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|
Date:
| Thu Sep 14 18:36:50 2000
| Name:
| Emili Parmelee
| E-mail:
| emilivg@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| student
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: internet
| Comments:
| I am really interested in cooperative learning. I would
love for you to emial me with any info you have on it. Thank you I look up
to you and respect you as a dear colleague and friend. Emili
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 14 04:48:57 2000
| Name:
| Pia Petterson Stubbs
| E-mail:
| pia_petterson_stubbs
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Singapore
| How the site | was found: from the book "Punished by Rewards"
| Comments:
| Dear Mr. Kohn...Thank you for putting all these interesting
thoughts into a book!!! Becoming a mother to a boy 2 years ago has really
made me rethink a lot of child rearing practices...from "letting the child
cry himself to sleep..in order to sleep through the night" to using words
like naughty!!! Personally my husband and I banned the word naughty...and
think carefully about the words we use...since words have specific
meanings, something many parents forget. I'm glad to read that your
suggestion in stead of "good job" is to reiterate just what the child has
done...ie. "You tied your shoelaces!"...something we try hard to
do.....Anyway, your views are very valuable to us, and we'll be on the
look-out for new books by you. If you have a chance to reply, what do you
think of the Rudolph Steiner method of teaching, ie. the Steiner-Waldorf
Schools??? Thanks and regards, Pia
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 13 17:22:20 2000
| Name:
| Pamela Thacher
| E-mail:
| pthacher@bucknell.edu
| Organization:
| Bucknell University
| Location:
| Lewisburg, PA
| How the site | was found: Went to seminar given by Dr. Kohn
| Comments:
| Just took the plunge and offered one of courses as "no
grade" -- practically speaking, the students and I will have a feedback
session at the end of the semester and we'll decide -- maximum student
input -- on the "grade" at that time. EVERY ONE of the students thought it
was a great idea and my heart was pounding...
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 13 09:54:11 2000
| Name:
| Debra Warstler
| E-mail:
| debrawarstler@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Perry Local Schools
| Location:
| Massillon, Ohio
| How the site | was found: searching Alfie Kohn/NCTE
| Comments:
| We desperately need ammo to fight a movement toward
standardized testing in our district. Something to silence the Schmoker
advocates. Help! Where do we turn?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 13 06:45:05 2000
| Name:
| BARB Angstadt
| E-mail:
| djangst@ptd.net
| Organization:
| homeschooler
| Location:
| PA
| How the site | was found: You mentioned it in your lecture last night!!
| Comments:
| It was wonderful to hear you!! Very invigorating!! I
attended with my husband and teenaged daughter. We asked the question
about your feelings on homeschooling. My husband teaches in a public
school and we are looking for ways to implement the things homeschooling
has taught us in his public school classroom. But it seems difficult to do
given the system. What we need is a whole generation of students educated
in "Alfie Kohn Philosophy" Maybe you should develop a series of lectures
for even younger audiences so we have students who grow up knowing there
are alternatives to the system. These students would hopefully take charge
of their own education and demand changes in their public schools. Keep up
the good work. I haven't thoroughly explored this site yet. Will do that
now. I hope it has a listing of lectures and dates as I would go to hear
you again tonight if you were speaking somewhere close to our area. BARB
Angstadt I'd like more information on becoming active in initiating
changes in the public schools. After all they are the way the majority of
our children will be educated.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 12 20:35:52 2000
| Name:
| Walt Coker
| E-mail:
| WaltC12813@aol.com
| Organization:
| Consultant
| Location:
| Phoenix, Arizona
| How the site | was found: familiar with Dr. Kohn's work
| Comments:
| Alfie: Keep after it. Haven't read anything of yours
lately. You keep a lot of people energized! Walt Coker
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 12 15:04:46 2000
| Name:
| Dawn Peng
| E-mail:
| dawnpeng@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Can-Achieve Consultants Ltd.
| Location:
| Suite 1300 , 1030 West Georgia St. Vancouver B.C. V6E 2Y3
| How the site | was found: BCIT Instructor
| Comments:
| I am looking for the book name as "Effective Reward
Management Second Edition", thank you very mauch.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 12 14:54:31 2000
| Name:
| Robert Levin
| E-mail:
| ralevin@cc.ysu.edu
| Organization:
| Youngstown State University
| Location:
| Youngstown, Ohio
| How the site | was found: Lycos: Search for "Alfie Kohn"
| Comments:
| Some of my students (Education & Society, YSU) would
like to contact Alfie about their reactions and questions from reading THE
SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE. Will Alfie respond to student inquiries? Is
there a snail address to which we could send them, or is e-mail better?
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 8 15:24:06 2000
| Name:
| Walter Long
| E-mail:
| hipro.wlong@sdps.org
| Organization:
| Mountain pacific Quality Health Foundation
| Location:
| Honolulu
| How the site | was found: CEO workshop
| Comments:
| I find your information compelling and controversial. It
provides an excellent catalyst for discussion.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 5 22:26:20 2000
| Name:
| Cindy Charest
| E-mail:
| ccharest@maine.rr.com
| Organization:
| none
| Location:
| Westbrook, ME
| How the site | was found: knew it already
| Comments:
| none today
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 4 15:13:00 2000
| Name:
| Susan Cohen
| E-mail:
| shcohen15@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: Gazette
| Comments:
| I totally agreed with your book Punished by Rewards and am
delighted that I found your site. I'm looking forward to reading your
other books.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 3 17:57:28 2000
| Name:
| McAlister Coleman
| E-mail:
| mcoleman@endicott.edu
| Organization:
| Retired Professor of Art
| Location:
| Massachusetts
| How the site | was found: Second Thoughts on earlier submission
| Comments:
| All too often when standards were discussed we would be
stuck on the non-reflective level of simply answering questions or on the
pre-reflective level of questioning answers but almost never on the more
profound reflective level of questioning our questions. It always puzzled
me that academic discourse in our college was seldom really reflective,
philosophical in the best sense.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 3 15:48:19 2000
| Name:
| McAlister Coleman
| E-mail:
| mcoleman@endicott.edu
| Organization:
| Retired Professor of Art
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: Interview in Sunday Globe 9/3/2000 M5,M8
| Comments:
| Your thoughts on grading should have been part of our
discussions in Departmental and Faculty Meetings and All College
workshops--- every September for the last thirty years--- until we got
it!!! Even though retired my spirit is troubled by the inertia of
unfinished business. An unrealized goal was to change student's attitudes
towards making mistakes and errors. James Joyce's notion that errors are
"portals of discovery"(Ulysses,p.188) awoke me from my pedantic slumbers.
And Cybernetic thought helped with my program to really help students
learn.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 1 20:58:39 2000
| Name:
| Doug Hershey
| E-mail:
| dhershey@pagosa.k12.co.us
| Organization:
| Pagosa High School
| Location:
| Pagosa Springs ,CO
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| After seeing a tape of a presentation by Mr. Kohn I began
to implement some of his ideas and found them successful. After hearing
him in person I am going to try more of these ideas. Many of the teachers
in our building are as well- with some excellent support from the
administration.I'll keep you posted. When i think of most educational
reform i'm reminded of an old joke. Here it is. Two people are sitting
down to a meal at a resturant.One lady says "This food is really awful"
The other say,"And such small portions too." Most reform seems to me to be
increasing the portion and not improving the food. Also,please note the
correction to my webmail address. Thanks
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 31 14:02:22 2000
| Name:
| Timothy D. Walker
| E-mail:
| gullyfoyle@juno.com
| Organization:
| Southwest Missouri State University
| Location:
| Springfield, Missouri
| How the site | was found: Research
| Comments:
| I am very happy to discover that other educators and
theorists share my opinions on standardized testing. This issue is
apparently going to be another issue for the political arena, yet all of
the rhetoric will not begin to repair the damage already done by imposed
standards and standardized testing. With all of the positive responses to
this website, a person has to wonder why politicians still harp
incessantly on the issue of 'tougher standards' and 'more tests'. Haven't
they got the message yet?
