I overestimated and underestimated
And I also came to Michigan
No, I didn’t forget that I told you some things were in the works and that I’d be announcing it soon.
But yes, I did overestimate how much time I would have this week to pull everything together and be ready to launch. And yes, I did underestimate how much time it would take to do all of it. But we’re almost there. For real. So, hang tight just a couple more days and it’ll be ready. I will say that while I’m a bit anxious about the whole thing and what you’ll think, I am also very excited about being more intentional and purposed. But more on that soon.
For now, I’ll tell you that I’m writing this from a hotel room in Michigan where I’m staying for a couple days to speak at a homeschool convention. I’ve done a number of these events through the years and am always interested to see how many eyebrows furrow when it clicks that I’m a public high school teacher taking a personal day to go speak and encourage homeschooling families.
Thankfully, though I know the mindset exists out there, in all the years I’ve actively spoken out supportively of homeschooling, none of my colleagues or fellow public-school teachers have called me a traitor or intimated that I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face. I really can’t express how much I don’t think that way. I got into education not because I believe the system is ideal or even that it doesn’t possess a fatal flaw. I decided to become a teacher because I know what kind of personal influence they can have in encouraging and motivating young people towards good.
In other words, it was never the system that I felt a loyalty to, it was the principle of connecting with and trying to be a good example for high school kids. In no way is that hindered by parents who are choosing to be the most connected and best example for their own kids. Any public-school teacher worth their salt will acknowledge that they cannot begin to compare to the significance and importance of parental influence in a child’s life. If every teacher was perfect, it still wouldn’t solve the problems in American education and culture. But stronger families? Now that’s where things change.
That’s why resistance to things like school choice or homeschooling has always frustrated me. More parental involvement, more direct participation by loving parents in the education of their child is a win for them, and therefore, for all of us – inside or outside of the public-school system.
The best public-school teachers are those that maintain strong relationships and open communication with parents and families. If that’s a point we can all agree on, then why the animosity towards those who handle the responsibility and bear the significant burden of educating their child themselves at home? To me, that opposition always seems to indicate a heart that is more committed to a system than the student.
There’s also another concerning phenomenon that happens all to often. Here’s an example from just yesterday:
Walter Masterson is a self-proclaimed comedian, but there’s truly nothing remotely funny about what he’s doing here. Notice, Masterson was blessed with parents that could afford to move him from an ineffective school system after elementary into a better-performing charter school in middle school. Still not satisfied with the quality of education he was receiving, Masterson’s parents had the means to move him again into a private high school.
In other words, they saw what was best for their child and they did it. That’s wonderful. It’s exactly as it should be. But my friend Erick Erickson explains the ugly side to Masterson’s opposition to those same opportunities being given to others. Those “others” caught in failing schools tend to be non-white, urban-dwelling kids from low-income families.
To be fair, I don’t know Walter Masterson and therefore I have no reason to think or believe that he has some sort of racial animosity or prejudiced opposition to black kids being able to attend private schools. I think Erick is pointing out an unintended consequence of too many progressives whose support for the public-school system prevents them from doing right by poorer, less fortunate or privileged people. Given the progressive left’s claim to champion the renunciation of “white privilege,” this is a startlingly hypocritical stance to take.
I can’t say that I’ll get into much of this over the course of the next couple days. But I can tell you that my goal is to be an encouragement to these families who are taking their God-ordained responsibility of raising their children seriously. As a public-school teacher I can say without equivocation or fear of contradiction, their investment and devotion to their own children is something this society could sure use more of.
ICYMI…
I wrote a couple columns I would love for you to see:
And don’t forget, some things that I’m really hopeful you’ll join me in will be announced soon. Like, real soon. Be watching for the email!
Peter Heck is one of the best writers in today's world.
See. This is why I follow you and read your posts and watch your videos. I’m a homeschool mom. But, I thoroughly acknowledge that teaching as a profession is a calling and I try to appreciate and love on my friends these are teachers and administrators that are actually in the school buildings. I have no beef with them. They are doing their best and they love those kids the best they can with the resources and time they have. When parents pull their kids out and say that the school didn’t address their needs, I try to tell them that I understand but it’s not the individual people that are fault. They are doing their best. I love that you speak for homeschool events. That’s how I found out about you. We don’t have to have an us vs them mentality. We are all parents and teachers doing what is best for our kids and really, we want other kids to be educated well too. Thank you for serving God in this way.