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Our Old Guestbook Entries
(05/04 through 12/04)

Thank you for viewing our guest book. Entries are organized in reverse chronological order.


Date: Fri Dec 31 19:14:05 2004
Name: Valerie K. Hanssens
E-mail: vkingphilly@aol.com
Organization: independent-free-lance writer
Location: Phila.
How the site
was found:
Beyond Discipine,a great book
Comments: What do you think of Harry Wong's ideas?



Date: Thu Dec 30 15:04:37 2004
Name: Janis Hill
E-mail: jhill345@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
How the site
was found:
Searching for a workshop to attend while visiting my daughter in NY, thought I'd look up S. Harwayne
Comments: As we struggle to find a balance, to keep the "test" from driving the school, I find this forum and articles like yours great food for thought. We have not all given up recess, the arts, and even fun in education. I have to believe there is hope that the pendulum will again swing back. I also believe that "rigor" and "joy" can both be a part of modern public education. In fact, I think they really go together!! One of the most difficult projects my 1/2/3 students completed was a design technology challenge that was indeed a lot of work AND celebration, too!!



Date: Thu Dec 30 05:58:53 2004
Name: David Marble
E-mail: davidm1616@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Massachusetts
How the site
was found:
Comments: Dr. Kohn -- My wife and I have discussed many of your ideas in enjoying our life as parents of a beautiful 2 year old girl. We are now lucky enough to find out that we will soon have a 2nd child. We've been so lucky in building a wonderful, positive relationship with our first child; I'm worried about how we will possibly be able to devote the same time and care it takes with our 2nd baby. To be honest, I'm more concerned about our relationship with the 2 year old. She is very independent,caring, and loving, but I'm worried about her. Are there particular books or articles you would recommend?



Date: Wed Dec 29 10:26:36 2004
Name: Xavier the Teacher
E-mail:
Organization: Public Schools
Location: Philadelphia
How the site
was found:
"Punished By Rewards"
Comments: Two questions...1)How many of you people reading this right now would keep going to work if you stopped getting paid? 2)How many of you people think you do a less creative job at work with more mistakes because you are getting rewarded (getting a pay check)?



Date: Tue Dec 28 19:54:08 2004
Name: Xavier the Teacher
E-mail:
Organization: Public Schools
Location: Philadelphia
How the site
was found:
The book "Punished By Rewards"
Comments: I think it is actually a great asset to offer rewards and punishments to motivate children in the classroom. I believe that it is very beneficial to the students to work toward a reward or goal. It is NOT done because it is easy. It is done with the best intention of the students future in mind. I think you should spend a day teaching an elementary school class rather than talking about it.



Date: Tue Dec 28 06:18:10 2004
Name: Heiner Putzier
E-mail: heiner.putzier@t-online.de
Organization:
Location: Germany / 86911 Diessen
How the site
was found:
reading your book
Comments: I just started to read "Punished by Rewards" and I am really impressed by those logic arguments. I am working as a sales manager and rewards, incentives and so on belong to the daily tools. But these tools do not work for a longer period, it is only short-time-thinking. As a father of 4 kids I totally agree with Alfie´s thinking. Rewarding kids in order to reach certain goals will not work. Love, Trust and Consequence are the sucessful parent´s tools and for me it seems these tools also work outside the family.



Date: Sun Dec 26 15:25:29 2004
Name: Donald Wright
E-mail: dbwright@seasurf.net
Organization: None
Location: Astoria, OR
How the site
was found:
From: what Does It Mean to Be Well Educated
Comments: YOUR Message thrills me with it's insight and reasoning.



Date: Sun Dec 26 04:10:22 2004
Name: Mary Vitt
E-mail: stevenandmary@comcast.net
Organization: Parent
Location: Boston, MA
How the site
was found:
PTEK (explosivekids.org)
Comments: look forward to reading your books; just referred to your site and am elated to have been!



Date: Wed Dec 22 01:48:56 2004
Name: emil stan
E-mail: estan10@yahoo.com
Organization: professor at university of ploiesti, romania
Location: loiesti, romania, europe
How the site
was found:
by accident
Comments: the ideas of alfie kohn are very interesting because it troubles the readers; I`d like to read the books and meet the man, but, I`m afraid it is impossible. Emil Stan



Date: Tue Dec 21 22:48:48 2004
Name: rusli rashid
E-mail: ilsur@tm.net.my
Organization: smtsp1
Location: malaysia
How the site
was found:
thru browsing
Comments: need to learn from other cultures



Date: Mon Dec 13 09:24:56 2004
Name: paula wroath
E-mail: paula.wroath@hmce.gsi.gov.uk
Organization: none - just a parent!
Location: England
How the site
was found:
via "freedom in Education" site
Comments: Loved the articles, found some of them challenging as I have been a user of gold stars etc as rewards. Am thinking deeply about this now, as I found the articles made sense. I loved the article about Character Education - not sure we have this so formally in the UK - not yet anyway! I home educate my 7 year old, principly because I don't like the way schools indoctrinate children, and found the article further reinforced my decision! Paula



Date: Thu Dec 9 08:41:54 2004
Name: Nancy Flanagan
E-mail: loubug2@yahoo.com
Organization: Proactive Parent
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.
How the site
was found:
Researched Alfie Kohn on the web
Comments: I want to first commend you Mr. Kohn for taking a risk and discussing a very worthwild subject---grading in schools. When it comes to broaching the subject of grading and the learning organization, there is a fine line as to what is taboo and whats not. It seems that many of the U.S. schools are unwilling to take a hard glance at the quality of the education that students are receiving today. While, I will not include all schools in this assessment, the fact remains that change starts at home. There is power in numbers and parents should stand up and voice their concerns and perhaps if enough parents felt as passionate as you do about the way their children are graded or what type of education they are getting, perhaps we would see some positive and noteworthy changes in the U.S. educational system. It's important to note though, that since most adults in this country grew up being graded in their formative schooling years and are currently graded somewhat on their jobs, its difficult to invoke such a radical change when the real work lay in changes at home. Changes in attitude towards the learning institution, changes in the relationships between parent and teacher and parent and child, changes in the way we teach our children and how it affects them in and out of the classroom. I believe schools should be more concerned about what the children are learning and if what is being taught is ultimately being thoroughly processed and absorbed rather than the school systems being so absorbed with the notion of ranking children by grades and promoting shameless competition that results in a lack of a quality education. And again, it is the children who lose. I again want to thankyou for all of your insightful wisdom, as I just finished reading What Does It Mean To Be Well Educated? This was a very concise look at the way the educational system sets our children up for failure, arms them with the tools to do it and continues to perpetuate the failures of a 100 year old archaic way of teaching by placing labels and promoting unhealthy attitudes towards success and learning. I look forward to your upcoming books. Sincerely, Nancy Flanagan



Date: Wed Dec 8 14:58:51 2004
Name: C.G. Kaye
E-mail: cgyorffy@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Ontario Canada
How the site
was found:
Comments: Really looking forward to your next book: unconditional parenting.



