I recently saw a poll in a big Face Book group for HOMESCHOOL MOMS that asked the question, “If your church asked all TEACHERS to stand up and be recognized, would you stand up?”
The answers varied, of course, {but the discussion stayed civil, thankfully} and it got me thinking, “would I?”
If my pastor asked the TEACHERS in the congregation to stand up and be recognized, would I stand up?
The answer is NOPE. I would not. I would stay seated and respectfully acknowledge all of the TEACHERS who stood. Why?
Because I don’t consider myself a TEACHER.
I am a HOMESCHOOL MOM.
And HOMESCHOOL MOMS are not the same as CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
I’m a mom who has decided to educate her child at home. Yes, I teach my child. But I am not a TEACHER in the way most people use the term.
I’m not a TEACHER of other people’s kids.
I’m not a TEACHER who is responsible for 30 kids at one time.
I’m not a TEACHER who is mandated to teach specific subjects and utilize certain books.
I’m not a TEACHER who answers to 30 sets of parents, one principal, a team of grade level peers, a full school board and the state.
I’m not a TEACHER who is underpaid but still expected to provide a beautiful but calm, comfortable but exciting, gender-neutral, multi-cultural environment for my students.
I’m not a TEACHER who is regulated in what she can say and how she can say it.
I’m not a TEACHER anymore than a mom who uses homeopathic remedies at home is a doctor.
I’m not a TEACHER anymore than a dad who arms himself at home is a police officer.
I’m not a TEACHER anymore than a neighbor who rescues his family from a fire is a firefighter.
I’m just a mom who decided that it would be best to educate her son at home.
And I get to make that education look however my husband and I decide.
It’s an absolute privilege to do so and I feel blessed every day.
Is it always easy? Of course not.
Is it always fun? Ha. I wish.
Is it worth it? Totally!
But, I am not a TEACHER.
Let those men and women have their discounts.
Let them have their special appreciation weeks.
Let them flood their FB pages with requests for classroom donations.
Let the community call them special.
Let the churches recognize them on certain days.
Let the public donate backpacks and pencil pouches.
HOMESCHOOL MOMS are not the same as CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
CLASSROOM TEACHERS are poorly paid, underappreciated, hard working individuals who deserve special recognition.
And, yes, so are HOMESCHOOL MOMS. We are special. We work hard. We are often underappreciated. And we’re certainly underpaid, ha ha. But we CHOOSE to do those things and be that person for our own families. That is an entirely different concept than a CLASSROOM TEACHER who is assigned 30 new kids each year from community families and is expected to provide a decent education with a small budget and a huge bureaucracy.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying CLASSROOM TEACHERS are worth more than HOMESCHOOL MOMS. And I am not saying the opposite.
All, I am saying is that
HOMESCHOOL MOMS are not the same as CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
Interesting points! I never really thought about it, but I totally agree. Hats off to all those teachers out there helping the masses!
I salute you for being a homeschool mom! I’m interested in doing the same but first I have to get fed from my J-O-B. Nice read!
I love this. As a teacher (and a mom), they’re just not the same. I frequently care for the sick, but I’m not a nurse. I frequently practice soccer with my kids, but I’m not the coach. I feel like “teacher” is a profession and I think it’s kind of annoying when people conflate the two. I also agree with you: neither is better than the other, but it’s not the same.
As a homeschool mom too, this is right on the money!!!
Both jobs are difficult. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to homeschool there kids. Not sure I would be able to.
Not the same but just as important. Wonderful points you’ve made here!
I agree with you. They are each uniquely challenging, but are not the same.
Nicely done. I home schooled my oldest for several years. Loved it!
Well said. I’ve been a homeschool mom and a substitute teacher. My hat is tipped for the teacher and homeschool mom!
Great and important post. The two are very different jobs and responsibilities. . Neither is better but they are very different. They have different needs, requirements, issues, etc. Thank you for sharing this post.
Absolutely!
Nice article. I could not do either one. LOL. Homework sends me over the edge. I don’t have the patience.
Homework is a totally different animal! By then the kids are exhausted and have been learning/working all day already! Being a mom and doing homework is HARD!
Great points – never thought of it this way!
Interesting. I’m a teacher, and I’ve never really thought about it. I didn’t realize people were talking about this!
It’s talked about in the homeschool community…we have our own debates, ha! I hope your new school year is off to a great start, Stacey!
Great points! This is definitely a topic I’ve never considered. my husband taught in public schools for years.
What did he teach? Before staying home with our son, I taught in PS too. It’s a hard, but rewarding, gig.
Great post, and so true! So honoring of the teacher’s role and the homeschool mom.
Thanks, Nicole! I enjoy reading your posts as well.
Great Post, both deserve to be recognised and respected!
Absolutely!
Id agree with this as we have more patience with our own kids than hundred of children year after year!
Oh! I don’t know about that. When I was a classroom teacher, I was way more patient with my students than I am with my own kid. But the jobs are soooooooooooooo different!
Interesting perspective. I home schooled for a out 20 years, and definitely considered myself a teacher, but no, not in the same respect as a classroom teacher. This is my first year of no homeschool!
Well, yes, I teach my child and therefore I am a teacher but not in the sense that most people consider when they say “teacher”….like the kind that we think of as part of the community helper concept.
How’s it feel to be not teaching this year?
Very well said. I homeschooled my daughter for several years and I’m sure not a teacher! Hats off to all the homeschool moms AND teachers out there! You both have incredibly tough jobs.
Yes indeed! All educators…both moms at home and classroom teachers have tough gigs!
Great Post! I liked your perspective!
This is great! I totally agree with this and think more people should be aware!
Hear! Hear!
I have homeschooled (not now) and I come from a family filled with classroom teachers. Not even close!
As a homeschool mom, I agree. Taking care of and teaching my two is nowhere near planning, teaching and being responsible for an entire classroom of kiddos. Teachers have my utmost respect!
I appreciate your insight into this topic. I’m a teacher, and a mom, and I feel like comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Moms where all kinds of hats, and homeschool mommas have a calling to do that for their families! I have so much respect for them! It’s hard work!
Completely agree! Both very important jobs, but definitely not the same. Teachers deserve all kinds of credit…much more than they get for sure!
I wholeheartedly agree! I homeschooled my three, all the way though until they entered college. As moms we wear many hats. I’m grateful though that they are hats we choose to wear. I’m also grateful that I could create a classroom and craft lessons that best suited my kids.
I homeschool as well and agree completely!
This is something I hadn’t thought of before! Different, and both extremely valuable!
Good for you for recognizing the difference and recognizing that both are doing hard work!