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 29 10:53:52 2000
| Name:
| richard j. hendin
| E-mail:
| rhendin@mediaone.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: looked for it
| Comments:
| As a retired high school teacher I applaud your thinking.
Nothing will destroy our society more quickly than its reliance on
standardized tests as a barometer of student capability. Where is the room
for the arts, music, theatre, poetry, and critical analysis even of
authority? Again, thanks for the leadership. Richard J. Hendin
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 29 10:53:33 2000
| Name:
| richard j. hendin
| E-mail:
| rhendin@mediaone.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: looked for it
| Comments:
| As a retired high school teacher I applaud your thinking.
Nothing will destroy our society more quickly than its reliance on
standardized tests as a barometer of student capability. Where is the room
for the arts, music, theatre, poetry, and critical analysis even of
authority? Again, thanks for the leadership. Richard J. Hendin
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 29 08:44:17 2000
| Name:
| SHARON CALDWELL
| E-mail:
| nms@imaginet.co.za
| Organization:
| NAHOON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
| Location:
| EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA
| How the site | was found: SEARCH FOR ALFIE KOHN
| Comments:
| I have read Punished by Rewards. It just confirmed
everything I've ever believed about bullying and briding children. I only
wish your books were more freely available here. Our local library and
bookstore have never heard of you!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 28 20:44:13 2000
| Name:
| Jeffrey Parker
| E-mail:
| czarparker@netscape.net
| Organization:
| E I DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.
| Location:
| Kokomo, Indiana
| How the site | was found: from Bio in "Punished by Rewards"
| Comments:
| Being only a few years out of college with all the memories
still fresh, and siblings currently at every rung on the educational
ladder, I find myself wanting every teacher/professor/student to read No
Contest and Punished by Rewards. I desire the revolution in thought, the
paradigm shift that these books among others (Just finished one by Ed
Deci) will bring. Now...how to convince the engineers and managers around
me to respect the social sciences and these ideas. Already I've been
"playfully" mocked by fellow engineers and by my boss for having No
Contest on my desk. Any ideas on how I might approach this rigid bunch are
welcome. And any other authors and publications that might be useful would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 26 17:16:35 2000
| Name:
| Phyllis Reffo
| E-mail:
| preffo@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Parent
| Location:
| home
| How the site | was found: Book: punished by rewards
| Comments:
| read the book and am interested in more information
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 26 14:46:55 2000
| Name:
| morgan emrich
| E-mail:
| moedaddy@rocketmail.com
| Organization:
| reynolds school district
| Location:
| portland or
| How the site | was found: yahoo
| Comments:
| I am a believer in most of what Alfie and John Holt espouse
and I feel completely alone and isolated in my job as a 5th grade teacher
as a result. Are there others out there like me? Help!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 25 19:09:24 2000
| Name:
| Margaret Shibuya
| E-mail:
| jpeg99@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Sapporo, Japan
| How the site | was found: Searched "Alfie Kohn"
| Comments:
| I hope more and more teachers will come to appreciate Mr.
Kohn's wisdom and apply what they learn in their classrooms.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 25 15:38:15 2000
| Name:
| Julie Conaron
| E-mail:
| jconaron@clma.org
| Organization:
| Clinical Lab Management Association
| Location:
| Wayne, PA
| How the site | was found: From the Deming site
| Comments:
| Keep up the good work. We're trying to "convert" all the
lab managers!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 25 08:33:12 2000
| Name:
| Jeremy Cox
| E-mail:
| jemnelie@zoom.co.uk
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Leeds, Yorkshire, England
| How the site | was found: search engine
| Comments:
| First of all, profound & heartfelt thanks to Alfie Kohn
- your work, with that of W.Edwards Deming, have inspired a journey of
discovery and transformation over the last few years. If we ever meet, I'd
like to shake you by the hand and buy you a pint, CHEERS! Now a cry for
help to everybody. I'm begining to search for a primary school for my
children, and have failed so far to find anything that can guide me to
'enlightened' schools/parents groups/teachers in my part of the world.
Tragically the UK is in the grip of standardised test & league table
fever, & I'd like to keep my family out of that nonsense thanks. Is
there anybody out there who could point me in the right direction? I'd be
very grateful for any clues.... many thanks in anticipation.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 23 19:08:14 2000
| Name:
| Janine Gross
| E-mail:
| janineg@att.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: searhed on "alfie kohn"
| Comments:
| are there specific public and/or private schools around the
country that you recommend? we would consider moving if we could find the
kinds of schools or classrooms you desribe in your book. we currently live
in seattle and have a five-year-old child. the public schools are mediocre
at best. there are a small number of exclusive private schools whose
classrooms don't look much different from those in the public schools.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 23 16:16:30 2000
| Name:
| Doug Hershey
| E-mail:
| dhershey@k12.co.us
| Organization:
| Pagosa High School
| Location:
| Pagosa Springs , CO
| How the site | was found: After a Presentation by Mr. Kohn
| Comments:
| Are moments of shared joy over a childs accomplishments the
same as praise?
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 21 15:18:11 2000
| Name:
| Linda Stromberg
| E-mail:
| mailto:stromberg@coefs.coe.unt.edu%20%20%20%20AND%20stromberglinda@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| University of North Texas
| Location:
| Denton, TX
| How the site | was found: search engine
| Comments:
| I really enjoyed reading BEYOND DISCIPLINE, NO CONTEST, and
PUNISHED BY REWARDS.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Aug 20 14:33:01 2000
| Name:
| Judith Casey
| E-mail:
| jcasey@d20.co.edu
| Organization:
| Antelope Trails Elementary School
| Location:
| Colorado Springs, Colorado
| How the site | was found: from professional reading
| Comments:
| Alfie Kohn led us to Choice Theory and William Glasser.
Take a look at Dr. Glasser's website that tells about Choice Theory and
the Quality Schools Model.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 19 11:39:25 2000
| Name:
| Lisa Jordan
| E-mail:
| jordanlk@open.org
| Organization:
| Yamhill-Carlton School District
| Location:
| Yamhill, Oregon
| How the site | was found: By reading "The Schools Our Children Deserve"
| Comments:
| I have been very intersted and excited about the books by
Alfie Kohn that I have read (three of them). The work that he does is
thourough and solidly based in the research. Much of the work I am doing
on my Master's Thesis is inspired by the books "Punished by Rewards" and
"On Discipline" and the issues around developing life long learners and
self-determined individuals. I hope that the message he is sending is
taking hold more and more - I plan on helping plant the seed of these
ideas in my children's school and the schools that I work in.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 17 15:43:58 2000
| Name:
| Duane Pitts
| E-mail:
| dpitts@odessaoffice.com
| Organization:
| Odessa High School
| Location:
| Odessa, WA
| How the site | was found: Heard Alfie Kohn at an NCTE meeting
| Comments:
| Keep plugging away at the establishment -- it needs to be
knocked down a step or two when it comes to standardized tests. I've
ordered two copies of your newest book, one for me and one for my oldest
son going into teaching this year.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 17 00:18:42 2000
| Name:
| Rachel
| E-mail:
| RS732@aol.com
| Organization:
| Columbus State student
| Location:
| Columbus, Ohio
| How the site | was found: Told about it in class
| Comments:
| I have just finished reading "Beyond Discipline", wow what
a wonderful book! It really hits home to a lot of topics and I feel every
person who is around children should read this book!
