The Weekly Newsletter of Educational Alternatives - www.EducationRevolution.org
Conference Update - 25th Anniversary Talk
It's ironic, but I've been so busy with the AERO conference over the past decade that I've very rarely done a keynote. But since this is AERO's 25th anniversary conference, I'll be giving a full keynote talk this year. What I intend to do is highlight some of the most interesting and amazing stories throughout AERO's history.

I will talk about helping the Kee Way Win tribe in northern Canada start a school for their illiterate children; making the first connections between alternatives in Russia, eastern Europe and the west; helping to save Summerhill; how the IDEC started; being nearby when Columbine happened; making the documentary of homeless, working children in Delhi, India; an amazing escape from the tsunami; directly confronting Arne Duncan about No Child Left Behind; and much more!

I've given two TEDx talks, and spoken all around the United States and in over 25 countries. Finally, I'll be able to deliver a substantial talk at the AERO conference!
*****
The AERO conference is filling up, but is not full. If you have not registered yet, you can still register quickly and easily here. The student, child and dorm rates have not increased. But if you are low income, need special arrangements, or have a group, it is best that you write me directly at jerryaero@aol.com or call the office at 516-621-2195.
 
For those that have indicated they are coming, but haven't registered, we need you to register now or call us.
 
You should not miss this year's AERO!  
You can still get in!

We also have specially priced package rates for those looking to reserve rooms and conference fees. Click here for more information on the packages.
 
*****
Nikhil Goyal, AERO author and a keynote speaker from last year's conference, will be presenting a workshop this year. Here's a description of what he'll be talking about:
 
Bringing Democratic Education to More Communities 
In this workshop, we'll examine why school is toxic to children's health, well-being, and love of learning and then explore alternative models of learning, like democratic and free schools. Later, the focus will be on how to create systemic educational change within our communities and cities. Questions that will guide our discussion include: Can schools be reformed from within? What is the best way to bring these ideas and principles to a larger scale? What role does the maker movement play in this transformation?  
 
Lessons from visiting 50 alternative schools
Marc-Alexandre Prud'homme

In this podcast, Dorna Lange told us about what motivated her as a teacher to visit over 50 alternative schools, including many democratic schools, Montessori schools, Waldorf schools, and Reggio Emilia schools, over the past three years on two different continents. She told us about what she learned along the way and about what it was like to apply for a teaching position in a school where students vote to decide on every new hire


Goddard College featured in The Vermont Movie (watch below)
The Vermont Movie: Goddard College, Democracy and Education
The Vermont Movie: Goddard College, Democracy and Education
Mycelium: Learning at the Edge

Mycelium is a learning laboratory working to crack the code of education that supports personal and systemic transformation. The 12-week Mycelium Learning Journey is part Life Design, part Leadership Development and part Business Incubator. After 3 years of research, design and prototyping Mycelium has launched a successful program that draws from traditional education, indigenous wisdom, ecology and social change theory. The program is supported by a nutrient-rich community of practice comprised of coaches, thought leaders, advisors and other emerging change agents all deepening into their work in the world. Learning Journeys are intergenerational and designed to complement people's every-day lives, jobs and other responsibilities.

To find out more about Learning Journeys visit www.mycelium.is and to contribute to this evolution within the field of education click here.

Mycelium Learning Journey
Mycelium Learning Journey

How School Changed My Life
Chris Mercogliano

The following is the mission statement that 12th grader Cody Bogausch recently submitted to the graduation committee at the Harriet Tubman Democratic High School. HTDHS began as the high school extension of the Albany Free School, and I teach math there three mornings a week and also serve on the advisory board. I asked Cody if I could post his letter because of how beautifully it expresses the enormous difference a school that gives students a voice in their education and supports every aspect of their developing selves can make in a young person's life.
 
 
IDEC 2014 Speakers 
Jerry Mintz from AERO along with many other incredible speakers will be featured at this summer's International Democratic Education Conference in Korea. Don't miss it! Find out more here.

Monday / Education and Democratic Society
There will be discussions on this day about how education, the kind that makes every human being have ownership in their learning, can be possible. In these discussions, the international democratic education community will talk about the true meaning of democracy in education as well as the practice of it. The discussion will be related to Korean Alternative Democratic Education, 'Innovational' Education, Democratic Civic Education, Education for International Understanding and Peace Education.

Chris Mercogliano (USA, Principal of Albany Free School) and Jerry Mintz (USA, AERO) who has been a leading education revolutionary in the USA, will speak about the meaning of Democracy in the context of Education and how education can truly be democratic.

