Do parents worry about what their kid's teachers say to them every day?

[Beaverhausen]

I think it's funny that parents worry about what the man who was elected president will say to their kids but they probably know next to nothing about who is speaking to their kids and what he/she tells them every day.

[aikoaiko]

1. This is precisely why homeschooling is so popular.

And a lot of private schools where teachers are selected because of ideology rather than teaching skills/credentials.

[msongs]

5. yep keep their precious spawn away from the mongrel masses lolol l nt

[mzteris]

17. exactly -

I wish I could've homeschooled my daughter back when her 7th grade English teacher told the class that all gay people were going to hell.

My daughter's dad is gay - and my daughter was still in the closet about it back then. You can't believe how upset she was.

A LOT of school teachers are uber-right wing. If you haven't been in the South lately, you might want to visit a typical classroom led quite often by a fundamentalist. . .


I know that wasn't your point, but stop and think about it. If the ONLY option for YOUR child was attending one of those schools where they teach "Intelligent Design" and fostered ultra-right-wing conservative values, etc - how long do you think you'd let your kid go there?

[The Straight Story]

42. For some reason a choice of home schooling scares people, because they cannot fully control

others.

Diversity really scares some on the left for some reason.

[polichick]

2. These people are so "top down" - they look to leaders, ministers...

...God, anyone, as long as it's not them.

Dem parents tell their kids to think for themselves, which is why people aren't so scary to them imo.

[Critters2]

34. I'd love to meet these people who let their pastors tell 'em what to think.

Why don't they belong to my church? Most of what I say goes in one ear and out the other.

[surrealAmerican]

36. Would you seriously want the responsibility of having to ...

... do the thinking for your parishioners? Most people would find that frightening.

[abumbyanyothername]

40. Convert to Catholicism

Papal infallibility and all.

Not that the Catholics buy that either.

[Critters2]

41. I don't think my ordination would transfer. nt

[Curtland1015]

3. They don't know and LIKELY don't care. But you know what they DO care about?

Black Muslim Socialist Commies who want to trick their kids into thinking everyone is equal! Stay away frum our kids Barack Hussein Obama!!!!111!1!11!1

:sarcasm:

[gratuitous]

4. Those goddam math teachers and their crazy subtraction theories

This is America! We're great and getting greater all the time! Why should my kid learn the theory of "subtraction"? That implies that we could wind up with less than we started with, and that's communism! Or socialism. Or . . . well, it's something that's not the America I know!

Down with the theory of subtraction!

[rucky]

6. These are the same parents that disrupt school board meetings...

over evolution, and homeschool their kids.

Brainwashers hate competition (real or imagined)

[havocmom]

8. same parents who are so against children growing and challenging

that they would intellectually cripple them, prevent their kids from being able to function outside of the parent's household rather than let the kids grow into functioning people. They are so afraid of not being in control of their kids forever that they basically want them to remain infants forever.

[October]

12. Wow. Just wow.

There are plenty of liberals who home school.

We're a secular family. I supported our teachers -- didn't like/agree with all of them. There are plenty of right-wing teachers in our district.

Some of us have kids who are "outside the box." We have a small school district, which made that "box" even smaller.

My son is a serious ballet student -- and has been invited to perform with a major ballet company at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this November. Our school district is so rigid, they'd never allow something like that. You cannot believe how right-wingers have taken over some districts. They are controlling how things are taught, what materials are bought, which extra-curricular activities are funded, etc.

So, please don't think home schooling is just for anti-social, uber-religious, anti-union freak show families. There are a lot of families in the performing (or other) arts who are not made to feel very welcome in their own schools.

[rucky]

16. We all know there are liberal homeschoolers.

Don't act surprised when we single out the freaks.

[mzteris]

20. "single out the freaks"

DU homeschoolers are made to feel like most DU'ers think they are freaks.

It would be nice to see a little less "homeschoolers are ignorant" and more "fundie/right wing homeschoolers are ignorant" or something. (Though to be perfectly honest, many of those conservative homeschoolers are quite high on the IQ quotient themselves. Not all of them hs badly.)

[rucky]

21. Sorry you've experienced that here.

It was certainly not intended. I think every parent has entertained the idea of homeschooling at least once - for various reasons.

This was more of a critique on a reason some parents choose it.

[October]

35. Well-said.

Home schoolers are usually lumped into one category here at DU, and not a good one. lol! I can understand the lag. The home school world is changing, and becoming much more liberal -- so I guess it just takes time for everyone to catch up with those changes and what's happening out there.

I grew up in a liberal public school system/district, so I NEVER expected such right-wing leadership in our local schools. Things change. I feel fortunate to be able to choose another path.

It works for us.

Peace.

[mzteris]

19. THERE YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!

Hurrah!

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:


I had forgotten which poster you were.

How's your son doing?? My son was soooooooooo jealous when I told him about your son, lol. . .

