Public Schools? - Kansas City,MO

I will NOT ever let my son learn from someone that doesn't like him, or he doesn't like OR someone that doesn't understand his learning style. That happened with me, (the learning style. I was a teachers pet so that wasn't a problem) and it took me till college to actually understand basic things. I still suck at math, spelling is another story. Reading I'm good at. But the thing is, I'm pretty smart. I understand science beyond belief. I was understanding physics at 10. But the basics were not taught to me in the way I learn and so I'm still suffering with that.
So with my background with an ill fit teacher, hell no. My son will get a teacher that works well with him.

I have LOVED my daughter's public school teachers, every year for 13 years!! All of her schools had very high standards and expectations and even though they were large schools, the students received the attention they needed. I volunteered quite a bit in the classroom, in PTA and special projects with the school board. Just a few weeks ago my daughter took her first/second grade teacher out to lunch...my daughter's treat.

I don't know about the school district in KC, MO but I would hope at 11 years old they would have expectations for decent work habits. Without them, it will be a huge disadvantage for her in many aspects of life as well as her emotional problems and poor self esteem.

You don't have to leave your child with someone you don't trust or like but it seems as if you have preconceived decisions about public school (due to previous experiences??). Yes, some kids will complain because they want the path of least resistance but is this best for them to take the easy way out (not in my family)? I want my kid to learn how to solve problems and come out ahead, not to give up when a little thing irritates her. We can't pick our bosses as an employed person and the sooner our children adapt, the better it is I feel.

You're right, maybe you feel this way because of past experiences but it sounds like your daughter could benefit from the growth. I'm very glad it is in your plans to give her more attention, I'm afraid with all of the daycare kids she may be missing out.

If there is a true problem, you always have avenues to work out issues.

Is there any way you can convince her to keep homeschooling until college? I went to public school my whole life and I really see the difference homeschooling my own kids (they are only 8 and 6, but it's amazing what they've learned from being taught at home). Anytime my daughter asks me about regular school, I explain to her that you have to be there ALL DAY LONG and then you come home and then you have to do MORE HOMEWORK! She asked "When would you have time to play, or read?" I told her that it's very difficult to have time to do the things you want to do because you are too busy doing what the school wants you to do. But at home, they work for a few hours and then have so much time to play and pursue their interests; especially as they get older. So far she's very glad she's homeschooled, and I'm hoping that she stays that way.

Is there something specific that makes her want to go to public school? Maybe there's something she wants to change in her day-to-day activities, or a class she'd want to take instead of going to the school? Or maybe she could go and visit for a few days and see what's it's like? I don't have any great advice for you; I just wanted to say good luck with your daughter, and I hope that decides against going to a regular school and continues to homeschool! :-)

Added: Sweetie, I've always been in your corner, so I really am not trying to be condescending to you. You mentioned that her work habits are poor - that is why I brought that up.

Congrats on Syracuse and and the other colleges - sounds like you could have been a teacher if you had chosen THAT route rather than childcare!

That having been said, I am STILL sorry you had a bad experience in public school.

Original:
I feel so sorry for you for having had such a terrible experience in public school that you are so jaded. My children have had wonderful experiences in public school. They have been to 3 different school systems (not counting going to school overseas in a private school). My husband and I are both products of public schooling, and we are both highly successful people.

I don't know what to tell you. If you know for a fact that your school district and particular school is that bad, perhaps you should keep her home. Have you had her tested to see if she is at grade level in your state? That's pretty important.

Good luck,
Dawn

Don't set her up for failure.
Talk up the teachers. Talk up the school she will go to. Let her know you are always there to help her if she has trouble but you expect her to respect the position the teacher holds in the class.
Put her back in when the kids start changing teachers. IN our district it's 6th grade. In some it's 9th. That way she only sees the "bad teacher" an hour a day.

I don't tolerate bad fits for my kids. Been there and done that, and both my sons are good kids.

That's why we homeschool!

If I had a child who wanted to be back in school I would support it - I just don't think I'm ever going to have that happen. Both my kids were in traditional school (private) long enough to know better.

