|
|
Click here to go to the current Guestbook |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Old Guestbook Entries
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Date:
| Sat Dec 29 11:49:11 2001
| Name:
| lee christiansen
| E-mail:
| leeiowa@juno.com
| Organization:
| Independent
| Location:
| Portland, OR
| How the site | was found: From Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| Heard Alfie Kohn speak in Atlanta last month at AESA Conference---interested in his findings.
|
Date:
| Sat Dec 29 11:44:35 2001
| Name:
| Joe Curtin
| E-mail:
| jcurt@bconnex.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| From a friend Bryce Taylor who seeks out interesting info!
|
Date:
| Fri Dec 28 20:48:22 2001
| Name:
| titus agban
| E-mail:
| titus_agban@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| nuj
| Location:
| Nigeria
| How the site | was found: from a friend
| Comments:
| perfect site
|
Date:
| Fri Dec 28 20:41:53 2001
| Name:
| smith galowe
| E-mail:
| s_g100@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| engineer
| Location:
| america
| How the site | was found: from a friend
| Comments:
| I have not really gone inside.
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 26 00:06:27 2001
| Name:
| Ryan Starr
| E-mail:
| ragestpdave@aol.com
| Organization:
| student
| Location:
| Danvers, Massachusetts
| How the site | was found: my teacher
| Comments:
| I was coming to your website because I have to do a project on a philosopher and I chose you because of a few quotes a writer used of you in their paper. Your ideas about education in those quotes intrigued me and made me look into you further. This project that I am doing is for my high school philosophy class.
|
Date:
| Sun Dec 23 22:50:34 2001
| Name:
| val askew
| E-mail:
| valaskew@yahoo.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: thru my kids' open school grapevine
| Comments:
| my kids go to a great open school in ann arbor, MI, but it is only a k-8. i am looking for ideas to keep my kids' education a positive experience at the high school level in a town with no good options.
|
Date:
| Fri Dec 21 22:59:42 2001
| Name:
| Theresa Hufford
| E-mail:
| TheresaHufford@aol.com
| Organization:
| Orange Glenn High School, Special Ed teacher
| Location:
| Escondido, CA
| How the site | was found: Viewed Professional Development lecture on Instructinal Television
| Comments:
| First reinforcement of my beliefs in a VERY long time.
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 19 16:46:18 2001
| Name:
| Jodie Brown
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| California
| How the site | was found: referred here by professor at university
| Comments:
|
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 19 14:35:19 2001
| Name:
| Dan McGuire
| E-mail:
| danielm@mpls.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Minneapolis Public Schools
| Location:
| Marcy Open School
| How the site | was found: Google
| Comments:
| See you in January
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 19 11:33:01 2001
| Name:
| Kathy Anderson
| E-mail:
| skanders.optonline.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Greenwich, CT
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
Date:
| Tue Dec 18 09:03:34 2001
| Name:
| Liv
| E-mail:
| liv.larsson@hem.utfors.se
| Organization:
| friare Liv Konsult
| Location:
| north sweden
| How the site | was found: locking for Alfies work
| Comments:
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 17 00:38:45 2001
| Name:
| Gale Gleason
| E-mail:
| galewgleason@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Unafilliated
| Location:
| Allen, Texas
| How the site | was found: Looked on Yahoo
| Comments:
| I am currently a frustrated high school student. I have been trying to learn how to be more intrinsically motivated, and disassociate school and its stress from learning. I cringe to read some of the comments made on here… "thanks for the information, I hope my teacher gives me a good grade on this research paper" Your articles and books are comforting to read. I don’t like sounding like a blind supporter, as if thoughts only become significant when thought by many. But I completely agree with your books so far, they are very inspiring. I would like to meet you within my lifetime.
|
Date:
| Thu Dec 13 06:38:18 2001
| Name:
| Len Radjewski
| E-mail:
| LRadjewski@mea.org
| Organization:
| Huron Valley Schools
| Location:
| Michigan
| How the site | was found: Alfie gave presentation to MEA
| Comments:
| Thank you, Alfie!
