I was born in 1971 to the most amazing momma. I was raised in a time of relative peace in this country; my mom was not. She knew. She knew the perils of failed leadership and she knew the perils of war. She knew, first hand, of failed rights for humans with skin darker than... Continue Reading →
Stressed Kids
Two news articles got me thinking about kids again recently. I’ve been out of the loop of educational discussion lately, so it was good to jump back into thinking about kids’ world views. I went to The Badass Teachers and The Badass Parents Facebook groups to brush up on how they're all feeling as well.... Continue Reading →
The Passionate Middle
I recently started a Facebook group named The Passionate Middle. It’s an exciting new endeavor for me. Check it out and join in if you like! 🙂 The Passionate Middle A place for meaningful discussion. A place where all political affiliations are welcome, but ranting, attacking, insulting, pedaling conspiracy theories, and siting questionable sources are... Continue Reading →
Are you their God? It’s me, Jackie
I grew up in a Christian household(s). My parents divorced when I was a baby, but each were influential in my upbringing. My mother taught us the principles of the Bible. She taught us to love others as ourselves. She told us of Jesus’s teachings. Turn the other cheek. Judging others is an unkind and... Continue Reading →
A Brief History of Orsch, the Wonderful School
This is a brief history meant to button up the story. The purpose of this post is to offer a small summary of the sad ending of Orsch. It may offer too much detail to the general reader, but is a healing post for me and hopefully for those who lost their school to an... Continue Reading →
To Require Proficiency is Counter-productive
In an attempt to standardize, leave no child behind, and reach rigid benchmarks, traditional public education introduces detrimental elements into a child’s school life. Because schools and districts are under immense pressure to show that their students are proficient, the typical American classroom requires proficiency from each child at a specific date in his development.... Continue Reading →
Horses and Carts
For decades we have been trying to push a cart with the nose of a horse. The Horse The horse is strength, freedom, individuality, and desire to run unfettered—to take an idea and explore it to its logical end, to self-direct, to be free to empower your own discovery, and, as such, your own... Continue Reading →
…ever seen a toddler waste time?
A toddler is constantly bumbling around from engaging activity to engaging activity, often choosing activity over food or sleep, sometimes getting herself into trouble. A toddler is frustrated when she is bored. She will demand interaction. She is not in the mood to waste her moments--ever. She soaks up every new stimulating lesson and indulges... Continue Reading →
A Child’s Natural Habitat
A Child’s Natural Habitat As our school developed, I came to realize that the happiness and success we observed in students was because they attended school in a place that truly was a child’s natural habitat. A child’s natural habitat includes many important factors. Humans are dynamic, diverse beings, and the ultimate learning environment for... Continue Reading →