Date: Wed Dec 8 11:15:15 2004
Name: Jody McWilliams-Riibe
E-mail: riibe@mlc.edu
Organization: Midland Lutheran College
Location: Fremont, NE
How the site
was found:
Google... "Alfie Kohn"
Comments: I've lost touch with Alfie Kohn and his work, but a colleague asked me some questions regarding college students and their apparent resentment towards high expectations, unwillingness or inability to read and think, etc. The response I gave were all "Alfie-like" and I decided I wanted to return. Please let someone know that as Alfie predicted in 1997, I did leave public education. He was right and I was wrong. I thought I could "make sense of standards" as an educational consultant and administrator, BUT the accountability measures for standards put me over the edge and off my love of the professional development job I'd done for thirteen years. I'm now an assistant professor at a small liberal arts college and couldn't be happier. Anyway... tell Alfie another dedicated and skilled educator left the field.



Date: Fri Dec 3 13:11:44 2004
Name: Fran Schmidt
E-mail: fschmidt2@adelphia.net
Organization: Peace Education International
Location: Stuart, FL
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: Hi Alfie, Congratulations for having the stamina to stand up for what you believe. Over the years, I have kept track of your writing and beliefs. You are on target. Educators tell me that school is very boring. They are threatened by their principals to prepare the children to pass the "test" In turn, teachers threaten their students with failing the grade. Rewards are almost used exclusively to keep the children motivated. It's difficult for people to accept new thinking and get out of the box. It's time for change. Keep up the struggle. Peace, Fran



Date: Thu Dec 2 21:56:31 2004
Name: asel bottari
E-mail: aseltan@aol.com
Organization:
Location: brooklyn
How the site
was found:
from school
Comments:



Date: Mon Nov 29 12:04:06 2004
Name: Tija Spitsberg
E-mail: tijaspit@aol.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
by looking up Alfie Kohn via google
Comments: School reform is becoming more and more necessary. Given the mania to make sure that all children read by first grade, will lead to a nation of troubled dyslexics.



Date: Thu Nov 25 19:51:01 2004
Name: Colleen Yankovic
E-mail: cyankovic1@yahoo.com
Organization: soon to be educator
Location: Arizona
How the site
was found:
books
Comments: Love Kohn's insight on standardized testing!



Date: Wed Nov 24 11:24:33 2004
Name: Elisabeth Newman
E-mail: newmane@bw.k12.ri.us
Organization: Reynolds School
Location: Bristol, RI
How the site
was found:
Alfie told us about it
Comments: Hi, Alfie! Today was my first day back after your two day seminar. I tried to implement many of the things I learned. It was scary to walk in without MY lesson plan, but I learned so much about what my students want and need. I'll be keeping a journal about the changes I'm making, so I'll let you know how it goes. 'Till then, thanks for the new outlook on "Who's class is it anyway?" Elisabeth Newman



Date: Tue Nov 23 21:01:48 2004
Name: Skydancer
E-mail: skydancer@direct-democracy.us
Organization: Direct-Democracy.US
Location: Western U.S.
How the site
was found:
read No Contest in 1986/Google today
Comments: The Case Against Competition has been with me since 1968. Recent events show just how damaging this human behavior is to our species chances of happiness. Does anyone know of a website/message board/forum where this is understood and a conversation takes place around the question of how can we help to make the world a better place.



Date: Mon Nov 22 08:24:36 2004
Name: Renee Albright
E-mail: Renee.Albright@fwcs.k12.in.us
Organization: South Side High School
Location: Ft. Wayne, IN
How the site
was found:
"Teacher" magazine article
Comments: Your message reminds me of Jonathan Kozol's; but he adds that the power-brokers don't send their own kids to schools that focus on testing. I worry that the parents don't see the consequenses; they were "miserable" and accept the inevitability that their kids will be, too. In the same issue of "Teacher", an article appeared that said Colorado's teachers voted to link some of their pay to student performance! Same idea: forsake the love of learning we were all born with for regimented learning directed at scores. Our state (Ind.) has just had a privately funded study commission release information to improve our schools. They suggested linking teacher pay to not only achievement, but to student attendance and parental involvement, as well! They also suggested collective bargaining was a hindrance to education (no support for this, of course). They are looking to privatize the cafeteria and custodial jobs. Nevertheless, some of us have always and will always infuse our classrooms with as much joy as we can. In the 1980's, Madeline Hunter called this the room's "feeling tone" and linked it to performance. SHE had data to support her (unlike our illustrious commission). I'm so saddened at the fact that I will ocassionally get a student who believes that having fun in the class means they aren't getting an education. I feel like the next generation is going to pass this on like a genetic disorder. I smell a rat; I feel that business people (a growing number of lawmakers), who oppose unions and happy teachers, want a growing number of "dishonorably discharged", educated, not-graduating seniors. Educated, low-pay employees of the future. Thanks for sharing your work with us!



Date: Sun Nov 21 17:37:40 2004
Name: Alfred
E-mail: Bork
Organization: Univ of California
Location: IRVINE
How the site
was found:
nclbgrassroots
Comments:



Date: Sat Nov 20 10:30:52 2004
Name: Mindy Fitzsimmons
E-mail: fitzbunch@aol.com
Organization: Teacher
Location: New York
How the site
was found:
Searched Alfie Kohn
Comments: I just went to see Alfie Kohn a couple of weeks ago in Elmira. I new what I was getting into...but definitely have to share something our Principal and Board of Ed has asked us to do to 'honor' and 'acknowledge children'.They have created a High Five Award....this consists of citizenship, cooperation, effort...etc. We are an elementary school. They have asked us to select 5 children from each grade, at five week intervals. These children get a paper certificate, and applause from their schoolmates. I see it differently....I see 5 children out of each grade walk out of the gym happy and 65+ kids leave the gym disappointed. I have not been able to convince my principal that this is not that helpful. They even have created an Attendance Award.....so we have kids coming into school sick...or feel terrible that they missed a day due to illness, or family business etc. That's a quick run down on the situation...with many other details left out. How can I convince them, that this is not the way to go about 'honoring' and 'acknowleging' our students? I thoroughly enjoyed Alfie's presentational style and viewpoints on the Standards and achievement. Help !