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 12 21:45:30 2001
| Name:
| Tracy Holloway
| E-mail:
| ace01@home.com
| Organization:
| Hilltop Preschool
| Location:
| Fountain Valley
| How the site | was found: saw alfie speak a while ago
| Comments:
| I sent a long email to Pizza Hut's book-it program today since they are now bringing their detrimental program to preschool classes, is there anything we can do to stop them?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 12 01:37:12 2001
| Name:
| Oscar Sala
| E-mail:
| modernschools@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Saltillo, Coahuila. Mexico
| How the site | was found: Browsing the internet
| Comments:
| I am convinced of everything that you talk about, I have a
hard time choosing the "right" school for my daughter -she´s three years
old - . I think that I must explain to her how the system works and what
is trivial and what is not. Congratulations! At least for trying to open
the subject to the general public. My wife and I usually are seeing like
"rare people" because we question the grading system in the schools that
Andrea has gone and if they make them (the kids) to compete among
themselves. In the current school, the principal showed one of your books
and I gave her other two. Well, that made us give them the opportunity to
have our little girl in their system. Best regards. OS
|
|
Date:
| Tue Dec 11 13:02:51 2001
| Name:
| Devon R. Kurtz
| E-mail:
| dkurtz@osv.org
| Organization:
| Old Sturbridge Village
| Location:
| Sturbridge
| How the site | was found: read your book, 'The Schools Our Children Deserve'
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 10 22:44:42 2001
| Name:
| Sue Minty Riehm
| E-mail:
| Kerper@bellatlantic.net
| Organization:
| Montessori School
| Location:
| Maryland
| How the site | was found: In one of Alfie Kohn's books
| Comments:
| I have recently become involved in the Public School
system, and I find it frustrating to participate and except so many of the
rules of proticol. Having had children go through the Montessori method
for the last nine years, it sometimes baffles me that the value of kids is
overlooked for the sake of getting them in and out the educational door.
The candy "reward" is used throughout the system, along with many other
meaningless carrots. If a teacher,or administrator can get these kids
pacified for one hour, one day, one year, than they are off the hook and
have done their "job". Thank you Mr. Kohn for your books and your valuable
insight into the wonder of our kids. This should be mandetory reading for
all parents and educators.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 10 20:48:21 2001
| Name:
| Michael Whitting
| E-mail:
| Michael.Whitting@nt.gov.au
| Organization:
| Northern Territory Dept. of Education
| Location:
| Northern Territory, Australia
| How the site | was found: Yahoo
| Comments:
| Thanks Alfie for 'The Schools Our Children Deserve'. It
reminds me of what so easily can be forgotten in this era of quantifiable
outcomes.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 10 17:15:19 2001
| Name:
| Kevin Mader
| E-mail:
| kevin.mader@thuleus.com
| Organization:
| Thule Inc.
| Location:
| Seymour Connecticut
| How the site | was found: Search on "Kohn"
| Comments:
| I would like to thank you for opening my eyes and ears to
the many things that the mainstream public is still deaf and blind to.
Challenging our assumptions and beliefs is not only the right thing to do;
it is also our responsibility and obligation.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 10 15:15:07 2001
| Name:
| Kim
| E-mail:
| royerks@aol.com
| Organization:
| Teacher/Grad student
| Location:
| St. Louis
| How the site | was found: web search for info on Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| Dear Mr. Kohn, I ahve been interested in your philospohies
on motivating children since hearing you mentioned in a workshop several
years ago with Bev Bos. I am currently writing a paper comparing your
ideas with those of Alfred Adler. Any comments? I am also interested in
doing my graduate research project on motivation in early childhood,
looking at natural intrinsic motivation and how parents and teachers
damage children by turning them into "praise junkies" Any reference to
previous research would be appreciated. Thanks, you are an inspiration to
those of us who believe children are born motivated to learn for the sake
of learning itself.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 10 13:03:22 2001
| Name:
| Sue Foerderer
| E-mail:
| sfoerderer@wflboces.org
| Organization:
| Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES
| Location:
| Red Jacket Education Center
| How the site | was found: typed in Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| Recently heard you speak in Rochester New York. My program
is attempting to implement pieces of your message. Thank you.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Dec 7 01:24:16 2001
| Name:
| sachi krishana
| E-mail:
| krishanasachi@rediffmail.com
| Organization:
| tata institute of social sciencces
| Location:
| mumbai
| How the site | was found: word of mouth
| Comments:
| i hope i make the best out of the guest lectures
|
|
Date:
| Wed Dec 5 20:56:19 2001
| Name:
| Jennifer Snider
| E-mail:
| Snooties75@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| New Jersey
| How the site | was found: Mr. Kohn mentioned during a presentation
| Comments:
| I am currently working towards teaching certification, and
a professor spoke of Alfie Kohn's ideas in class. Upon her recommendation,
I picked up Punished by Rewards for some outsde reading. I have been
fascinated by all of Kohn's works since. Yesterday I sat in on a
presentation by Kohn for the NJASCD to learn more about his ideas. I have
great respect for people who possess boldness and courage, and he
certainly has both. I also admire the sense of humor he brings to
important issues without diminishing their seriousness. Thanks for the
inspiration.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Dec 4 13:37:40 2001
| Name:
| Pamela Schultz
| E-mail:
| pschultz@mymea.org
| Organization:
| Jackson County Education Association
| Location:
| Jackson, MI
| How the site | was found: MEA IPD Workshop
| Comments:
| Your presentaiton was informative and invigorating. It
piqued my interest in connecting with others in the state who are
concerned about the "test-effect" on our students and schools. I will be
watching your web-site for information and hope to attend a future
presentation.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Dec 4 10:41:18 2001
| Name:
| J. Jill Rogers Frisby
| E-mail:
| cgjjf@pen.eiu.edu
| Organization:
| Eastern Illinois University
| Location:
| Charleston, Illinois
| How the site | was found: random web search
| Comments:
| Mr. Kohn, I am currently working on teaching
certification/masters in Elementary Education. I have been teaching
children ballet for the past 18 years, now I plan to move into the school
classroom. I have run across your work in many of my courses and I can't
agree with you more on the problems with high stakes testing. I just
finished a paper on the subject and quoted you repeatedly! Thanks for the
ideas. Will you be presenting anywhere in the Illinois, Indiana area in
the next few months? Perhaps Eastern Illinois University? Thanks...Jill
|
|
Date:
| Tue Dec 4 10:25:44 2001
| Name:
| Fred Weingarten
| E-mail:
| Fweingarten@rhnet.org
| Organization:
| Rush-Henrietta CSD
| Location:
| near Rochester, NY
| How the site | was found: searched for it
| Comments:
| I listened to your interview on WXXI and must admit I'd
like to hear more. I'm in the process of advocating for the standards in
arts education, and preparing for the eventual state test in the arts.
