Public School

When people ask us what we do, we try to answer as simply as possible with, “We are teachers.” But it rarely stops there. People usually respond with, “Oh, that’s great! What do you teach?” From there, people usually get much more information than they probably want to hear (we are both public school music teachers). Teaching in public school involves so much more than just the subject we teach. Teaching is indeed a very challenging profession, and it gets more challenging every year. Some students arrive at our school buildings ready to learn, and others arrive needing to be loved. Most days, we really do love our students and the subjects we teach. Every single day, public school teachers do their best to instill knowledge, skills, and confidence in students. What we do daily matters, and that is what makes teaching so challenging. As music teachers, we are fortunate to watch our students grow for an extended period of time—not just one year. We see their social and academic efforts and growth over several years, and it is rewarding. Knowing that we played a part in the growth of another human being is an amazing blessing. It is not just a job. It is a calling.

Public schools largely reflect the values of the communities they serve, and these values vary across the country. We can attest that there are amazing families outside our faith community. There are families who fear God and encourage their children to live like Jesus did, with tremendous empathy and kindness. We are constantly energized by the thoughtfulness these students and families show to others who are less fortunate.

Advantages of Public Schools

Schedules, Routines, and Daily Expectations. All teachers know that children actually crave and thrive with routine and structure. The school day is very scheduled in elementary school. Their learning blocks, special classes, lunch, and recess are around the same time every day. For most young children, this is comforting. After school, they can build their own routine, which might include a snack, homework, dinner, and Bible time. Special interests are built into their day, exposing them to art, physical education, music, robotics, computer science, and more. Students carry this regimented structure with them as they progress into middle school and high school. In high school, their interests become refined as they prepare to enter college and the workforce. They are fortunate to work with trained professionals daily who mentor and nurture their interests. Ultimately, the goal is for students to find a path they are passionate about—something they would want to do every day, even if they were not paid for it.

There are endless opportunities. There are so many things you can do before or after school in coordination with your child’s special interests. For our family, this has often revolved around sports and musical instruments. If your child has a hobby or an interest, especially in secondary education, there’s probably a club for it. Ann’s elementary school offers Lego, Robotics, Rubik’s Cube, Choir, and after school sports, just to name a few. Finding and building meaningful relationships with other children who share their interests is as easy as signing up for a club at school.

Teachers are experts. Nobody knows your child better than you. However, teachers are trained professionals. All have completed rigorous teacher training programs, hold undergraduate degrees, have undergone professional testing, and have completed unpaid field experiences (student teaching) to have the opportunity to shape future generations. Teachers have invested countless hours in training and professional development, and many have graduate degrees that qualify them as experts in their field. They specialize in phonics and reading, as well as learning and emotional disabilities. Some hold special endorsements for teaching high-ability students, and they are trained to meet everyone’s needs. In high school, they are experts in advanced and challenging subject matter. As parents of a student with a learning disability, we can attest that our own child would have never progressed as far as he has without the expert pedagogy and care of the special education teachers and therapists who provided necessary support through elementary and middle school. Our son is now in the National Honor Society at his middle school due to his hard work and our collaboration with these amazing professionals!

Drawbacks of Public School

Monitoring your time and their time. The school day takes up a lot of your child’s time, as well as our time as teachers. Add in a few clubs, sports, concerts, extra performances and contests, an instrument, and CYC, and it might feel like you are never home. Endless opportunities do not mean you have to do it all. For the sake of your and your child’s mental health, you have to find a healthy balance that is right for you and your family.

Monitoring your child’s friendships. You will need to know your child’s school friends and their families. As they spend time with people at school, it is only natural they will form friendships with children outside of our faith community. This development creates an opportunity for them to discuss their faith with people who may not share their beliefs. At some point, we all have to stand up for what we believe in. Building confidence in what they believe and speaking up for the Truth is part of going to public school. They learn to navigate healthy debate and potential disagreements while recognizing that, even when they disagree, they can still enjoy time together.

You are the parent. You are the most important person in your child’s life. If you have children at school all day, every day, you need to schedule and check in with them emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. In addition to being experts in their field, teachers wear many additional hats during the school day. Yet, they cannot do it all. We cannot expect them to be the only factor in raising quality human beings (and we recognize that it is our job as parents to instill a love for God in our children). The role you play as a parent of a public school student (and parent of any child) is irreplaceable in their family, school, and spiritual life.

Questions to Ask Before You Begin

Am I comfortable with people with different backgrounds having access to my children?

Your children will meet a diverse group of people—people with different values, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds. Believe it or not, that can be a really good thing; but to make it such requires active involvement on your part. Sadly, some students who do not have their basic needs met at home often struggle in the school environment, both academically and behaviorally. Some children come to school with trauma and real-world problems, problems no child should ever have to face. There will be many teachable moments at home. You will have conversations with your children about how good friends act. Your children may need to evaluate their relationships with people at school. They may need to ask themselves if the people they are associating with are helping or hurting. They may need to ask themselves if their friends are a positive influence in their lives. These can be difficult conversations to have, but they help your child solve and find constructive solutions to difficult situations.

What kind of support system would I have? It is helpful to have one or two close family members or ecclesia members who have children in public school, or better yet, in your school system. If your child has someone they know who attends public school with them, this can help as a safety net. If it is someone from the ecclesia, they have an ally in faith who can provide spiritual support as well.

What about peer pressure? We all remember it—getting caught up in nonsense that we knew was wrong, but everyone else was doing it. We have to constantly remind children going to school to withstand this kind of pressure. Good communication between parents and their children is essential, especially as they get older and things get even more challenging.

Tips for New/Public School Attendees

The teacher is your ally in education. Believe us when we say that teachers are trying to help. If you are getting calls from the school about behavior or other learning difficulties, remind yourself that the teacher is trying to help. Parental delusion delays academic interventions. Sometimes there are social consequences that come along with these challenges. Take a deep breath and realize that if your child’s school contacts you, they want to work with you to improve the situation. It may not be an easy, quick fix, but in the long term, most issues are solvable, and positive constructive growth is possible if you align constructively with those trying to help your child. Just like our Father in Heaven takes no joy in disciplining us, teachers take no joy in informing parents about problems in school.

You should advocate for your child if you think there is a problem. Some very well-behaved, quiet children are experts at “flying under the radar.” If you suspect there is a learning or social problem, contact the teacher. Ask questions like, “Do you notice this problem at school? “ or “Have you seen this behavior at school?” The teacher who wants to help will take time to pay extra attention and will work with you to assist your child.

Inform them of family problems. Teachers have heard it all. Do not worry about being embarrassed or having your “perfect family” image tarnished. Children tell teachers everything anyway, and we believe about half of it. If you have a death in the family, are experiencing separation or divorce, or if your child is struggling with anxiety or food sensitivities, please communicate these issues with their school. They want to support your child and help them through these challenging situations.

We are parents of three children, and we teach in public schools. We also send our children to public school. We understand the concerns and fears you may have. The world is not perfect, and neither are public schools. In our experience as parents and educators, we can attest that teachers are extraordinarily good people. Of course, as in any profession, there will always be “bad apples,” but most teachers want to support your child and see them succeed. Remember that teachers are human, under immense stress, and make mistakes just like you do. Teachers genuinely care for the students in their classrooms, and they work constantly to build meaningful relationships and trust through the subjects they teach. However, excellent teaching can never replace excellent parenting and, obviously, your child’s spiritual development at home and in the ecclesia.

Aaron and Ann Riegle,
Portage Ecclesia, IN