Date: Fri Nov 19 04:08:48 2004
Name: Eileen Voss
E-mail: dgvoss@sbcglobal.net
Organization: Union Grove Elementary School
Location: Union Grove, WI
How the site
was found:
On-line Teacher Magazine
Comments: To: Alfie From: Happiness Advocate How good to read "Joyless Endeavors" this morning! I'm a teacher since 1970 and agree with you that we have to work too hard to meld the 'standards' for those Looming State Tests with the joy of learning. I chose teaching because most of my teachers in the 50's made learning interesting in a sunny atmosphere. My parents viewed my schooling as extremely important and I knew that. This year's class has an abundance of supportive parents and that's been so rewarding. Somehow the parents can meld their own tiring 'working too hard' in today's economy with taking time to ask what their child learned. JFK said children are our best resource and our future. Accountability? Yes. Respectful control? Yes. Honest mistakes? Yes. Second chances? Yes. Laughter? Absolutely. Positive thinking? Yes... We do have rules in my class. Rule # 1: Be kind. Rule # 2: See rule number one. Got that list from a mentor teacher who was an advocate of making learning fun, and school a place where kids can share their Joys and Concerns before starting their day. (Works.) Thanks for this forum. I'll read more of your site tomorrow. It's Friday, and well, we do have to write lesson plans. Eileen



Date: Thu Nov 18 07:29:32 2004
Name: Deborah Jasiukonis
E-mail: djasiukonis@hotmail.com
Organization: Granada Hills Baptist School
Location: 10949 Zelzah Ave. Granda Hills Ca
How the site
was found:
searching web site
Comments: Anything on 3rd gr coopertive learning activities



Date: Mon Nov 15 13:20:37 2004
Name: Chris Browne
E-mail: chris_browne@ocdsb.edu.on.ca
Organization: Voice in the (hopefully shrinking) wilderness
Location: Ottawa, Canada
How the site
was found:
Saw Mr. Kohn speak
Comments: It is heartening to see the amount of energy being expended on this highly important area of education - that is, forcing the agenda of public schooling away from adults and politics and towards children and learning. We who teach in Ontario are just beginning to come out of our shelters following the predations of Hurricane Harris. Mr. Harris and his government managed to cynically and deliberately engineer a downward spiral in education in Ontario largely by making the goal of public schooling to be fiscal accountability rather than teaching and learning. The evidence for this is vast and the damage they have done to the children who went through their Macheavellian mincing machine is yet to be assessed. This is not to say that every aspect of their programme was flawed. The new curriculum, for example, is a good document if you can get over the tendency to treat it like a bible and view it more as a series of guidelines. The positive outcomes of the harrisites's "Common Sense revolution", however, are eclipsed by the conflict they engendered for their own political gain. I have begun to think of these people and others like them who deliberately visit their adult predations on the world of children as political pedophiles. It seems to me that we need to ensure that political pedophilia becomes anethema if we are ever going to counter the truth that the biggest obstacle to children getting a competent and comprehensive education is adults.



Date: Mon Nov 15 09:34:07 2004
Name: Sean Joseph
E-mail: sjoseph3@rochester.rr.com
Organization: Rush-Henrietta Central School District
Location: Rochester NY
How the site
was found:
Read the books, talked to colleagues
Comments: Keep up the good fight, I am a high school music teacher and fortunately for me I can more easily implement change. Unfortunately for me, my subject is always the first on the "chopping block" guess I should have been a core subject teacher!



Date: Sat Nov 13 02:06:12 2004
Name: Alan Neville
E-mail: neville@northern.edu
Organization: Northern State University
Location: Aberdeen, SD
How the site
was found:
Comments: Alfie Kohn is my hero. He tells it like it is and is not afraid to "rattle the cage." Bravo!



Date: Thu Nov 11 20:11:03 2004
Name: Tammi Alexander
E-mail: talexand@elmiracityschools.com
Organization: Elmira City School District
Location: Elmira, NY
How the site
was found:
search
Comments: I attended your lecture at Elmira College last night and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. You are a dynamic speaker. I was truly impressed and totally engaged for the entire evening. Your enthusiasm and insight on motivation and achievement and testing is commendable. Thank you for challenging my thinking...once again...both as a parent and an elementary teacher.



Date: Wed Nov 10 15:15:04 2004
Name: Terry J Smith
E-mail: terry_j_smith@keybank.com
Organization: Key Bank
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
How the site
was found:
via Effortless Tennis site, Brent Zeller
Comments: Sounds good to me. I still have some questions, though, as to what a non-competition world leads to. Maybe we just have to redefine competition. As someone said of golf, forget the opponent, just try to beat par. Or, as a greater challenge after we've met solitary challenges, competition with another human brings the best out of us, as in hitting a tennis ball against a wall vs. playing someone. If we define the competition as beating 'his skill' only we are still able to relate to him after the match without feeling an overall sense of superiority. Maybe you would say the same, that competition is OK so long as it's not given the highest priority, that being reserved for the joy of playing. I look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you.



Date: Sat Nov 6 16:47:48 2004
Name: Suzanne Keller Hoeflich
E-mail: hillwindsfarm1@aol.com
Organization: Pacific University
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon
How the site
was found:
Search
Comments: I was really glad to see voice what I,ve always believed but I am still searching for the tools to make these ideas work



Date: Sat Nov 6 14:21:04 2004
Name: Kristen Thomson
E-mail: baccuda@comcast.net
Organization: parenthood usa
Location: Clackamas, OR
How the site
was found:
books, then surfing
Comments: Whenever I feel pessimistic about the way things are going (are we in more than just an education dark era?), I turn to Alfie Kohn. A voice of reason! I just read "Feel-Bad Education". I'm lucky that my Kindergartner loves school but I worry when she brings home a treat for "cupping and covering" when she coughs (when she already understands why you'd want to keep germs away from. Fortunately, there is not too much of this. And there is a playground. Thank you, Mr. Kohn.



Date: Sat Nov 6 08:05:59 2004
Name: james brady
E-mail: jim@sbms.org
Organization: santa barbara middle school
Location: santa barbara CA
How the site
was found:
Comments: fine thoughts at aee! thanks.



Date: Thu Oct 21 18:26:14 2004
Name: Candace Lilyquist
E-mail: clilyquist@nea.org
Organization: National Education Association
Location: Washington D.C.
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: Your work is inspiring.



Date: Thu Oct 21 16:32:01 2004
Name: linda dunn
E-mail: l.dunn93CSCSD.us
Organization: syracuse city school district
Location: syracuse new york
How the site
was found:
alfiekohn.com
Comments: the article "can character education reverse moral decline?" was the first article that i had ever read about why the methods that are being used today need to be revisted. i've always heard about why character ed is such a good program but never about is it really working for our children and are our children really internalizing its values. thanks for the enlightenment.PS used in pro/con criti cal issues grad course



Date: Wed Oct 20 08:06:32 2004
Name: Clyde Gaw
E-mail: campak14@msn.com
Organization: New Palestine Elementary School
Location: New Palestine, Indiana
How the site
was found:
My colleague tuned me into it.....
Comments: Dr. Kohn's logic and insight provide wonderful leverage for reforming the misguided attempts of the educational reform movement. Thank you Dr. Kohn



Date: Tue Oct 19 20:25:59 2004
Name: michelle flecker
E-mail: michelle.flecker@tdsb.on.ca
Organization: Toronto district School Board
Location: Toronto Canada
How the site
was found:
google
Comments:



Date: Sun Oct 17 11:59:46 2004
Name: Mariah Kraus
E-mail: Jmkraus111@aol.com
Organization: Elementary Education Student at GSU
Location: University Park Illinois
How the site
was found:
Research Character Education
Comments: Thank you for giving voice to my long held beliefs.