With mixed reviews, I'm always listening and reading for another way. I'd
like to learn more, but can't attend your lectures, working in a very busy
concert season. I'll check the library for your materials, and hope to
hear more.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 3 14:21:24 2001
| Name:
| Jeffrey Tuneberg
| E-mail:
| tunebej@mc.noacsc.org
| Organization:
| Mercer County Educational Service Center
| Location:
| Celina, Ohio
| How the site | was found: From Alfie's speech in Atlanta/AESA
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 3 12:50:12 2001
| Name:
| Maryann Overath
| E-mail:
| moverath@advocacyinc.org
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Dec 3 10:30:12 2001
| Name:
| Ted Davies
| E-mail:
| compris@netrover.com
| Organization:
| compris
| Location:
| Ottawa, ONT., Canada
| How the site | was found: Recommendation
| Comments:
| Interested In Prof. Kohn's educational concepts.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Dec 2 18:38:51 2001
| Name:
| Janinne Schell
| E-mail:
| davjanschell@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| Student @ California State University, San Marcos
| Location:
| San Marcos, CA
| How the site | was found: In the back of "The Schools Our Children Deserve"
| Comments:
| This book was absolutely fascinating. It was like he was
reading my mind. I don't know why our society doesn't see standardized
testing for what it is. I am studying to enter a credential program in the
Fall of 2002, and this book helped me to get over my fear of standardized
testing, but it also made me loathe it even more.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Dec 2 13:07:24 2001
| Name:
| Jason Dore
| E-mail:
| jasondore43@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Seattle Pacific University
| Location:
| Seattle
| How the site | was found: via a friend in the teaching profession
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sun Dec 2 10:23:35 2001
| Name:
| Alan Roger Currie
| E-mail:
| alan.currie@modeone.net
| Organization:
| Mode One Enterprises
| Location:
| http://www.modeone.net
| How the site | was found: Internet
| Comments:
| I'm a big fan of the book, and I mention Mr. Kohn's
"Punished By Rewards" in my own book, "Mode One: Let The Women Know What
You're REALLY Thinking." Keep up the good work!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Nov 30 14:54:31 2001
| Name:
| Claire E. O'Connor
| E-mail:
| ceodata@worldnet.att.net
| Organization:
| Manhattanville College
| Location:
| Purchase, NY
| How the site | was found: Link from recent article about testing
| Comments:
| I am an education grad student at Manhattanville. I am a
midlife career-changer, hoping to become certified to teach high school
math. When I read "No Contest" (the 1992 edition), I decided that I would
use Cooperative Learning with my students. I will do whatever I can to
increase the intrinsic motivation of my future students. | I have just bought "The Schools Our Children Deserve" from the Manhattanville College bookstore, and I plan to read it over the holidays.
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 29 12:01:15 2001
| Name:
| Marie Johnson
| E-mail:
| ReeRee223@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Natchitoches, Louisiana
| How the site | was found: by reading your most recent book, The Case Against
Standardized Testing
| Comments:
| I am a senior in college taking my last English course, and
I really enjoyed your book, The Case Against Standardized Testing. I had
never really read anything like it before, and I found it to be really
interesting. I plan on graduating with an education degree next December,
and I really want to concentrate on being a good teacher and not so much
on the "scores". Thanks for writing such an informative book!
