Should we bring back the governess?

[Anonymous]

Some of my friends who are retired teachers (in another part of the country) have been querying whether there would be interest in having retired teachers be a household's primary in-person teacher for the next school year. I think this is brilliant and brings to memory governesses that were the norm for monied families of the past (see: The Sound of Music). Paying experienced teachers what they're worth would be out of the capability of most families, but could we envision a government-funded model that would match a reserve corps of retired educators to families in their communities?

[Anonymous]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Anonymous]

How much would it cost? I’d do it.

[Anonymous]

There is a governess school in Ohio. I’m a teacher and thought about it years ago. Those women can easily make more than most teachers and only have 1-3 kids.

[Anonymous]

Ohhh, sounds fancy, love it in this messed-up covid, crappy school world we find ourselves in.

[Anonymous]

If you are going to put government money into it, why not use that money to build and staff more schools so that everyone can have small classes in spacious classrooms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of my friends who are retired teachers (in another part of the country) have been querying whether there would be interest in having retired teachers be a household's primary in-person teacher for the next school year. I think this is brilliant and brings to memory governesses that were the norm for monied families of the past (see: The Sound of Music). Paying experienced teachers what they're worth would be out of the capability of most families, but could we envision a government-funded model that would match a reserve corps of retired educators to families in their communities?

The government isn't going to pay a nanny for you. They can barely afford daycare subsidies.

[Anonymous]

I mean, the "governess" of the past wasn't as highly educated or experienced as what you are talking about. Paying for a retired teacher in today's world would be expensive. Would have to include health benefits, taxes, etc. The governess of the past was simply an educated unmarried female. The benefits were room and board. Also, this was all before workers rights so no minimum wage, no hourly limits, etc.

[Anonymous]

I hired a tutor but I am definitely calling her my governess because it makes me sound fancy and rich. Which I am not, but I can put on airs!

[Anonymous]

This is my mother in law! She went to nanny school in Switzerland, worked as an elementary school teacher and now semi-retired, she watches this one family and teaches her charges French and Italian.

[Anonymous]

If you have a bunch of kids, probably cheaper than private school.

[Anonymous]

This never stopped existing for rich people. What you want is a public-funded model of individual or small group in home tutors. That's a totally different thing and probably not viable for a lot of reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a bunch of kids, probably cheaper than private school.

yes, assuming your kids were close enough in age that a governess could teach them all effectively and they have similar play/interaction needs. Could especially work with families with 3+ close in age kids (describes a lot of families I know with multiples).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a bunch of kids, probably cheaper than private school.

This would work well for elementary education, but you’re only getting the expertise of one person, not the half dozen who usually teach more complex classes.

You could get a shallow education in a lot of subjects, but you’re unlikely to reach a higher level in more than one or two that the governess specializes in.