Tales From Another Planet

Our state has recently passed a bill requiring public schools to offer in person instruction. While it has yet to be signed by the governor, this offers hope for some of the many who have been trying to desperately find childcare alternatives. Sometimes this involves kids left by themselves, or with adults who aren't capable of watching them. Not to mention the fact that many students are left behind due to internet issues, special needs, and the way they learn best. The kid I babysit recently said he needed to turn off his live zoom classes because listening to the teacher was too distracting. He had not yet learned the material, but he would rather figure it out than listen to her rant about how they "had plenty of time to get their work done during class and she was going to have to call parents if they didn't finish in time today. Obviously, at the moment does not seem like a great time to do this. It's been almost a year of no classes right now. Cases are close to...

I think one of the most interesting things about homeschooling compared to trying to teach in a public classroom, is the easy ability to adjust based on a child's learning style. It's quite a monumental effort in a large classroom to even determine learning styles, much less meet each child's needs. While I don't actively homeschool my 3 year old, he is almost 4 now, and definitely wants to participate in school. Of course, his learning style and personality is almost a complete opposite of my oldest.

There has been some recent discussion lately about raising teacher pay. Especially since North Carolina has fallen to 42nd in the nation in terms of teacher pay. Unfortunately, more pay is not the answer. When I worked in the Jefferson County School System, at one of the worst schools in the district, I talked with several teachers in different schools. I can guarantee you that private school teachers make 20%-40% less than public school teachers, and yet they aren't complaining about their teacher pay. What makes the difference? I had the privilege of attending private schools as well as quality public schools. I can tell you that one difference is that at a private school either the child or the child's parents, usually both, want them to be there to get an education. Public school, on the other hand, is compulsory. So, how do we fix this, while still prizing education as a nation? Is it okay to leave some kids behind, in the hopes of not leaving all our kids behind? ...

Since we recently moved back to North Carolina from Louisville, KY and made the decision to homeschool for this year, my heart towards educating all children has been broken several times. In the news recently, a new alternative school in Jefferson County (the school district where I taught for almost a semester in a low-performing public middle school, and volunteered with young adults who had been in the prison system and wanted a second change at education) has been in the news over the last few days. Teachers locked in closets, cars stolen, violence including adults and students being lifted up and thrown in the air during altercations. 90% of teachers have already asked for a transfer at the end of the school year. 86% of teachers feel unsafe.