms feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, and wonder whether their children would be getting a better education in public school.

I want to tell you - one - that you know more than you think you know, and - two - that putting your child in public school doesn’t guarantee that a teacher will know what they’re doing.

Your child might have a teacher who:

• Is brand new, has never had her own classroom, is idealistic and inexperienced 
• Has been teaching one subject for 3 years, and feels like she’s just gotten her footing, but due to the way public school works, is placed by administrators in a different subject
• Has been teaching 7 years, but has never taught your child’s grade level and is new to your child’s school (which means learning where everything is, who everyone is, who to ask for what, how to ask, and how things work)
• Has been teaching 14 years, but moves to a different subject in which she’s teaching seven different grade levels, and will have to learn the subject as she goes

These are not descriptions of the four new teachers we hired. These four teachers are all me at various points in my career. 

If you’re wondering if your child would be better off in school, with someone who knows what she’s doing, I’m here to tell you your child might not be in her class.

You know your home. You know where things are (except for times you don’t). You know who everyone is (too well). You know how to get what you need (by using Amazon and Instacart). You know how things work (and when they don’t, you’re a surprisingly good problem solver).

Happy not-back-to-school. You got this.😊