Would you send your child to a licensed teacher to be homeschooled?

Question

I am thinking of starting my own business and want to put feelers out to see if there is a need for this service:

I am a certified special education teacher.

I would privatize homeschooling for a few students.

I would have 3-5 students in my home.

I would create an education program with the parent.

I would teach their child for 4 hours every day.

Feedback that I'm looking for:

1) Would you want your child homeschooled by a certified teacher?

2) How much would you pay a month for this service?

$400

$500

$600

3) Which contract would be better: 6 month contract or a 30 day leave contract?

4) What hours would be better: 8-12pm, 12-4 pm, 2-6pm, 4-8 pm?

5) What would you expect to find in the schooling environment?

I REALLY appreciate your feedback and time.

THANK YOU

Answer 1

I wouldn't since I home school my own. Besides, if I am going to send my children to a licensed teacher and pay for it it may as well be a private school.

Answer 2

If someone is going to send their kid to a certified teacher, why don't they just send them to school? It sounds like you're trying to start a private school.. why not start with that? If you were to do it, I don't really know about the rest, but if its' the only schooling they're getting, it's probably good to do it from 8-12 pm or 12-4 pm. And there might be some legal technicalities with homeschooling and sending them to someone else so I'd check out the legalities of it to just to be sure. Good Luck! God Bless!

Answer 3

Well it really depends on where you live, is there a need for this, what are the private and public schools like, or there homeschoolers in the area.

You really need to do some research first to find out if there is a need and if there is go from there.

Most Private schools around here vary from about $500-$1000 a month. I am in California.

I would say the hours that most parents would want would be those morning hours. 8-12pm.

Also you need to check the homeschooling laws in your State to make sure you are in compliance.

I wish you luck and hope something like this works out for you.

There are some wealthier parents I know of like Doctors and Lawyers around here that would love to have something like this. Something that their Nanny can drop them off and come and pick them up afterwards instead of a Private school.

I know personally I wouldn't use a service like this. Even though my husband makes a good living I want to do the teaching myself. Afterall, I use to teach in the Public and Private school systems for years. Plus I take an Unschooling approach. Remember too what works for one child might not work for another so when you are setting up curriculum to need to keep this in mind. That is why most parents homeschool is so they can individualize the curriculum to their child. You may want to work with each parent individually and find what works for them.

Answer 4

If I was going to use a credentialed teacher for my child's education, it would be in my home, and only for certain subjects.

Answer 5

Yes.   I would want my child taught by a certified teacher if the certified teacher was also qualified to motivate my child  to learn.    The qualification means more to me than certification..   Qualification would be different for each child because each child is different.    A baglady living on the street may motivate my stepdaughter to learn about astronomy and the college graduate automobile mechanic may motivate my son to learn how to fix lawn mowers. (I say this for  an example of what I mean by qualification for motivation.)  Certification means that someone has passed the teaching test for the state government.   It has little to do with qualifications to teach my  son who is homeschooled or my stepdaughter who has her public school diploma.

I would pay what I can afford which is not much.   The baglady  would  appreciate a homecooked meal and the friendship from my stepdaughter and the mechanic would appreciate free labor from my son.

I would not sign a contract.

Hours would be whenever a person is available to discuss and explain.

I would expect the environment to be relaxed.  Learning is fun and there is no reason to make it a chore.

Answer 6

1) No, thanks.  If I thought my kids needed a teacher to learn they wouldn't be home.

2) Nothing.

3) No opinion; wouldn't use.

4) Learning happens all the time, not during specified hours.  Learning shouldn't be separated from life.

5) We use home, the RV, the country, the internet, TV, maps, games, and travel.  Hard to find in a classroom.

Answer 7

I'm an active participant in a huge homeschool community, honestly I don't know anyone who would want a service like that, let alone pay those rates.

A lot of homeschoolers like to put their kids in classes around here in various subjects that we have in our co-op, we have some ex-teachers, as well as subject experts who are not certified teachers (science, music, ballroom dancing, puppetry, engineering, yoga, etc.). They get about $5 per class for a one hour class per week. That's about the extent that I think most homeschoolers are seeking teacher involvement.

