| Registration to AERO on Sale! |
In less than a week, at the end of May, we will go up to our full registration fee of $350. But for the next 48 hours we are having a special sale for AERO members. Ordinarily members get 10% off registration fees (and bookstore, etc.). For the next 48 hours we are doubling that discount on conference fees, to 20% off. So for AERO members the total registration fee will be $228 for adults and $160 students and $80 for children under 11. If you are not a member you can get it now here. But if you prefer you can simply click on the rates right now and get your membership when you arrive at the AERO conference.
Register for the special member adult rate of $228 here.
Register for the special member student rate of $160 here. Register for the special member child rate of $80 here.
We also have specially priced package rates for those looking to reserve rooms and conference fees. Click here for more information on the packages.
|
| NEW: Homeschooling Comedian Joins AERO |
We are happy to announce that we have arranged another treat for conference attendees. On June 26th, Thursday evening, a 16-year-old homeschooler who is just starting out as a stand-up comedian will open up for our keynote speaker, Lenore Skenazy. Remember, she has been called the "world's worst mom," and wrote the book Free Range Kids." Her hilarious stories have been heard all around the world. The homeschooler is Lucian, from New York City. Here is an excerpt from one of his routines:
 | | School vs Homeschool Stereotypes |
We will give away 20 free admissions to homeschoolers who would like to come just to see Lucian and Lenore. If you are interested just reply to this newsletter or call the AERO office at 516-621-2195.
|
| Scholarships & Financial Assistance Available for AERO Conference |
We've actually had some direct donations from people in the AERO network that will take us beyond our regular discounts for volunteers to help people who need scholarship assistance for registration fees. We do not want anyone to be excluded who wants to attend. Also, if you are local and could house an attendee during the conference, let me know directly. For special arrangements please contact me directly ASAP at [email protected]. Funds are limited.
|
Creating learning ecosystems instead of learning cages (Video)
|
A strong believer in the power of self learning and community learning, Vidhi Jain co-founded the Shikshantar Andolan 15 years ago in India. In 2010, she and her husband founded Swaraj University in Udaipur modelled on self-designed learning and green entrepreneurship, including exploration of basic business skills within the context of ecological sustainability and social justice. This self-directed learning process invites learners to identify their hearts' visions and engages them in developing the skills, relationships and practices they need and practices they need to manifest those visions.
Watch the TEDx talk here.
|
What is Democratic Education? - An Interview With Chris Mercogliano by Yong Shian Phoon
|
 Yong: What made you want to become a teacher at the Albany Free School in the first place?
Chris: I wanted to be a teacher because I really like kids, and I enjoy helping them learn things they didn't know before and watching them grow happier. The reason I chose the Albany Free School was because the school was trying to help children in the inner city where the public schools are pretty bad and where kids need people who care about them and refuse to leave them behind. And then I saw so many little miracle happening that I never left. I also stayed because I had the freedom to teach in ways that make sense and I didn't have to follow anybody else's script.
Y: So would you say this is one of the benefits of a democratic school, being flexible and not having to follow a specific curriculum?
C: Yes! What I especially loved was that I only had to work with children who wanted to learn. I didn't have to deal with all the resistance that you often get from kids when learning is compulsory.
H: What is your definition of a democratic school?
Read the entire interview here.
|
A Montessori Morning (Video)
|
Watch this excellent video showing three hours of a morning in a Montessori classroom here:
 | | A Montessori Morning. |
|
| Graduate Speaks About How Freedom in School Helped Him Become a Happy Person (Video) |
Ethan Welshon speaks about how experiencing freedom throughout his school years at Alpine Valley School has helped him become the happy person he is today.
Watch the video here:
 | | Alpine Valley School - A Sudbury School |
|
Agile Learning Centers are hiring for the 2014-15 school year
|
View this and all our latest job ads here.
Job seekers and schools with job openings can post ads for free if they are or become AERO members, just email [email protected] or reply to this newsletter with your ad.
|
| Teaching Staff Opening at PSCS for 2014-15 (Seattle, WA) |
View this and all our latest job ads here.
Job seekers and schools with job openings can post ads for free if they are or become AERO members, just email [email protected] or reply to this newsletter with your ad.
|
Important Conference Links
|
Do you have a news or resource item you think Education Revolution newsletter readers would find useful? Send it to [email protected].
|
 |
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
|
|
The 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.
|
|
|
|
|
News, Resources, & Calendar