|
|
Date:
| Wed Nov 28 12:22:00 2001
| Name:
| Andy Barrett
| E-mail:
| barrett@aps.edu
| Organization:
| Albuquerque Public Schools
| Location:
| Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
| How the site | was found: Referred to me by the district's Research, Development and
Accountability department
| Comments:
| I am finishing "Punished by Rewards". Right on! (I guess I
am dating myself.) We have been peeling away our extrinsic motivators for
awhile. Now I have ammo with which to further the process.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Nov 27 10:54:43 2001
| Name:
| Ruben Friedman
| E-mail:
| rfriedman@smithtown.k12.ny.us
| Organization:
| Smithtown Central School District
| Location:
| Smithtown, New York
| How the site | was found: Kappan
| Comments:
| I will be sending you a poem I am submitting to the English
Journal. I just thought you might enjoy it. I loved your article in the
Jan. 01 Kappan and heard you speak at LIASCD a number of years ago. I
agree 100% about the tests.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Nov 27 10:54:40 2001
| Name:
| Ruben Friedman
| E-mail:
| rfriedman@smithtown.k12.ny.us
| Organization:
| Smithtown Central School District
| Location:
| Smithtown, New York
| How the site | was found: Kappan
| Comments:
| I will be sending you a poem I am submitting to the English
Journal. I just thought you might enjoy it. I loved your article in the
Jan. 01 Kappan and heard you speak at LIASCD a number of years ago. I
agree 100% about the tests.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 25 17:55:56 2001
| Name:
| Jennifer Riches
| E-mail:
| richesje@plu.edu
| Organization:
| Pacific Lutheran University
| Location:
| Tacoma, Washington
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Hello! I am a graduate student at Pacific Lutheran
University in the Master's in Education program. We have been introduced
to some of your work in our classes...not too long ago,a friend
recommended your book, The Schools Our Children Deserve, which I have read
a bit of. This past weekend I purchased Punished by Rewards. I am excited
to read both of these books as time permits. Right now our classes and
research for my thesis seem to consume my reading time, although I do try
to read bits and pieces here and there. I am particularly interested in
the fact that you have done work in both the education and management
arenas. I find myself interested in team dynamics and leadership in both
areas as well. As I said before, I look forward to reading more of your
books as time is created to do so. Take care, Jennifer Riches
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 25 06:45:17 2001
| Name:
| Anita Williams
| E-mail:
| watina@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Millersville University(student)
| Location:
| York, PA
| How the site | was found: class assignment
| Comments:
| I read your book "I Won't Learn from You" and loved it. I
am an adult Art-ed student. I think I was one of those students who
refused to learn in High School - that's why I didn't go to college
earlier. Your book brought back memories of my school career and gave me
many ideas for my future career. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Nov 24 13:38:32 2001
| Name:
| Gail Clayton
| E-mail:
| gailclayton@msn.com
| Organization:
| Bolton High School
| Location:
| Alexandria, LA
| How the site | was found: searching the web for info on Punished by Rewards
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sat Nov 24 11:41:03 2001
| Name:
| Lee Kweller
| E-mail:
| leesong@verizon.net
| Organization:
| Koala Music
| Location:
| www.lkkoala.com
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| Alfie- I've not only read several of your books but I heard
you speak at Mamaroneck High School many years ago. I'm a retired teacher
(having taught for 32 years). I think you're right on the money about
competition, punishment & rewards and standardized tests. In fact, I
think SAT really stands for "Silly Assed Trivia". Thanks for writing and
speaking so eloquently about issues that many educators feel strongly
about. Sincerely, Lee Kweller
|
|
Date:
| Fri Nov 23 12:16:04 2001
| Name:
| Randall Stone
| E-mail:
| fairway36@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| Teacher/Administration Intern
| Location:
| PA
| How the site | was found: Educational Leadership magazine
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 22 23:27:02 2001
| Name:
| Anne-Marie Stone
| E-mail:
| stoner@gisco.net
| Organization:
| SUNY Potsdam
| Location:
| Potsdam, N.Y.
| How the site | was found: via your book
| Comments:
| Hey Alfie, Its Anne-Marie Stone (grad student)from SUNY
Potsdam again.I am up to page 167 of "The Schools Our Children Deserve",
and am loving it. It is nice to see you so apply articulate many of the
thoughts and experiences I have noted in raising and educating my own
children. I must admit though that I continue to question, as I have
throughout graduate school, where the fine line between parental
responsibility and the school systems abilities lie with respect to
raising children that have a sense of fit and self purpose. Amazingly
enough I do see a good amount of training in the education dept. at SUNY
Potsdam to support the efforts of constructivist education. Only for the
graduates to be met with the straight jacket of standardized testing and a
behavoirist mantality of motivation. And so my question to you this time;
not that you answered my last question-no offence taken though as this is
not an uncommon scenario for me since I tend to ask too many to begin
with; is there a monetary issue to which the fight between quality and
standardized education can be laid? Does it cost more to educate a child
based on the philosophies you suggest in this book. Is this the underlying
politics???AMS
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 22 18:23:18 2001
| Name:
| michelle weiner woolner
| E-mail:
| jerrmy@mediaone.net
| Organization:
| Play Mountain Place
| Location:
| Los Angeles, Cal.
