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New AERO Conference Information

School Visits has been updated.
See all newly added workshops here .
See some of the 9 TED-like mini-talks here. More next week.
Later this week we’ll announce at least 20 participating organizations.
The Pioneers Event will honor at least 10 innovators in Alternative Education.
We will have special strands for students, Self-Design and ASDE.
If you need more information or have a special conference need you can reply to this newsletter or call us at 800 769-4171
CE and Graduate Credits for AERO Conference; Child Care; Room Shares; Listserve and Networking; Deposits:

  • You can get continuing education credits and graduate education credits from Antioch University New England by attending the AERO Conference. Contact us for details.
  • There will be child care for children under 12, only $100 for the whole conference, during workshops and keynotes. Student rate is still only $175
  • Attendees are organizing room shares at the hotel to cut costs. Contact us for more information.
  • All registered attendees are added to a conference listserve to coordinate and supplement information. All attendees will soon be able to join the Whova conference app to do the same.
  • You can still hold the current rates with a $50 deposit for and individuals and $100 deposit for a group. The balance is not due until June 1st

DOCUMENTARIESClick here to see all five of the documentaries that we’ll be showing.

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Pono Seeks Early Childhood Teacher’s Assistant & Part-Time Math Educator

Part-Time or Full-Time Early Childhood Teacher’s Assistant 

Pono is seeking an individual to fill an Early Childhood TA position. We are looking for candidates who have experience teaching children ages 2-3 years old. Candidates who are balanced, energetic, child-at-heart, interested in non-traditional educational philosophies, and who have a background in the RIE approach, special education, Music, Humane Education, or who speak a foreign Language (Arabic, Spanish, or Japanese) are encouraged to apply. Early Childhood teaching certificate is a plus.

Part-Time Math Educator

Pono is currently looking to fill a part-time Math position. Background in Mathematics Education and experience teaching Math is required. General responsibilities include: designing an innovative math curriculum and leading math lessons for children ages 6 – 11. Candidates with a background in special education are encouraged to apply.

To apply to any of the above positions, submit a cover letter, current resume, and any additional information you think we should consider in evaluating you as a candidate. Strong applications will address the following questions:

  • What makes you a good fit for Pono?
  • What makes you a strong candidate for this position?
  • What support would you need to excel in the position? Please be specific.

All materials and inquiries are to be submitted electronically as an attachment to Dr. Maysaa Bazna (maysaa@pono.nyc).

Here is the link to the job opening on our website: http://pono.nyc/job-opportunities

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One Student’s Thoughts & Feelings About High-Stakes Standardized Test

From Dan Drmacich via the Diane Ravitch Blog

Kevin Bosworth, a teacher at Olathe East High School in Olathe, Kansas, wrote to tell me about a class discussion of grades and tests. A student shared her poem with the class, and Kevin shared it with me. The reformers and disrupters now say they are intrigued with social and emotional learning. Let them read this and see what they have learned.

Hello my name is worthless
Name number and date
State your class and hour
Let the rubric pick your fate 

Your value as a human
Can be measured by percent
All that matters is the value
That the numbers represent 

We promise that you matter
You’re more than just a grade
But you better score one hundred
Or else you won’t get paid 

They require our attendance
We’re brain dead taking notes
So we can barf back up the knowledge
That they shove down our throats 

Each human life is precious
And every childhood has worth
But if you fill in the wrong bubbles
Then you don’t belong on earth 

They question our depression
They wonder why we’re stressed
When our futures are decided
Doing better on a test 

They tell me that I’m gifted
That there’s no need to despair
But if you only read the numbers
I’m a living waste of air 

I might think I have talents
But there’s no worth in art
Because it can’t be measured
By a number on a chart 

The people say I’m flying
The numbers say I’ll crash
My letter grades ‘ll prove it
I’m worthless human trash

They use standardized procedures
To find the worth of kids
But I don’t fit in boxes
Without spilling out the lids 

Some kids don’t fit the system
But differences can’t stay
They put us in the garbage
And throw it all away

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Ridge and Valley Charter School Seeks Two Teachers

Teacher/Guide Position

Ridge and Valley Charter School (​www.ridgeandvalley.org ​), a K-8 public school in N.W. New Jersey, seeks innovative, experienced teachers/guides with strong team building and leadership skills to work as part of an energetic and collaborative team mentoring students in an experiential, multi-age setting. Our mission is to cultivate interconnectedness by immersing children in the natural world through an innovative outdoor experiential, project based curriculum, with an integrated ecological and sustainable living focus. All teachers/guides and students spend significant time outdoors, in all weather, including overnight expeditions. NJ certification accepted, but not required. Please send resume and cover letter to: Ridge and Valley Charter School 1234 Rt. 94, Blairstown, N.J. 07825 Phone: 908-362-1114 Fax: 908-362-6680 or Email: ​office@ridgeandvalley.org

Special Education Teacher/Guide Position

Ridge and Valley Charter School (​www.ridgeandvalley.org​), a K-8 public school in N.W. New Jersey, seeks an innovative, experienced Special Ed teacher/guide with strong team building and leadership skills to work as part of an energetic and collaborative team mentoring students in an experiential, multi-age setting. Our mission is to cultivate interconnectedness by immersing children in the natural world through an innovative outdoor experiential, project based curriculum, with an integrated ecological and sustainable living focus. All teachers/guides and students spend significant time outdoors, in all weather, including overnight expeditions. NJ Special Ed certification preferred for all applicants. Please send resume and cover letter to: Ridge and Valley Charter School 1234 Rt. 94, Blairstown, N.J. 07825 Phone: 908-362-1114 Fax: 908-362-6680 or Email: ​office@ridgeandvalley.org