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| Posted On 08-26-2010 12:24 PM |
| Your Name | : Amy Valens | | Email Address | : amylvalens@comcast.net | | Location | : Forest Knolls CA | | How did you find our site? | : frequent visitor |
| Comment | : The article in Education Week is on its way to my Congressperson, Lynn Woolsey, just in case her education experts missed it! I hope others will do the same. It is so important that our policy makers understand the differences you point out, and don't legislate another round of meaningless data collection connected to "products" that demean teachers and demoralize students! |
| Posted On 08-16-2010 3:09 PM |
| Your Name | : Philip Catuogno | | Email Address | : catuogno@austin.rr.com | | Organization | : Taylor I.S.D. | | Location | : Taylor, Texas | | How did you find our site? | : Google |
| Comment | : Whenever I bring up any of your ideas Mr. Kohn, I'm quickly pelted with looks of amazement, confusion to downright disgust. I am seen as a radical. I will keep the faith. |
| Posted On 08-11-2010 5:42 PM |
| Your Name | : Johanna | | Email Address | : faughtjohanna@yahoo.com | | Organization | : High School Special Ed | | Location | : Arkansas | | How did you find our site? | : a good friend |
| Comment | : I have read some of your views recently and in the past. I agree with many things you have to say and hope to use some of your ideas in my first year of teaching. |
| Posted On 08-03-2010 7:39 PM |
| Your Name | : Anita | | Email Address | : anitavincent@yahoo.com | | Location | : Bethlehem, PA | | How did you find our site? | : Reading Dr. Kohn's books |
| Comment | : Thank you Dr. Kohn for your voice in today's crazy world of education. Do you know about a school or schools that follow your advice to some extent? I can't find anything in my area, and homeschooling is not an option for me at this time. I just don't like what I see in the schools here, whether public or private.
Also, I agree with another post that kids in Europe seem much more pleasant and disciplined than American kids. I am a Montessori teacher and I have wondered about that difference for years, but haven't been able to find much information. Any help would be appreciated. |
| Posted On 07-28-2010 12:42 PM |
| Your Name | : Jeri Marie Hallberg Harmon | | Email Address | : vonschillerhomeschool@yahoo.com | | Organization | : von Schiller Home School | | Location | : El Paso, Texas | | How did you find our site? | : Responsive, authentic |
| Comment | : ... Responsive teachers attend to their students entirely, respond authentically, and clearly explain in respectful manners why a child/student is being asked to do what they are being asked to do. Not until I was in Junior college did I hear or understand the words RATIONALE and OBJECTIVE.
I believe even the youngest students can understand why we do what we do.
Patient listening, meeting the needs of the students, extending apologies are forms of modeling behavior which fosters community...
[posting edited for length] |
| Posted On 07-19-2010 10:45 AM |
| Your Name | : Sandy | | How did you find our site? | : Wash Post Chat |
| Comment | : Have you ever looked at cross-cultural difference in children's behaviour? I have a lot of younger cousins in France and now they have children too. They all just seem overall much more pleasant, well-mannered and helpful than american kids in general. And generally when I watch families in Europe they seem that way. Is this just my imagination? I normally can't stand being around my friends kids here in the states but I enjoy it in Europe.