Answer 8

I am sending my boy to an awesome program.  He goes two days a week (6th grade).  His class is 5 children grades 4-7.  On the other two days a week the little kids go-also 5 students.  Friday is her paperwork day.  On the other 3 days we do homeschooling, but based on the teachers curriculum and assignments.  I love it because it keeps me on task.  It has a high level of acedemia, but because the grades will never show up were he to return to a regular school (he has some learning problems and attention problems), I don't stress grades as much as I do as real learning.  He is learning so much and so am I.  We pay 136 a month, but I'm not sure if she gets paid more than that because it is through a church and they may supplement her wage. They go 8-3 on the two days they go.  Good luck!! I would probably be willing to pay up to 300 a month for the type of program you talk about, but I know that a montasory school is 1500-1700 depending on where you live so you could probably charge up to 500-600.

Answer 9

If I trusted anyone with my children as much as myself, but then I'd have to get a job to pay for it, so I'd lose my freedom, they'd lose their BEST teacher and we'd probably all be miserable. So me, not personally but I think there is probably a market.

Answer 10

1) No, if I did, my kids would go to public school.

2) 0

3) If I was interested, I would suggest semester or school year.

4) 8am- 12pm, leaves more time for other activities.

5) respect

good luck :)

Answer 11

You are kidding right? Homeschooling is homeschooling.  What you want to do is set up  a little private school.   That is not homeschooling.  By the way, homeschoolers don't really care if you are certified, they are choosing to educate their own children.  Call it what it is. A private school.

Answer 12

Sorry but no I would not.

You might want to offer your services as a tutor.  Or specialize and offer classes in one or two categories.

In our home-school community we have many people that offer many things such as piano lessons, biology, sewing, chemistry, debate, etc. etc. etc.

If I were you I would check into co-op style group classes.

MOST home-schoolers prefer to save their money and work on most of  the academics at home.

Answer 13

Honestly, I would say it would depend on what area you live in - does it have a fairly high standard of living?  I only say that because that's more than I pay in a year to homeschool my highly gifted science nut of a child.  It sounds great, but I know not many people in my area (large city in the southern midwest) would be able to afford it.  

If you do live in an area with people that could afford it though, it sounds like a really great service.  I personally don't have anything against a certified teacher educating my son, as long as I have a say in the curriculum.  My son, for example, is both highly gifted (3-4 years above grade level in many subjects) and dyslexic - as well as auditory and kinesthetic.  He has very specific learning needs, and I would want to know that those needs could be met.  As a special ed teacher, I'm sure that you're used to working with "out of the box" kids and learning environments, so that's definitely a plus.

How much would I pay...honestly, I wouldn't be able to afford any of those, so I'll pass on that one :-)

I would rather have a 30-day leave contract; if it's not working for my son for some reason, I would want to know that I'm not committed to $2400-3600 in tuition.  

For us, 12-4 would be best, those are the hours that my son is most alert.  However, I'm sure that would vary greatly with the age and interests of the kids that you teach.  Some high schoolers, for example, work in the mornings, while younger kids often have lessons in the afternoon.

I would expect to find freedom for him to learn in the way that fits him best.  Not chaos, not by a long shot, but an environment that offered him the ability to get up and walk around in order to think, a room that is friendly but not overly distracting, and an instructor that is willing to work with him as he needs it.  I would want to know that you are willing to individualize his instruction and coursework to fit his needs - if he needs additional help in something, you're there to offer it; if he's ready to move on, you're not so tied to the lesson plan to allow him to do so.

This is what I work to offer him, and it works well; he's 10 and working through an algebra text, and he reads classic lit on an 8th grade level (Tolkien, Chaucer, etc.).  However, due to his dyslexia, spelling and grammar instruction take a little longer to "catch" and need to be worked through in a variety of ways.  He works through 3-5 science units/subjects at a time (like at the same time) and takes a literature-based and notebook/lapbook approach to history - lots of visual organizers, "living books", and activities.  

These aren't learning styles that work well in a classroom, but they're what work really well for him; that's a large part of why I homeschool him.  If I were to pay someone (especially that much money - it's very reasonable for what you offer, but it is a lot of money) to homeschool him, I would want to know that they could offer him the environment that I do (if not better).  

I hope that helps?  I'm just sort of thinking out loud here (or thinking on screen, as it were).  Something that you will find with homeschoolers is that we are all very individual, and that part of why we homeschool is to tailor a curriculum for our kids.  It's very, very different from teaching in a classroom (my parents are classroom teachers).  However, if that's what you're looking to do, and you live in an area where people can afford it, I'd say go for it!

