As a child, playing school was an every day event for me. I had a play classroom and text books and desks and a chalkboard and a pair of grey high heels that made the perfect “click” on the floor and so many other props that made that play so real. My poor brother was my student, I should really thank him for still loving me! My Mom would share classroom supplies when she had extra and I would create my own papers and copy them at her school, I was hot stuff. I would spend my time grading papers and making notes. I would teach lessons for hours. I loved that life.
Fast forward 30 years and here I am, spending my time grading papers and teaching lessons, writing on chalk boards and passing out textbooks. I had no idea that I would be preparing for my future as a child.
I didn’t choose to teach at a traditional school. I should have chosen that career, I am almost sure I would still be using my degree, but instead I am unqualified to be a “teacher”. My degree was for something totally different. Which works out because the teacher in me knows that degrees are just bought, I did that already, and that teachers are made with love and kindness and a passion for change.
On June 15, 2011 I became qualified to teach. It was one of the greatest days of my life and on that day I learned what being a Mom really was. It is teaching. It is leading and guiding. It is a huge job and no one is more qualified to teach than a loving Mother.
I am so thankful that those grey heels were only in the play school house, I don’t think they would hold up with todays classroom. What I thought school was and what it has turned into in our home are SO different. Our days are not at all what I remembered as a student or even as that little teacher.
We don’t sit still very often.
We are usually not at in a classroom when we study.
We often don’t wear shoes or even get dressed before we begin.
We eat snacks and take breaks often.
We do love to write on the chalkboard or the whiteboard when we are in the classroom.
There really isn’t a “lesson plan” per say, it is more like “today we are studying clouds, let’s see what we can find!” and we take off in books and on the internet. That lesson might last 3 weeks… It might turn into a study of weather patterns. And lead to a math lesson on graphs and statistics. It could inspire several experiments that change our beliefs about water and its power when it has force behind it. Changing the direction of study to force and kinetic energy. BAM- we just learned so much!
In all that we do, we are interacting with adults and peers alike, creating a perfect environment for well rounded and worldly young people.
I know that what we do in our home isn’t right for every family. I love that we have freedom to decide what is right for us. I know that public school has great things to offer and it may become our path, but for now I just love our days. I love learning with my kids and being the kind guide they can trust to lead the way. I love to play school every single day with my favorite students.
I mentioned early that teachers are seeking change. I love that most. I love that I can feed information and experiences to my children and they will change and become smarter and greater than I could ever imagine. Isn’t that the dream, for their future to be brighter than mine? It is my dream.
I will not rush this life and I will be so pleased to see all that my sweet boys create in their lifetime.
Until then, we will be here playing school and seeking change and enjoying our freedom.
Join us on our journey, follow our blog and watch our family grow and change and become better than we ever imagined possible.
With grace and love,
Mama Dunbar
Helping Families Grow 