Tuesday / Education for the Youth
This day, we will try to expand the discussions of and issues about 'Democratic Education' which is now in primary, secondary and high school levels, to the young adult level. We are going to consider new types of education, instead of the one-way education, to empower young adults who could be the designers of their own lives. There also will be a sharing of international examples of alternative democratic universities.

Wednesday / Education and Local Community
The current 'Education City Project' in Hadera, Israel (where the first IDEC was hosted in 1993) and Caguas, Puerto Rico (where the 20th IDEC was hosted in 2012) is a rising issue in the IDEC community. Since the IDEC2014 is hosted in the City of Gwangmyeong, a Life-long Learning City, participants will discuss 'Education that the local community should provide to raise a child to become an adult who can play an active role is his/her community' and 'Transformation of the entire city into an open learning space.'

1) Yaacov Hecht (Israel, Education Cities) will speak about the concept of the Education City and share his experiences of turning education systems into a central growth instrument for the cities in which they exist.
2) Takahashi Mitsuru (Japan, Prof. of Tohoku University) will speak about his studies in relation to local community and education.

Thursday / Action Plans for the GLocal Youth
At IDEC2014 we will gather together youths who are already taking actions and following different paths from conventional lives. We invite them to share what kinds of actions they are taking and how they design their own lives. By having youths share their stories at IDEC, we will inspire discussions about what is needed to make youths' lives more sustainable as well as specifics about how to create a community-based support system.

Christer Windel�v-Lidz�lius (Denmark, Kaospilot ), Scott Nine (USA, IDEA), and two more youths will speak about their hopes, challenges, and difficulties in taking actions and following a different path from a conventional life.

Sat-Sun / Open Days
This will be the time for us to share our critical thoughts with more people. As a place for talks and discussions about democratic education, IDEC2014 will bring up topics to our community through the sharing of cases and visions of alternative democratic education, education in the local community and new youth education.

1) Zoe Readhead (UK, Summerhill) will speak about Summerhill School in the UK where they succeeded in defending their autonomy and right of choice from the education authorities. Also, she will speak about the practices and visions of Summerhill School.
2) Meghan Carrico (Canada, Windsor House School) will speak about Windsor House School in Canada and how they got approval and financial support from their provincial government while maintaining autonomy over their school management and curriculum.

NewsNews, Resources, & Calendar
Do you have a news or resource item you think Education Revolution newsletter readers would find useful? Send it to jerryaero@aol.com.
 
New
Ongoing
Calendar
1. Summer Institute. Time is running out to apply for the Institute for Humane Education's Summer Institute June 30 - July 3 in Surry, ME - 28 acres on the ocean at the base of Acadia National Park. It's a 4-day immersion to help integrate global issues into the classroom with tools, practice and plans developed. Taught by visionary author and speaker Zoe Weil and other faculty from IHE graduate programs. Scholarships available. Deadline to apply June 20. 

2. Summer online PD course, Teaching for a Positive Future starts July 7. It's a 6 week course with 3 assignments per week you can do on your own time with interactivity with the instructor and teachers from across the globe. Supports teachers to turn their classrooms into laboratories for solving global issues at every level. Cost is $150. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. With your help, we will make learner-centered alternatives available to everyone!

Sincerely,

Jerry Mintz
Executive Director
Alternative Education Resource Organization

tensignsThe Ten Signs You Need to Find a Different Kind of Education for Your Child
Many parents don't realize that the education world has changed drastically since they were in school. Schools and class sizes used to be smaller, dropout rates lower, in-school violence almost unheard of, and teachers weren't terrified of showing affection to their students, or of discussing moral values. Of course, even then, school was far from perfect, but at least the teachers-and usually the principal-knew every student by name, something that is increasingly rare today.

Because our public school system has deteriorated considerably, many parents, teachers, and individuals have taken it upon themselves to create public and private alternatives to that system; and it is important for parents to know that they now have choices.

So how do you know that it's time to look for another educational approach for your child? Here are some of the signs:

1. Does your child say he or she hates school?

If so, something is probably wrong with the school. Children are natural learners, and when they're young, you can hardly stop them from learning. If your child says they hate school, listen to them. 

June 15, 2014 
In This Issue
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Donate
OUR SUPPORTERS
Advertise with AERO.






AERO | (516) 621-2195 | jerryaero@aol.com | www.educationrevolution.org
417 Roslyn Rd. Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.