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 16 09:54:52 2000
| Name:
| sriven naidu
| E-mail:
| sriven@paperclip.com.sg
| Organization:
| singapore polytechnic
| Location:
| Singapore
| How the site | was found: Summerhill website
| Comments:
| Enjoyed "What to look for..." enough to buy "punished by
rewards" and "schools our children deserve". Would love to meet and share
ideas and experiences with like-minded people. Do drop me a note if you
are passing through Singapore.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 14 19:00:31 2000
| Name:
| Ray Appel
| E-mail:
| sfu@chalktv.com
| Organization:
| Simon Fraser University
| Location:
| Burnaby, BC, Canada
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Update to my last message! I loved your book so much, I
decided to put a link to your website on our website
(www.geocities.com/sfumodule). The website is for new student teachers who
are just entering the profession here at Simon Fraser University near
Vancouver, BC.. Your ideas will most certainly help. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 14 18:54:15 2000
| Name:
| Ray Appel
| E-mail:
| paperback_writer@chalktv.com
| Organization:
| Simon Fraser University
| Location:
| Burnaby, British Columbia
| How the site | was found: Typed in the author's name...It worked!
| Comments:
| I just picked up the paperback entitled, "What to Look For
in a Classroom", and I'm really enjoying it! Actually, I'm looking for a
"text" for a new group of student teachers for the fall. I thought the
essay entitled, "How not to Teach Values" was clear, descriptive and made
many strong points. I'm hoping to obtain, "The Schools Our Children
Deserve". One of the most serious issue in our schools is how we look at
assessment, and what the "data" is used for (and by whom!). Well done!
Keep at it Mr. Kohn! (I hope to see you here in Vancouver in October).
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 12 18:34:33 2000
| Name:
| Amy Ireland
| E-mail:
| eland_amy@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| SkillPath's
| Location:
| Chillicothe
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| Alfie has helped tremendously with discipline problems.
Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 12 16:34:56 2000
| Name:
| Mark Hendrix
| E-mail:
| malan66@aol.com
| Organization:
| Educational Consultants Minnesota
| Location:
| St. Paul, MN
| How the site | was found: Google.com (keywords: Alfie Kohn)
| Comments:
| Love the site, agree with the message. Looking to build a
movement that would change the focus of American education from the
standards/basics/teacher-centered learing to a system that is more
compatable with the research about how people actually learn. Anyone who
is reading this message and is excited enough about Mr. Kohn's ideas to
actually bring change at the building, district or state-levels, please
contact me. I have had some success and would like to see more for others.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 11 19:03:00 2000
| Name:
| cindy selvaggio schmidt
| E-mail:
| cindyselvaggio@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| consultant
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: just a shot in the dark
| Comments:
| I've been reading and recommending your books for years. In
an article you mentioned alternative ways to measure a school, rather than
standardized tests. could you mention those please? Also do you do
lectures, would you come to Phoenix, AZ?
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 11 15:05:32 2000
| Name:
| mary Beth Spann
| E-mail:
| mbs
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Shoreham, New York
| How the site | was found: From Mr. Kohn himself!
| Comments:
| Hooray for Alfie Kohn! We moved our children from a school
district without without Alfie Kohn¹s philosphies in place to one that
embraced his ideas, and the difference is dramatic. My children now feel
freer to make mistakes, set their own goals, learn at their own rates and
assess their own accomplishments. Yet they still have those horrible
standarized New York State tests to contend with. Lots of work still to be
done.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 11 11:10:17 2000
| Name:
| Geri Hagler
| E-mail:
| Ghaglerjoelson@aol.com
| Organization:
| choas: public school 5th grade teacher
| Location:
| Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho
| How the site | was found: Interview of Alfie Kohn by J. O'Neil & C. Tell
| Comments:
| I have been asked to facilitate a meeting about the state
exiting standards next week. I wanted to be prepared to ask questions. I
feel these standards are adding to our problem of a curriculum "a mile
long and an inch thick".
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 11 10:03:06 2000
| Name:
| Christine Renaud
| E-mail:
| christine.renaud@sympatico.ca
| Organization:
| Member Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents
| Location:
| Picton, Ontario
| How the site | was found: Just keyed in name
| Comments:
| I have read most of Mr. Kohn's books and I am just
finishing The Schools our Children Deserve. It's excellent. So much of the
information supports many of us who choose to educate our children from
home. Mr. Kohn has a wide audience of home educating families. I assume he
knows this. While he is obviously interested in changing the work within
the schools, (which is an honourable ambition) he could no doubt write on
home education as an alternative. Many of us teach from home under the
progressive conditions he describes in his books and we would certainly
welcome his insight regarding home education. If not a book, would he
perhaps write a paper or essay on home education? I know many readers
would be interested. Chistine Renaud
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 10 23:59:06 2000
| Name:
| Gale Gleason
| E-mail:
| galewgleason@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| allen, TX
| How the site | was found: yahoo
| Comments:
| I have read punished by rewards. It clearly expresses the
complications of controling indeviduals , and perhaps one day will
revolutionize our education system. As a frustrated student I can see the
huge petential in these ideas. Step one is identifying the problem, step
two is correcting it. I think that the one reason public education hasn't
changed already is because colleges havent changed yet.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 10 06:54:15 2000
| Name:
| Andy Brown
| E-mail:
| brown@together.net
| Organization:
| St. Albans Town Educational Center
| Location:
| St. Albans, Vermont
| How the site | was found: Ok!
| Comments:
| I'm now reading Punished By Rewards.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 9 00:14:33 2000
| Name:
| Chris Nagy Chow
| E-mail:
| kchow531@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Roseville CA
| How the site | was found: From Book "What to Look for in a Classroom"
| Comments:
| So far I have read, "Punished by Rewards,"-- "The Schools
our Children Deserve,"--"What to Look for in a Classroom." I have truly
enjoyed reading them and have recommended these books to many friends.
These books not only are well researched and supported, they resonate
within my experiences at true. I listened to your commentary on NPR
regarding California's SAT 9 test reports. After two years in the public
school arena in California, we are abandoning it. By the time they figure
that they are running down the wrong road--my children will have exited
their system. Homeschooling or Charter School here we come.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 8 15:55:26 2000
| Name:
| Ed Beckman
| E-mail:
| ebeckman@aol.com
| Organization:
| Prairie Middle School
| Location:
| Aurora, Colorado
| How the site | was found: book reference
| Comments:
| Brovo Mr. Kohn! I've read most of your books and found "The
Schools Our Children Deserve" to be one of the most thought provoking yet.
Not being a math or language arts teacher has placed educators like myself
closer to the top of the "unimportant" list both inside and outside of
education. I plan to share your information and this website with many
colleagues and interested parents.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 8 14:53:17 2000
| Name:
| melissa conolly
| E-mail:
| melcorcon@aol.com
| Organization:
| Academy Middle School
| Location:
| Fitchburg, MA
| How the site | was found: Looking for articles written by A.Kohn
| Comments:
| Looking for articles that describe reasons for not using
reward systems as teaching tools, for example, teaching concepts of money
through the use of a token economy.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 8 14:01:45 2000
| Name:
| John-Paul Morgante
| E-mail:
| jpmorgante@home.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Augusta, GA
| How the site | was found: link from an HR related article
| Comments:
| Your conepts are interesting and well researched but
difficult to implement as they are counterintuitive to waht people
"believe" -- especially in business.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 7 23:09:42 2000
| Name:
| Cindy Charest
| E-mail:
| ccharest@maine.rr.com
| Organization:
| none
| Location:
| Westbrook, ME
| How the site | was found: knew it already
| Comments:
| just want to read guestbook
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 7 20:15:27 2000
| Name:
| Suzette Youngs
| E-mail:
| syoungs@pagosa.k12.co.us
| Organization:
| Pagosa Springs Intermediate School
| Location:
| Pagosa Springs CO
| How the site | was found: at a conference
| Comments:
| I just finished "The Schools our Children Deserve". I am so
inspired and I feel very validated for the community my students and I
have created. I am looking forward to Alfie's arrival tomorrow (8/7/00)
here in Pagosa Springs. I am a progressive teacher in a very "Old School"
district. I am eager to get some public validation on my constuctivist
approaches to education. Perhaps I won't always be dismissed as a naive,
green, idealistic and unrealistic teacher. I love what I do and I thrive
on the challenge in teaching in this kind of situation. I know he will
have a huge impact on those teachers riding the "educational fence".
