When you live a rural area and have kids, it’s not uncommon for people to ask about how you plan to educate your children.
I’m not one to plan very much, so my usual answer is to say, “we’re not worried about that right now.”
We’re not.
But I think about it.
Even living in the sticks, we have options – public school, private schools, homeschooling…
That said, as I talk to my friends — many of whom are teachers, and most of whom have kids in public schools — and I hear them talking about the lack of vision in public education, I don’t see myself placing my children in that environment. (My wife agrees.)
In my public school education, no one ever suggested to me that I could own a business. No one ever mentioned that I could be in charge of my life. No one ever hinted at the possibility that I could do something 1) I love, 2) I’m great at, 3) that would allow me the freedom of being my own boss, and 4) that would allow me to make more money while working a lot less than if I had a traditional job.
In this regard, I don’t think things have changed too much in public education over the last quarter century.
When I think about it now, this is not so surprising.
After all, how would these teachers and administrators know? They are employees, not entrepreneurs.
(I don’t mean this as a knock, I had some wonderful teachers.)
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, of course.
Many people prefer the “security” of a job than the uncertainty of having to sing for your supper.
(However, I believe going forward in a very different economy, continuing to teach kids to pass tests to get a job will be the riskiest strategy out there.)
But I believe everyone has something of value to offer. I believe everyone holds the power to create a life on their own terms, a life filled with freedom, ease, and connection.
At the very least, I think someone should be talking about this.
I plan to with my kids.
And then they can decide their paths for themselves.