| How the site | was found: google.com
| Comments:
| After reading your books and hearing your lectures and then
discovering that you reside in Boston, I wonder if you could recommend a
liberal arts college in Boston for a person who learns best through
personal connection in the learning process. Thanks in advance for your
reply and thank you for lots of inspiration. michelle
|
|
Date:
| Wed Nov 21 13:14:59 2001
| Name:
| Susan Hubbard
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
| St. Mary's University Graduate Student
| Location:
| Minneapolis, Minnesota
| How the site | was found: Educational Leadership
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Nov 19 16:50:19 2001
| Name:
| Shonn J. Schnitzer
| E-mail:
| sschnitz@bloomington.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Jefferson High School
| Location:
| Bloomington, MN
| How the site | was found: Class on character education
| Comments:
| I am inspired and moved by the power and simplicity of what
Mr. Kohn has to say about every educational issue about which he chooses
to speak. I am trying, slowly but surely, to challenge my colleagues here
at my school to take a critical look at how and why we teach our students
what we teach them. We can change the way things are done, and change them
for the better. Thank you for giving me a sound explanation (and research
to back it up!) to the thoughts that had always been kicking around in my
head regarding educational issues. I am a better teacher and a better
person for it.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Nov 19 12:27:24 2001
| Name:
| Monique
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 18 14:31:40 2001
| Name:
| jeff kirk
| E-mail:
| jlkirk32@hotmail
| Organization:
| teacher
| Location:
| canada
| How the site | was found: journal
| Comments:
| I really could use a comprehensive list of the groups and
associations that have advised against high stakes standardized testing
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 18 13:24:45 2001
| Name:
| Micheal Vaughn
| E-mail:
| ww0133@dragonbbs.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Ripley Ohio
| How the site | was found: Searchfor Wolfensperger
| Comments:
| Just Looking at family connection
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 18 13:24:29 2001
| Name:
| Micheal Vaughn
| E-mail:
| ww0133@dragonbbs.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Ripley Ohio
| How the site | was found: Searchfor Wolfensperger
| Comments:
| Just Looking at family connection
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 18 09:51:55 2001
| Name:
| Darlene Crawford
| E-mail:
| skeeter2@mediaone.net
| Organization:
| Teacher - Natick High School
| Location:
| Natick, MA
| How the site | was found: From a lecture
| Comments:
| Many thanks for validating a philosophy that feels so
right. . .for years I was uncomfortable with what I was seeing and doing
in my classroom. As I changed, the students loved it, but other teachers
hated it! If the "why" of behaviors mattered to me, then did they have to
do it, too? I have been a fan for years through reading your books, but I
heard you for the first time at Moses Brown. I continue to try to change,
as well as to spread change to my colleagues. Keep writing - I need the
information to fuel my efforts! No response necessary.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Nov 16 13:48:35 2001
| Name:
| Rodney Botts
| E-mail:
| bottsro@mninter.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Minneapolis, MN
| How the site | was found: Yahoo
| Comments:
| Mr. Kohn, I have read your book Punished by Rewards and I
feel you are right on point. I have been managing in the Call Center world
for about 17 years and have worked for GE, FEDX, Federal Reserve and two
airlines. You know upper management does not get it! FEDX was the closest
company I worked for that got it. They dealt with the whole employee. You
are correct carrot and stick is temporary. Dealing with intrensic behavior
is long lasting. Respect and dignity are the key elements.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 15 21:26:33 2001
| Name:
| Sharon Hellmann
| E-mail:
| gusfirefly@aol.com
| Organization:
| Roger Williams University, MAT program
| Location:
| Bristol, RI
| How the site | was found: Your presentation at Moses Brown
| Comments:
| Enjoyed your presentation. Immediately prompted an argument
with my husband, the businessman who believes in incentive pay, and a
review of what I do with and to my daughter. I've got some work to do!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 15 11:31:54 2001
| Name:
| Mr. D. L. Clady
| E-mail:
| dclady1@uic.edu
| Organization:
| Student
| Location:
| Chicago, IL
| How the site | was found: Search engine (MSN)
| Comments:
| I have read a lot about stadardized testing and its
attributes, and it makes me wonder about the underlying motivations it
has. I often wonder if standardized exams were devised with the hidden
"attribute" of locating and weeding out certain students, teachers, or
even schools. Apparently, Don Medley's invention of the standardized test
did not take into account that students are individuals, who have
individual ways and means of negotiating problems. Standardized testing
prompts the removal of individualized thinking, and replaces it with
conformity. I am fully aware that there should be some sort of agreed upon
method to assess students, but that method should take into account much
more than what a student "should" know based upon an academic standard.
There is also the disparity in students' socioeconomic status. This should
literally jump out at decision-makers who stand with pen in hand, ready to
cross-out a school because so many students are doing so poorly on exams.