Thanks for coming to our town Alfie and trying to make a difference. Good
Luck!!!!!!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 7 13:09:00 2000
| Name:
| Rick Prosk
| E-mail:
| prosk@uniserve.com
| Organization:
| teacher, Quesnel School District
| Location:
| Quesnel, B.C.
| How the site | was found: listed in "Punished by Rewards"
| Comments:
| I've just finished reading the above book and am actively
searching for more. I have taught a multi-aged class (Grades 4/5/6) for
about ten years, and having used sticker incentives since I attended a
Barbara Coloroso workshop years ago...This book, however, was ver
inspirational, and provided logical facts to back up my feelings of
discomfort with the whole process. My school, and district, is actively
embracing EBS (Effective Behavioural Systems). I have been very
uncomfortable witht the idea of rewarding children for behaving safely,
co-operatively, responsibly, etc. The principal's job is to track
misbehaviour and post the 'data' each month at assemblies as bar graphs on
the overhead...This book has provided me with the ammunition to continue
opposing this behaviour management program. I will share it with my
student teacher this fall, and encourage instructors of student teachers
to use it as a resource...
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 7 11:03:19 2000
| Name:
| Kathleen Anderson
| E-mail:
| ktreshama@aol.com
| Organization:
| Albuquerque Public Schools
| Location:
| New Mexico
| How the site | was found: Used a search engine - hoped you had a site!
| Comments:
| How does an individual classroom teacher begin to make
changes in his/her classroom while under pressure to perform otherwise to
meet the needs of standardized testing, grades, etc.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 2 09:25:28 2000
| Name:
| Carl Courtnier
| E-mail:
| ccourtnier@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Stockton Unified School District
| Location:
| Stockton CA
| How the site | was found: link from http://www.ascd.org/otb/benefit.html
| Comments:
| The following is from the dedication and introduction to my
Master's thesis: The Sunsetting of Behaviorism: The Dawning of
Constructivism (1999).To Alfie Kohn: Ouch! That bite really hurt… This
project was intended to draw light to the state of accepted teaching
practice based on behaviorism. It was not to pass judgement. Perhaps the
results suggested that practice based on behavioral principles had been
going through a forming, as a caterpillar passes through a cocoon,
metamorphosing into a butterfly. Educators were increasingly coming to
regard learning as a process where students were seen as thinkers,
creators and constructors of meaning (Brooks and Brooks, 1993). This was a
step outside of the Skinnerian box, and away from Pavlov's influence as
well. It was as if light switches, in previously darkened schoolrooms,
were suddenly being turned on, one at a time. This connection was made by
the author on Monday, March 27, 1995, at approximately 10:50 a.m. He was
sitting in the third row of chairs from the front, in Room 303, Esplanade
Level, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, during the 50th Annual
Conference of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Speaking was the same person who had been the chief spokesman for the
research of those mentioned above. Alfie Kohn paused and said: "First,
let's make sure we agree… that punishment is destructive. A number of
people seem to think if we call it 'consequences' or insert the modifier
"logical," then it's okay. 'Logical consequences' is an example of what I
call 'punishment lite,' a kinder, gentler way of doing things to children
instead of working with them. Having said that, I'll move on to rewards.
Rewards and punishments are both ways of manipulating behavior. They are
two forms of doing things to students. And to that extent, all of the
research that says it's counter-productive to say to students, 'Do this or
here is what I'm going to do to you,' also applies to saying, 'Do this and
you'll get that." Ed Deci and Rich Ryan at the University of Rochester are
right when they call rewards 'control through seduction.'" The Japanese
word for the process of instant enlightenment is Satari. Sitting there,
awestruck, the author realized for perhaps the first time, first hand,
what was involved in that process. His thoughts turned contemplative as he
wondered what it would have felt like—prior to the last three or four
centuries having gone by—to wake up and suddenly realize that the earth
was round not flat; or that it revolved around the sun—not the sun around
it! This was, in him, just such a moment: On one hand, it was the dawning
of a constructivist viewpoint; on the other, it was the beginning of the
end—THE SUN SETTING—the closing and shutting down of behaviorism as a part
of his professional teaching practice.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 1 18:27:18 2000
| Name:
| Mark Hilliard
| E-mail:
| Markh@wwwrrr.net
| Organization:
| wwwrrr, Inc.
| Location:
| Minneapolis, Mn 55401
| How the site | was found: Web search and references in your books
| Comments:
| I must confess to I am experiencing a mid-life "conversion"
thanks to accidentally reading one of Alfie Kohn's articals recently
published Parent's Mag. May, 2000. I had not realized the inherently
manipulative nature of my communications to my children until I read Mr.
Kohn's penetrating analysis. Before I went on vacation with my family, I
picked up several of his books at my local bookstore and read them cover
to cover beside a canadian lake. Alfie opened my mind and heart to an
incredible wealth of insight in both my family and professional life. He
did this with charm, modesty, humor and relentless logic. what a rare
combination these days... I am enthusiastically recommending him to the
parents and teachers I know. Keep up the good work! You bring back the
excitement I first had for education!
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 1 16:26:14 2000
| Name:
| Troy Hill
| E-mail:
| thill@ames.k12.ia.us
| Organization:
| Ames High School
| Location:
| Ames, Iowa
| How the site | was found: read book "Beyond Discipline" and did a search for Alfie
Kohn on metacrawler.com
| Comments:
| The book " Beyond Discipline" is awesome. I will be using
pretty much all of the ideas in the book to do some action research this
year in my classrooms. Thanks, Alfie, for such a great work, and for
inspiring teachers to think about school, students, and teaching in a
totally different way. I sure would appreciate any type of publication
that offers more practical suggestions which would line up nicely with the
book "Beyond Discipline". Thanks again, and for your time to get me
anything more that would be helpful for the students' classroom. Troy Hill
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 1 16:06:43 2000
| Name:
| Karen Eakes
| E-mail:
| kskje@ktn.net
| Organization:
| None at present
| Location:
| Ketchikan, Alaska
| How the site | was found: Your book
| Comments:
| I am a retired (temporarily) teacher of twenty seven years
experience. I spent the past two years in graduate school and am currently
trying to figure out how I can best contribute and share what I have
learned. My special interest was the area of brain-based research and
theory and the potential it holds for instructional practice and learning.
My thesis dealt with the dichotomy between educational policy and research
in learning theory and I read and quoted Alfie a great deal. His ideas
speak to my own long held beliefs about kids and learning.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 31 22:34:52 2000
| Name:
| Manuel Perez Rocha
| E-mail:
| emer@servidor.unam.mx
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Mexico DF
| How the site | was found: Yahoo
| Comments:
| I am very interested in the work of Kohn.I will iniciate a
new publication on education in Mexico; is it possible to publish a
recently article of Kohn about motivation?
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 31 12:38:39 2000
| Name:
| Venita Garnett
| E-mail:
| vgarnett@spis.net
| Organization:
| Fort Campbell Schools
| Location:
| Ft. Campbell, KY
| How the site | was found: internet search
| Comments:
| I have recently read Beyond Discipline and found that it
spoke to me. I will try to keep its ideas in mind as I begin this school
year teaching 3rd grade. I realize the whole premise is anathema to cookie
cutter management suggestions, but find the book a little short on
practicalities and would like more information if/as it becomes available.
Maybe a chat or bulletin board for interested teachers??
