Posted on 09/13/2006 8:21:18 PM PDT by bannie
Homeschool is a great option for some. But even if all conservatives home schooled their children, the rest of the kids would still be in schools being indoctrinated by liberals. And your kid is going to have to share the world with those kids. Obviously, our country would be better off if all kids could get a quality education...and, for now, that means improving the quality of our public schools.
That is why I urge conservatives to get involved with the public schools. You don't have to be a teacher to make a difference. Conservatives could make a real difference by running for the school board. It might also be a good idea pressure the schools to put a copy of the textbooks and the district curriculum in the public library where parents could examine them. One of the reasons teachers and administrators feel free to push a liberal agenda is because there is no oversight.
If conservatives were really interested in doing something about education, instead of just bitching about it, we could get the elementary schools balanced in 10 years. It will take longer to take back the colleges and universities. But the baby boomers are starting to retire, so their will be lots of openings.
Oh please. I'll bet your job isn't difficult compared to a marine either. Strawman argument.
Start paying teachers BIG money and maybe you will get the best of the best.
My kids have had every kind of teacher...from FABULOUS to BAD. The worst teachers were those that didn't know their subject. Sometimes the BEST were liberals and it honed my kids debating/thinking skills.
The problem is parents, IMO. Parents MUST keep an ongoing dialogue with their kids from sex to politics and everything in between. TOO many parents send their kids to school and and "check out". Those parents wouldn't be candidates for homeschooling anyway....nor would they ever even consider it.
It took liberals to wreck them. It will take conservatives to fix them. We are the country we are thanks to people who really sacrificed their lives.
My professors are conservative and promote the Christian Educators Association International instead of teachers unions.
You can find good education professors who are not liberal.
One must just know where to look. If you attend a state school, you are in trouble. But, I attend a small conservative Christian school.
We also are one of the best education programs in the state and are known for producing good teachers.
Not every teacher is a liberal, nor is everyone who hires them.
Would I openly push conservative politics at the interview? No. Why would I do that? The interview is so they understand my educational philosophy and background. Obviously my conservative beliefs will impact my teaching philosophy; I am pretty teacher-centered in my style, though I believe in a lot of cooperative learning as well. But, I am not going to go on an anti-NEA rant at an interview.
There is a time and place for everything. That doesn't mean one must hide their beliefs.
My professors know I am conservative. They do not always agree with my thoughts even though most of them are conservative as well. But, I get an A because of my effort.
I don't know what traumatized you, but very few professors will give you a bad grade because you disagree with them. I had many liberal professors even here, and not one gave me an unfair grade because I disagreed with them. And I was vocal about this disagreement, sparking discussion in class. My professors LIKED that. They like discussion.
You clearly have had some bad experiences, but your bad experiences are not everybody else's experiences.
And a thank you to your dad as well. A good teacher is priceless.
I am student teaching right now.
I was not sure teaching was for me. The paperwork beyond just teaching sounds awful.
I really love journalism and considered pursuing a newspaper career, since I believe the field will still be there 50 years from now, albeit in a modified state.
But dang, teaching is SO much fun.
It is tough getting these kids to care since it is a poor, rural town. But, I am doing what I can, and to see it when they do try...is incredibly fulfilling beyond belief.
This is more fun than I thought possible for "work."
I love it.
"...the insanity of the credentialing program..."
Yes, read Rita Kramer's ED SCHOOL FOLLIES.
I became a certified history teacher and wound up teaching Spanish and Senior English. To become certified to teach Spanish I would have had to take lots of Spanish courses naturally but also more quack "methods courses".
My Masters is in Education so it is really worthless. I would not recommend it to anyone. Get a real education and avoid those "methods courses". Make your efforts at promoting Christian schools and homeschooling. Join the exodus from government schools.
It certainly was challenging for me.
I am not an education major. I am a history major, thesis and all. My education stuff is a "concentration."
I don't know which schools let you get by without taking a real major and only take education courses (for secondary anyway), but mine is not one of them.
I got to pick my teacher I am working with right now during student teaching. He is great, and a conservative.
This is the type of attitude that leads to entire generations of kids thinking conservatives are bad since there is nobody in the education system to show them that is not true.
I originally wanted to do something you would consider more "ambitious." Be a scientist, judge, or doctor. But, when I had a teacher turn my life around because of how she inspired me, I saw the impact a teacher can have.
They are just as important as that doctor or scientist.
lol!
I wonder why the turnaround is so horrible in the first five years if it is so easy.
Wingfield High. Now it's 99% black, probably much different than when you went to school.
"You clearly have had some bad experiences, but your bad experiences are not everybody else's experiences."
We ALL have bad experiences in life. THIS generation is scared to death of their own shadows! God forbid their kids come into contact with a "liberal". So what are their kids really "learning"?
We've been in THREE school systems.......some good teachers, some fabulous and some bad. I was more concerned that a teacher knew his/her SUBJECT matter than their politics. We dealt with politics AT HOME and it made for great debaters. My kids LOVED to come home and tell me the stupid stuff their "bad" (liberal) teachers said. They honed their skills and NEVER fell for any lib b.s. at school BECAUSE THEY WERE SCHOOLED AT HOME IN MORALS AND VALUES.
I guess if kids are not getting any direction at home, parents WOULD be scared of the schools. Maybe they should start some discussions at home and LISTEN to what the kids are telling them. Perfect learning opportunities to send them into the REAL world.
I believe there are conservative, decent and dedicated teachers in the public schools. But I also believe, given the current agenda and conditions in public schools these teachers will have to compromise what they believe to be right and true in order to keep their jobs. Changing the system from the inside sounds good but in reality one will toe the liberal line more than they probably would like to, go along to get along, or will be out. JMO
Thank you. Teaching seems to run in my family. I think it's the highest calling.
True. I've known a few businessmen who went into teaching in the city because they wanted to do their part for the schools and the kids. They got chewed up and spit out. But yes, some do succeed.
Every day I find new rewards in the work I with kids. This is where we have to go if we are to effect change. The work I do is not for me or the kids, but for the glory of God. Most Christians will tell you the same. It doesn't matter what your profession or how "lost" your job is, you do the best you are capable.
I don't think I have what it takes to succeed in the city. I don't have enough of an understanding of the values of those kids in order to succeed at teaching them. Plus, I am afraid for my life. :)
Maybe after teaching for 10 years or so will I have the skills where I could.
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