School Days

Alright, so I have to get something off my chest! As a former teacher, I have seen all kinds of parents doing what they think is best for their children's education. And now that I am a parent doing the very same thing, the best for my child, my husband and I frequently make sure that we are doing just that, and not pushing our child into something that doesn't fit!

Education is such a valuable gift that we can give to our children. Like faith, education and the love of learning walk with a person through their entire lives. How can we ensure that we are providing all that we can for our children? Money certainly isn't the answer, contrary to some opinions. The best way that we can ensure that our children's education is meeting their needs is to become an advocate for our children. This can be super difficult when grandparents, societal norms, and labeling push parents into prematurely identifying something that isn't there.

Listening and teaching people were two of the most outward examples of God's love and mercy that Jesus portrayed on earth. Understanding and exemplifying compassion toward our children, and their learning, may be two ways that we can model Christ to our children. Once we are able to truly identify the areas of strength and improvement, we are better able to provide assistance to children in the form of classes, professionals, methods, technology, or especially our presence may be the most helpful to a child's learning. Instead of pushing children into learning, we as parents and teachers must guide our children's learning and support them. Children instinctively want to learn. We must not damper that enthusiasm with pressure from outside sources.

As a teacher, I found the most profound learning advances always came when students worked together and felt that they were in a safe environment to express themselves and appreciate others. Parents that were concerned about their child's education were always welcomed by teaching professionals. It was obvious that learning first started in the homes of many students, with their parents as models. It is critical to a solid education that parents of children of all needs be reminded that their child's first teachers and classrooms start in their homes. And it is critical that parents take their role as teacher seriously enough to ensure the gift of education remains sacred and valued. Thanks, for letting me get that off my chest!