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Attendees Top 10 Reasons and Quotes on Why You Should Come to the AERO Conference

  1.  Support for AERO and its work.
  2.  Facilitating workshops regarding self-direction.
  3.  Meeting others interested in self-directed learning.
  4. Having access to a relaxed setting to think and talk with people.
  5.  Going for walks in the area.
  6. Seeing what’s new in books about self direction.
  7. Attending keynotes.
  8. Attending sessions related to self-direction.
  9.  Checking out the various exhibitors.
  10.  Buying some of the recordings.
  1. For the interesting speakers
  2. To meet people and learn about what people are doing that is different or new or cutting edge.
  3.  To browse the books
  4. To encounter new exhibitors
  5. to meet people and talk about “stuff”
  6. to visit NYC
  7. to visit LI beaches
  8. attend sessions
  9. to relax and think
  10. It’s a shot in the arm to be with thinkers and creative types after being in the ed trenches.

This will be my first AERO conference. I’m coming…

  1. To hear about other ways of doing self-directed education
  2. To talk and think about self-directed ed with others who are deep into it
  3. To meet people and hear their stories
  4. To support the important work of AERO and the amazing resource that is Jerry Mintz
  5. To experience an AERO conference, after decades of wondering about it
  6. To reconnect with people I know in other self-directed democratic schools
  7. To relax and enjoy not being in charge
“In the current political climate it’s important to take a stand and support what we believe in!”

“The AERO conference is my favorite and the only one I will travel cross country for.  CL.”

“As someone who truly cares about the democratic philosophy I don’t want to go anywhere else but to AERO.  JV”

“I joined this network and signed up for the conference because I am interested in all kinds of alternative education. I am interested in the dialog, in the research, in the ideas and creation of new ways of learning. …..I am interested in starting an alternative school and I want to hear from experts. All the things you’ve done look great – a lot of hard work obviously! And the line-up for the conference also looks wonderful – I am thrilled to be attending.  MH”

““AERO is my continuing education. It’s the only opportunity I have to learn
from other people, rather than just by reading and stumbling along with my
community. I’m a democratic public school educator, and I learn a lot from everyone who is working with kids’ self-directed education in any way. To me, a diverse conference is the best conference. Unschoolers, holistic educators, community schoolers are all making discoveries that support one another. This year I really want to see Dave (Lehman) and Henry (Readhead from Summerhill).” DO”
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Register Now For the Last New York AERO Conference Before the Conference Price Increase! Contact us Directly for Special Arrangements!

The price of registration will go up as we get closer to the conference, June 28-July 1 at LIU/Post Campus.
Here are your registration options.
See new workshop posts here.
Click here to see some of the major features of this year’s regular AERO Conference in June
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The Clearwater School – Full- Time Staff Position- 2018-2019 School Year

Position Summary
The Clearwater School is seeking a new staff member in response to growth in our student population.
We hire staff rather than teachers to emphasize that in our environment people of all ages are equal. Staff at The Clearwater School are available as facilitators, mentors, peers and friends while students pursue their own interests. They act as dependable stewards of the school; facilitate student access to resources; exemplify mature practice of personal fulfillment and societal engagement; and anchor school culture to values of interpersonal respect. Clearwater students are not required to follow a predetermined curriculum and adults do not have authority to unilaterally establish or enforce rules. Staff are hired and held responsible by School Meeting. Specific tasks and responsibilities regarding the functioning of the school are shared amongst all staff members.

 

Required Qualifications

  • Belief in the natural impulse of children (and adults!) to strive for personal growth, and a commitment to one’s own personal growth
  • Understanding of Clearwater’s approach to education – this may include experience with Sudbury, unschooling, self-directed learning, etc
  • Experience working with youth of a wide range of ages
  • Must be extremely reliable, punctual, and safety-conscious
  • Possess high levels of professionalism, personal maturity, and authenticity
  • Excellent communication and literacy skills, including abilities to express thoughts in writing; tailor communication levels for different age groups and developmental levels; and interact effectively with children and adults from a wide variety of backgrounds
  • Be an interested, interesting, engaged, and passionate person
  • Strong self-management skills, including high levels of initiative and ability to authentically and effectively prioritize, including the ability to decline requests from children when appropriate
  • High level of computer literacy, including fluency with word processing, email, and more
  • Ability to work in an environment with frequent distractions
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of student and family data, as well as to keep a constant eye out for the protection of student privacy in less formal ways
  • Complete a Washington state and Federal background check

 

Bonus Qualities:

  • Background in music, performance arts, filmmaking, and multimedia arts
  • Experience with mediation
  • Passion for early-childhood education
  • Experience with programming & tech
  • Experience with writing grants
  • Experience in Environmental studies
  • Interest and experience in social justice

 

Application Process:

Applications must be received by May 1st.

  • Thoroughly review The Clearwater School website: www.clearwaterschool.com
  • Email resume with references to: info@clearwaterschool.com
  • Include a cover letter with answers to the following questions:
    • How did you hear about the position and why are you interested in the Clearwater school?
    • What unique skills do you think you’ll bring to our community?
    • What do you imagine the role of adults looks like in a democratic-free school setting?
  • Campus tours & interviews may follow upon review of application.

-Candidates from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply-

The Clearwater School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, religion, nor national or ethnic origin.

 

Apply Here.

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Letter to John Gatto from Ida Oberman

Dear Mr. Gatto,

I am deeply thankful to Jerry for his kindly relaying this message of thanks to you.
I come to you to lay at your feet my deep appreciation for your changing my life through your stalwart courage and clear thinking.

Allow me to briefly explain:
I recall as though it was yesterday when I read in the New York Times that you had taken on tremendous financial hardship to rent Carnegie Hall as place in which to speak on the content of your then new book, Dumbing Us Down.  If your book was as a lightning bolt for me, your courage in how you gave your message forward was transformative.

At the time, I was a newly arrived immigrant from Germany and Holland- part Jewish, Dutch-born and German-educated in a Waldorf school from grade 3 on in Tuebingen Germany and a graduate of the Stuttgart (Germany) Waldorf teacher training. I had just come to the US to be a teacher, holding within myself high ideals and low levels of skills or knowledge – wanting to fight for justice by harnessing Waldorf education in the service of and as powerful option for traditionally marginalized communities.

Fresh off the boat, I made my start in a private Waldorf school. There, while thrilled to be in the ‘new world’ and at all the good I saw in my school community, I was bewildered by the exclusiveness surrounding this wonderful educational option that I felt should be available for all and especially for the ones who would most need it: the ones the system least served. I felt deeply troubled as I visited local public schools to witness far too many sterile white walls and far too much rote teaching offered up to those who most needed the invigorating nourishment to unleash their inner imagination and power.

I could not find the words to express what was wrong.
You gave them to me.  Your words were my clarion call.

Not only did you give me words, you gave me the words, the problem analysis, and the example of Herculean courage that set me on my path.

After that I went on to dedicate my life to building public urban Waldorf schools and start – through various twists and turns – the country’s first urban intercultural Waldorf school . It is located in Oakland CA. Our effort is now 10 years old and the most diverse school in the city and county. And we are growing and learning.

Your words and courage were what set me on my path.

So, thank YOU.
I hope it would make you smile as small token of thanks to receive below:
– two of my school’s children, both 10, celebrating that they and our school are now 10 years. old and growing.
– a little flyer boasting a few of our accomplishments to date.

As you can imagine, there is so much more to tell. Please know: None of this would be if not for you.

Thank you thank you thank you,

Ida Oberman