Black Friday 2018! One Year Only!

Rajani Dhangchai, taken in Manhattan this week.

Last week I reviewed the new documentary, showing in NYC this Thursday, about the Children's Village in Thailand. On Saturday, November 11th I got to meet the founder, Rajani Dhongchai, who started Moo Baan Dek with her husband 38 years ago.

 

She had asked the filmmaker, Marvin Blunte, to arrange the meeting and I was very happy to drive into Manhattan to meet with them. It turns out that we knew many people in common and may have met at the International Democratic Education Conference hosted by Japan in 2000, but neither of us remembered.

The democratically run Children's Village is in the jungle but has branches for very young children in Bangkok. They take care of over 125 children. Some of her graduates from over a decade ago will come to the film showing. She hasn't seen it yet!

For those in the New York area, you may be able to still get tickets as they have moved the showing to a larger theater. For those interested in arranging a showing, go to the link below for that information and the review of the film. 

Go here for more info. 

(Ed: Don't forget the earlier Education Revolution editorial--The Difference Between Learner-Centered and Personalized Education)

By  Benjamin Herold

Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are backing it with hundreds of millions of dollars. States from Florida to Vermont have adopted supportive laws and policies. And school districts across the country are embracing this emerging education trend.

But as "personalized learning" takes root, it's also coming under greater scrutiny.

Leading researchers say their work does not support the most enthusiastic claims being made by personalized-learning supporters. Education experts are raising questions about implications for teaching and learning. Tech-industry critics are sounding alarms about Silicon Valley's growing influence over public schools. And a small but vocal coalition of parents and activists...

Turning the far-reaching vision of personalized learning-essentially customizing education to each student's strengths, weaknesses, and personal interests-from something crafted by state or district policymakers into actual improvements at the classroom level will take a lot of hard work.

To begin with, the concept is still largely ill-defined. Plus, critics point out that personalized learning is not yet backed up by research and leans too heavily on technology to achieve its goals. Yet over the past five years, at least 15 states have taken legislative or regulatory steps to fuel personalized learning.

A classic battle is emerging between an optimistic vision for innovation on one side, and skepticism about whether the changes will improve schools on the other.

Police arrested 18 members of the Federation of Teachers of Puerto Rico (FMPR) that allegedly broke into the headquarters of the Department of Education in Hato Rey, and assaulted personnel of that agency.

 

Among those arrested is the president of the FMPR, Mercedes Martínez, who upon leaving Education mentioned that they were teachers and not criminals.

 

"They have not told me they're going to file. Some (police) tell me that they go to the Headquarters and others that go to the Hato Rey West Barracks. They have not told me that they are going to file, "said the lawyer of the FMPR, Alida Lara in an interview with EL VOCERO.

 

Among the alleged attackers is a communications officer and security guards who prevented them from occupying the office of the Secretary of Education, Julia Keleher.

By  Hannah Sarisohn  

Since everyone seems to be starting Black Friday 2017 early we thought we'd beat everyone to the punch with the first Black Friday 2018 sale!

 

Actually we do think that the early and super early sales are pretty silly. Also I don't think the venerable and ancient celebrants would approve much of the commercialization of the celebrations in their name..

 

On the other hand AERO needs to make up a projected deficit of about $30,000 this fiscal year. So we do have a bunch of things for our 2018 Black Friday Sale. Some are silly, some are unique, and some are just great buys for Christmas 2018 or 2019!

 

Sale items you'll see nowhere else:

Used 25-year-old Prodigy T shirt: Best offer!

This was awarded to Jerry when he was once Prodigy member of the month. Does Prodigy still exist?

 

1905 Man and Superman, George Bernard Shaw: Best offer

Actually this unique item has some serious value and it's in good shape for a 112 year old book! It was donated to AERO

 

AERO print archive Education Revolution Magazine, 1989-2011: Best offer. There are only a handful of these left. We offer one or two a year, and when they are gone you'll only have digital copies.

 

Original large tie died shirt hand made at The Farm in Summertown, TN. These are very collectable. Best offer.

Free 15 minute consultation by AERO staff. Just reply to this e mail. 

 

To bid on any of the above just send an e mail  with your offer to us at JerryAERO@AOL.com or reply to this e mail.

Use the following coupon at checkout to get 25% off all items in the AERO bookstore: aerobf2018 If it comes to more than $20 you also get AERO membership and over $40, a signed copy of Jerry Mintz' new book, School's Over in addition. 

 

The paintings of William Mintz

 I think many of you grow the tragic story behind this. If not you can read about it here. We won't sell the prints but we will give them to you as thanks for a donation to AERO. This year we are also offering prints on canvas.

 

School Starters Consultation Course, $249

This is one of most popular items and it is only offered for a brief time at this price. Schools and programs such as homeschool resource centers around the world have been started with AERO's help. These include Brooklyn Free School, Pono Learning Center, Manhattan Free School, now Agile Learning Center, Mosaic Agile Learning Center, A Place to Grow, and more than 100 others. The full course is only offered once a year, in September, for over $1000. If you get the Consultation Course now you can audit the course and have full access to the resources. You can ask direct question to Jerry Mintz and Chris Mercogliano, who teach the course, and the price can be applied to next year's course.

You can register for the course here.

 

Any donation over $20 or bookstore purchase over $25 will also get a free AERO membership. Any donation or book purchases over $40 will get an AERO membership plus a signed copy of Jerry's new book, School's Over.

DELIVERY GUARANTEED BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2018!

(Just kidding! We'll send right away)

As part of AERO's ongoing work to highlight and provide access to educational alternatives, AERO representatives will be showcasing the work they've been doing with youth groups around the world.  

AERO is proud to offer a special presentation on the experiences of homeschoolers and unschoolers: Thursday, November 16, 2017, 1:30 pm Pacific Time - 4:30 Eastern Time 

Join AERO Representative Heather Martinson and a group of youths from Celebration Education as they share their first-hand experiences with homeschooling and unschooling and what led them in this direction.  Registration is required here.