Thoughts? |
| Posted On 07-18-2010 7:16 PM |
| Your Name | : Bruce Banner | | Email Address | : poemworld33@gmail.com | | Organization | : unemployed math/sci teacher | | Location | : austin, tx | | How did you find our site? | : i've known about it for years |
| Comment | : in the context of "punished by rewards" this article in today's nytimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/nyregion/18about.html?hpw
the title says it all: "How a Reward Led to a Tragedy at the Beach"
best wishes to all for a better future for education, educators and, of course, our students |
| Posted On 07-15-2010 3:52 AM |
| Your Name | : P.D. Anglea | | Email Address | : pdanglea@pstel.net | | Organization | : Unemployed Teacher/Counselor | | Location | : Knoxville, Georgia | | How did you find our site? | : NY Times-Room for Debate:The Wrong Focus |
| Comment | : I stumbled across this article while browsing the net and exploring articles regarding teaching. The brief discourse resonated with my thoughts. I attempted to earn certification as a Special Education Teacher the past two years though an alternative certification program in Georgia. I am now unemployed, disappointed, frustrated, and more motivated to teach. After spending two years in a modern public high school I understand what true educators are up against. I wonder how many "Educators" truly understand the purpose of education. |
| Posted On 07-09-2010 9:01 PM |
| Your Name | : Jesús Sánchez | | Email Address | : Fontibre@hotmail.com | | Organization | : WCCUSD,Richmond,CA | | Location | : San Francisco,CA | | How did you find our site? | : Through Counterspin |
| Comment | : THANK YOU for bringing some solid, scientific reasoning into the Education debate. It seems that only extremely conservative voices like the Gates Foundation,etc,,and the corporate media are heard constantly all over. I've been a teacher for 21 years in an inner city school. I DO KNOW that merit pay, charter[=corporate] schools,teaching to the test,and other so called reforms are going to ruin true learning, but my union busting district and education board gutted my contract,lowered my salary,and cut my health benefits. Experienced teachers like me are looked upon with suspicion because we're rebellious to change. HELP! |
| Posted On 07-08-2010 12:43 PM |
| Your Name | : Marisa | | Email Address | : ristexas@yahoo.com | | How did you find our site? | : From bio in books |
| Comment | : You have changed my view of parenting by 180 degrees, thank you. I want to keep this brief, so I won't go into details, but thank you for making me a saner, kinder, more effective mother.
I do have one criticism, however, or maybe just a question. In Unconditional Parenting, you talk about how a child's school life is often at odds with this approach, and you recommend talking and working with teachers to open their eyes, selecting a different school, or just accepting this and doing the best you can at home. One option that was conspicuously absent was homeschooling. In fact, disagreement with how learning takes place in the classroom is a major reason the majority of homeschoolers do what they do. I don't know how you feel about homeschooling (it has a very bad rep due to a small percentage of parents who do crazy things), but feel it should've at least been mentioned as an option, even if you don't personally endorse it (I'd be very curious to know why you dislike it, if that is indeed the case - I really respect your opinion and research).
So, thanks again, Mr. Kohn. I'm trying to get my husband, as well as other mothers, on your bandwagon. I think the world will be a much better place if people take your approach to heart. |
| Posted On 07-05-2010 6:41 PM |
| Your Name | : patrick mc manus | | Email Address | : patrickamcmanus@yahoo.com | | Location | : seattle | | How did you find our site? | : counterspin |
| Comment | : I'm writing a one man play on Albert Einstein's young life. His life experience was a perfect example of "negative learning" . Thanks so much for your voice ! Patrick |
| Posted On 07-05-2010 10:47 AM |
| Your Name | : Erin |
| Comment | : i just read your artical atrocious advice from "supernanny" and i have to disagree with many statements. i am not a supernanny super fan, however, my girlfriend is. i have seen a few episodes and know that jo has inquired from a few fathers what kind of childhood they have had and if they wish to repeat it. the schedules have often differed for age group and household and the fact that you say jo is only interested in the adult having control over the child is atrocious. she has talked to the child about there feelings and worried about their welfare in every episode i've seen. i know my girlfriend has been a more effective mom by learning a few of jo's "techniques." her children are calmer and happier. i am surprised that a man who claims to be so accomplished and educated on the subject wouldn't be more open minded to the fact that if just one abusive or grossly dysfunctional family that watches over 3 hours of television a night or simply can't afford your guru books may change one little behavior, this would be a great thing. please try to make your articals a bit more objective and less judgemental. people of science would be appalled at you "technique." by the way, are familiar with the old addage, "though who doth protest too much...?" |
| Posted On 07-04-2010 6:43 PM |
| Your Name | : Anony |
| Comment | : You are awesome. Sadly, I still haven't gotten my mom to read Unconditional Parenting (I believe she thinks you're a lunatic of some sort). You were totally right when you claimed that parents who use love withdrawal/conditional affection have a generally negative view on human nature. Apparently my tendency to rebel stems from the fact that I am 14. It's really maddening when I have to listen to teachers/parents bully students/children using raised voices, harsh tones, and accusations based on assumptions.
