by Elaine Sigal
I have been an educator for 40+ years and still consult with parents on a daily basis. I offer academic advice, tutoring advice, enrichment advice, and college advising advice. I help parents and students in public and private schools, as well as parents who have made the decision to home school their child(ren).
I am tired of the bashing that home schooled parents receive from educators. I am tired of all of the accusations about home schooled students not being up to par with "schooled" students. I read articles, statistics, and research. Why should parents not home school their child(ren)?
I am getting on my soap box.
I love education. I think that successful education is wonderful - whether or not the parent or teacher is doing the teaching, or where the classroom happens to be located. So what if the parent does not have a regular classroom with 20+ other students? So what if the student can sleep until 10 and then start with school work? Why do, we as educators, always think that the parent is wrong? Parents know their children!
I happen to believe that most parents know what is best for their child(ren). If parents choose to home school, more power to the parents. If parents choose a specific curriculum that is not aligned to my beliefs, so what? Do parents not have the right to educate their children as they see fit? Most colleges and universities understand this. Why can't teachers?
Are teachers scared that home schooling will be the new trend? Are they afraid for their jobs? Are they afraid for the students? Are they scared to change the status quo? I am not sure. But this is one teacher that has respect for parents who home school - assuming that they are providing their child(ren) with a varied curriculum, and one that is challenging.
There are more reasons that parents home school than begins to meet the eye. Children come in all shapes and sizes with many differences. Any child should be encouraged to learn and learn well. Why do we care if the parent is teaching them?
I run a tutoring, enrichment, and academic & college advising company. I welcome home schooled students. They are always polite, well trained and value their education. Home schooled students are as intelligent as their schooled counterparts. They ask questions and are often more excited to learn than their schooled counterparts.
Go parents! Do what you think is right for your child(ren). Just remember, that it is okay to ask for help! Your kids do.
Have a wonderful fall.
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
Mindlaunch.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. Mindlaunch will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the Mindlaunch staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
I have been an educator for 40+ years and still consult with parents on a daily basis. I offer academic advice, tutoring advice, enrichment advice, and college advising advice. I help parents and students in public and private schools, as well as parents who have made the decision to home school their child(ren).
I am tired of the bashing that home schooled parents receive from educators. I am tired of all of the accusations about home schooled students not being up to par with "schooled" students. I read articles, statistics, and research. Why should parents not home school their child(ren)?
I am getting on my soap box.
I love education. I think that successful education is wonderful - whether or not the parent or teacher is doing the teaching, or where the classroom happens to be located. So what if the parent does not have a regular classroom with 20+ other students? So what if the student can sleep until 10 and then start with school work? Why do, we as educators, always think that the parent is wrong? Parents know their children!
I happen to believe that most parents know what is best for their child(ren). If parents choose to home school, more power to the parents. If parents choose a specific curriculum that is not aligned to my beliefs, so what? Do parents not have the right to educate their children as they see fit? Most colleges and universities understand this. Why can't teachers?
Are teachers scared that home schooling will be the new trend? Are they afraid for their jobs? Are they afraid for the students? Are they scared to change the status quo? I am not sure. But this is one teacher that has respect for parents who home school - assuming that they are providing their child(ren) with a varied curriculum, and one that is challenging.
There are more reasons that parents home school than begins to meet the eye. Children come in all shapes and sizes with many differences. Any child should be encouraged to learn and learn well. Why do we care if the parent is teaching them?
I run a tutoring, enrichment, and academic & college advising company. I welcome home schooled students. They are always polite, well trained and value their education. Home schooled students are as intelligent as their schooled counterparts. They ask questions and are often more excited to learn than their schooled counterparts.
Go parents! Do what you think is right for your child(ren). Just remember, that it is okay to ask for help! Your kids do.
Have a wonderful fall.
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
Mindlaunch.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. Mindlaunch will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the Mindlaunch staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