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 30 10:25:20 2000
| Name:
| Monika Miller
| E-mail:
| MoLucky7@aol.com
| Organization:
| teacher /grad. student
| Location:
| St. Charles, IL
| How the site | was found: Alfie's Conference-Chicago area
| Comments:
| Please see message below---My e-mail was incorrect.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 30 10:20:28 2000
| Name:
| Monika
| E-mail:
| Miller
| Organization:
| Teacher / grad. student
| Location:
| St. Charles, IL
| How the site | was found: Alfie's Conference-Chicago area
| Comments:
| I have been using Alfie Kohn's books, essays along with
research by Howard Gardner, Thomas Armstrong and Elliot Eisner to make an
argument for use of more CREATIVITY in our classrooms. Our students should
not be reduced to a percentile / norm! My heart-felt thanks as a teacher
as well as a creative life- long learner goes to researchers and TEACHERS
like Alfie who have the courage to view students as individuals with
different talents, intelligences and learning styles!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 29 13:39:18 2000
| Name:
| Kay F. McDuffie
| E-mail:
| wardmcduffie@prodigy.net
| Organization:
| Ill. State Unive Doctoral Cohort
| Location:
| Chicago IL
| How the site | was found: Searching for information re:Summer Setback
| Comments:
| Thanks for the assistance!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 27 15:58:31 2000
| Name:
| Suzanne Parks
| E-mail:
| SCParks13@aol.com
| Organization:
| n/a
| Location:
| Texas
| How the site | was found: The "ProTeacher Mailring"
| Comments:
| Teaching is not only an occupation or a job, it is an honor
which is bestowed upon us all! [An honor which is overlooked and taken for
granted by many.] --My very own quote.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 27 11:11:08 2000
| Name:
| David Nisbet
| E-mail:
| dsnisbet@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Lakewood Middle School
| Location:
| Woodland, MI
| How the site | was found: author notes at the end of "What to Look For In a Classroom
... And Other Essays" book
| Comments:
| I very much appreciate the work of Alfie Kohn and his
validation of an effective school as a community. Getting application of
his research in the culture of the school is the next challenge!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 27 10:20:10 2000
| Name:
| stephanie tyler
| E-mail:
| ladigolf@aol.com
| Organization:
| wkrc radio
| Location:
| cincinnati, ohio
| How the site | was found: read Mr. Kohn's book and searched for his site
| Comments:
| Love this man!!!!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 27 03:51:22 2000
| Name:
| Ian MacKay
| E-mail:
| i.mackay@xtra.co.nz
| Organization:
| Schoolteacher Year4-5
| Location:
| New Zealand
| How the site | was found: Searching by author name
| Comments:
| Refreshing to support my longtime observation as a parent
and as a teacher (40years), that punishment & rewards &competition
inhibit creativity and intrinsic motivation. Here in New Zealand there is
a belief that competition enhances gifted children but I reckon
"challenge" yes but competition NO. What do you think? Regards Ian MacKay
(Blenheim, New Zealand)
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 26 23:00:44 2000
| Name:
| John Egelkrout
| E-mail:
| mrkottah@aol.com
| Organization:
| South St. Paul Area Learning Center
| Location:
| South St. Paul, MN
| How the site | was found: recommended by my supervisor
| Comments:
| I missed Alfie at the International Alternative Education
Conference, but we will be using his latest book as a basis for discussion
and staff development in our program this year.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 26 21:38:12 2000
| Name:
| Jonathan Pait
| E-mail:
| jonathanpait@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Roanoke City Public Schools
| Location:
| Roanoke, Virginia
| How the site | was found: "Unlearning How We Learn" article
| Comments:
| I am writing a thesis on establishing community in the
classroom. Can you e-mail me some informative articles and/or books on the
subject. Thanks for your help
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 25 22:21:34 2000
| Name:
| Mary Julian
| E-mail:
| mfjulian@home.com
| Organization:
| teacher?
| Location:
| asheville, nc
| How the site | was found: searching for Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| As a National Board Certified Teacher, my state gave me a
12% raise. The North Carolina End of Course Test scores in US history this
last semester may end my long fought for career. It has already cost me
the department chair. I refuse to go to memorizing trivia!!!
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 25 21:06:08 2000
| Name:
| Catherine Scott
| E-mail:
| c.scott@uws.edu.au
| Organization:
| University of Western Sydney
| Location:
| Kingswood, NSW, Australia
| How the site | was found: Web search
| Comments:
| Keep up the very good, very necessary work
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 25 19:21:30 2000
| Name:
| David Miles
| E-mail:
| kdgmiles@dellnet.com
| Organization:
| Mamaroneck ,NY Teacher Institute
| Location:
| Mamaroneck,NY
| How the site | was found: Friend
| Comments:
| I have organized a Symposium for parents and teachers in
our community. I would like to bring Alfie Kohn to speak to this group.
How do I cintact him for this purpose? His message is very important
today. Please use email address above. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 23 23:49:17 2000
| Name:
| Lynda Kiesler
| E-mail:
| lkiesler@albertlea.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Albert Lea Schools
| Location:
| Albert Lea, MN
| How the site | was found: In "The Schools Our Children Deserve"
| Comments:
| I just finished reading the book, "The Schools Our Children
Deserve." What an inspiration to know that there is a movement out there
for the greater good of our children. We are using the book as an assigned
reading for our Graduate program. I can't wait to discuss it with my
learning community members!
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 23 20:52:40 2000
| Name:
| Jyre Heffron
| E-mail:
| jyre@zendik.org
| Organization:
| Zendik Arts and Education foundation
| Location:
| Mill Spring, NC
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| I'm trying to locate an address For Alfie Kohn, to send
Alfie some writing I think he would appreciate very much, and would be
grateful for any help. After reading No Contest and Beyond Discipline I'm
sure he'll be glad to see this! Thanks.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 23 20:24:57 2000
| Name:
| Marta Bruner
| E-mail:
| mbruner@bend.k12.or.us
| Organization:
| Bend/LaPine School District
| Location:
| Bend, Oregon
| How the site | was found: a friend
| Comments:
| Alfie, please continue to spread the message. Thank you for
saying it loud and clear.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 22 18:40:16 2000
| Name:
| Arlyne LeSchack
| E-mail:
| aleschack@aol.com
| Organization:
| New York City Board of Education
| Location:
| Brooklyn
| How the site | was found: It was mentioned on the TAWL listserv
| Comments:
| I feel the most important extinsic reward for children is
the approval of their parents and teachers. Sometimes a little tangible
reward (star, sticker, etc.) can be a symbol of that approval.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 19 22:37:40 2000
| Name:
| Chris Holmes
| E-mail:
| chute44@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| um teacher ed advisory cmte.
| Location:
| Maine
| How the site | was found: google
| Comments:
| I am looking for ideas on how to get state boards of
education to model curiosity, rather than to just react with the hot
button issue of the day. teacher education program approval process might
be a good place to start. instead of bureaucratic requirements that take a
too much time to write, etc. perhaps each teacher ed program should be
evaluated in terms of how much use local teachers make of it? what do you
think? how do we break up the incestuous relationship between state board
teacher certification bureaucrats and the state teacher training programs.
they don't want to do it, but actually, superintendents are qualified to
evaluate teachers for certification. our system started when selectmen had
to hire teachers.....can you point me toward whoever is questioning these
issues? in closing, a quote from my university days....."yes, teachers are
over worked....it takes alot of energy to turn a torrent into a trickle."
Chris Holmes
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 19 19:24:57 2000
| Name:
| Nancy usich
| E-mail:
| nusich@home.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Avon, Ct
| How the site | was found: went to a Connecting Link Course
| Comments:
| Heard your tape at our Connecting Link course and we
cheered for you. Keep spreading the word to make change.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 17 18:33:36 2000
| Name:
| Jill Kennedy
| E-mail:
| jkennedy@foresthills.edu
| Organization:
| Forest Hills School District
| Location:
| Cincinnati, Ohio
| How the site | was found: Looked up Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| I am looking for good information on character education
programs! I hope to find your site useful.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 17 15:10:40 2000
| Name:
| Edith Lueke
| E-mail:
| elueke1@roch.uswest.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Rochester, MN
| How the site | was found: Good
| Comments:
| Keep up the crusade, you are young enough to really make a
difference!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 17 14:50:30 2000
| Name:
| Joan Kilcommons
| E-mail:
| JKilcommons@Edmail.com
| Organization:
| Colts Neck Board of Education
| Location:
| 73 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck, N.J. 07740
| How the site | was found: Attended a lecture in Cambridge, Mass.
| Comments:
| He is my educational guru and I am spreading his word!!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 17 14:49:41 2000
| Name:
| Joan Kilcommons
| E-mail:
| JKilcommons@Edmail.com
| Organization:
| Colts Neck Board of Education
| Location:
| 73 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck, N.J. 07740
| How the site | was found: Attended a lecture in Cambridge, Mass.
| Comments:
| He is my eduactional guru and I am spreading his word!!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 15 01:55:23 2000
| Name:
| David Sidwell
| E-mail:
| dsidwell@wpo.hass.usu.edu
| Organization:
| Utah State University
| Location:
| Logan, Utah
| How the site | was found: Web search
| Comments:
| Fantastic stuff. I'm a big fan! Let's make it work!
