Catholic Education Is A Must

[homeschoolmom]

I've been really surprised at the low number of Catholic homeschoolers that I've encountered. Our old church (Baptist) had scores of homeschoolers (support group, shared activities... we even had our own directory etc). Our parish of the same size in the same community has nothing. I can only think of one or two other homeschoolers there (and I had to reeeeeeeeally look hard). Of course, our parish has a grade school, so that takes some of the "potential homeschoolers" right there.

[XIX]

[quote name='PedroX' date='Jul 29 2004, 11:01 PM'] Phillipe,

You can not be "openly Catholic" as a public school teacher. You may possibly be quietly Catholic, but not openly so.

I wish you the best of luck as you discern your vocation, but please spend plenty of time talking to teachers about the ability to express Christian values in a public school setting.

p.s. I think any parent who has a college degree can teach their children at home.

peace... [/quote]
Why not? What the worst that can happen?

So you get fired on the spot. I say GREAT!!! The Blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians! Granted dying isn't the same thing as getting fired, but you still leave and indelible mark. Heck, it's worth a soul if you can save one.

Hopefully you'll be able to find a Catholic school job to fall back on. Always remember that God will always provide for you, both materially and spiritually.

[b]Matt 6:25-34[/b]

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

[Sojourner]

I was homeschooled in kindergarten and first grades, went to a Christian Reformed school for second, third and fourth grades, a Lutheran school for fifth grade, homeschooled again in sixth grade, and then to public school for seventh through 12th grades.

Homeschooling was not a good fit for me in sixth grade, although I did OK with it in the earlier years. I needed the interaction with people, and learned best when I had people with whom I could be competitive. For someone who is more inwardly motivated, I think homeschooling could be a good choice ... and I think that it would have been easier for me had I consistently homeschooled throughout my elementary years instead of jumping around a lot.

The adjustment to public school was VERY difficult for me, and I still don't really like to think about those years. I went from a pretty sheltered Christian home into a school where everyone already knew one another and had formed friendships long before I came on the scene. I did not fit in at all, which when you're in seventh grade is a really big deal. I didn't know any slang terms, I hadn't watched the same TV shows, I didn't listen to the same music, I didn't read the same books, I didn't wear the same clothes ... it was like I had moved in from another country.

No one at my school befriended me, and for two years I ate lunch every day by myself. Then another nerdy Christian girl moved into town, and we became friends, more out of desperation than anything else ...

By the time I'd graduated, school was at least tolerable, but to this day I don't think my parents understand exactly how much torture they put me through in that experience.

I have no idea how I'll school my own children ... I suppose that depends on the circumstances I'm in when and if I have them.

[Quietfire]

Well, I dont have children so I cant give an opinion on homeschooling.
I only know one family that homeschooled their children and they were wonderful children.

As far as teachers openly expressing their religious beliefs, here in NY where I live it is now a big no-no.
When I was in school, a unpopular teacher lost his only son. He relied heavily on the Catholic Church to get him through and as a result he started coming to school with a 4 inch crucifix around his neck. A very changed man.
He ended up being one of the most loved teachers in our jr. high. He learned patience and understanding and it visibly showed on him daily. He no longer yelled and kids actually respected him cause he would listen to them instead of his usual 'just get to work', or 'you little punk' attitude.
He's actually a very cool person.

Of course the school was not thrilled about the crucifix, but he argued it was his own personal expression and it contained no vulgarity (which was one of the only rules then) and he also argued that he would not preach so long as he wasnt asked.

They couldnt stop him from wearing the crucifix.
He is still involved with the Church.


Peace.

[mom25angels]

[quote name='Don John of Austria' date='Jul 30 2004, 02:20 AM'] In texas the courts have ruled that any parent can home school, however as a teacher I have seen many kids come from home schooling into Jr High ( Jr high is much harder to teach as the fields get more specialisd and materials get more expensive, particularly for science) they tend to have Social Problems in the extreme particularly with things that require working with people they don't know and time managment, sometimes even things like waiting in line or realizing that
there are 20 other students in the room. I am on the whole NOT in favor of Home schooling, still if my choice was home scholol or Public School well then I'll take Home School for sure. [/quote]
Well, there's a little bit of a difference between Social Problems('tis funny you capitalized this) and just not knowing how a clasroom works. You see when you homeschool there is no need to line up to go to the bathroom, lunch or recess. There is no waiting in line to ask a teacher a question or raising your hand.