Date: Sun Oct 17 09:20:33 2004
Name: Clark Fralick
E-mail: cfralick@indy.net
Organization: Sugar Creek Elementary School
Location: New Palestine, Indiana
How the site
was found:
From internet search
Comments:



Date: Fri Oct 15 13:41:28 2004
Name: Suzanne Hall
E-mail: suzanne.hall@shaw.ca
Organization: University of Calgary student
Location: Calgary, Alberta
How the site
was found:
Publication of the Alberta Teachers' Association
Comments: Your publications have helped so much with my research assignment. "Standardized testing should be discontinued in Canadian Schools." As a mother of a gifted ADHD child I appreciate your viewpoints!



Date: Fri Oct 15 12:46:40 2004
Name: Anne Boulton
E-mail: reachmeatanneb@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Montreal, Qc
How the site
was found:
an attatchment parenting site had your link
Comments: I am a new mother and am finding out what kind of parent I want to be; namely a praiseless one. If I hadn't read your articles, I think I would've continued in the rewards/punishment kind of style! Thank YOU!



Date: Tue Oct 12 11:42:16 2004
Name: maria Sleegers
E-mail: m.sleegers@varendonck.nl
Organization: Varendonck-college
Location: Asten
How the site
was found:
via NLP-trainer Henriette Mol
Comments:



Date: Mon Oct 11 08:48:33 2004
Name: Rich Sidwell
E-mail: rich@olneyfriends.org
Organization: Olney Friends School
Location: Barnesville, OH
How the site
was found:
referred to in conference presentation
Comments: I am glad to see traditional education being challenged with intellect and humor.



Date: Sun Oct 10 16:10:51 2004
Name: Karla Luedke
E-mail: karla@luedke.com
Organization: ABC Daycare and Learning Center
Location: O'Fallon, MO
How the site
was found:
Keynote Speaker @ a Conference Attended
Comments: The ideas put forth seem to link very tightly with the Reggio Emelia early childhood philosophy...I wondered if Mr. Kohn had ever had the opporutnity to observe or be part of a facility that supports this philosphy. I had such the pleasure for a short time. Thank you for all that you do!



Date: Sat Oct 9 22:55:50 2004
Name: Bonita Hall
E-mail: hall_b@aps.edu
Organization: Albuquerque Public Schools
Location: Albuquerque, NM
How the site
was found:
Michael White referred me to publications
Comments:



Date: Sat Oct 9 17:36:47 2004
Name: Becky Brewer
E-mail: beckybreweroly@comcast.net
Organization:
Location: Olympia, WA
How the site
was found:
Reading your books
Comments: I'm Just a Mom - reading your books, and finding myself not heard in our education system. My son's teacher not only has awards, but they are huge - and every Friday the superstars for the week are called forward to shake her hand in front of the class - leaving any 9 year old's that didn't complete all or misplaced any homework assignments sitting at their desks. I'm being perceived as overly sensitive - but I think this sounds like shaming. Our state has a no bullying law that makes it illegal to do anything with the effect of "insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any student". Doesn't this "positive star" program qualify as "bullying" - anyone with ideas or advice - I would love help on knowing how to help change this. Thank You.



Date: Fri Oct 8 19:20:12 2004
Name: Max Zimmerman
E-mail: zimmervolk@sbcglobal.net
Organization: PB Student (working for teacher cert)
Location: UH Downtown
How the site
was found:
Attended conference
Comments: My wife has been a Montessori teacher for 12 years. She would have loved your address. Useful quote: "It's not enough to keep weighing the calf; occasionally you have to feed it."



Date: Thu Oct 7 12:02:36 2004
Name: nyumbu chishwashwa
E-mail: nyumbu@aims.ac.za
Organization: AIMS
Location: SOUTH AFRICA
How the site
was found:
GOOGLE
Comments: The book is a perfect read.



Date: Wed Oct 6 10:28:46 2004
Name: Carla Tidwell
E-mail: ctidwell@sandiaprep.org
Organization: Independent Day School, grades 6 - 12
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
How the site
was found:
read article of Alfie Kohn in recent Education Week publication
Comments: I just read Kohn's Feel-Bad Education: the Cult of Rigor and the Loss of Joy. I loved the article and most of the faculty at Sandia Prep subscribe to the notion that learning can and should be a joyful endeavor. We believe we do some pretty darn joyful things around, but there is always room for improvement. We'd love to have Alfie Kohn speak to our faculty...how should I proceed to try and make this happen?



Date: Mon Oct 4 10:33:29 2004
Name: Jacqueline V Golson
E-mail: deltadiva47@aol.com
Organization: Alief ISD
Location: Elsik High School
How the site
was found:
Internet search
Comments: Thank you Mr. Kohn for waking us (teachers) up. For years we have been turning students OFF in the guise of teaching reading. Thank you for "fixing" my remote control!!!! I have revamped my classroom strategies. I now have kids "fighting" over books and asking to be place on a waiting list for books! Who said miracles don't happen?!!!!



Date: Sat Oct 2 19:10:08 2004
Name: Donna Beardsley
E-mail: dbmorten123@aol.com
Organization: Ottawa University
Location: Phoenix, AZ
How the site
was found:
Yahoo
Comments: I am doing a reseach paper on Alfie Kohn's teaching philosophy



Date: Sat Oct 2 05:48:47 2004
Name: Pat Baldwin
E-mail: epaiko@aol.com
Organization: Radford City Schools
Location: Radford, VA
How the site
was found:
Lecture at RU
Comments: Thoroughly enjoyed and learned much at RU lecture. Thanks.



Date: Thu Sep 30 08:39:56 2004
Name: Sky Kalkman
E-mail: skyking162@gmail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
co-teacher
Comments: I'm looking for a forum to discuss applications of Kohn's philosophies. If anyone has a good education philosophy forum to recommend, please let me know. I'd also like a good HS math forum to share geometry ideas, but that's a different issue. Love Kohn's ideas, and so far my seniors do, too.



Date: Thu Sep 30 07:00:28 2004
Name: Janine Logan
E-mail: Teacher856@comcast.net
Organization: Rowan University (student)
Location: Glassboro, New Jersey`
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: I am working on a bio of Alfie Kohn for a college project. Can you please send me information on what elementary and high school he attended. Thanks!



Date: Wed Sep 29 15:13:10 2004
Name: Ramin
E-mail: ramin_amiri@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
How the site
was found:
Through an article
Comments: I have just started to read your books and have learned much from them. Many thanks Ramin



Date: Wed Sep 29 11:54:39 2004
Name: kelly green
E-mail: greenacres4@shaw.ca
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
book
Comments:



Date: Sun Sep 26 11:28:21 2004
Name: Carlota Salinas
E-mail: csalinas@mcisd.org
Organization: student of UTPA
Location: South Texas
How the site
was found:
link aquired in the May 2004 volume of Educational Leadership
Comments: I find interest in your analysis of the current state of affairs of our public schools. So much work for us to do...I believe it starts with relationship building. See you at the top.



