A Tale of Two Teachers

In high school, I had the great fortune to learn French from a great teacher.  She knew what it was like to be a beginner and how intimidating it can be to speak a new language with funny and unfamiliar sounds and how self-conscious we would be attempting it.  She taught us much vocabulary and grammar in a variety of ways, but her enthusiasm is what stood out and is still remembered today after all these years.  No one in that class had to take French; it was an elective.  I was already inspired, but she furthered that by teaching us about French culture and introducing us to French food.  These weren’t in the textbook. 
 
The following year, I signed up for French 2, but this teacher was formerly a P.E. coach and clearly, he wasn’t interested in teaching French at all!  We learned lists of French words and phrases.  We drilled and took tests.  It’s a good thing I started with the other teacher because if he had been my first teacher, I am sure I would not have continued another year.  For this teacher, teaching French was a punishment and we were all punished as well. 

It is incredibly likely that as a homeschool parent you will not enjoy all subjects that you need to teach to your child.  So how will you be inspiring in that subject?  How will you not be like French teacher #2? 

Perhaps you can find another homeschool parent who loves the subject and would be willing to have your children over to learn from him or her.  Then you could teach something for her children that you are wild about.  If that is not possible, you can find another way to show your gratitude.

If you must teach the subject yourself, find the most engaging curriculum you can, and preferably one that is self-teaching, so that your children can still be inspired by the enthusiasm of the author of the curriculum.  You may find a co-op that offers the classes you need.  But for convenience, you cannot beat the online class.  We offer all sorts of literature and writing classes live online.  No driving in traffic or paying rising gas costs.  No catching and spreading flu germs.  Just time focused on your child and your needs from the comfort of your home.