I have to agree with popestpius here that the kids in our homeschooling group are amongst the best "socialized" kids I know. The can and do play with kids of varying ages. The can talk to adults in a respectfull and intelligent manner. And for the most part are just easier to get along with. With forty families in our Catholic homeschooling group all with kids a variety of ages, I've met quite a few homeschooled kids.

[mom25angels]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Jul 30 2004, 12:53 AM'] It varies by state as to the requirements, but I think this is basically true. In MN a four year degree is not even required, but there's more hoop-jumping if you don't have one. [/quote]
Thank goodness I live in IL, no jumping through hoops here

Homeschools are considered private schools and not subject to state interference!

[ilovechrist]

here homeschools.... i'm not sure. i'll have to ask my mom, since she's the teacher, but i believe we have to be especially approved by the State to become official.

our Church is now planning to open their own Catholic School in the fall of 2005

[MagiDragon]

Hmmm . . . I hate to damper everyones spirits on Catholic schools, but . . .

I went to Catholic schools for k-12, and i think they are probably some of the worst hotbeds of heresy anywhere. When you go to a Catholic school, you tend to think that what they teach is what the Church teaches. This is *very* dangerous. Everything must be taken with a grain of salt.

Many Catholic school teachers are less than orthodox.

If you send your kids to a public school, you can tell them, "Not everything you hear is what the Church teaches." But, you don't want them to have that barrier when they go to a Catholic school.

That said, i don't think Catholic schools are *bad.* They just aren't *good.* Many of the teachers are wonderful, orthodox individuals. Especially in my diocese we have some great priests and teachers. (FWSB has a great Bishop. Bishop John M. D'Arcy has kept us out of scandal and kept the applicants for the seminary flowing.)

Also, I have a friend that was in my class at high school, she's now studying Theology at Xavier. She's already lined up a job at Bishop Luers High School (My old school) when she graduates. She supports women priests, married priests, 'inclusive language,' and 'ecological theology.' And she thinks Opus Dei is a diabolical force in the Church. (Needless to say, i'll be working to stop her less orthodox ideas from reaching Luers.)

Peace,
Joe

Edited July 30, 2004 by MagiDragon

[daugher-of-Mary]

[quote]I went to Catholic schools for k-12, and i think they are probably some of the worst hotbeds of heresy anywhere. When you go to a Catholic school, you tend to think that what they teach is what the Church teaches. This is *very* dangerous. Everything must be taken with a grain of salt. [/quote]

Word. Sending your kids to a Catholic school is commendable, but for heaven's sake, look at the school first and make sure it is orthodox! The religion classes at my school are ridiculous...luckily nobody takes it seriously, because ideas like female priesthood were being taught.

[mom25angels]

[quote name='daugher-of-Mary' date='Jul 30 2004, 09:10 PM']
Word. Sending your kids to a Catholic school is commendable, but for heaven's sake, look at the school first and make sure it is orthodox! The religion classes at my school are ridiculous...luckily nobody takes it seriously, because ideas like female priesthood were being taught. [/quote]
There was a teacher at my high school that wouldn't let students us masculine pronouns in reference to God when reading from the Bible. You either had to pause or add God in place of He or Him. She is no longer there, thank goodness.

Really though at our parish school religion is very orthodox. We have a wonderfull pastor and DRE but not all the teacher's are quite so enthusiastic. Many of the parents complain that too much time is spent praying/going to mass(ugh).
The ability to have religion [i]permeate and direct evry branch of knowledge [/i]
is one of the main reasons we homeschool our children. I just can't see relegating our faith to one subject a day!!

[Oik]

Secular schooling = junk
Catholic Schooling = hard to find good, bad ones all around
Home Schooling = good way if parents are good teachers/mentors

Secular schools are terrible and I refuse to send any children I might have (in the future cus i'm not married) to daily refuse. I am not willing to subject any one to the awful subtles of hatred (for christians and catholics and even religion) or other tortures for the sake of a poor state-funded education (depending on state). Things like the taking care of a fake baby bit or sex-education.

Catholic schooling is good, provided that it is an orthodox school like daughter-of-mary said. My experience with catholic school was terrible. The kids were brutal and the adminitration refused to do anything because they were the kids of the "hefty-donating" families. And to top it all, not even all the teachers are/were catholic! I think Magidragon's decription of catholic school is fairly accurate.

Homeschooling, isn't perfect. However, the beauty anf Glory comes in the light of the fact that children get the attention they need. It's not fool-proof, but if you want you children to champion, then make it fool-proof. Think about the problems before they arise. Most of the complaints I hear about homeschooling are direct results of bad TEACHING, but bad methods (read method, in the sense of how the structure of educating is carried out). I totally don't think that bad social skills are any result of homeschooling, but poor parenting (read: not all parents teach thier children good social skills).