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 12 06:33:52 2000
| Name:
| Sigamoney Naicker
| E-mail:
| Snaicker@pawc.wcape.gov.za
| Organization:
| Western Cape Education Department
| Location:
| Cape Town South Africa
| How the site | was found: Heard you speak in Detroit
| Comments:
| I think you have a major contribution to make regarding
educational reform especially for those who are disadvantaged Best wishes
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 11 15:11:24 2000
| Name:
| Eric Lengel
| E-mail:
| elengel@fc.fcpc.k12.va.us
| Organization:
| Fairfax Co.
| Location:
| VA
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| Alfie-- Keep up the good work! You're inspiring and have
led my colleages and me to try innovative reading approaches ("Book Club"
T. Raphael) with the kids, in spite of the SOL', that are foisted upon Va
teachers! Eric Lengel
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 7 00:55:50 2000
| Name:
| Dr. Richard Kerr
| E-mail:
| RDK5252@aol.com
| Organization:
| Nash School
| Location:
| 4837 West Erie, chicago, IL 60644
| How the site | was found: Searched for it after reading articles by A. Koln
| Comments:
| Your ideas and materials are great.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 6 16:48:57 2000
| Name:
| Vicky Patton
| E-mail:
| vpatton@duke.edu
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: searched
| Comments:
| I'm trying to start a charter school and am looking for
alternative performance measures.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 5 17:10:06 2000
| Name:
| Kris Bria
| E-mail:
| lrshead@aol.com
| Organization:
| The Long Ridge School
| Location:
| Stamford,CT
| How the site | was found: Alfie speaking at Peaceable Schools, NAIS
| Comments:
| I would like to arrange for Alfie to speak in Stamford, CT
sponsored by The Long Ridge School, Mead School and the Stamford School
Readiness Council
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 5 09:01:35 2000
| Name:
| Beverly Pavao
| E-mail:
| BEVPAVAO@AOL.COM
| Organization:
| TITLE 1 FALL RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
| Location:
| FALL RIVER MA
| How the site | was found: PEACEABLE SCHOOLS CONF. LESLEY COLLEGE
| Comments:
| I have heard you speak about 6 times. Each time I hear a
little more. Very interested in your work.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 4 23:50:56 2000
| Name:
| Tina Van Coops
| E-mail:
| tvancoops
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| 1100-12th Street, Baywood Park, CA 93402
| How the site | was found: friend
| Comments:
| I am anxious to read more. I am currently a counseling and
guidance Master of Education candidate very dissatisfied with the present
focus on testing over motivation to learn what will be useful to each
student. I seek and practice alternative ways to reach and teach students
and feel greater success when children are relieved from the burdens of
constant competition, measurement, and someone else's expectations. Thank
you for caring.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 3 20:32:05 2000
| Name:
| Rosemary Cooke
| E-mail:
| seafield@ihug.co.nz
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Just looking
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 3 10:33:44 2000
| Name:
| larry williams
| E-mail:
| lwilliams@nas.com
| Organization:
| private citizen
| Location:
| bellingham, wa
| How the site | was found: web search for alfie kohn
| Comments:
| Thanks for your reflections on cooperation and competition.
It is hard to remain oblivious to the effects of competition on my life
and harder to understand when your ideas are presented to friends and
their interests wanes. My focus is on cooperation which is easy to play
with while competition is hard to work with. Most of my training is with
plants, wood (woody debris), and water (landscaping) which has led me to
see where cooperation is a major influence with warm body critters. My
most recent trainings are with improving human potential, which is
strongly affected by cooperation and play. Love your message and the
direction it takes me. Your ideas has led me to Malcolm Gladwell's "The
Tipping Point". Merry be, look at the alternative. Larry
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 30 12:18:41 2000
| Name:
| Amy Prentiss
| E-mail:
| aprentiss@ch.ci.buffalo.ny.us
| Organization:
| Mayor's Community Schools Project
| Location:
| Buffalo, NY
| How the site | was found: Web surfing
| Comments:
| My initial involvement with the Buffalo Public Schools
began when my children were young, volunteering at their school. Then I
took part in founding and growing a city-wide parent organization. At the
time, my daughters attended our public Montessori school, which was
reflective of my belief in learning for the sake of learning. Not only are
Alfie Kohn's views exciting (to say the least!), but reading all the
comments in the guest book makes me feel that I'm not alone. Thank you
all!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 30 02:14:12 2000
| Name:
| Richard Walsham
| E-mail:
| richard@nswtf.org.au
| Organization:
| NSW Teachers' Federation
| Location:
| Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| How the site | was found: Researching some material on the effects of testing on
young children
| Comments:
| These articles are fantastic. They argue in everyday
language what large numbers of teachers are feeling about the obsession of
business, politicians and compliant bureaucrats with standardised testing.
Please keep up the good work. Unfortunately, the bad ideas in American
education quickly get transferred to Australia. The good ideas (such as
lower class sizes) don't. Teachers' unions have to be at the forefront of
the struggle against the current New Right orthodoxies in education.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 29 21:31:47 2000
| Name:
| Jana Porter
| E-mail:
| lms_jpp@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| The Lexington Montessori School
| Location:
| Lexington, MA
| How the site | was found: Peaceable Schools
| Comments:
| I am the director of an independent school that has the
luxury of avoiding state tests. Several among my staff, however, are
looking for ways to be politically active around this issue. Our
independent school organization is not interested in getting involved. Are
there other independent educators out there who have networked around this
or are interested in doing so? The power of our position is that we have
absolutely no self-interest at stake.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 29 19:17:02 2000
| Name:
| Alanna
| E-mail:
| sekerak@ncweb.com
| Organization:
| parent
| Location:
| ohio
| How the site | was found: read the book
| Comments:
| My daughter put up a huge fuss over the kids being told
that they have to take these tests by law-when she found out that by law
the schools have to offer them, but the kids can be exempted with a letter
from their parents. We have yet to get a clear answer from the state
department of education. WE are considering a lawyer for the next round of
tests. Has anyone had any problems with their children not taking it and
being penalized? Thanks
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 29 10:44:29 2000
| Name:
| Jim and Judee Edmonds
| E-mail:
| jimjudee@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| Semi-retired teachers
| Location:
| Tucson, Arizona
| How the site | was found: Simple search
| Comments:
| Both my wife and I have taught in public schools for over
thirty years. We have taught mainstream, kid-at-risk, and self-contained
gifted. Through the years we have developed and three year total hans-on
science program for middle school and a math intervention program for 6th
and 7th grades. Both of these programs have been a tremendous success. We
have submitted the programs to several publishers. Does your organization
review these types of programs? We are currently working on a Model for
middle schools, based largely on Alfie Kohn's ideas. It is called; The
Success Quotien; the balance between I.Q. and E.Q.If you have any ideas or
suggestions it would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim and Judee Edmonds
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 29 07:05:42 2000
| Name:
| Barbara Rose
| E-mail:
| rrose@gis.net
| Organization:
| School Committee
| Location:
| Hudson, MA
| How the site | was found: Alfie's presentation
| Comments:
| Interesting perspective, helpful to those of us who oppose
the improper use of tests.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 27 17:54:54 2000
| Name:
| Rob Walder
| E-mail:
| rwalder@bordentown.k12.nj.us
| Organization:
| Bordentown Regional School District
| Location:
| Bordentown, New Jersey
| How the site | was found: Alfie's Presentation
| Comments:
| Great Job today at the presentation. I hope all the
administrators will take something back to their districts to benefit the
children.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 27 11:53:16 2000
| Name:
| Mark Hendrix
| E-mail:
| malan66@aol.com
| Organization:
| Educational Consultants
| Location:
| St. Paul, MN
| How the site | was found: Did a Google.com search using "Alfie Kohn" as keywords
| Comments:
| Thanks for all the excellent reading and thought provoking
thinking. It has helped me in the classroom, but not too popular with the
establishment. No surprise there. Looking to develop a grassroots movement
to train teachers in a method other than Hunter, Grad Standards and MAT7.