Sometimes I still look wistfully at the school bus going by . . . :)

PS: Reading your update SLM, I would guess that your daughter might think the grass is greener. I do think there are some kids who do better in school, though I generally think homeschooling is best if the parent is committed and caring. I totally agree with your comments about modern day schooling - it's very, very unnatural imho. And schools look, and behave, more and more like prisons which is very odd to me.

No, you do not have to stuck with the teachers that are not working for your children.

Go to the principal. if the principal can't do anything, go to the board. if they refuse - file a complaint with the county and get your child moved to a different school.

You are your child's advocate - fight for them.

While YOU may not get to handpick your child's teacher, the public school system does and it is not as easy of a process as you might think. It's more than one interview with more than one person, a degree is required and then certification and continued education on top of that. Teachers have to cater to lots of different personalities, parents, developmental stages/ issues. Let's give them credit for all they do! If you have a specific issue with a teacher, deal with it on a one-on-one basis. Teachers are there because most (not necessarily all) WANT TO BE THERE! They work in a thankless field, with not much pay. Not to mention, many have taken pay cuts and no raises with a larger payload during this tough economy.
No, I'm not a teacher, but my husband is a very dedicated one and does it because he loves working with kids and watching them grow (he works with children who have special needs).
I'm probably a little sensitive on this issue, but it gets a little tiring reading several posts about what's wrong with teachers.

Hi there...

Relax, sit down at night and jot your thoughts down. I have read this and your other posts and you only need to take a time...just a little time to sort things out. There is a solution for everything but you have to be realistic but optimistic.
Homeschooling, Public Schools, other options for your daughter? Depend on your expectations and what YOU want for your child. It depends on what is excellent or good or success or bad for you and your daughter not for other moms or other kids. What is good for other moms may not be good enough for you. What is not so good for others may be very good for YOU and YOUR DAUGHTER.
In your case, I would keep home scholing your daughter. Talk to her and ask her why she wants to go to school. That will give you some answers and perhaps, will help you to enhance your teaching or others aspects of home schooling. I home school my two boys (11 and 5), I pulled out the older one from PS at 3 grade and he still wants to be home schooled. Besides receiving a very complete education, he has many friends from PS, HS and private schools, he does sports, sleepovers, extra curricular activities, etc....He IS happy and he likes being educated at home. There is no MYTH in our home about socialization or socializing.....the kids have plenty of social interaction and honestly people love them and I am very glad about that......Again, I would keep home schooling, and may be you would like to join some group and give your daughter extra minutes of different activities for her to feel that sense of belonging which she probably is needing. I am sure you are a great mom, and I applaud you because home schooling is not an easy task, it is hard but a wonderful decision.
I know we live in society, and my kids have to interact and live in this society. That is why I am home scholing them to give them the tools, the skills to survive and enjoy this world and this society. They will learn how to extract the most positive of this life and society and pull out what is wrong for them. You want the same, I am sure, keep doing what you are doing and make the best out of your choice you have made for 11 years.
Encourage your daughter to do some activities that make her feel good and happy about herself, again find groups or just a couple of families where you feel comfortable with and get together, do things, go the park, read together, etc.
That is all I can tell you now. About your other questions.....dear mom.....do whatever makes YOU feel better, happy and healthy, you don't have to come back to school, if you love being a caregiver keep doing it and probably register on some courses or classes that can give you more knowledge or time for you to relax (is relaxing and fun study something just for the fun of learning or having a "me" time!)
Relax, take care and make your own decision, what is best for you and your kid. Just sit down and think carefully at peace.
Take care,

Not sure which public school you're in around here but I do know that some of them are in desparate need of help. I have said it before and will again...I LOVE ours.

This year I did contemplate asking for one of the other teachers, then I snooped around and found out that my daughters teacher is not who I would have chosen , but after receiving information I realized she's the perfect fit for her.

As for choosing a teacher, a family friend said to me "be politically correct when you make the request"...and almost everytime they will accomodate if it's done in a timely fashion.

I am not an advocate of homeschooling, but I do know a lot of people who do it, and I applaud them for it. I think that if you are in one of the districts around here that is in need of help...and even the few that are over-populated but great schools, I would say keep her home.

How about their social skills. Its not just about education. Social. Living with people that have been home schooled stick out in society. My best friends kids went to a one room school house up until highschool and they have a quirky way about them. My son was around him for an evening and just about went crazy. Social skills.