Date: Sat Sep 25 13:31:54 2004
Name: paul thompson
E-mail:
Organization: student of UMUC
Location: Europe Division
How the site
was found:
Browsing for assignment
Comments:



Date: Fri Sep 24 17:07:46 2004
Name: Roger L. Wells
E-mail: roger.wells@nsbsd.org
Organization: North Slope Borough School District
Location: Barrow, Alaska
How the site
was found:
District E-mail
Comments: I agree and appriciate your helpful insight on many school related issues including students need to enjoy school and their need to have a positive experience while attending school.



Date: Thu Sep 16 16:38:22 2004
Name: Michael Craver
E-mail: m.craver@verizon.net
Organization: Westfield Board of Education
Location: Westfield, NJ
How the site
was found:
by reading "The Schools our Children Deserve", and "What it Means to be Well-Educated"
Comments: I could not agree more with all that you say about education. I am a 5th grade teacher in an affluent community. So many people there have blinders on about the hidden curriculum in education. They wear their children's test scores as badges and are often annoyed when I downplay them. They have taught their children well to play the game of school. However when I put the focus in the classroom on education and use non traditional means to assess their learning - which have they have little control over because a large part of the way I assess is performanced based - they become very frustrated. The children adapt, although with it being very early in the school year, I am in the process of attempting to undo the years of traditional conditioning they have become accustom to. I have passed your ideas onto several colleagues, especially those in special education and teaching part-to-whole basic skills to children that have been in their program for years. It is amazing how unreceptive to new learning educators and educated parents can be. Each day I go in to fight the good fight in the name of what is best for kids becoming life long inquirers and lovers of learning, but so many are so myopic, it is constantly an uphill battle. I'm still relatively young, so I'm up for it! But I can see why so many educators with the best of intentions ride it out in their remaining years. I intend to continue to bestow my principles, virtues and long term vision for the education I want my students and my own children to have - many of which we share - and increase my circle of influence, much to the chagrin of my administrator!!



Date: Wed Sep 15 11:31:08 2004
Name: George Hattar
E-mail: hattar314@yahoo.com
Organization: College Student
Location: Chicago
How the site
was found:
yahoo
Comments: I have read many journal articles and since soph. year of high school till today i read a lot of what you publish. I love your work. Hope to see more books published about education so i may use them when i become a teacher or professor. George Hattar Chicago, IL



Date: Wed Sep 15 08:29:25 2004
Name: Allyson Mestere
E-mail: allysonmestre@hotmail.com
Organization: American School Foundation
Location: Mexico City
How the site
was found:
Conference
Comments: I just wanted to say Thank you for coming to ASF and giving us such wonderful insight. WOW, we sure need to reevaluate our views both as parents and educators. I was pleased and very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the conference and the round table. Keep doing such wonderful work, we really need it. The world we live in needs ideas like yours. Allyson Mestre



Date: Wed Sep 15 06:38:39 2004
Name: Evan Grant
E-mail: ergrant@sympatico.ca
Organization: ---------------------
Location: Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
How the site
was found:
search
Comments: Dr. Kohn what a great book 'No Contest' We have to start parenting from the heart as per Global Ideas Bank article "Lack of touching leads to violence" to have people who are coopertive rather than competitive. We now have 12 countries in Europe where children have the same protection against assault as adults do.(Sweden 1979)Attitudes are changing there. The Association for Pre and Perinatal Paychology And Health are doing ongoing research on how aware babies are at birth and prebirth.(Natural childbirth methods as opposed to obstetrical birth)



Date: Tue Sep 14 18:20:55 2004
Name: shellian mirander
E-mail: brinafull100@aol.com
Organization:
Location: new jersey
How the site
was found:
proffessor
Comments:



Date: Mon Sep 13 10:32:39 2004
Name: Timothy Lifrak
E-mail: lifrak_99@yahoo.com
Organization: N.B. Borden School
Location: Fall River
How the site
was found:
Comments: How do I go about finding the availability of Alfie scheduling a lecture in my area and the cost?



Date: Sat Sep 11 11:59:18 2004
Name: Brendan Smith
E-mail: brendansmith@sbcglobal.net
Organization: Teacher/Parent
Location: Oakland, CA
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: I respect and agree with most of what Mr.(Dr?) Kohn states. However, I have found it difficult to find specific reccomendations about what works in parenting and teaching because I have found that the emphasis in his writing is to critisize the status quo. I find myself nodding my head in agreement and asking "what methods do you specifically propose to solve the problem?".Can you direct me to specific reccomendations about what does work and how to implement it, particularly in the classroom? Thank You, Brendan Smith



Date: Mon Sep 6 09:21:25 2004
Name: sue denman
E-mail: mumdenman@aol.com
Organization: Bay Distric Schools
Location: Panama City, Fl.
How the site
was found:
Class room Management Book
Comments: I would be interested in how long Mr. Kohn taught and where.



Date: Mon Sep 6 08:40:48 2004
Name: Eva Harting
E-mail: hartingem@comcast.net
Organization:
Location: Kindergarten Teacher Creighton Elementary Phila. PA School
How the site
was found:
Researching articles about discipline.
Comments: I've obtained very informative, and useful information from this site.



Date: Sun Sep 5 06:19:02 2004
Name:
E-mail: kroherron@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
Comments:



Date: Sun Sep 5 02:00:41 2004
Name: Tricia Robertson
E-mail: triciarobertson@aol.com
Organization: Latrobe University
Location: Victoria, Australia
How the site
was found:
Read quote from "A Kohn"
Comments: Visited website to follow up a quote I found from "A Kohn". Not a familiar name in Australia. Used it with my health and physical education class with students who are training to be classroom primary (elementary) school teachers



Date: Thu Aug 26 16:43:39 2004
Name: Teresa F. Johnson
E-mail:
Organization: UWF Student
Location: FWB, FL
How the site
was found:
course EDF 6691
Comments:



Date: Thu Aug 26 09:27:35 2004
Name: Steven Byers
E-mail: sbyers@wirb.com
Organization: Western IRB
Location: Olympia WA
How the site
was found:
Long time reader
Comments: I just saw a story about the Krispy Kreme "donuts for A's" program, quite reminiscent of the Pizza Hut reading program. Yikes. What a great (sad)example of, among other things, our utter lack of understanding of systems thinking. Will students, dreaming of a donut while they burn the midnight oil, also contemplate obesity?



Date: Sat Aug 21 05:49:20 2004
Name: Sharon Phillips
E-mail: sharon@oldfoggies.net
Organization:
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
How the site
was found:
http://reclaimdemocracy.org/education/
Comments: One of the most disturbing trends I see in education is growing empowerment over public policy. Little is said about the prison like settings and catering to upper class white women as the implementors of the lastest program or technique. Laws that allow school districts to benefit by excluding children and the sheer power of the administration armed with lawyers, is a tyranny that remains undiscussed in liberal circles.



Date: Sat Aug 21 03:37:06 2004
Name: Asaba Owerri
E-mail: homeboy@yahoo.com
Organization: banking
Location: lagos
How the site
was found:
friend
Comments: Your books, "No Contest" and "Punished by Rewards," have been crucial to my defining my own value system. I first read them when I was in the for-profit consulting world, and afterwards, I grew increasingly ill-at-ease with participating in Capitalism. You helped me to understand why. I now work for the Church, and I am more at home. Many, many thanks!