I highly recommend you write a book for children on how to deal with difficult parents/teachers. |
| Posted On 07-04-2010 3:59 PM |
| Your Name | : FedUpMom | | Email Address | : Beth.Y.Randall@gmail.com | | Organization | : Coalition for Kid-Friendly Schools |
| Comment | : Please check out my new blog, the Coalition for Kid-Friendly Schools.
http://kidfriendlyschools.blogspot.com/ |
| Posted On 07-02-2010 7:54 PM |
| Your Name | : Brooke Matson | | Email Address | : bmatson@gonzaga.edu | | Organization | : M.E.A.D. Alternative High School | | Location | : Spokane, WA | | How did you find our site? | : self |
| Comment | : I heard you today on NPR, and was reminded of reading your books in my education master's degree program. I was wondering your thoughts on teacher organization for pushing back against standardized testing, teacher scoring, and race-to-the-top programs. Many teachers nowadays don't trust the union like they used to, but I feel that teachers (often being too docile or too overwhelmed) simply feel they cannot push back against the political system mandating their practice. Like doctors, we are professionals, and shouldn't allow people who are not educators to dictate our practice, no more than politicians should tell doctors how to treat patients, or lawyers how to read the law. What organization efforts are there for unifying teachers around this political cause? How can we stand up and take back our profession from corporations and politicians? |
| Posted On 06-28-2010 11:21 PM |
| Your Name | : David | | Email Address | : david.am.green@gmail.com | | Location | : Australia | | How did you find our site? | : google |
| Comment | : My wife and I have raised the use of rewards with our children's primary (elementary) school. For one of our children its gotten so bad at school, where the class has rewards 'coming out its ears' there are so many (a sticker for anything, some days are 'double sticker days', play with toys day, star of the day, certificates for doing anything...but with a teacher who is the greatest undemocratic controller ever!) that at home he wants to know what the reward is for almost anything we ask...
And, while last year he talked about what he did during the day at school (his school 'work') now he just gives us the tally of rewards he's getting: the class seems obsessed with this 'game'. |
| Posted On 06-26-2010 8:03 AM |
| Your Name | : Ariel | | Email Address | : xedgexgirl@hotmail.com | | Location | : NY |
| Comment | : There is an article in the New York Times health section today, discussing a new study from the University of Michigan that "found that college students today are 40 percent less empathetic than those of 30 years ago, with the numbers plunging primarily after 2000." And yet all the other parents I know cling fiercely to the system of rewards and punishments that led to this. My husband and I feel completely out of the mainstream these days. At my son's daycare end of year performance this week (bad enough that they felt the need to put toddlers through a dog and pony show that none of them understood!), I heard one mother tell her two year old that if he didn't participate in the whole program and sing all the songs, she would take his trains away. I wanted to cry for that poor child. |
| Posted On 06-19-2010 4:17 PM |
| Your Name | : Bruno Cubas | | Email Address | : info_9898@hotmail.com | | Location | : Peru | | How did you find our site? | : google |
| Comment | : Competition, teaching to the test, coercion, oppression. How are we as a society to function if we continue like this? I applaud your work and think we like-minded souls should bring our remedies together and create the critical mass that's needed to make real reform happen... |
| Posted On 06-09-2010 8:00 PM |
| Your Name | : Sindi Sabourin | | Email Address | : sindi.sabourin@gmail.com | | Location | : Toronto | | How did you find our site? | : friend |
| Comment | : Hi all you Alfie Kohn fans,
If any of you are in Toronto, check out my new meetup group:
http://www.meetup.com/Cooperative-Games-and-Sports-Toronto/
Part of the purpose is to get kids playing cooperative games more instead of competitive games, this not only promotes empathy, but I think will encourage more long-term participation. Ever wonder why so many adults say they hate sports? Probably because they weren't very good at it and so always got left out - when the goal is to beat an opponent, the less skilled players are not encouraged to play or when they do play are often not passed to. This only serves to increase the achievement gap. Cooperative games and sports encourage equal participation. This reduces the achievement gap and increases overall excellence.