If you do end up doing this, I do want to let you know - working with homeschool kids will likely be one of your favorite jobs.  I teach high school and middle school foreign languages, and I love working with these kids.  They choose to take their classes because they actually want to learn, not because they're forced to; they also often have a love for learning, and an excitement when things "click", that is just a joy to be around.

Good luck - I hope something in here is helpful to you :-)

Answer 14

I personally wouldn't do it.  I doubt you will find very many homeschoolers who will. Perhaps you can tutor in just a few subjects?  If you are looking for a full-time situation, you would probably have better responses from a private school situation. Most homeschoolers don't give their children's education to the authority of another person.  We tend to be very independently minded.

Answer 15

I would consider it,for certain subjects only depending heavily on the amount of interaction and "say" I would get in my child's education-after all, that is one of the reasons I homeschool. I wouldn't pay more than $300 a month, as I have 5 kids though. Afternoon hours, for sure.

I would like a laid back environment, one where parents are welcomed to participate. Not too "school-like", as I don't believe most children thrive in the sterile, florescent environment of most schools.

Answer 16

It would depend. I know a family that sends 3 of their children to a cert. teacher but her entire group is those 3 siblings. It works great. We also have 2 cert teacher who run  "tutoring" services for homeschoolers 3  days a week app. $300. a month per child.May be higher now.that was3yrs ago. Those children I'm sorry to say end up with a lot of the negative socialization typical of school kids.Clothing needs to be cool, boy crazy girls trying to attract boys at 13, snobbery about their 'school" They tend to not have strong bonds with siblings as opposed to only associating with their age level in the school, and looking down on "homeschoolers" -very ironic.

Answer 17

I have tossed this idea around in my head in the past as well.  Here's what I've concluded...

1. Some people who can't afford a regular private school, don't want to send them kids to public, and don't feel they can personally homeschool, there's bound to be a market.

2. It means your rate would HAVE to be less than private school tuition (or the parents would likely just send the children there). So, if there are private schools that are 6000/yr. or higher, your listed rates are feasible.

3.  I think the contract would have to be worked out with each family.  Personalized service is one thing you can offer the family that private/public cannot.  This is where that would come into play.

4. Again, families would have varying answers to this question.  You might find that those wanting 4-8pm are really interested in after-school care.

5. Something to talk with each family about before working out a contract.  I personally, as a teacher, would offer a clean, safe environment, with video surveillance monitoring that allows parents to see what's going on during the day (and cover myself in this day and age), comfortable seating (like couches), healthy food, interactive lessons, personal attention, etc. etc.

Answer 18

While it is nice to know you went to college are and a certified teacher, I am in college and I was homeschooled by my parents and neither of them are certified to teach.  If I would have wanted to go to school I would have gone to a private school.  Most of the teachers there are not certified and yet the students still have some of the highest grades in the state.  (Kinda like homeschoolers...)  I supppose if my family had been worried about certification we would have gone to public school, but as you can see from most homeschoolers things like that are not really an issue.  That being said,

1) I would not want my child homeschooled by anyone but me.  When subjects become difficult (and they are bound too) we will find other homeschool parents to help or take classes at the community college.  I don't know any homeschoolers/homeschool parents that want someone else doing the schooling.  Tutoring in a specific subject for an hour or two a week maybe but nothing full time, everyday.  Most homeschoolers are far too busy for something like that anyway.  

2) See above

3) -

4) Again, I don't know any homeschool kids/families that could deal with a schedule like that.  There are way too many other things going on.

5) -

I think you should definitely look into tutoring because you might have a hard time with the other idea, but you never know till you give it a try.  I am just letting you know what would happen where I live.  It could be different in your area.  Good luck to you!

Answer 19

1) Not really, I enjoy spending time with them and teaching them.  This is part of why we homeschool.  What you describe sounds more like a small charter school, and while I wouldn't be interested, there are parents who probably would be, particularly if they have a child with special needs and they can't spend the time to actually homeschool.

2) I really couldn't afford any of those prices, at least not without increasing my working hours.  I have 3 kids, so whatever price would be multiplied by 3, and its too much.

3) I would like a choice between both, and would start with 30 days, then after the 30 day trial I would consider a longer contract.

