Parents are the default instructors at Co-op classrooms. I worked with the local Co-op while teaching at public and later private school. Home-school friends at my church asked me to teach science classes to Co-op teens. I had been hosting science camps and reviewing portfolios for home-school families for years. The home-school community has asked me to host science camps originally. When I got permission from our pastor, Fr. Brian, he asked me if it would only be home-school kids. It wasn’t. I made a promise to include every child. Like VBS, about half the participants in Camp were home-school families, who tend to be enormously faithful participants. Both at VBS and Camp, we welcomed any interested child and family.
The first home-school students I taught were family friends. They attended VBS and science camp. The teens volunteered. We often worked together at dinners, Soup Suppers, or parish festivals. I saw them at Mass. When I taught them science classes, it was personal. Some moms came to class to help. These moms were friends. The home-school kids tend to say thank-you—even for teaching class. While I love and pray for every student I teach, the relationships just aren’t as close. Too often there were 160 teens competing for my time and attention.
Why should you teach Co-op? You are sharing your time and talents. Do it as a volunteer. You’ll be surprised how much you learn to care for these kiddos. The classes are usually smaller; it’s easier to get to know the students. Will they all appreciate your efforts? Nope. Many of these families in our Co-op have become close family friends. Co-ops need you, especially if you can teach math, science, or finance classes. These are courses families struggle to provide. Families worry about their children’s preparation for college, or for the ASVAB.
Teach a Co-op class for selfish reasons. It’s fun to teach! You cannot imagine how gratifying it is to watch a kid finally grasp a concept. Yes, sometimes the students misbehave, get bored, demonstrate frustration, and are generally just kids. It is still fun to create lessons.
If you have never taught a class before, enlist help. Ask a veteran teacher (of any subject) to sit in class. My husband, Rob, had taught accounting classes at the University of Delaware. He asked for help when he started to teach high school kids. My friend, Christine, and I sit in certain classes, especially if several teens with learning differences. (I also glare at individuals you are acting up or issues threats about cleaning.) Mainly, Rob asks me about pacing. If there is only five minutes left to class and Rob has a long pause in instruction, I’ll ask aloud if he’s at a good stopping point. If the kids are on top of the module, I might suggest we skip the study guide and go for the test. I’ve spent the past two years relearning Algebra and Geometry in order to help the teens at my table. I let him know when we need to practice more problems. Veteran teachers can gauge student interest. They can help with classroom management. (Veterans will remind kids to use the bathroom before class rather than camp out in the bathroom to avoid math class. Yes, we’ve had that happen.) Make the veteran teacher your partner.
Co-ops need you! You have skills! Teach kids how to do taxes or lead a class in personal finance. Families will travel to attend a Co-op which offers science classes. I teach Co-op classes because I want to support home-school families. My son is a priest; many vocations arise from home-school families. When I support home-school families, I am promoting vocations, too. Add meaning to your life! Teach!
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