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You had the middle school science teacher I wish I had but never did. This was one reason I decided to send my kid to private school. When choosing schools my w
by mrandish 3y ago
You had the middle school science teacher I wish I had but never did. This was one reason I decided to send my kid to private school. When choosing schools my wife had a bunch of criteria but the only thing I really cared about was interviewing the middle school science teacher and we picked one with a great science teacher. My kid had a had a terrific time in that class and I got to experience middle school science done right through homework projects and dinner time stories.
The incidental lesson learned is that a private school board, principal and administrators who do the hard work to build a system and culture able to attract, hire and nurture one really great teacher tend to attract more than one. About half my kid's middle school teachers were extraordinary. When selecting schools just remember culture starts at the top and administrative regimes can change by eras so look at the recent history of board, principal and key staff turnover. I found out later the great principal who hired the teachers we loved had left the year before we started. Fortunately, it usually takes a few years for things to change much and our kid graduated middle school last year. I feel kinda bad for students starting there now though because some of the best teachers are starting to leave.
- mdorazio 3y agoHow much did the private school cost?
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago> the middle school science teacher I wish I had but never did. This was one reason I decided to send my kid to private school. I had one of those teachers, albeit in (California public) high school. We're still in touch. Between the union fights, bloating administration and top-down mandates requiring him to dumb down his textbooks, he's looking for a job in the private sector.
- mrandish 3y agoThat's sad to hear. BTW, my post wasn't intended to argue for private schooling in general but more that teachers matter. There are some truly wonderful public school teachers. The problem is if you're not lucky enough to live in the right area of the right district at the right time, there's not much you can do about it except opt out.