Any suggestions?
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 27 10:34:53 2000
| Name:
| Bill Gaudelli
| E-mail:
| wgaudell@erols.com
| Organization:
| U. Central Florida
| Location:
| Orlando, FL
| How the site | was found: Conversation with Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| As a new assistant professor in social studies ed, I'm very
interested in scholarship and political action related to standards.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jun 25 22:38:58 2000
| Name:
| Laura Smith
| E-mail:
| laura@yes.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Youth Educational Services
| Location:
| Moorhead, MN
| How the site | was found: Alfie mentioned at a conference I attended
| Comments:
| I just returned from the International Alternative Ed
conference in Minneapolis, MN. Alfie shared his wisdom with a group of 250
alternative educators there. He is absolutely inspirational!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 22 19:41:22 2000
| Name:
| Avram Rips
| E-mail:
| ldorf@erols.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| South Orange NJ
| How the site | was found: I knew about it for ASCD
| Comments:
| I like the web sight. Is the network still around? I didn't
see it on the websight. Our school is doing the Comer process (a whole
school reform) this seems to fit in well with some of your theories on
rewards. The verbal, intrinsic motivation will have to be modified becuse
our students are extremly delayed in language and cognition. Avram Rips
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 22 15:24:32 2000
| Name:
| Beth O'Rourke
| E-mail:
| borourke@mail.ucf.edu
| Organization:
| University of Central Florida
| Location:
| Orlando
| How the site | was found: show on C-SPAN
| Comments:
| Rabid, oops, I mean avid supporter of Alfie Kohn, I saw him
speak in Celebration, FL. I asked him this question: Teaching without
rewards IS harder than carrot and stick teaching (more labor and time
intensive). Therefore does teaching without rewards unavoidably,
discourage teachers who are socially or economically disadvantaged? Mr.
Kohn responded that it was not the amount or intensity of the work that
was exhausting or prohibitive, but the top-down oppression of
administration that makes even the simplest jobs seem arduous. Boy, was he
right on--and I have the job to prove it! Thanks for the insight.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jun 21 16:30:37 2000
| Name:
| Richard Rodriguez
| E-mail:
| rrodriguez@hosizaki.com
| Organization:
| Hoshizaki America Inc
| Location:
| Peachtree City GA
| How the site | was found: At an Atlanta Area Deming Study Group meeting
| Comments:
| My daughter is in third grade. She gets daily homework,
monthly book reports and then on top of that they have MathStars and other
extra activities. Obviously, this takes a lot of work on her part and my
wife and I. I feel for those kids who do not have that support base - we
are railroading them into failure. If I were eight years old - I'd be
hating school. Hirsch and others have reduced education to meaningless
lists useful only to contestants in game shows and multiple-choice test
takers. I am encouraged by Alfie's insights - I share them with anyone who
cares to listen.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jun 21 11:33:17 2000
| Name:
| Tom Sherman
| E-mail:
| tomsherman007@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| UNLV
| Location:
| Las Vegas, Nevada
| How the site | was found: search
| Comments:
| I really like your philosophy of creating a classroom
community. I will be a 1st year teacher however, and do not know if the
administration or parents will be behind this approach. What can I do to
assure either or both that this is the best methodology if you are
concerned about letting the students become caring critical thinking
members of our society.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jun 19 11:12:15 2000
| Name:
| Henry Hallmark
| E-mail:
| hhallmark@jefcoed.com
| Organization:
| Jefferson County Bd. of Education
| Location:
| Birmingham, AL
| How the site | was found: ASCD magazine article
| Comments:
| I am also an opponent of the "Raising the Bar" movement,
which leads AWAY from real education and prevents teachers from doing
their job. Your website is a wealth of information, and I intend to share
it with my fellow advocates here. Thanks for the stand you are taking for
the rights of our children. This issue is so critical to our country's
future!!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jun 19 06:20:20 2000
| Name:
| Sarsha
| E-mail:
| sarsh@zfree.co.nz
| Organization:
| Trainee Teacher
| Location:
| New Zealand
| How the site | was found: Referred to by education lecturer
| Comments:
| I am currently trying to piece together a philosophy to
take out with me into the work force. During our training we are
constantly asked to follow our associate teachers in the way that they
manage their classrooms. Every class I have taught in use the bribes and
punishments, something that i have never felt comfortable with, but had to
use just so i could pass the grade. I have only just stumble on to Alfie
Kohn and feel relieved that there are other ways. Reading many of the
articles and parts of the books has given me the amunition to go out to
the educational world with some confidence that i will not become like
them. These ideas will be in my philosophy. If any one has any suggestions
for me as a beginning teacher i would be very thankful.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jun 18 13:28:00 2000
| Name:
| Bill Toth
| E-mail:
| spectre@nr.infi.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: Referred by Irv Besecker
| Comments:
| So there are others who feel as I do. What a relief!!!!
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jun 18 10:53:12 2000
| Name:
| Robin Blackburn
| E-mail:
| Robin127@aol.com
| Organization:
| Stokes County Schools
| Location:
| King, North Carolina
| How the site | was found: From your book Punished by Rewards...that I read last
summer.
| Comments:
| Have just finished reading The Schools Our Children Deserve
and feel inspired for yet another year of implementing my so called
"radical teaching method".
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 16 00:01:03 2000
| Name:
| Robert McAbee
| E-mail:
| mcabee@alltel.net
| Organization:
| a lonely voice in a sea of orthodoxy
| Location:
| Just beyond the North Atlanta sprawl
| How the site | was found: Net search
| Comments:
| I was attracted to No Contest and Punished by Rewards
because, in my heart, I knew this was the truth. I was very grateful to
have real research to back up my personal experience and intuition. I look
forward to reading The Schools Our Children Deserve.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jun 15 12:25:02 2000
| Name:
| Cindy Charest
| E-mail:
| ccharest@maine.rr.com
| Organization:
| none
| Location:
| MaIne
| How the site | was found: knew it already
| Comments:
| Anybody see the latest Newsweek? Big article on cheating on
standardized tests. And I don't mean by kids. So much for the integrity of
the process- such as it is...
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 13 11:09:18 2000
| Name:
| Chris Hunkins
| E-mail:
| hunkch@hamiltondist.k12.wi.us
| Organization:
| Hamilton School District
| Location:
| Wisconsin
| How the site | was found: Alfie's periodicals
| Comments:
| WOW, The Schools Our Children Diserve strikes a huge blow
against the ridiculous push by politicians and school boards to reduce
children's learning to a number, through the constant testing craze. This
book is a must for anyone involved in education.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jun 12 17:47:09 2000
| Name:
| Lynn Okamura
| E-mail:
| lynn_okamura@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Hawaii Department of Education
| Location:
| Honolulu, Hawaii
| How the site | was found: Search engine
| Comments:
| I attended a sessionn you presented at the National Middle
School Associations conference in Denver. I have been a fan ever since!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jun 10 20:44:32 2000
| Name:
| Jennifer Blair
| E-mail:
| jblair2282@aol.com
| Organization:
| University of Central Florida
| Location:
| Orlando, Fl.
| How the site | was found: attended lecture
| Comments:
| Thank you so much for sharing your genius with educators. I
will be a different and better teacher because of you!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jun 10 20:05:22 2000
| Name:
| Joanie Purcell
| E-mail:
| joaniepurcell@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Teacher Leader Program/B'ham City Schools
| Location:
| Birmingham, Alabama
| How the site | was found: Graduate Studies Bibliography
| Comments:
| Thank you for your web site. Mr. Kohn's ideas are
continuously challenging us to reflect on our "best practices".