I can't really say that everone needs to homeschool, but I will INSIST that all that are called to the married vocation begin thinking about the effects/affects of thier choices on thier children.

[Philippe]

u must have misunderstood... im not a teacher... im a student

i try and be an openly Catholic student in my secular school and i try and be a good witness

thats wat i feel my vocation in this sense is

every second of our live's is a different vocation

just cause i said vocation doesnt mean im discerning priesthood

i could go 2 the abbey school i suppose, its a boarding school, but i choose to teach my peers as a student and as a witness instead because i think lots of people dont understand

[MagiDragon]

[quote name='Philippe' date='Jul 31 2004, 03:26 AM'] i try and be an openly Catholic student in my secular school and i try and be a good witness

thats wat i feel my vocation in this sense is [/quote]
interesting point. what happens to the public school kids when there's no longer a serious Catholic around to show the way? A parent must first and foremost try to protect their children, but when can the children take on the responsibility of being a good example in the school system? I think many kids who are taught by good Catholics may be ready by 7th-8th grade, and certainly all *should* be ready after Confirmation. (unfortunately *should* and *are* don't necessarily coincide.)

At what point are we no longer protecting the innocent, but rather keeping the workers from their harvest?

Peace,
Joe

[mom25angels]

[quote name='MagiDragon' date='Jul 31 2004, 07:46 AM']

At what point are we no longer protecting the innocent, but rather keeping the workers from their harvest?

Peace,
Joe [/quote]
Interesting question. I'd say that in order for our kids to be witnesses of their faith they do not have to be in a public (or catholic) school. My kids certainly have friends who are in school. They also meet new kids through outside activities such as boy scouts(not GSA! but that's another thread), sports, swimming lessons, drama etc.. They certainly have ample oppurtunity to witness during this time. In fact the fact that we homeschool usually makes this a natural conversation as kids(and parents) are always full of questions about the hows and whys of homeschooling. My first impulse was to answer "in high school" but I'm really not so sure. At that age most kids, not all, are very concerned about how and what their peers think. They are also easily influenced by what they see and hear from teachers. So, unless you have a particularly strong high schooler I would say keep them home, build them up and then let them lose to change the world!!

[Don John of Austria]

[quote]Well, there's a little bit of a difference between Social Problems('tis funny you capitalized this) and just not knowing how a clasroom works. You see when you homeschool there is no need to line up to go to the bathroom, lunch or recess. There is no waiting in line to ask a teacher a question or raising your hand.[/quote]

First let me explain about the capitalization issue, there is no vocal inflection capable on a message board so I tend to capitalize anything I want to give special attention to, I realize that Italics would be more correct but I am not writing a formal document here and Italics are a big pain to put on things regularly, Morethan that I do have a tendency to write like a 17th and eightennth century person and Capitalize any Idea which I think is crucial to a statement or Arguement, I am careful in Formal writing but it is a habit which developed after reading volumous works of those ages, and I am not an English teacher so I really don't care if it is a bad habit.

Now I am well aware that they have trouble with how classroom works, however much of our society works like a classroom, from tours at the museum to a wait at the Social Security office and so not understanding thing like turns is a big deal. Now I am not just speakng of this NONE of the Homeschool children I have come across have interelated well with Children of differant races ar cultural backgrounds NONE of them, most have been generally shy and not outgoing in any way. Most of them frankly have had had quite inferior education in one or more subjects for example they might be ahead in Math but know no History or they might be reading 6 grade levels above there grade but not know there times tables, or even more often not have read entire types of books, they tend to resist reading anything that they do not like or understanding the basic truth that sometimes you have to understand things you don't like.


[quote]have to agree with popestpius here that the kids in our homeschooling group are amongst the best "socialized" kids I know. The can and do play with kids of varying ages. The can talk to adults in a respectfull and intelligent manner. And for the most part are just easier to get along with. With forty families in our Catholic homeschooling group all with kids a variety of ages, I've met quite a few homeschooled kids.
[/quote]


Are these 40 families educated together or in groups, several " homeschooling" groups in my area have Parents teach particular subjects and have groups of 10 or more students meet at that persons house and have History day, or Science Day or what ever-- This is not Homeschooling this is an unorthodox school, and tendes in my experiance and the experance of most teacher I have talked to to have better results particularly with children above 10.