High School and one semester of college. Then I got married and wanted to be a mom more than a college grad! Amy
You're just bragging now. One of my regrets is that I didn't drop out. Both my brothers did and both simply got on with life and now have great careers (one wrote his GED and the other just waited until he qualified as a mature student before attending college). Being a teenager is hard enough without having to deal with high school.
Well, I do have a degree in elementary education, with minors in early childhood ed and english, although I am no longer certified, but I don't know how much it actually helps me with homeschooling. We are just starting out with kindergarten this year and I have all the same worries as everyone else about picking the right books, and making sure they learn what they need to. The fact that I have the degree does seem to make other people feel more confident in my ability, which actually bugs me because I believe that any parent who wants to homeschool and is willing to put time and energy into it can do a great job.
My best friend has a degree in education. Recently she questioned someone at the BOE about an unfair testing situation involving many homeschool AND ps children. The BOE worker rolled her eyes and made a comment about hs'ers. My friend informed her that the situation involved both ps and hs kids and that she knew how it was supposed to be done because she had a degree in Ed. The worker told her "I'm sure you do. All you hs'ers do", very sarcastically. So, not everyone sees those with a degree in Ed as a competent hs'er. (Not saying you aren't though. I'm sure you do a great job!) On a side note, my half sister has a degree in special ed and isn't capable teaching AT ALL! SO really, degrees don't always mean much. I am glad I got one though.
High school diploma and some college courses mainly geared in the medical field. As long as you are willing to take the time and do it with them anyone can do it. It's amazing all the things we learn. I know that I was taught it before but who pays attention in ps? That was social hour, lol.
I have a BA in Psychology and some Masters Coursework in Education. It is funny, because hearing the teachers in my Masters Classes was one of the reasons I starting thinking about homeschooling (I was not even pregnant then). They would go on and on and on about how much they were hating teaching because of No Child Left Behind and teaching to the test.
That was the worst part for me & all the hoops you have to jump through to help the students who are in need of it!!! OK, so I just do a little HS with my lil one...not real experienced here. Still up in there about what to do hs or ps. Kinda playing everything out in my mind first. I completed High school (ps) & got my BA in Elementary Teaching with minors in math, science (required my university) & Early Ed (my choice). While going to college I was a sub & subbed for about year before my permanent job in K through 6th grade. ( I loved subbing, especially after the studnets got to know me & I would hear you're our favorite sub & get hugs in school & outside of school when I saw the students.) I also worked for about 6 weeks at a summer reading program to help those readers falling behind!! I taught in a permanent job 1st grade (for 1 year, budget cuts, lost my job...but was biggest Blessing!!)
I am a homeschooled high school graduate (took the California High School Proficiency Exam to get my diploma). Some Bible College classes. I feel confident that I can teach my kids. If I come to something they need to learn that I don't know, I can learn first and then teach them, or I can find others who can teach them (my parents, other homeschool parents, dvd's etc.).
I haave a bs in Elementary Education. However, I was taught to teach a classroom---with bulletin Boards, classroom control, etc., that has NOTHING to do with homeschooling! In fact, many of my teachers had been out of the classroom and teaching college classes for long enough that their methods didn't work anymore! It's kind of sad when you pay so much to go to college and get a degree, and have to work your way through required classes that will do ZILCH to help you teach in a classroom!!! I taught for 4 years, then when dh was transferred to a different state, and I finished out my school year of teaching, we decided that I would just do part-time/temporary work, and we'd work on having a baby instead! I have subbed since then, but for the past 3 or 4 years have concentrated solely on homeschooling my own children, and I love it! But I still say, I learned NOTHING in college that would help me, particularly, any more than I could have done without a degree. I was scared to death my first year of homeschooling! I had no clue how to teach one child and was worried that I would be able to do it! This is our 10th year of homeschooling, and I have learned and grown with it as my kids have gotten older. My oldest, whom I started teaching in 2nd grade, is now a junior in highschool! Amazing how fast they grow up! So all that to say, a degree isn't important! Learning and growing with your children, and as others said, being willing to search out what works best, IS important! ETA: Oh yeah, the reason I mentioned learning and growing with your children is that if you do that, you will be much more confident and prepared by the time you get to junior high and highschool levels! Plus, by that time, there will more than likely be a LOT more available for highschool ages! I'd just concentrate on where you're at, and see how you feel when you get to that point!
High School Grad and some college (about a mid year sophomore). I'm not horribly concerned about upper grades...I'm more worried about laying a good foundation for learning! LOL
Intersting stories. Most of the people that I have had comment on my having a teaching degree are friends or acquaintances who makes some comment about "Well, you can do it since you have a teaching degree, but I don't think I could" This one was from a friend who is a nurse, LOL. I know very well that she could homeschool if she wanted to. Actually she is thinking about it, but using a complete boxed curriculum.
That's exactly what I used to say about my friend. LOL. Now I'm doing it, too. I'm not the best hs'ing mom out there, but I don't think I'm the worst either.
Well, I don't like to brag and try not to reveal this but since you asked...I have a PH.D. So, just call me Dr. Ava. So, just kidding. Some college...almost done with a BA. I respect teachers and the time they spend in college but I don't think all that is necessary to homeschool. Seems to me, alot of what they learn is more for classroom sitatuions? Is that true? Maybe not...see I shouldn't talk. LOL.
LOL, that's funny. From looking at your blog I think you are giving your kids a good, and fun, education. I'm taking it one year, or maybe that is one day, at a time and learning as a go. We are at the very begging of this experience so I can't say too much yet. I have days that everything goes great and we all love homeschooling and then there are other days, LOL.
But there are also days like that if they are going to school! So if it's something you expect to happen now and then, maybe it won't be as discouraging! Remember---if they were in school there would be bad days! So you can't expect homeschooling to be perfectly exciting and joyous every day either!
Thanks for the reassurance The days that I hate the worst are my own fault, too much tv and computer (for mom and kids) and too little hands on fun stuff. In some ways I think that the fact that I did take education classes in college makes homeschooling harder. I have the side of me that would almost love to be an unschooler and the side of me that wants to see traditional school work being done so I KNOW he is learning. Trying to find a ballance is the challenge, I do believe that it doesn't have to be all opne way or the other.
You're welcome On a side note, Flat Cowboy will be on his way home soon, we just need to finish up a couple things. We have had so much fun showing him around, unfortunately it isn't the most exciting time of year around here, and we didn't get to take him on any trips.
I have to so agree with this! My worst days are the ones I am taking too much ME time during TeacherMom time and the kids think they can take little me times too! Who am I to tell them nose to the grind stone if I am busy playing online too? So I have to keep myself on the scedule with them! I often work on my own home work ( biblestudy or writing time for me) while they are doing thier work at the kitchen table, that way I am there when they are!
