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Tuesday, March 20, 2007
oh joy
This evening after history class, as I was gathering my things and preparing to head to the pizza place with Debi and another friend of ours for breadsticks and diet Cokes (well, Anita wouldn't touch diet Coke with a ten-foot pole, but you get the idea, on with the story, Rachel), T and the kids walked into the room. It was a nice surprise; they had finished with Boy Scouts and thought it would be fun to see Mommy at school. (Mommy going to school is a hugely amusing idea to the kids, actually, or to C at least.) I introduced them to the instructor as we were on our way back out the door, and he did what every homeschooling mom loooooves so very much. He started essentially quizzing my kids, starting with C. Asked what she learns in school, she said, "Math, and reading and science, and we used to do history." [ask me if I wanted to find a convenient hole in the floor and crawl in at this point -- we used to do history every day but we backed off and now only do it, on a full, formal, sit-down basis, every now and then. Still, we have less formal discussion on the topic all the time, and I guarantee my kids are learning stuff about history that they would never in a million years be learning in public school in the fifth and second grades, respectively. I bet HIS junior high students -- remember, the instructor's day job is at a middle school -- couldn't do nearly as cute an impression of the difference in fighting methods between the Europeans and the Indians as C does, either.] Then he asked if she was doing double-digit multiplication in math. She is seven. She is in the second grade. She hadn't a clue what he was talking about but she hesitantly nodded; I had to correct her. He asked if we plan to homeschool through high school, we said yes, with some community college classes thrown in; he said 'good luck with that' in a 'you lowly uncredentialed idiots, you'll need it' tone, and we thanked him and left.
All in all, really not that disastrous, right? So why is it that my stomach is still clenched up and I am still apostrophizing him from time to time with "just let me walk up to some of HIS students on the street and ask THEM to tell me what they know and we'll see how quick THEY are on the draw" and similar comments? Why do I feel like I need to prove myself to someone like him? Jenn would tell me I care too much what people think. (Thank you, Jenn, you're entirely right, I do.) I need to turn off the nameless dread and let it go. I'm doing a fine job and my kids are bright and intelligent and respectful and loving and they're even at or above grade level in all their subjects except that their handwriting is rather atrocious, and how many times do you ask a public-schooled kid what he learned in school that day and get the answer "Nothing", and does that mean the school is worthless and he in fact learned nothing, of course it doesn't, sigh.
Still and all, to make myself feel better, we'll have a rousing discussion about the Revolutionary War tomorrow. We'll have a great time. And Mr. "Good luck with that" can stick it in his ear.
Comments
Just noting it's also at least somewhat possible that he either doesn't think much of the local community college classes or or that he teaches middle school specifically because he thinks high-school-aged kids in general are difficult, rather than a comment on your teaching ability.
Posted by: dichroic at March 21, 2007 06:18 AM
You know, I have to agree with dichroic -- any time I hear of people teaching junior high or high school, I think to myself "God bless 'em -- better them than me!". It's just such a difficult age. Maybe he was commiserating with you.
Also, I think most kids' handwriting is atrocious these days -- too much typing. So I wouldn't worry about that and focus on the "bright and intelligent and respectful and loving and they're even at or above grade level in all their subjects" part because you're doing a great job there.
Posted by: mary at March 21, 2007 06:47 AM
Oh Rachel, that's one of my nightmare scenarios. EEK. I think you handled it well. I'm learning to back off and not feel the need to prove myself to anyone. But I SO know the way it nags at you, because criticizing my parenting is the single most effective way to give rise to all of my insecurities.
You show him tomorrow by kicking butt in that discussion! :)
Posted by: Denise at March 21, 2007 11:17 PM
I hope Paula and Mary are right-- since you still have to deal with this guy for a while-- but I can certainly understand why you're having a hard time "recovering" from what was at least a perceived blow. Things like that always nag at me, too.
But you're right-- You're doing a great job teaching and raising your kids, and that's what matters, whether relative strangers see it or not. One day, when your children are all grown up and living happy, fulfilled adult lives, they'll thank you for doing what you felt was best for them. :o)
Posted by: Michael ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.1970dodgecharger500.com/oldsite/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 22, 2007 01:38 PM
I've come to realize over time (And of course through personal experience) that people tend to ridicule what they don't understand. Ignorence breeds contempt especially if you are a cheerleader for one side (His side being a teacher in a unified school district). Now if he had an open mind he'd simply be curious and just learn something about something he obviously has no knowledge about.
You're right, you do care too much about what people think, but nobody can blame you for being at least slightly upset because man, he basically insulted your intelligence without even knowing what kind of teacher you are. You ARE a teacher and a wonderful one at that. I mean, you've taught me all kinds of stuff ever since we were kids and I can only pray that if I ever have kids they'll be half as smart as yours are.
So whatever, he has no authority his opinions are useless.
I love you, if you're online this evening come chat with me, I'm awful lonesome.
Posted by: jenn at March 24, 2007 05:07 PM
