A question for our regulars

[phetaroi]

Just want you all to know that I am appreciating all the responses.

[texasdiver]

I'm a parent of three daughters. All of whom went completely through the public school systems in Texas (2003-2016) and in Washington (2016 to present). Our youngest daughter is now a HS senior so we only have about 9 more weeks of being public school parents.

Our daughters also all attended or will attend public universities. Our oldest attended and graduated from an SEC school (she graduated HS in Texas and followed that well-worn path). Our middle daughter is a junior at UW, our flagship public university here in Washington and our youngest daughter is bound for Washington State in August.

I also got into teaching HS science as a second career at about age 39 after working 15 years as a marine fisheries biologist in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. My wife's career brought us to Texas where I changed careers to science teaching. I taught science for 9 years in Texas and another 7 years here in Washington. During that time I've taught every core science subject as well as all the AP science courses except the advanced 2nd year AP Physics C. With the youngest leaving home soon I don't know how much longer I'll keep it up. My wife is eager to retire from medicine and I'll probably follow her down that path so we can travel and do other things with the kids all gone.

So 39 years worth of having children in the public schools combined with 16 years of teaching in public schools is my background for commenting on education.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

I am curious if you:

a. currently have children in the public school system
b. had children in the public school system in the past
c. never had kids in the public school system
d. have or had kids in private schools
e. why are you a "regular" in this part of the forum

I have kids who are currently attending public schools.

I am happy with the quality of their schools. In fact, I relocated years ago mainly to live in a school district with higher ratings.

I spend time on this forum to read and share opinions about education, which is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life.

[Vision67]

My kids attended excellent public schools in Colorado Springs. We selected the neighborhood nearby the Air Force Academy. Many neighbors were affiliated with the academy. In fact, my neighbor taught calculus in the engineering school there. I had emphasized the importance of education to my children and actively participated to ensure their success.

Now both have moved here to the Bay Area and my grandkids attend an excellent public school in Lafayette.

Education makes anything possible.

I read this forum to learn about other opinions. I spent too much of my life in a bubble.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Vision67

My kids attended excellent public schools in Colorado Springs. We selected the neighborhood nearby the Air Force Academy. Many neighbors were affiliated with the academy. In fact, my neighbor taught calculus in the engineering school there. I had emphasized the importance of education to my children and actively participated to ensure their success.

Now both have moved here to the Bay Area and my grandkids attend an excellent public school in Lafayette.

Education makes anything possible.

I read this forum to learn about other opinions. I spent too much of my life in a bubble.

Ah, I lived in COS for nearly a decade until just 5 years ago.

[villageidiot1]

Originally Posted by phetaroi

I have a question for our regulars, and of course, nobody has to answer this...totally up to you.

I am curious if you:
a. currently have children in the public school system
b. had children in the public school system in the past
c. never had kids in the public school system
d. have or had kids in private schools
e. why are you a "regular" in this part of the forum

Again, obviously, no one is required to answer.

a. No children currently in the public school system, but two granddaughters in public school.
b. Three children attended K-12 in public school.
d. Never had kids in private school
e. I've been subbing for 10 years and have a strong interest in education issues.

[North Beach Person]

Well I was teacher and when I opened so very many topics in this particular Forum I saw so very much stupid being posted as gospel by people who hadn't sat in a classroom since they (supposedly) graduated from high school.

[NYC refugee]

No kids, but I went to public school.
I believe in the public school system.
I work in a public school.

[jtab4994]

a. No
b. No
c. Yes
d. Yes -- our two sons attended Catholic school, pre-K thru 12. Our local Catholic school is a Diocesan school, which has largely replaced the old parish schools.
e. I joined in November 2011 the day after the Bishop came down from Scranton, gathered a select group of involved parents, and threatened to close our school. The new building had been built just before the Crash and had a large mortgage. Post Crash, a lot of people pulled their kids out because they could no longer afford tuition, and the viability of the school was in doubt. Parents, many of whom were "movers and shakers" in the community, were challenged to come up with a plan to keep the school open. I wanted to participate in an online forum where education issues were being discussed at a grass-roots level, and I found C-D. Education affects us all, so I've stayed even though our younger son graduated HS in 2016.

[history nerd]

I have one child in public schools and have taught in public schools for a little over a decade.

I'm here because it's an interesting window into the views of a different demographic (older, more conservative).