Date: Thu Aug 19 12:51:07 2004
Name: Paul Moore
E-mail: pmoore1953@aol.com
Organization: United Teachers of Dade (AFT)
Location: Miami, Florida
How the site
was found:
Research
Comments: I am a public high school teacher in Florida where Gov. Bush's FCAT test is greatly harming many young people. I want to be in touch with the test resistance movement.



Date: Mon Aug 16 15:56:08 2004
Name: Yvette M. Rios
E-mail: yvettemr@sbcglobal.net
Organization: Teacher
Location: Riverside
How the site
was found:
From Reading Alfie Kohn's Books
Comments:



Date: Fri Aug 13 16:22:19 2004
Name: pam Reynolds
E-mail: pittrey@aol.com
Organization: Teacher
Location: Pennsylvaniz
How the site
was found:
Textbook
Comments: Taking a course on Behavior Management. You are one of the strategies discussed. I read your book Punished By Rewards. Trying to convince people in my class that this is a must read!



Date: Fri Aug 13 16:19:53 2004
Name: Deborah O'Leary
E-mail: Mapmomma@cox.net
Organization:
Location: Rhode Island
How the site
was found:
being my children's ed advocate.
Comments: I did not think much about the school system I grew up with until I had to send my bright, inquisitive children into the brick buildings years later. I saw the toddlers who were fascinated with the world, become ditto producing cynics. It used to be fun, it used to be learning, now it's WORK. I plan to pick up one of your books to read on vacation in Maine. The biggest battle I have to face is advocating for my youngest son with Asperger's. It amazes me how little knowledge our school professionals have about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Once again, I will have to hand a child over to those who dwell in the brick buildings and teach them what they need to know.



Date: Fri Aug 13 07:13:02 2004
Name: GERALD BOLEK
E-mail: gbolek@scettc.org
Organization: SOMERSET COUNTY SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH SERVICES/HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATOR
Location: NEW JERSEY
How the site
was found:
COMMON RESEARCH
Comments: GREAT SITE. THANK YOU!



Date: Thu Aug 12 06:19:25 2004
Name: Veronica Anne Retnam
E-mail: annevr16@yahoo.com
Organization: volunteer at a learning centre
Location: seremban, Malaysia
How the site
was found:
From " punished by Rewards"
Comments: Your message resonates with my persoanl experience. While I was teaching fulltime I was involved in projects that were of a voluntary nature. The moment these counted for our evaluation, I was demotivated & stopped. My training in educational psychology points to a need to practise the priciples discussed. in solidarity veronica



Date: Thu Aug 5 18:19:05 2004
Name: Andi
E-mail:
Organization:
Location: Kansas
How the site
was found:
Comments: Finally on the news last week I heard about a newly graduated teacher that did not pass the Praxis teacher's test given by ETS.So he applied for a job in Poland which he will be leaving shortly for. Come to find out (I am not sure how they found out) that he did pass the test. The news also said that ther are 4,000 teachers or potential teachers that ETS said they did not pass the test, but later to find out they really did. ETS is messing with people's lives. I complained about this years ago to (instructors) and they acted like I didn't know what I was talking about. It appears to me that they want people's money. So, the more times (supposely you fail) the more money they can get from you. ETS needs to be investigated. I am a teacher and I had to take the test a few times because I did not pass (supposedly). I finally passed it with the encouragement of family and friends.My self esteem was hurt and I was depressed off and on for 1 1/2 until I passed that test. It is very discouraging. I am glad the news brought this up because I have been hoping for years that my feelings would come out to be true. Now, what will the unions do? I belong to the union and I encourage every teacher to belong to one. You never know when you will need it. I know I did this past year!!!



Date: Wed Aug 4 22:47:18 2004
Name: Lesley Forrest
E-mail:
Organization:
Location: New Zealand
How the site
was found:
via Google
Comments: As an adviser this is a great place to visit when looking for information to support teachers in their work and/or help them resolve issues.



Date: Sun Aug 1 21:14:08 2004
Name: Jessica
E-mail:
Organization:
Location: New Zealand
How the site
was found:
lecturer
Comments: doing an assignment on how competition effects motivation - helped heaps. many thanks.



Date: Sat Jul 31 00:58:47 2004
Name: Paul Williams
E-mail: psw2608@aol.com
Organization:
Location: London
How the site
was found:
web search
Comments: I am an Educational Psychologist (in the US 'school psychologist') in London, I also teach for the Open University here in the UK, after giving a Tutorial on the applications of behaviourism a student of mine recommended recommended Alfie's book 'Punished by rewards'. I found the book a real eye-opener, and I am interested in any resources that might be available here in the UK. All the best Paul



Date: Fri Jul 30 08:51:31 2004
Name: Jennifer
E-mail: JPelle10@aol.com
Organization: English Teacher
Location: New York
How the site
was found:
ASCD link
Comments: This site provided efefctive arguements against tougher standards and the language to exoress to others why I too can't stand our push for "tougher standards", as least as politics defines them. And thank you Mr. Kohn for your voice, it is a powerful one.



Date: Thu Jul 29 06:47:51 2004
Name: Steve Fenske
E-mail: steve__fen@msn.com
Organization: Teacher in Learning Disabilities
Location: Rochester, MN
How the site
was found:
Learning of your methods at Grad school
Comments: Please place me on your mailing list. Keep up the good work Mr. Kohn.



Date: Wed Jul 28 10:23:20 2004
Name: Carol Gross
E-mail: caroljgross@comcast.net
Organization: Teacher
Location:
How the site
was found:
Comments: Please Put me on email list for you newsletter. I use to get it under UserCarol8383@cs.com Please sent it to my new email address. Thanks



Date: Sun Jul 25 12:39:47 2004
Name: D'Nell Duree
E-mail: nellee@carrollsweb.com
Organization:
Location: Kansas
How the site
was found:
Class at Friends University
Comments: Interesting reading



Date: Wed Jul 21 09:18:17 2004
Name: Michael Jacoby
E-mail: jonah3b12@hotmail.com
Organization: West York
Location: Pennsylvania
How the site
was found:
just found it
Comments: Mr Alfie Kohn is not the savior of humanity. What he proposes will basically turn the students of today into self-centered,self righteous individuals whose only concern will be to satisfy their own desires.Can a person actually develop virtue, self-control, or love of humanity if it has not been tested? The bottom line is that the students will be given what they want for the most part. In the world of business today, Mr. Kohn's philosophy is futile.I wonder if educators are looking for an easy way out or if they are truly interested in the welfare of our youth. Man has always had to strive with difficulty to get to where he is today. The philosophy that Mr Kohn is proposing around the country may be undermining everything that our civilization has strived to achieve.



