NEA Thinks We're Amateurs
Jul. 22, 2005 at 9:28 AM
Homeschooling
Here's a great opportunity to teach your children a little logic. Help them find all the logical fallacies in this article on the NEA website. (Don't worry it won't be hard to find them.)
David Arnold, head custodian, at a school district in Illinois believes we're amateurs and that teaching children is too important
There's nothing like having the right person with the right experience, skills and tools to accomplish a specific task. Certain jobs are best left to the pros, such as, formal education. (snip)
Don't most parents have a tough enough job teaching their children social, disciplinary and behavioral skills? They would be wise to help their children and themselves by leaving the responsibility of teaching math, science, art, writing, history, geography and other subjects to those who are knowledgeable, trained and motivated to do the best job possible.
If these teachers are knowledgeable....how come they haven't found a way get the kids to clean the bathrooms like we have????
Thanks for the advice but I think I'll pass on your "wsidom" Mr. Arnold. Here's my definition of a teacher.
(I will continue my post on Created To Be His Help Meet but it may not be until Monday.)
4 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by on Jul. 22, 2005 at 10:12 AM
Wow, I am SO thankful that such a wise custodian set me straight-- and the NEA got their top expert to write this article! Under Gullible Parents "It's obvious to me that these organizations are just in it for the money." -- yeah right, and the NEA is truly concerned only for our children's welfare! Grrrrr... And of course, the whole socialization question. What?! Do these people think I lock my kids in the closet all day? I am hard pressed to NOT socialize-- there are too many opportunities and sometimes I just want a quiet day at home with my kids. Okay, I know I'm not commenting on anything ya'll don't already know....just had to vent. Funny, though...I am a product of public education. Top of my class and have a 4 year degree...if the public system is so good, then why don't they trust those that have gone through it to teach their own children?
Edited by drewsfamilytx on Jul. 22, 2005 at 9:16 AM
posted by Harriette on Jul. 22, 2005 at 10:25 AM
Oh, oh, oh, oh...........and to think I thought Friday was going to be a breeze..........whew..........will be dusting off my soapbox.........I'm speechless! I need more coffee and some chocolate and I'll be back and ALL OVER this one!
Harriette
posted by Jinlong on Jul. 22, 2005 at 6:56 PM
Spunky - this NEA article was hilarious, frightening and pathetic all at once. I could speak to this at great length, but permit me to share thoughts on only one particularly interesting sentence which is horribly telling:
"Of course there are circumstances that might make it necessary for parents to teach their children at home. For example, if the child is severely handicapped and cannot be transported safely to a school, or is bedridden with a serious disease, or lives in such a remote area that attending a public school is near impossible."
Sounds to me like this is really saying: "While it is obviously better to have "real pros" teach children, certain children do not warrant this kind of preferential treatment. Please do not bring us your handicapped, your sickly, your impoverished, countrified masses yearning for education. These "less worthy" candidates can obtain sufficient education at home with the "second class" teachers more suited to their needs."
Pathetic. Revealing. Apparently "a great public education for every child" does not apply to children with special needs. This is hardly surprising for anyone with experience teaching or working with special needs children in the public schools. A group truly interested in quality education for all would be more interested in helping the members of society who need more help.
posted by KarenW on Jul. 23, 2005 at 1:48 AM
"Don’t most parents have a tough enough job teaching their children social, disciplinary and behavioral skills? "WAIT A MINUTE!! I thought we had to send them to school for socialization. ; )