CP's finally been released to "dance full out" after his 2nd broken 4th metatarsal last fall. He was unable to go to any dance intensive this year due to his dance restrictions. He's so afraid he's "too far behind" - he'll be 16 in November and has only taken ballet since just before he turned 13 and lost most of last year - so technically he's only had about two years of ballet. He's determined, though - so that should count for something. And he has the "perfect build" so I'm told - along with feet most girls would kill for - lol. His forte evidently, is his "leaping" ability. Now if he can just build his core strength and learn to control that upper body better so he's not so floppy looking. His teacher says it's common in boys who grew so fast and are lanky like he is and that it's just a matter of time as his body matures and he builds more muscle mass. Let's hope. I think he'd just die if he can't be a professional dancer.



The anti-homeschoolers - and anti-public-charter schoolers on DU astound me. Some have nooooooooooooo idea what some of our kids have gone through in the traditional school-board-run-public schools.

Fortunately for my older son, he's now attending an "alternative high school" which is basically designed for those "out-of-the-box", quirky kids. He loves it. If it weren't for that particular school, he'd definitely still be at home.

[rucky]

23. I've tutored homeschooled kids and taught at a charter school.

there are plenty of valid criticisms for both of those systems.

The debate should be on how to strike the balance between giving parents a say, while still maintaining some uniform standards and accountability - no matter what venue.

[mzteris]

25. don't you agree, though

that trying to "measure" some kids in damn near impossible by current measuring sticks.

Those really quirky kids, those waaaaay-out-of-the-box thinkers - it's almost impossible to get a good "read" from a "test", ya know? Talk to 'em for five minutes and you know just how bright they are.

Take unschooling, for example. It is so completely misunderstood. (Yeah, some people abuse the term. use it to really "do nothing".) You can't measure a kid while he's growing on the typical "standards" - but wait until they reach highschool/college age - et voila - you can see that they have been quietly absorbing EVERYTHING. They have superb critical thinking skills. They have superior ability to analyze and learn new information all on their own. They are driven by the learning itself, not by grades nor status.

[rucky]

37. The measuring sticks fall way short.

And it's not just the exceptional kids - every kid's learning style is weighted differently. I'm with Howard Gardner, who classifies 8 different types of intelligence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_multiple_intelligences#Use_in_education

Alot of kids who have a tough time in school simply aren't being exposed to their compatible learning style. Any teacher in any setting should be aware of this range of potential, so if they're not getting through one way, they need to take a different approach that may not be in the curriculum or on the test.

[October]

32. Awesome to hear from you!!!

Hey mzteris!

I've thought of you, too! So glad you found me again. :) :) :)

I truly think your son is going to be just fine. It sounds as though he has the build, the all-important feet, and the necessary persistence/attitude. And he certainly has the passion! ("...just die if he can't be a professional dancer.") Wow! Based on what you say, he might be ahead of the game on some levels! We know boys who've started late without the perfect facility, and they've worked hard to achieve their goals. (One such friend is at Julliard! He went to North Carolina School of the Arts for 2-3 years first.) It takes a long, long time. Don't give up!

My son is doing well, thank you. He will again be the Nutcracker Prince, which is a great role in a "Balanchine Company," such as ours is. I can't believe he gets to do this again. He's a lucky little guy. I'll have to PM you with details, so as not to totally hijack this thread, but we can't wait to go to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with the company. (I'll have to let you know if the president and his family attend. They will be invited.)

My daughter, too, is thriving in her ballet training. She's older, and very well-trained/polished. The two are similar in appearance and balletic attributes. The Philadelphia Inquirer did a front-page story on our family last year in November/December, and crowned me "Pennsylvania's Ultimate Nutcracker Mom." I think that will be my epitaph. lol! I nearly died of embarrassment, but I admit I totally loved the "title." Both children are currently training with a former principal ballerina in the area.

And yes, they were home schooled starting at a certain point. We don't have an alternative school nearby, so the virtual charter school works for us. (I'm so glad to hear you found a good school for your son.) The traditional "bricks-and-mortar" schools are great for most, but not all. That's not a slam -- just honesty. We tried it, and it didn't work. I don't know why I get bashed for doing what works best for my children/family, but DU has become very reactionary.

I'm tired of the assumption that public schools are liberal bastions. They're not.

[mzteris]

38. how wonderful

My daughter's in Silver Springs - I'll have to see if they can possibly go to that performance. I'd LOVE to be able to bring the boys down for it, but I dunno. She's thinking of "semi-eloping" over Christmas and hasn't decided where the ceremony is going to be yet. There, here, San Francisco (where her dad is) or even something schlocky like Vegas lol...

And your daughter, too. I'd forgotten :blush: I'm sorry. Your son's story sort of overwhelmed it all. That is totally awesome about being able to train with a principle ballerina. Our school "isn't bad" - and they really focus on the basics of ballet. The director is fairly well-known in the ballet world and more than one of her students did or do dance professionally. Sascha Radetsky and Stella Abrera will be our guest artists this year. CP is over the moon at getting to meet him.

[havocmom]

26. Please be so kind as to notice I didn't say 'all homeschoolers' but SOME PARENTS

and get the fuck off my case. I know LOTS of liberal home schoolers. I said SOME PARENTS, or did you miss that opening part?

