Susan Sarandon emphasizes that there are other options for your child and AERO is willing to help connect you with those options.

• Middle and high school Spanish
• Middle school writing and literature
• Middle or high school math
• Middle and high school art
• High school social studies
• Japanese

Mr. Ellis goes through various subjects from philosophy, science, education, and agriculture. He creates a vision of a world that is driven by social and ecological stability rather than greed and excess. Each chapter going deeper into tangible things individuals, organizations, and humanity can do to change the paradigm.

Bill Ellis describes himself as “an inquisitive farmer, physicist, and futurist.” You can purchase his book from Amazon here.

The teachers (cooperative educational facilitators) created a tutoring space to work with the children who were at risk of dropping out of school. The project evolved into an alternative school that is managed collectively and embraces a pedagogy focused on empowerment and community transformation, as well as creating a more holistic learning environment for students.

A teacher of English language, shares some methods of teaching that she has found most useful and fun in a not-so-traditional classroom setting -Poetry and free expression.

Over a decade ago, MIT decided to offer it’s knowledge for free to the world. Today, MITx is a vision by Anant Agarwal. He wants to bring the classroom experience online for the whole world so students that are curious and passionate about learning will have the opportunity to be in a non-traditional classroom environment, have homework, and get grades as well.

• Stop Racing! Starting Living (It Works!) was published in the Huffington Post by Kenneth Danford, co-founder of the North Star Self-directed Learning for Teens, an AERO member, in Hadley, MA.
• Will the Common Core Create World-Class Learners? An interview of author and professor Yong Zhao by Anthony Cody. He questioned the use of tests and “accountability” from the unique perspective of someone educated in China, now living – and raising children – in the USA. He has a new book out soon called World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students.
• A principal’s critique of NYS standardized tests and the Common Core: education officials should take these tests themselves to see their problems.
• This is a new website called Student Liberation sent to AERO dedicated to helping students physically and mentally liberate themselves from schools.
• An op-ed in the Oregon Standard-Examiner by conference presenter and Educating for Human Greatnessauthor Lynn Stoddard called “An Alternative to Common Core”.
• Not your imagination: Kids today really are less creative, study says. This piece from the TODAY show explains that “experts say creativity is innate, so it can’t really be lost. But it needs to be nurtured.”
• From the NYTimes education blog SchoolBook: How Testing Is Hurting Teaching

• Energetic, inspirational, and committed educator
• Must be a self-starter, resourceful and promote the mission of The Circle School.
• Must be able to design and implement lesson plans in all academic areas to children aged 5-8 years
• Ability to work in a Cooperative school environment with significant parental involvement
• Non-graded school; no standardized testing

• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in alternative education
• Ability to work in multi-aged classrooms and individualize curricula
• Certification and training (e.g. college degree)
• Experience teaching elementary-aged children

• One Year (with potential renewal)
• Pay between $28,000-$32,000 per year; based on experience
• Traditional school year program coinciding with SAISD school calendar; plus 3 weeks in the summer for camp programs
• Work Day: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Reduced tuition for employees (subject to classroom availability)
• Small community school!

Founded in 1994, PSCS is based on the belief that people are compelled to learn intrinsically and will eagerly learn what they are interested in learning when provided a positive environment and support in their self-selected pursuits.  Engaging the community, acting with courage, practicing integrity, and otherwise living as a responsible citizen are among the valued goals of a PSCS education. A compassionate staff of talented and interesting people work together as a team to provide a nurturing, respectful and vibrant school environment for approximately 50 students in a multi-age setting. We hold those involved with PSCS to very high standards of behavior and demand that everyone strive to build relationships based on mutual trust, honesty, support, and understanding. A primary role of all staff members is to sustain this environment while providing the students with a variety of educational opportunities.

In hiring staff members, PSCS first looks for strength of character and personality as well as deep passions and a willingness to be open to experiencing whatever it is that life offers. It is our belief that people teach who they are.  In addition to this, the ideal candidate will possess some of the following characteristics, skills or experiences:

• see life as an exciting adventure
• have experience working with middle school students
• have a visual arts, performing arts, outdoor education, math, science, and/or counseling background, especially in a teaching capacity
• have teaching experience in an alternative “free” school setting
• be familiar with planning emergent curriculum, hands-on/discovery, student-centered approach to education
• be multi-lingual
• is certified to teach in Washington State (note, this is not a requirement for this position)