Believe it or not, standardized exams actually promote racism and
disparity. To say that a certain community does well and another does
poorly, seems to be okay. However, when research is done, and we find out
that the community is broken down into class and race, then "Houston, we
have a problem." In conclusion, if the nation wishes to jump on the
standardized testing band-wagon, the nation should take into account why
the results are not uniform across the board. Then the nation should
realize that it could never achieve such results. In addition, the nation
should at least make a gallant effort to level the playing field before
administering such an exam. Stay tuned for recommendations on leveling the
playing field.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Nov 14 22:03:38 2001
| Name:
| Nixie Juarez
| E-mail:
| jnixie@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Are we teaching kids to think for themselves or simply to
do what they're told?I think we are teaching kids to belive in
thereselfs.Alot of people do not worry about what is going on in other
places,they do not listen to the news enooough,and should be awear of what
is going on in the world.Septer 11 was a tragic day,it even got me
scared,and made me think about all the bad things that are happening.There
are alot of things that i wasnt aware of,and as i found out,I think it was
all a lie.Somethings are true and others arnt.As a student I let people
teach me,for instance my teachers have teach me things I didnt know
about.I learn,and make my own dicisions.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Nov 13 03:59:17 2001
| Name:
| Joseph L. Rudolph
| E-mail:
| Joe50Rud@aol.com
| Organization:
| Hoover High School
| Location:
| San Diego, CA
| How the site | was found: I saw a video on public TV
| Comments:
| I am becoming increasingly alarmed by the number of tests
that students are forced to take and the negative effects it has on them.
Testing in CA has gotten out of control. Thank you for being a voice of
reason amidst the test score madness.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Nov 11 13:45:06 2001
| Name:
| esther forrest
| E-mail:
| estherforrest@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| primary school initiative (soon to change)
| Location:
| julia richman complex
| How the site | was found: heard from you
| Comments:
| hi, we met at the queens collge conference. i am the former
elementary school principal who has started this consortium of
administrators, teachers and parents against high stakes testing. i was
energized and inspired by your words. i hope we can enlist your help. we
are just starting out but plan to do effective assessment reform.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Nov 10 16:46:59 2001
| Name:
| kevin boyd
| E-mail:
| klb829@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| nlu
| Location:
| wheeling
| How the site | was found: library
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Nov 9 21:42:20 2001
| Name:
| Jim Rosvall
| E-mail:
| mailto:jtrosvall@hotmail%20%20or%20jrosvall@sdcoe.k12.ca.us
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 8 22:37:16 2001
| Name:
| Reggie Y.
| E-mail:
| cyu@iastate.edu
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Iowa State University
| How the site | was found: through Google
| Comments:
| I am extremely glad that I found this site and your work. I
have been having trouble gathering resources for my argumentative paper
regarding the negative effects of grades in a learning environment. Thank
you so much!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 8 19:14:41 2001
| Name:
| Margaret Camp
| E-mail:
| marg.camp@sympatico.ca
| Organization:
| Seconded Teacher at University of Ottawa
| Location:
| Ottawa ON
| How the site | was found: The site was communicated to me via the Director of
Education Ottawa U.
| Comments:
| I have many years of experience in teaching and you
continue to inspire my philosophy of teaching. I look forward to your
conference in Ottawa. My students I am sure are beginning to tire of my
constant mention of your name and the numerous readings and quotes that I
have done from your books. I trust that I have inspired them to rethink a
great number of their assumptions of teaching and learning thanks to
you.Thank you for your insights and your caring for children and the
teaching and learning environment.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Nov 6 20:13:49 2001
| Name:
| Tay Cooper
| E-mail:
| tcooper@csusm.edu
| Organization:
| cal state san marcos & Rancho Buena Vista High
| Location:
| California
| How the site | was found: read books
| Comments:
| Thanks for your continued advocacy for kids. I have passed
them on to many teachers. I have also found a rationale for many of the
things I do as well as question some of the assumptions I hold.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Nov 5 14:03:15 2001
| Name:
| Sonia Heredia
| E-mail:
| sheredia@monterey.k12.ca.us
| Organization:
| Migrant Education Even Start
| Location:
| naeyc coference
| How the site | was found: by Lisa Murphy
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Nov 5 08:41:35 2001
| Name:
| Peter Mazun
| E-mail:
| mmazun@aol.com
| Organization:
| NYC Board of Education
| Location:
| Queens
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| I was able to here you speak at CUNY- Queens College this
past weekend. You clarified the numerous problems and issues associated
with standardized testing that we as educators must battle. Thank you!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Nov 3 22:29:01 2001
| Name:
| Barbara J. Washington
| E-mail:
| bjw4553@aol.com
| Organization:
| Graduate Student - Queens College
| Location:
| Queens, New York
| How the site | was found: Attended conference where Mr. Kohn was keynote speaker
| Comments:
| Terrific presentation at Queens College on 11/3/01. It
opened my eyes to the issue of testing and its impact on our children. I
look forward to reading your book The Schools Our Children Deserve and
have placed your website under "My Favorites"
|
|
Date:
| Thu Nov 1 13:02:45 2001
| Name:
| Carole-Ann Scott
| E-mail:
| cscott8@socal.rr.com
| Organization:
| Poseidon School
| Location:
| West Los Angeles
| How the site | was found: Searched Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| I admire and respect Mr. Kohn's work as I struggle as
Co-Exec Director of 7-12 Non-Public School for kids labled LD and SED in
LA, CA. Thank you for your publications, tenacity and faith. Much
appreciated.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 31 17:19:23 2001
| Name:
| Phyllis Marcus
| E-mail:
| peacephyll@aol.com
| Organization:
| Peaceful Kids Institute
| Location:
