If school is not for my DC, should I really try and get a job in one?

[Mung]

I have a list of primary schools that I was going to contact to try and find one day teaching. Something is stopping me from doing it, as the list has sat there for a week now.

I need to go and work for a day and DH will stay at home with the DC to share the load a little, but should I work somewhere else? I just can't bring myself to believe in the system, even if its for other people's children IYSWIM. Or am I just lazy?

[AMumInScotland]

I guess it depends what exactly you have a problem with about schools - if you are totally against them and everything that they stand for, then I think working in one would be hypocritical - like if a vegetarian went and worked in a butcher's!

But if you think that the problems with the school system don't completely outweigh the benefits a decent teacher can provide to a class of pupils, then it's fair enough to work in one, even if you find certain aspects of the system are not run the way you believe they should be.

[Mung]

Good advice...
I'm not totally against them and I understand why so many people choose to send their children to school.

Just like me being veggie, I suppose...I know why people eat meat, thats their choice and I suppose I'd work in a butchers as long as I didn't have to touch the meat .

[cory]

If you think the idea of putting any child even in the best school with the best teacher is wrong- then no, you shouldn't

If you think the problem is that most children don't get the best teacher- then you can always try to go in and be that best teacher

And if you think school may suit some children but not yours- then I see nothing wrong with teaching; it is up to the parents to decide what they think is best for their child

I know plenty of vegetarians who do not think all meat-eating is wrong, for everybody, even though they themselves do not eat meat.

[maverick]

A long time ago I read a statistic that the majority of home educators were people who had worked (or were working!) in schools -that included a few head teachers, and was true in our case too.

I think when you see the problems at first hand then it can make the decision to HE your own children easier

[GoldstonAcademyForTheInsane]

If you don't believe in the system, it is important to ask yourself what benefit you would gain from working in a school?

If there is not really one, other than an income, (which is a very valid reason) it might be worth considering whether you could earn some money by tutoring from home or offering private lessons to pupils at their home or yours in your subject.

Just a thought.
Amanda
www.GoldstonAcademyFortheInsane.com