Trusting in Our Public Schools

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educate debateBless your panicked little heart, Momma! You have so many choices to make for your sweet little ones, starting BEFORE they even make their way into this world. One of the most pressing decisions that will weigh on you once they hit school age is where and how they should be educated.

As a mom of two girls, starting 1st and 6th grade this year, I have been evaluating and weighing our decision on where to continue my children’s elementary education for six years now. I made the choice to keep both of my girls home with me until they went to kindergarten—no Mother’s Day Out programs, no preschool. I had no overwhelming conviction as to why, other than I selfishly wanted as much time with my little girls as possible (at least most days)! I think many of my friends and family expected me to homeschool my kids, but, after much research and prayer, my husband and I felt confident that our neighborhood public school was where we wanted them to be educated.

Let me tell you our simple reasons why our girls attend our neighborhood public school:

Public schools are for everyone. A public school is open to everyone in our community. When we moved for my husband’s job eight years ago, I chose this community and wanted to be an active part of it! A public school exists to serve its community’s families by educating their children, without regard to race, economics, or beliefs. I want my girls to see the diversity that enriches a community. I want them to respect and value the diverse backgrounds and beliefs that make up our community. I want them to learn to see past the differences and begin to search out commonalities with others.

Public schools are filled with some of the finest educators (and friends) I’ve ever known. These wonderful men and women have dedicated their lives to educating and loving my kids. They are committed to the public school system, no matter how flawed it may seem at times. But, more important, they are committed to my kids’ success and learning and to loving on them.

I’m not going to debate the flaws, and I’m not going to blindly tell you that our public school system is perfect, but I will tell you that these men and women, who have made teaching children their life’s work, do so with excellence and passion. I am honored to entrust my kids to them every day.

In 2011, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was a terrifying and challenging time in my life. The first person I told outside of my family was my oldest daughter’s teacher. We cried together, and she promised to keep a close eye on my girl. In this very scary time in our lives, our elementary school community loved and supported our family.

Our neighborhood public school is safe and close to home; it’s also a great school and free! When we chose our new home eight years ago, I did my research. I went to our Realtor armed with spreadsheets and school ratings. I was adamant: We would only buy or rent a home in certain neighborhoods because I wanted the option of a great public school when it was time to send my older daughter to kindergarten.

public post_AmandaI love that my girls’ school is close to my house. I love that my girls’ school welcomes volunteers with grateful, open arms! I love that my girls’ school is always filled with parent volunteers from our community who also believe in our neighborhood school and want to see our children succeed! I love that my girls’ school is free! Since we are a one-income family, this is definitely a positive of attending our public school.

My kids are very happy and love their school! This is the biggest reason why we’ve been there for six years now! If one of my girls were unhappy at our neighborhood school, we would seek other options for her—plain and simple. We will always do what we feel is best for our girls and our family. Right now, that is Mary Moore Elementary—a public school.

Do your research. Keep an open mind and heart. Trust your Momma instincts. Only YOU can decide what’s best for your children’s educational journey. For us, for now, it’s our fantastic, neighborhood public school!

What questions about public education do you want to ask Amanda?  Do your children attend public school? What have your been pleased with in your experience?

AmandaAmanda lives in Arlington, Texas, with her best friend and husband of more than 14 years, Wes; two gorgeous, challenging little girls, Gracie and TessMess; and an obese guinea pig and hairy dog. She loves teaching kids to worship at her church and volunteering at her girls’ school. Her life is a chaotic, blessed mess—and she thanks God for each new day!

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for having faith in public education!!! It always seems like public schools are the enemy, and that shouldn’t be the case. I have taught junior high for the last six years, and the vast majority of teachers I’ve known (myself included) are so emotionally (and financially) invested in our classrooms that our students become like a second family to us. Y’all, I have cried on the last day of school every year– I never want to say goodbye to my kiddos! Sure, public education needs some improvement, but know that we, as districts and teachers, care deeply for your kids and want nothing more than for them to feel loved and to love learning.

    PS– I am in Arlington ISD! Your oldest will feed into my school next year– I teach 7th science at Boles. Maybe she will be in my class!

  2. Lori,
    I’ll have to hug your neck next year:) We’ll be looking for you! Thank you for giving your all to our precious kids!

    With a grateful heart,

    Amanda Lumpkin

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