| South Salem, NY
| How the site | was found: yahoo search
| Comments:
| I have been recommending your books for years to parents
and teachers. I left classroom teaching 6 years ago to become a full time
'change agent'-an educational consultant.Your writing has been
inspirational. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 29 12:11:50 2001
| Name:
| Diana Yano
| E-mail:
| cyano@cmc.net
| Organization:
| parent/teacher G. Aiken Elementary
| Location:
| Ontario, Oregon
| How the site | was found: From book : The Schools Our Children Deserve
| Comments:
| I loved your book and feel you are right on. Educators are
so far off the path--excessive testing, "bunch o'facts" teaching, rewards,
worksheets, punishments, grading, competition, teacher dominated
instruction--I see it all the time. Thank you for advocating change to
save our kids from the damage this type of education brings.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 29 11:11:07 2001
| Name:
| Lisa Propes
| E-mail:
| lisaellenpropes@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Ohio Wesleyan University
| Location:
| Delaware, Ohio
| How the site | was found: class assignment
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 29 06:41:59 2001
| Name:
| Mindy Nathan
| E-mail:
| mnate@aol.com
| Organization:
| Bloomfield Hills Schools
| Location:
| Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
| How the site | was found: Administrators in our district
| Comments:
| I heard Alfie Kohn speak in Grand Rapids at the Michigan
Association of School Boards Conference, and I have two of his books, as
well as several articles. He is the most articulate voice with regard to
the standards and testing movement and the harm that it is doing to our
children. I am chairing our school district's instructional committee this
year, and we are taking a serious look at our schools' response to this
huge imposition on instructional time and quality. This is critical
conversation in our community - particularly because we are the highest
spending district in Michigan, and not surprisingly have very high test
scores. We need to take the lead on raising these issues in our community,
especially with regard to the MEAP; I expect that we will be contacting
Mr. Kohn about coming in to work parents and staffto deepen their
understanding of how this impacts all kids - ours included. Thank you,
thank you, thank you for the very important work you are doing. Our
children need your important message to finally hit home with decision
makers in this country. I believe we are in peril educationally if more of
us don't raise our voices and hands and say "enough." You will be hearing
from us soon.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Oct 28 03:05:12 2001
| Name:
| Bonnie Williams
| E-mail:
| bonnieswilliams@shaw.ca
| Organization:
| Montessori teacher
| Location:
| Kelowna, BC
| How the site | was found: bcpta conference book
| Comments:
| Snow on the highway from Kelowna to Merritt BC, prevented
my reaching Richmond BC in time on Oct. 18 to reach your Oct. 18 evening
presentation. Very disappointed!!! Do you have tapes, or videos. I'll look
for books, wanted to see you inperson. I am teaching in a Montessori
school, have fought against standardized testing for 30 years, inspired by
Bob and Marlene McCracken, and Bill Martin Jr., and Maria Montessori (not
all Montessori schools, alas), and need new information, or at least
up-to-date information. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bonnie
Williams
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 26 23:42:45 2001
| Name:
| Mark O'Phaeley
| E-mail:
| zebaron@juno.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Minnetonka, Minnesota
| How the site | was found: By searching for Information about Competiton and Alfie
Kohn's work
| Comments:
| Has any thought been given to how we as a nation have
reacted in an almost sports-like metality to the tragedy of Sept. 11th?
American flags waved alongside sports flags, the chanting at ground zero
of "USA ...USA...USA." and now this "War on terrorism" in which we have
been assured that we will "win". Doesn't it all seem a bit too much like a
sporting event and less like a serious matter of international law? Just a
thought. No reply needed
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 20:11:39 2001
| Name:
| Judy Hartman
| E-mail:
| hartman@scc.net
| Organization:
| Osceola Middle School
| Location:
| Osceola, WI 54020
| How the site | was found: a friend told me about it
| Comments:
| I was first introduced to your book, Punished By Rewards...
when I did my Master's Program a couple years ago. I have since bought
many of your books. My father used to tell us (children--6 of us) that we
should be "good for nothing". We knew what he meant--don't look for
rewards! I have been teaching for many years and I only wish I had been
exposed to your ideas long ago. I've always felt uncomfortable rewarding
children with praise, stickers, or other goodies. It was so comforting
reading that my intuition is backed by excellent research. I agree with
all of your ideas! Now if I could just convince my colleagues!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 19:24:02 2001
| Name:
| Lynne Milner
| E-mail:
| lmilner@wi.rr.com
| Organization:
| Milwaukee Public Schools
| Location:
| Wisconsin
| How the site | was found: Teachers' Convention
| Comments:
| When a young child takes a mulitiple choice test, he/she is
reading three incorrect statements. How cruel!!!! I enjoyed both of your
sections today at the WEAC Convention and plan to become more involved in
ending this racist/classist travesty. Have you read the Patrick Finn book,
"Literacy with an Attitude?" I learned the word hegemony, and thereby
better understand what is going on with our selected President and his
henchmen. (They don't want any competition from the underclass.) Inner
city children are taught NOT to think. Upper class children get a
completely different education -- public or private. Also, vouchers are
alive in Wisconsin, because we were never given an opportunity to reject
them. They were dictated by our law makers.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 17:51:26 2001
| Name:
| Rosann Hollinger
| E-mail:
| dandrh@execpc.com
| Organization:
| Gr 8 Mathematics
| Location:
| Milwaukee Public Schools
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| listening to alfie is like taking my vitamins.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 17:20:27 2001
| Name:
| Brian Bintz
| E-mail:
| bbintz@utah.gov
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Murray, Utah
| How the site | was found: Friend Reference
| Comments:
| I read the article "Five reasons to stop saying Good Job".