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jun 10 00:32:14 2000
| Name:
| Marco Radunz
| E-mail:
| metrr@aol.com
| Organization:
| Royal Lepage Coronation (real estate)
| Location:
| Burnaby, BC, Canada
| How the site | was found: noted from radio interview, CKNW, Vancouver
| Comments:
| I have noted that you are speaking to the West Vancouver
School District, Oct. 18/2000, and would like to sit in, with a view to
meeting you and discussing a presentation to our Royal Lepage Conference
("Headstart", Oct. 2001) - location TBA, likely Victoria, BC. Do you have
a Canadian agent?
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 9 23:06:28 2000
| Name:
| Karen Gross
| E-mail:
| phesta@mailcity.com
| Organization:
| University of Central Florida (grad student)
| Location:
| Orlando, FL
| How the site | was found: Alfie tole me LOL
| Comments:
| I just watched Alfie Kohn in Celebration, FL and he was
incredible. He said what I couldn't put into decent words. Everything he
said was right on. I hope education takes a turn more towards Kohn's
ideas.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 9 22:15:23 2000
| Name:
| Barbara Vaughn
| E-mail:
| Mrsvaughn@mediaone.net
| Organization:
| Third Grade Teacher
| Location:
| Plainfield, Illinois
| How the site | was found: dogpile search - Kohn
| Comments:
| I am doing research on character education. I ran across an
article by A. Kohn and wanted to read more.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jun 7 11:54:59 2000
| Name:
| Chuck Pascal
| E-mail:
| chuckp@westol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Pennsylvania
| How the site | was found: from Fairtest
| Comments:
| As a school board member in Pennsylvania, I have always
been a fan of Alfie Kohn's philosophies on standardized testing.
Standardized testing continues to be a growing problem of apparently
growing importance to political leaders. It is fascinating to me, reading
your guestbook, that the ultra-conservative as well as the progressives
find that Kohn speaks to them. As a progressive (read 'liberal'), I
understand that the emphasis on standardized testing breeds a lack of
creativity and the promotion of a 'one-size-fits-all' system that does not
allow for education in its truest sense to occur. Conservatives, I guess,
are concerned about the aspect of 'state-control' inherent in a system
governed by testing. The problem, though, isn't a matter of control, but
rather the reliance on invalid testing methods and the misuse of data
resulting from invalid testing methods. It seems that, for the most part,
it's the conservatives (like our own Governor Ridge and Education
Secretary Gene Hickok) that like to promote this type of foolishness to
promote their own political agenda ('schools are failing and we can prove
it because half the kids are below average'---duh!!). We will not make any
progress with this until those who seek to require tests are forced to
take them and have their scores publicly released.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 21:30:13 2000
| Name:
| Royce D. Williams, Jr.
| E-mail:
| estoycierto@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Greenwood High School
| Location:
| Greenwood, Mississippi 38935
| How the site | was found: www.search.com then typed in Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| I am glad that I found this web site. It will take me a
little while to digest all of this information.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 21:07:36 2000
| Name:
| Angela Summersill
| E-mail:
| dekhu@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Home Schooler
| Location:
| San Antonio, Texas
| How the site | was found: Web Search
| Comments:
| Am interested in testing for credit for academically
advanced students who home school
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 16:21:21 2000
| Name:
| Waddy Wadsworth
| E-mail:
| wadsb@tpk.govt.nz
| Organization:
| Ministry of Maori Development
| Location:
| New Zealand
| How the site | was found: Name search
| Comments:
| Damn I thought I was to old to be converted to anything.
Particularly that there should not be a direct relationship between the
work I do and the rewards I get from my boss. Thinking about it though
(which is a new experience) I have always liked doing things for their own
sake rather than to please someone else. I now need to know more so any
information would be appeciated as I would now like to influence our
organisation to change the way we manage and reward performance.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 16:12:09 2000
| Name:
| Paul Kidd
| E-mail:
| hc_kidd@woco-k12.org
| Organization:
| WCOSERRC
| Location:
| Wapakoneta, OH
| How the site | was found: Article in Educational Leadership
| Comments:
| A good introductory article... I have read some of Mr.
Kohn's work previously and have disagreed with some of his conclusion but
find his thoughts intriguing and provocative.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 05:33:25 2000
| Name:
| Maureen Leupold
| E-mail:
| leupoldma@aol.com
| Organization:
| Elba Central School
| Location:
| Western New York
| How the site | was found: elist.com - discipline newsgroup
| Comments:
| You were mentioned in today's digest by a teacher in the
group.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jun 6 00:46:56 2000
| Name:
| Gail King
| E-mail:
| gaking@altavista.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Vancouver, British Columbia
| How the site | was found: I heard you interviewed today on CKNW
| Comments:
| Unfortunately I was in and out of my car today and only
heard part of your interview with John McComb. I heard enough to be
curious, and will seek out your books and opportunities to hear you speak.
(I know you are in Vancouver on October 18th).
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jun 5 18:12:09 2000
| Name:
| Scott Wingrove
| E-mail:
| scott_wingrove@bc.sympatico.ca
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Vancouver, BC, Canada
| How the site | was found: CKNW radio interview with Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| These are the ideas I've long believed and seen
demonstrated again and again. I believe our world suffers because of the
belief that competition is the best motivator and those around you are
your barriers to success. What do these ideas imply about capitalism??
While these ideas are not new they are still revolutionary. How do we
change the world with this awareness?
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jun 4 12:42:25 2000
| Name:
| Barbara Pollard
| E-mail:
| BLTSJ@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| San Jose, CA
| How the site | was found: San Jose Mercury News, 5/29/00 issue
| Comments:
| During my college tenure, there was only one professor who
did not believe in testing, claiming that it was a poor indicator of a
student's knowledge and understanding of concepts. She instead used short
essays (5-6 pages) to assess our abilities, and it proved to be a much
better method of valuating our understanding of the material presented.
This class turned out to be one of the best college classes I ever have
attended because we learned from not only the professor but from our
fellow classmates, and the professor learned from us. I wholeheartedly
agree with Mr. Kohn's position regarding testing at all levels of
education.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 2 18:10:49 2000
| Name:
| Kenneth Bernstein
| E-mail:
| kber@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| Eleanor Roosevelt HS (for now)
| Location:
| Greenbelt MD
| How the site | was found: link off article in San Jose Mercury
| Comments:
| As a teacher and doctoral student, I constantly wrestle
with how those of us with somewhat more humane (read "progressive" and/or
"constructivist") viewpoints can have a greater influence on the policy
debates about education. I make frequent use of Mr. Kohn's books and
articles.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jun 2 15:40:32 2000
| Name:
| Mary Ditson
| E-mail:
| mditson@oregon.uoregon.edu
| Organization:
| University of Oregon
| Location:
| Eugene, OR
| How the site | was found: Suggested by Dennis Wakeland at NWREL
| Comments:
| Alfie Kohn has long been one of my major "heroes" since he
CONSISTENTLY backs with research and much articulateness my "next
important idea" as an educator.I derive a strong sense of SUPPORT from his
work, his books, and his presence.I don't end up changing what I am doing
in the schools/classrooms in which I teach, I just get to realize I'm "not
crazy after all" and feel more empowered to do what I am doing and to
persuade others to join in. I have started a number of schools, and am in
the midst of more, and they are strongly impacted by the work of Alfie
Kohn. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
|
|
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