Date: Tue Jul 20 15:32:58 2004
Name: Carmen Taylor
E-mail: carmen_taylor@skc.edu
Organization: National Indian School Board Association
Location: Polson, MT
How the site
was found:
through nochildleft.com
Comments: what a great site!



Date: Tue Jul 20 07:37:13 2004
Name: R. Stephen Gracey
E-mail: sgracey@dohio.org
Organization: Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
Location: Cleveland, OH
How the site
was found:
Read books years ago; searched for A.K.
Comments: Your books, "No Contest" and "Punished by Rewards," have been crucial to my defining my own value system. I first read them when I was in the for-profit consulting world, and afterwards, I grew increasingly ill-at-ease with participating in Capitalism. You helped me to understand why. I now work for the Church, and I am more at home. Many, many thanks!



Date: Mon Jul 19 23:14:23 2004
Name: Rotiss
E-mail: Rotiss@hushmail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
searching for ABA schools
Comments: I just happened across this website, it appears that once again, poor exegesis has been done on behaviorism. I suggest first of all properly identifying reinforcers as a feature of behaviorism. This is common in research for cognitive psychologists or linguists to equate reward with reinforcement. Might I suggest Lovaas "Teaching Individuals with Developmental Delays", or just a acreful review of the works of Skinner, or any of the excellent websites on ABA to get a grasp on the concepts.



Date: Sun Jul 18 05:39:38 2004
Name: Annie Mills
E-mail: annielephant@aol.com
Organization: Home
Location: Lancashire
How the site
was found:
Researching Behaviour on the Internet
Comments: Your work has made me think about how i teach my chidren.



Date: Sun Jul 18 05:35:35 2004
Name: Annie Mills
E-mail: annielephant@aol.com
Organization: Home
Location: Lancashire
How the site
was found:
Researching Behaviour on the Internet
Comments:



Date: Sat Jul 17 13:32:07 2004
Name: Robert Tschabold
E-mail: robertzzz@earthlink.net
Organization: sudent
Location: Washington
How the site
was found:
Google search
Comments: Thank you



Date: Wed Jul 14 21:34:17 2004
Name: Marc Jason Abundo
E-mail: dalston_5@yahoo.com
Organization: none
Location: Philippines
How the site
was found:
web search
Comments: The facts in your website are sooooooooo amazing! keep up the good work



Date: Wed Jul 14 17:49:21 2004
Name: maga
E-mail: mrsxeko@epatra.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site
was found:
google
Comments: i just want to say kudos to your site



Date: Mon Jul 12 00:18:46 2004
Name: David DeVore
E-mail: twyllyn@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location: Sacramento, CA
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: If I was to grade Kohn's book on behaviorism in the classroom, I'd give it an F. But, since he does not believe in grades, I'll give it a summary of failure: his logic is skewed, his evidence is nonexistent (he constantly quotes the fabled "data shows..."), and competition is healthy. People who only like collaborative work are fearful and cannot stand alone easily.



Date: Sun Jul 11 15:27:04 2004
Name: Gerald W. Richardson
E-mail: g2480@swbell.net
Organization: Holy Savior Catholic Academy
Location: 1432 N. Erie St. Wichita, KS 67214
How the site
was found:
I ran a search on the net
Comments: I am currently enrolled in a Master's program at Newman University in Wichita, KS and wanted to learn more about Mr. Kohn. We are using "The Schools our Children Deserve" as a required text and many of us (students) wanted to learn more about Mr. Kohn (has he ever taught and if so where and what grade level?), (what schools are currently using the methods he wrote about and what are their sucess rates?)



Date: Fri Jul 9 16:12:39 2004
Name: lynne rerucha
E-mail: lynnewrites@yahoo.com
Organization: university of northern colorado grad student
Location: littleton co
How the site
was found:
GOOGLE
Comments: doing research about the negative aspects of Accelerated Reader...the nasty thing is gaining popularity...what can we do???



Date: Mon Jul 5 00:26:08 2004
Name: jean richards
E-mail: jeanrichards74@hotmail.com
Organization: st teresa's mercy school
Location: johannesburg south africa
How the site
was found:
searching for arguments against competition
Comments: halelulah!!!!!



Date: Wed Jun 30 12:41:43 2004
Name: rachel breeding
E-mail: maisydaisy@aol.com
Organization:
Location: commerce twp., MI
How the site
was found:
friends
Comments: i love this site and i really like you ideas and all your books you guys have published and all the ones you've made. love ya got to go bye!



Date: Tue Jun 29 14:22:29 2004
Name: Sharon McLennan
E-mail: sam@actionnet.net
Organization:
Location: Central Oregon coast
How the site
was found:
article in Hope, sent me by a friend
Comments: I am in agreement with your ideas about testing. I am writing a book on not only the detrimental effects of the standardized testing movement, but the sham of public education as a whole. The book consists to a great extent of surreptitious input by an experienced teacher who has been substituting and recording student comments and activities as they happen.



Date: Mon Jun 28 17:53:43 2004
Name: Christina Nicolson
E-mail: c_nicolson@400pleasant.com
Organization: Math Smart and Eliot Montessori School
Location: Belmont and South Natick
How the site
was found:
back book cover of What Does It Mean....
Comments: Dear Alfie Kohn: My friend, Arthur Levine of TC, suggested that I contact you. Since I won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, I have been trying to "reimagine" elementary school goals through work for the DOE, publishers, presentations, and teacher training. One of my goals that I often realize in tutoring is guiding inquisitive students to become life-long learners. My out-spoken beliefs and creativity about how to educate young people caused two school administrators to feel threatened and thwarted. Now I am co-teaching at Eliot Montessori, where I am seeing at least 20 of your 25 "good signs" (Ed. Lead.) being realized. Is there any way that I share with you any examples of "good signs?" Here is a presumptuous thought...Since my guru, Greg Tang, and I live in Belmont, would we be able to get together for a few minutes? I feel the urgency to take some significant action to stem the tide of privatization and loss of bright educators. Can I join forces with you? How? Alas, when offered the opportunity to interview for position of Math Coordinator for Massachusetts, I declined. If you can eke out any time, call me at 617-489-0686. I would like to be able to pass on something to Barbara Libby, DOE Director, when we meet soon. Your fellow reimaginer, Christina Nicolson



Date: Mon Jun 28 04:41:34 2004
Name: Cheryl Stilwell
E-mail: cherylstilwell@hotmail.com
Organization: just a teacher
Location: Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
How the site
was found:
back of book cover
Comments: I attended the CTF Conference in Ottawa in May 2004 and have been excited ever since. After 20 years of feeling "something is wrong with all this" I now know exactly what it is. Hopefully I can begin to make a real difference in the lives of students. Thank you.



Date: Sat Jun 26 03:04:07 2004
Name: Catherine
E-mail:
Organization:
Location: Canada
How the site
was found:
Interested in finding out so did a Yahoo Search
Comments: I have recently read a few of Alfie Kohn's books,as well as viewing videos. It frustrates me, as so much of what he says has been said before. If we look at Montesori she felt that we should engage children in activities. Why does Kohn still have to tell this and other ideas to Teachers, Administration, Governments etc? As I continue in the teaching field. I hope to make a difference!



