I’m motivated to respond to the subject of schooling because of the variety of my 29 years teaching in the public schools. My experiences range from third graders to high school students; includes children with reading disabilities and emotional problems; all subjects, including a few years of history in high school — and, ironically, I taught gifted children the last nine years of my teaching career. I’m familiar with charter schools, private schools and various models tried by a business group in California.
I also substituted in Black Mountain, Swannanoa and Asheville for a year or so when I moved here after retiring in 1996. It was a good way to get to know the area.
I applaud Mountain Xpress’ “I Beg to Differ” column [Jan. 7] with Bill Branyon’s and Carl Mumpower’s opinions on the question: Should public dollars fund private schools?…