[mzteris]

27. actually you said "same parents" . . .

edit cause I thought you were responding to me, but you weren't, but I suppose now you will. . . :sigh:

Why are people so touchy lately???

[havocmom]

28. correcting an error in comprehension is touchy?

:rofl: Oh, the irony.

[mzteris]

29. comprehension?

You did say SAME parents, not SOME parents . . .

eh, as long you amuse yourself, I suppose. . .

[havocmom]

30. Sadly, I cannot correct the typo at this point in time.

And I am sorry to be human, thus prone to minor mistakes. Again, touchy and irony is amazing.

[mzteris]

31. it truly is amazing -

I don't know why you went off on October -

All I'm saying is - go back and look at the post to which you were responding, then read your response - as it actually reads - not as you intended it to read - and it APPEARS as if you were saying the same homeschooling parents - without any type of qualification of SOME homeschooling parents. Can you not see where you were being gently corrected as to your "seeming" assumption?

Seriously, I don't see why you went so ballistic and why you were being so touchy that someone read, and interpreted, what you actually wrote instead of what you thought you wrote . . .

[October]

33. That was so rude.

You responded to a post that said "same parents..." and your post started with "same parents."

I don't know why you felt the need to attack.

[seabeyond]

7. i am going to say ya.... too many anyway. cause i have to talk periodically to teachers

and they are always ready for complaint. have to work really really hard to convince info is what i am after, on their side, not criticizing, i support them.

thurs talked to youngest sons 3 teachers and sure enough, a teacher i have known 4 yrs, social study, thought maybe i thought she did something wrong. regardless of what i said i think she still is weary so gonna have to send email stating again.... no complaint

[imdjh]

9. I did.

I have known "Chastity's" teachers for year and I like them.... to a point. I also know that they are a bunch of psychedelic relics who are followers without question. So I spent a little time each day trying to undo the minor malfunctions.

[October]

10. Our district is so right-wing...ugh...

They are making this "one exception" and allowing parents to have their kids "opt out" of watching the President of the United States address the school children. They claim they are doing it this one time -- and this one time only. Now, I wonder... how do they know an issue won't come up again? I mean... how can they claim to guarantee this will be the only time they'll make such an exception? And why, specifically, are they allowing it THIS one time?

[donco6]

11. Right, so next time there's a test on evolution, do they get to opt out again?

And when they're learning about Watergate in school? Another opt out?

This is truly a slippery slope. Our district did the same damn thing.

[October]

14. Exactly. Slippery slope, indeed.

It seems this only operates in one direction and the right-wingers come out in droves when it comes to public school issues.

We happen to live in a VERY openly gay-friendly community. The fact that our school district is so right-wing has always been shocking to me. I mean, it's a mixed community! I don't get it. Why'd these right-wingers all move here if they're so uptight?

Boggles the mind.

[no_hypocrisy]

13. They should be informed but not worried.

Grades 1-2 my music teacher and classroom teacher taught us folk songs that were popular by The Kingston Trio, Dylan, Peter/Paul/Mary, and of course, Woody. Some would say we were "brainwashed" with "Blowin' In The Wind" and "This Land Is Your Land". In general, there's nothing wrong with parents being involved with their children's education.

[JonQ]

15. Likely they do

And a parent should. Teachers shouldn't be indoctrinating students in any political ideology. If they are that is grounds for censure, or firing if it persists.

Just teach the kids the facts and leave the politics out.

[bumblebee1]

18. Do these same parents worry about what the pastor, scout leader or coach says to their kids? n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

22. I worry about what the teachers influence on my grandchild is because

I live in the south and I know many are religious which I have no problem with, its one they bring it to class that worries me. I know a woman who is a teacher and she is religious and she hates teachers unions and hates Obama. I think she is a birther, deather and she is in her 30s. She scares the hell out of me.

[Odin2005]

24. Yes, that is why school boards are full of idiots.

[Generator]

39. When I was in high school

Junior year, I believe I had a social studies/history teacher who was raised in Germany and had a German accent. He never went on an on, but I remember a comment about the holocaust dead numbers being overstated. Also his disdain over the subject.I never forgot that, though I didn't say to anyone. It went over the kids heads of course, but I was always a bit obsessed with WW2 and the holocaust. I'm sure he was a Nazi sympathizer. I'd have to find a yearbook to even remember his name.

Teachers do teach their prejudices of course, and they are uusally more subtle than that. And of course the right wing would NEVER want anyone that didn't believe everything they believed teaching their precious children.

Well when you are a pagan gnostic it's tough to find. LOL!

[Ronnie]

43. They should be worrying about

what their kids are saying to their teachers. When I was teaching third grade I finally had to tell my kids, "No more home stories." I must admit that the first couple of---Daddy came home drunk. So Mommy went to the mall to find her boyfriend. And I couldn't do my homework, because they were up all night fighting---made my eyes pop, but it got to the point where I felt somebody should do something about it, but what? Plus, parent conferences became very difficult.