I was asked by someone today, why I quit homeschooling. Some of you may bits and pieces of it, but please indulge me as I hash it out. Here is the whole story....
I was a non-traditional college student- meaning that I went to college as an older, married gal with the sole intent to graduate and get a job. As I was older, I had been to several different colleges accumulating credits in random majors (Indiana State, Univ. of Tenn, Faulkner State, Univ of South Alabama). When I finally buckled down, tired of the waitressing scene, I didn't waste anymore time. I wanted a job immediately upon exciting college this time, and I found education classes easy and fun. I thought it was cool to have a job wherein you get your summer's off. Mom is a teacher (hi mom!) I held a few lofty ambitions about changing the world one life at at time. I thought I'd teach for a while until I found something better.
But then, when I started doing it, I was hooked. I love it. I did love it. It was and is the best job I've ever had. I can't turn it off. I stay awake thinking about activities and things I need to share with my students, or worry about a misstep with them. Often I wake up before my alarm sounds restless to try out an idea I've had for the classroom. I love those stinkin' kids. I teach 11-13 year olds, and they are so COOL and sweet. I taught in the public schools for 4 years and never felt like this. I like my job. I am a Christian, and I constantly pray for guidance. I ask God to put me where I need to be. I tell God that I trust Him. I walked right into this job. The Principal welcomed me with open arms. My son got accepted to a magnet school. My husband wanted to get.the.hell.out of his job and go back to school. And, I asked God to tell me where to go and what to do, and this is where I landed.
So, all that to say, I love homeschooling. I hope we get to do it again. I hope I get to keep all of my homeschooling buddies. It is with them I hear sanity and feel consolation. They are the ones that speak about what's good for the KIDS. With them, I find diversity and kindness and intelligent discussion and fun. It is with each and every homeschooling family that I met, that I found my rebirth as a teacher, that I began to feel inspired again to change the world. Maybe every teacher should take off a few years to hang out with you broads.
But then, when I started doing it, I was hooked. I love it. I did love it. It was and is the best job I've ever had. I can't turn it off. I stay awake thinking about activities and things I need to share with my students, or worry about a misstep with them. Often I wake up before my alarm sounds restless to try out an idea I've had for the classroom. I love those stinkin' kids. I teach 11-13 year olds, and they are so COOL and sweet. I taught in the public schools for 4 years and never felt like this. I like my job. I am a Christian, and I constantly pray for guidance. I ask God to put me where I need to be. I tell God that I trust Him. I walked right into this job. The Principal welcomed me with open arms. My son got accepted to a magnet school. My husband wanted to get.the.hell.out of his job and go back to school. And, I asked God to tell me where to go and what to do, and this is where I landed.
So, all that to say, I love homeschooling. I hope we get to do it again. I hope I get to keep all of my homeschooling buddies. It is with them I hear sanity and feel consolation. They are the ones that speak about what's good for the KIDS. With them, I find diversity and kindness and intelligent discussion and fun. It is with each and every homeschooling family that I met, that I found my rebirth as a teacher, that I began to feel inspired again to change the world. Maybe every teacher should take off a few years to hang out with you broads.
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