inspired today

I have not blogged in a long time.........but today I was inspired to write again. I taught for 15 years and I was blessed, every year, to work with amazing teachers. My children are blessed also, year after year, with amazing teachers. I was in class today with both of my children. One hour in each room. Both classrooms ran beautifully. It was so obvious that all of the teachers enjoyed being there and the children were engaged in their activities. After my volunteer time I stayed for another hour to take pictures for the yearbook. I was able to see other classes in action and they were just as wonderful. These teachers spend countless hours planning. I know that not every school is wonderful, I know that not every teacher is wonderful. That makes me so sad. It breaks my heart to know that there are great kids out there that don't have the educational opportunities that my children have. I wish I had a magic wand. I would use it to supply schools with amazing teachers and administrators, kids that care about their education, involved parents and quality supplies. What would you use your magic wand for?

It breaks my heart

This issue does not affect me directly but it breaks my heart.  In a local school system (not the one that my children are in), there is talk of school closures. Lots of closures. I feel horrible for these families. What about the rising seniors? One more year in their school and now they may have to go somewhere else. The school system needs to save money.  There has to be another way. I feel that it's always the kids that have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. We need good teachers, good schools and quality curriculum. That curriculum needs to include a variety of subjects, including exposure to the arts and foreign languages. I feel that a school can have state of the art equipment and the best teachers and it can still not be successful. The right approach is needed to teach our children. I do not feel that charter/magnet schools are the ultimate answer either. There can be great public schools along with great charter schools. There can also be terrible public schools and terrible charter schools. Yes, I do feel that Montessori is the way to go......I am biased, I admit that. What do you think? What will help fix the educational crisis that is happening in our country? Hmmmm...I guess this issue does affect me directly.

great resources

I fully believe in passing on a good find and I have found one.
thehomeschoolroom.net
This was like Disney world for me! It is an educational consignment store. There were books, manipulatives, games, toys and more.
I hope that everyone has a place like this near them.
If you have a wonderful resource by you, please share. You never know who you might help out.