Wednesday, March 27, 2013

What size school would you like? ;)

Are you familiar with the question: 'What size Coke would you like?' Of course you are since I take it there are few chances for you not to have tried the famous drink at least once. And the choice when being asked such a question is quite simple: small/ medium/ large. But is it just the same when you're in the position of choosing a school for your own kid? Some would say 'No!', but I beg to differ!

They say there are small schools and big schools and believe me when I'm telling you that the actual size of the building or the number or classrooms have nothing to do with it. It's all about reputation. Or at least so they think. Who's 'they'? Well, let's just say that a lot of parents nowadays make this choice according to how many great references they can get from friends and relatives. Yet, is it really the best way to go about it?

I may be a teacher, but I am also a mother about to make a choice when it comes to my daughter's education. The mother in me did the exact same thing that most parents do: I asked for references, I looked into it, I took notes and compared them to others' notes, I questioned, I made up my mind and reconsidered my choice for as many times as you can  imagine. The outcome of it all: a nightmare! Then I stopped for a second and thought about it! Is this what a parent should really  focus on? Shouldn't we make sure instead that our kid is prepared and ready to face the variety of responsibilities that come with school? Wouldn't it be better for everyone if we stopped questioning so much and just did our best in making the whole experience worth it?

I mean, is it really fair to have everyone  assess the activity in a school even if sometimes they might be people with no expertise? And isn't it also true that at times 'small' schools have demonstrated their worthiness by unbelievably outstanding achievements? You might think it's easy for me to say so, since I am a teacher and also because me and my daughter happen to have the biggest school in our neighbourhood. It might be the biggest around here, but it certainly isn't the most famous in the region or in the country, and yet that was not an obstacle for our students when they had the opportunity to represent our 'small' community  in regional, national and even international competitions.

A school is not about the size, the fame, the references, or at least it should not be! A school should be all about the people in it, their dedication and perseverance. And even though you might not be a teacher, you can always teach your kid that no matter how 'small', school still offers a universe in itself....all they have to do is explore it.

And believe me when I am telling you that no matter what others may think, a big school can at times prove to be too small when it comes to expanding your limits, in the same way a small school might surprise you by offering infinite challenges and opportunities. So....what would you choose?

P.S.: it is also true that when it comes to good news a small school is too big and never too small to make bad news travel fast. But this is another story! ;)


2 comments:

  1. A Coke please! As it first came into the world, the exact original recipe, no light jokes, no sugar free friends, take it as it is. Are you sure a diet Coke will make ur life less 'stersful'? I think enjoying real things like school should be lived with salt and pepper, sugar or no sugar, start with ur food and leave the little life pleasure do what they are supposed to, please yourself! May sound like a cliche, but the 'happily ever after' it not only reached at the end of ur life and school is a 4 year cicle(well, for most of us until Math's scores)and should have this tag on it. So, drink the small/middle/big Coke you like!

    P.S.: nothing to blame if you really like the diet one. THUMBS UP, TEACHER!

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