Date: Sat Jun 26 00:59:06 2004
Name: mayowa
E-mail: mayowa_ahmad@yahoo.com
Organization: student
Location: nigeria
How the site
was found:
TIG
Comments: I want to be part of your members



Date: Wed Jun 23 05:00:33 2004
Name: Gerald A. Bolek, Human Services Coordinator-Clinician
E-mail: gbolek@scettc.org
Organization: Somerset County Vo-Tech. High School, School-Based Youth Services
Location: New Jersey
How the site
was found:
hrough researching W. Glasser's Choice Theory
Comments: Dear Dr. Khon, A most delightfully refreshing approach to gaining a meaningful perspective on the naturally perennial unfolding of Human beings and how we, (as careing facilitators), can best encourage, preserve, and enhance this inately driven process in a non-imposing manner. Thank you so much!



Date: Mon Jun 21 13:15:33 2004
Name: tina kafka
E-mail: tkafka7935@aol.com
Organization: explorer elementary charter school
Location: san diego
How the site
was found:
longtime admirer of alfie kohn
Comments: I am the curriculum coordinator and science teacher at a small charter school (Explorer Elementary Charter School) in san diego. My husband teaches first grade there. Our school embraces much of the philosophy espoused by alfie kohn, shelley harwayne and many others. We believe strongly that academic achievement is related to a strong feeling of community within the classroom and the school as a whole. We have a social-emotional curriculum, high academic standards, and a pervasive feeling of engagement and joy for learning at our school. We are writing a manual for our teachers this summer to make tangible some of the intangibles that account for our success. Our school was the ONLY elementary school in the San Diego Unified School District to be named as a Calif. State Distinguished School, but more than that, children, teachers, and parents love to come to school each day.



Date: Thu Jun 17 16:35:59 2004
Name: LISA ZANDER
E-mail: none
Organization: occupation/ barber
Location: MIDDLETOWN, OHIO 45042
How the site
was found:
LOOKED IT UP ON WEB SEARCH.
Comments: I ENJOYED YOUR BOOK "PUNISHED BY REWARDS"; AS I'VE BEEN STUDYING UP ON "HOME SCHOOLING" I CAME ACROSS YOUR BOOK AND READ IT. YOUR IDEAS AND BELIEFS ARE GOOD AND INTERESTING.. IS IT POSSIBLE TO CORRESPOND BY "MAIL" SINCE I DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER? MY MAILING ADDRESS IS: MS. LISA ZANDER PO BOX 1491 MIDDLETOWN, OHIO 45042 I AM READING YOUR BOOK A SECOND TIME AND PLAN TO READ "NO CONTEST"....



Date: Thu Jun 17 10:32:33 2004
Name: Bridget Hannah
E-mail: Hannah2000@comporium.net
Organization: Winthrop University
Location: Rock Hill, SC
How the site
was found:
professor
Comments: Thanks for visiting us on Wednesday at Winthrop University. I am an Aspiring Leadership Academy student and I learned a great deal. More importantly, I was forced to do a self-evaluation of my practices in the classroom. After reflecting, I concluded that my best year was my first year of teaching. I had no clue about standards, but I just taught what I felt my kids needed and it worked. Thanks for your insight. Hannah



Date: Wed Jun 16 13:26:44 2004
Name: Bob Costello
E-mail: bobcostello@safersanerschools.org
Organization: SaferSanerSchools
Location: Bethlehem, PA
How the site
was found:
Article from colleague
Comments: Wonderful content. Informative site. I'll be back to read more!



Date: Mon Jun 14 15:03:09 2004
Name: H Pettersson
E-mail: holliep@updc.org
Organization: University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
How the site
was found:
Google
Comments: How does Mr. Kohn sleep at night knowing that he is taking advantage of one of the most underpaid and overextended factions of our society, TEACHERS... I think "Punished By Rewards" has done more damage for American Education as it encourages us as educators to NOT BE POSITIVE. Positivity is one of the strongest interventions, it is one of the few tools that we as educators have, and Mr. Kohn makes us feel bad for using it. That's the SHAME of American education, that someone like Mr. Kohn is allowed to make a very decent living on the backs of educators.



Date: Sat Jun 12 14:56:10 2004
Name: Laura H. Chapman
E-mail: chapmanLH@aol.com
Organization:
Location: Cincinnati, OH
How the site
was found:
AOL search
Comments: Bravo on the most recent (April, 04)Kappan article re: NCLB and test-em-til they drop. Just did a major paper on NCLB, forthcoming in Arts Education Policy Review, a field where the effects are just being noticed.Also did an exercise several yearsago on "free-market" arts education. Most folks thought I was out of my mind. Few see the larger picture.



Date: Thu Jun 10 11:10:44 2004
Name: Thomas Joyce
E-mail: stock7@papower.net
Organization: Bloomsburg University
Location: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
How the site
was found:
Professor recommended it
Comments:



Date: Wed Jun 9 10:17:14 2004
Name: Carmen Taylor
E-mail: carmen_taylor@skc.edu
Organization: National Indian School Board Association
Location: Polson, MT
How the site
was found:
from reading an article
Comments:



Date: Wed Jun 9 03:28:21 2004
Name: Miffy Tomlinson
E-mail:
Organization:
Location: Wales UK
How the site
was found:
websearch
Comments: Impressed is not an adequate word!!!! In Wales we have a devolved government (i.e although still connected to the UK government our Assembly is able to make many of its own decisions) SATS has been phased out for 7 year olds and will probably be phased out by 2008 for eleven year olds (hope I've got my facts straight) They are also introducing a foundation stage for 3-7 year olds where they will learn through play. My kids are both under 7 so I am so glad I live here. Not everyone is so enlightened though. after chasing through hoops to get to grips with the changes in education, SATS, National Curriculum, Teacher performance management etc. the governors of our local primary school have heartily jumped on the bandwagon and don't see the new changes as a good thing. The headteacher 'has seen it all before' 'fashionable progressive' 'and look what a mess that was' I don't think even a copy of one of your books would help!!



Date: Sat May 29 17:25:31 2004
Name: Rosario DiDonna
E-mail: RosarioDiDonna@aol.com
Organization: NJEA-New Jersey Educational Association
Location: New Jersey
How the site
was found:
In,The Schools Our Children Deserve
Comments: Finally a writer and educator that gets it. Kohn's perspectives and insights on America's educational system hits the bullseye.



Date: Sat May 29 07:15:23 2004
Name: Alexander Evans
E-mail:
Organization: Teaching Student
Location: UC Canberra Australia
How the site
was found:
in the subject text book
Comments: Even the briefest of familiarity with Alfie Kohn's work has fundamentaly changed the way I think about education. Not only does it explain a lot about my own feelings going through school and university, Alfie's work has influenced my personal goals as a future teacher. Thank you.



Date: Sun May 2 19:30:38 2004
Name: Meghann Lambert
E-mail: Meghann830@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location: Colorado
How the site
was found:
yahoo search
Comments:


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