“Let Hers” for my daughter
Dear Daughter,
At the beginning of your educational journey, I tried to teach you how to learn — rather than what to learn.
As a small child, I let you climb and run. I did not tell you, “You’re going to fall!” Sometimes I would even sing you a song about a little monkey who expertly climbs without falling. Of course, you did fall a few times — and you learned how to avoid those kinds of falls.
In your early home-schooled years, we researched about different stories of creation from various cultures so that you could imagine for yourself how you thought the world was created.
You did not take voice or piano lessons, but you were encouraged to play the organ spontaneously and sing in your own style. You wrote your own songs and sometimes choreographed your own dances. You made a couple of music videos with friends.
By the time you got to third grade, we found a school that focused on Expeditionary Learning. You discovered how to really engage in your own learning process and to see how it was relevant in your immediate community and world.
Later, at the inevitable transition into adolescence, you did what other adolescents do. You learned by social feedback. Eventually you were less engaged in academics and more engaged in friendships. You went through the motions in school but really only “learned” from classes you truly had interest in or that were taught by teachers you respected.
In high school and college, students are asked to dedicate energy and time to subjects that are of no interest to them and — seemingly — some of the teachers.
I’ve watched over the years as you have gradually lost the spark and interest in school. Now you seem to see it as something to endure until it’s over. I remember feeling that.
Honestly, most people probably do go through their school years that way. It’s sad. Learning should be engaging. What is the point in going through class after class, not retaining a thing? Maybe that time could be spent gaining long-term skills and knowledge if you had a choice in how your education looked. The thing is, you do.
It is up to you if you want to continue in traditional schooling and make the best of that situation. There are some benefits to the traditional route: You have access to extra-curricular sports, vocational classes that lead to certifications or college credits, peers at hand, school dances and other activities. You have the backing of an institution, and you will have a traditional diploma. But it is important that you feel like you have a say in this. You do.
My suggestion is that you consider the pros and cons of all your options.
Well, what are your other options?
Online Schooling
This might allow you to be more flexible in your location, but it may or may not allow you flexibility over your time schedule. It will require lots of planning and discipline. Your social interactions will largely take place outside of your school time. What are some other pros and cons you can think of?
Homeschooling
Similar to online schooling in that it is not necessarily location-dependent, this option may offer more freedom in scheduling, curriculum, and evaluation styles. (I know you prefer a rubric for grading). You can focus on subjects you are more interested in, and you can potentially make the subjects you are less interested in more engaging. Again, socialization might have to occur outside of school time, depending on your set-up. For instance, homeschool co-ops, homeschool extra-curriculars, public programs, and classes at other institutions may be available. When you homeschooled before, music and gym classes were offered at the local university for homeschooling families, and the local library had many programs.
Apprenticeships
This option may works well in conjunction with some of the other education options. In an apprenticeship, you work in your field of interest under a professional who teaches you. This may be an unpaid situation where your earnings are in the form of knowledge and skill that you can apply directly. This is a good option when you are fairly sure about what field you want to enter into. The term apprenticeship does not exclusively apply to unpaid one-on-one work, and you may see opportunities to participate in apprenticeships that take part in group classroom / work settings (a lot like school). This is especially true in industrial fields.
Be aware of educational expectations and opportunities for your field beyond apprenticeships.
G.E.D.
Choosing to leave school and take G.E.D. classes (still school but shorter) or simply take the test to earn a G.E.D. is, of course, always on the table. This option may give you the quickest turnaround in order to enter the workforce right away or start college. Keep in mind that starting college in this way might cost you more in the long run because you may need to take lower level classes to cover what you missed in high school. This option may not have any extra-curriculars. What are some other pros and cons?
What other possibilities have I missed here?
The more engaged in learning you are, the better your education will serve you in the long run. So look at your tool bag and consider which is the best option to create the present and future you want.
Don’t let it get to the extreme where you miss the point of the education system altogether, like these girls in Georgia:
(In case you did miss it, the point behind an education is gaining skills, knowledge, and personal growth.) Good luck!
Love,
The woman who will probably be responsible for a large portion of your educational costs — whatever you decide… aka Mom