Another purpose is to get adults to realize that cooperative games and sports can require just as much skill as competitive games and are a lot more fun for everyone because they encourage equal participation and remove the hostility and tension that competition creates. |
| Posted On 06-06-2010 5:43 AM |
| Your Name | : Stu Bloom | | Email Address | : sbloom2@gmail.com | | Organization | : East Allen County Schools | | Location | : Indiana | | How did you find our site? | : Been here many times... |
| Comment | : I've read your books...watched some of your videos...and I'm more and more convinced that you're correct in what you say about standards and tests.
Tomorrow I'll go to school for the last day of the year...and I'm retiring at the end of this school year after 34 years in public education. However, I'm going to continue to work as much as I can to get rid of the insane reliance on standards and tests.
We need to let kids learn...not force feed them. Thanks for your leadership and your voice. One of these days we'll get rid of the Margaret Spellings and Arne Duncans and turn education over to educators! |
| Posted On 06-01-2010 6:33 PM |
| Your Name | : brad Blanton | | Email Address | : brad.blanton@me.com | | Organization | : Center for Radical Honesty | | Location | : Virginia, U.S. | | How did you find our site? | : friend |
| Comment | : Very happy to discover your work after being bugged by my friend Keith Moon who likes what you say and write and what I say and write. My books on Radical Honesty talk about moralism as a disease which essentially teaches lying that is the source of alienation from each other and contact with reality. More power to you my friend. I am glad you are out there raising hell about our cultural insanity. |
| Posted On 05-30-2010 12:32 PM |
| Your Name | : John Caldwell | | Email Address | : jcaldwell@lbpearson.qc.ca | | Organization | : Beaconsfield High School | | Location | : Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada | | How did you find our site? | : google |
| Comment | : I heard Alfie at my teachers' convention in November, 2009 in Montreal. I have read four of his books since and watched two of his videos. I have tried to put some of his ideas into action in my high school math classes. I have done away with 90% of my homework and have tried to work out, together with the students, what we should learn and how we should learn it. My only regret is that I am near the end of my teaching career. I wish it was 33 years ago and I knew this great stuff. Thank-you, Alfie, for making the last few years of teaching the best! |
| Posted On 05-21-2010 2:34 PM |
| Your Name | : Rebecca King | | Email Address | : red1hrt@yahoo.com | | Organization | : University of Phoenix Graduate Program | | Location | : Alabama | | How did you find our site? | : Goggled Mr. Kohn's name |
| Comment | : I just wanted to say how refreshing it was to read an interview you did with Ron Brandt. I am currently working on my master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. I am a home school teacher and single Mom. I just started home schooling my son this past year because of all the "things" going on in public and private schools. After reading your interview, I've been looking up other works that you have done. When you decide to run for president, you've got my vote!
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| Posted On 05-19-2010 1:46 PM |
| Your Name | : April Cochran | | Email Address | : cochran.ad.1@gmail.com | | Organization | : Ashford University | | Location | : Colorado | | How did you find our site? | : google |
| Comment | : I had read a brief education profile about Alfie Kohn in 2008 while attending college in Missouri. This past week I read your article Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!" in my college textbook. I really enjoyed the article - it was very thought provoking about how important it is to watch what you say to your students. I am completing my degree in two weeks and I am looking forward to reading more articles listed on your website during my summer break. I start school again in the fall to complete my state licensing and I am sure the information will be helpful as I continue to study education. |
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