This fall all my Grand children started to school. JJ is in second grade, Dominic is in Pre-K and so is miss Amara. JJ and Amara go to school in OKC. Dominic goes to school in Stillwater. I have taught in several schools all across the state of Oklahoma. I have worked as an Assistant County Superintendent, been a teacher of Kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade. I have been on the school board for almost 2 years now. I have taught in a very small school and what I would call a medium sized school. I raised 3 children who went to public school and then I had 1 child go back east to a prep school and on to a military academy, plus 2 more who went to a state university. Where am I going with this, I'm never really sure until I start writing where the story is going to go. The one thing I know is that education has always been and always will be important to me and my family.
There are many ways that you can go to educate your children. You can educate at home, which no matter what any Good parent does this. You can send your child to private school. You can also send them to public school. When I grew up I went to a very small rural school in Southwest Oklahoma. My dad was President of the school board for years. My parents never said, do you want to go to college. They asked me questions like, What college do you want to go to? or What will you major in when you go to college. I chose a private, Christian school to begin with, but later transferred to Oklahoma State University to finish school. Both schools were excellent and I made many lasting friends at both schools. I also have many life long friends from that small rural school in Caddo County.
When Ryan was going in to 4th grade we decided to move in to the Anadarko School District. The school was about 10 times bigger than Oney where he had been going to school. We took a chance, but he adjusted well. Anadarko is a very diverse community. My children made friends with Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican, Asian and yes Caucasian students. Mike and I felt that living in Anadarko was preparing our children for real life. I feel we were able to accomplish what we set out to do. Our children had friends from all races, religions and walks of life. They went to public school and maybe they were exposed to some things in life that are not so good, but they learned at an early age how to select the people to hang out with. We did many hours of home schooling I must say. Mike was the go to Math tutor for our children and most of their friends. I was the go to person to help write essays and speeches. I sat many hours teaching my children at home how to outline and study.
As I grew up I was in school clubs like 4-H and FHA. My own children were in many groups some of which included Boy Scouts, Camp Fires, 4-H, FBLA, Student Council and more. These clubs do so much to help shape our children. Of course, they were also involved in their church, just as I was. They all played sports and learned how to get along with their teammates.
If after 58 years of life I can give one piece of advice to my younger friends it is this: Provide your child with many diverse activities, teach them right from wrong, be a good example of what you are preaching and always, always be involved in whatever your child is doing. Take time, make time!! I have been volunteering in my grandchildren's school for the last 3 years. They love having me come and I get many more blessings by being there than they do. Get to know your child's teacher. Do Not just go to the school on parent/teacher conference day. Do Not just go to the school when your child is in trouble. Volunteer, help out your school. Ask what you can do to help out at the school. Go help at lunch time with playground duty, watch the cafeteria. There are so many things that adults, parents can do. Talk to your child when they come home. Look at the papers they bring home. Ask questions about what they are learning. Listen to your child read, and read to them. These are the things you can do to help your child become an adult that is an asset to society.
Last but certainly not least, hug your child, kiss your child and praise your child. Let them know how much you love them. This is not to say that your should over inflate their egos to the point that they think the world owes them. There is such a thing as humility too, but help them to have a healthy self esteem. Help them learn to be Good Citizens! The best education, gift you can give your child can not be bought with money.....it is LOVE.
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