It has one or more teachers whom, by virtue of being made by God himself, have value and are deeply loved by him.
I can point to how I decided God called me to teach, and I completed a master's degree in reading and language arts. I had the knowhow to homeschool. But I also knew I was not equipped to serve my three children in this way. It simply was not a fit.
When I moved across our state with my kids at ages 15, 13 and 9, the two older ones soon left to live with their dad, enjoying their high school years in an excellent private school. For that, I am grateful.
My youngest completed her schooling in a 1A (small) public high school. She graduated from the same great college as my oldest. Their sister graduated from an equally great college.
I share these random facts to paint a happy public school story. We need to hear a few more of those, because as with every school environment, there is a boatload of criticism to tear the place down. The happy stories are everywhere, though we more easily default to the negative.
I chose public school as my career and my kids' learning environment for a very specific reason:
I wanted to prove it could be done and done well, because millions of children and parents have no other option.Perhaps, when we open our hearts to public school and recognize the value of each person assembled there, we serve the heart of God, because we are serving one another. There are stellar stories that come out of public school. It is not a bad place. It is a neighborhood of real people, with stories of inspiration and yes, of course, with a few tales of woe.
Homeschool and private school are also neighborhoods with important people who are serving their hearts out, with equally stellar stories. Their advantages and merits vary, as with public school.
There is no one size fits all. We can work hard and make the best of each journey if we focus on the people, not the arguments or the organization. Anyone can attack the organization; it takes tender care and interest to focus on the heart and effort of each person who makes up that organization.
I know that inspiring young people to learn can be done and done well in any school environment. I am a champion of them all. I won't jump into the criticism boat because that takes my eye off of the real people whom I can know and serve with encouragement, admiration, support and prayer.
The thing God seems least about is exclusion. If we are practicing our God properties, then embrace has to be one of our exercises. Interest in each other's schooling decisions lends value; listening to each other's school stories without our minds racing to outdo (or undo) those stories requires discipline and intention.
Many jobs have tough assignments and thankless days. Teaching ranks right up there near the top.
How not to drive your child's teacher(s) crazy? Serve, love, value, admire.
Begin there.
My heartfelt thanks to Randolph County Schools, Swain County Schools, and Greensboro Day School for so wonderfully preparing my children (and thousands of others) for their adult worlds.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