4) *If* I was going to do something like that, I think either the 8-12 or the 12-4 would be best.

5) Lots of books, classic literature, P.E. equipment, a science lab, educational toys, computers, etc.

Answer 20

My son attended a private Christian home learning center for kindergarten.  This came about because he was attending a small school that had classes for 3 yr. olds, 4 yr. olds, and kindergartners.  It was a great school, but unfortunately, it was one of the best kept secrets in our city.  He was there for about 3 months when the school closed due to low enrollment.

The former owner who was also his kindergarten teacher offered to teach ten of her best students in her home, and I allowed my son to go there for kindergarten.  He was with nine other children, aged 3 to 6, in a home learning environment.  Actually, she had it set up like a school and she and one assistant taught the ten children.  Three or four of the ten children were her grandchildren.  My son thrived and learned a lot in this environment.  She had it set up just like a school in her basement, i.e., desks, blackboards, ABC's, fish tank, etc.

When she operated the school the tuition was $125 a week, roughly $500 a month--this included before and after school care, breakfast, lunch, and two snacks.  When she began teaching in her home, the tuition was $100 weekly and also included before and after school care, breakfast, lunch and two snacks.

If there is a market for it, you may do well, but I think you would have to have a well known reputation to have people flocking to your door regarding this.  Personally, because I am a parent who now works from home and homeschools, I would not be open to the arrangement.  However, if I were working outside my home like I used to, I might be interested.  However, the fact that you are certified would not be significant to me.  I would probably more carefully consider having my child taught by another homeschooling mother--if she were available.

I hope this is helpful.

Answer 21

That does not sound like homeschooling to me. It sounds like a small private school.

Answer 22

I would not be in the market for the type of service you are offering, personally.  I would suggest you offer ala carte classes in your home instead.  You could offer them in sessions: 6-week, 12-week, semester-long... whatever.    Many homeschool families pay extra for tutoring, so find out what subjects are most in demand for tutoring in your area and offer private tutoring at a premium rate, or group tutoring a a reduced group rate.

Or you could find a homeschool co-op that already has a large base of students and offer to teach a class through their group.  The rates would be negotiated between you and the co-op leaders based on the numbers of students, region, degree of difficulty, etc.

I hope this helps!

Answer 23

No I wouldn't.  I home school my kids because I want to home school my kids.    

I wouldn't want to be at someone else's beck and call.  I hated having to have my kids at a building every day at a certain time.   We like the freedom that comes being at home (not that we're at home much...)    

We like studying what we want to study when we want to study it, not when someone else wants us to.   Sorry

Answer 24

I'm not in the need but if I were choosing to home school my child, it would be because I did not believe in what the schools available were teaching.  If I chose to hire a personal teacher, s/he would have to be dedicated solely to my children and I would have total say on the curriculum.  Basically, you would be my employee with the possible option of room and board.  From me, it would be 2 weeks notice or pay in lieu, but I do think there may be a potential for the service you are offering.

You should not earn less than $40 000 per year and since teaching is a 10 month deal, that means 10 000 per month or 3 000 per child.  Good luck.

Answer 25

This would be under the added feedback category:

You can reduce the parent's travel time and ease your own workload by offering some of your services online in a live classroom. The student will just take a link to enter your classroom. Once there, you both would have full duplex audio, a great whiteboard system that you can draw on, type on, and use for multi-slide presentattions. Other features you may have are application sharing for showing the student how to do software, web push to easily send students to websites of interest, ability to do Flash-based activities, etc. If you think this might be a useful feature, you can get a free 3-seater vRoom (really free forever, not just a trial) from Elluminate which should work quite nicely for a tutoring type setup.

I use the full-scale academic version for the free homeschool co-op classes that I teach. I figure that if I am teaching my own children (chemistry, physics, algebra 2, and 2nd grade math), why not bring a few other homeschoolers along too. I love it. The kids do too. The parents love not having to pack up the youngin's to go to co-op and we can include kids from anywhere, not just the local area (we have kids from all over the US and a few from Canada). The kids get to interact with me and the other kids live which makes it valuable both academically and socially.

OK, I am rambling on now. LOL. If you would like to come in and get a tour of what the online clasroom is like and get a bit of free training, just let me know. My e-mail is set to public in my profile, so there is no problem giving it here: [e-mail].