It didn't occur to me that I might be doing more harm to my child than
good. I see happening what you mention in the article with one of my
children. His behavior is changing to expect praise and when not given,
misbehave is more of the norm. I will change my ways and start fresh with
my youngest and try to undo the damage.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 00:20:42 2001
| Name:
| Cheryl Hilmes
| E-mail:
| hcb@alaska.com
| Organization:
| teacher Anchorage School District
| Location:
| Alaska
| How the site | was found: www.fairtest.org link
| Comments:
| We are starting a grass roots group in Alaska to stand up
to our state legislators who have mandated standardized testing and who
are going to use the scores to rank schools. The labels they're using are
"distinguished, successful, deficient or in crisis." Standardized testing
is the only measure that will be used to make this judgement. I am
infuriated and hoping to gain support from educational leaders like
yourself to fight this arrogance and disregard for children. Thanks for
listening.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 25 00:05:46 2001
| Name:
| Mark Benner
| E-mail:
| MBenner@mmacctgsvc.com
| Organization:
| Berkley Board of Education
| Location:
| Berkley, Michigan
| How the site | was found: Your address at the MASB Fall Conference
| Comments:
| After 10 years on the Board, I find myself wondering, as I
sit through another graduation exercise, "Have we done right for ALL of
our students?" I think we do a great job, but how many get denied
opportunities because they aren't good test takers? My daughter is a case
in point. Keep up the fight, Mr. Kohn- hopefully we can stop this testing
madness soon. Maybe encourage a little "civil disobedience" while we're at
it- get the public to THINK about what the politicians are trying to do to
our children.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 24 18:11:30 2001
| Name:
| Fred
| E-mail:
| McOsker
| Organization:
| Lowell Public Schools
| Location:
| Lowell,MA
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Can you give me a bibliography of your favorite resources
|
|
Date:
| Tue Oct 23 16:37:25 2001
| Name:
| Donna Burkhart
| E-mail:
| gregndonna
| Organization:
| Thurston County Family Child Care Assocation
| Location:
| Olympia WA
| How the site | was found: article in "Young Children"
| Comments:
| I just read your article "Five Reasons to stop saying good
Job!" and while I agree with what you say I am finding it hard to
implement, especially with children under 4 and those with Special Needs.
Could you point me to some articles that might address these concerns?
|
|
Date:
| Sun Oct 21 18:23:48 2001
| Name:
| Michelle Harring
| E-mail:
| m.harring@verizon.net
| Organization:
| The Earth School
| Location:
| 600 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10009
| How the site | was found: By Looking up "Alfie Kohn" through Google
| Comments:
| Thanks for making your articles available to us.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Oct 21 14:55:32 2001
| Name:
| Rebecca L. Duncan
| E-mail:
| rduncan@bend.k12.or.us
| Organization:
| Bend-LaPine Public Schools
| Location:
| Bend, Oregon
| How the site | was found: Long-time fan of Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| Alfie, when are you coming back to Oregon?
|
|
Date:
| Sun Oct 21 11:32:48 2001
| Name:
| Richard VanHaaften
| E-mail:
| rvan@tir.com
| Organization:
| North Branch Area Schools
| Location:
| North Branch, Michigan
| How the site | was found: heard you speak in Grand Rapids, Michigan
| Comments:
| Three board of education members, several teachers and I
heard you speak in Grand Rapids at the MASB Fall Conference. Your remarks
had a significant impact on all of us. I have purchased a copy of your
book, "The Case Against Standardized Testing" for all of the members of
our Board of Education. Richard VanHaaften
|
|
Date:
| Sat Oct 20 20:32:31 2001
| Name:
| George Nettleton
| E-mail:
| gnettle1@dryden.k12.ny.us
| Organization:
| Cassavant Elementary School
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sat Oct 20 15:07:31 2001
| Name:
| Sarah Hoyle
| E-mail:
| forrestgnome@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Vine Middle School/Knox County
| Location:
| Knoxville, TN
| How the site | was found: Read The Case Against Standardized Testing
| Comments:
| The book, articles, and web site have validated my thoughts
and let me know I am not alone in my frustrations. Thank you.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Oct 20 11:32:02 2001
| Name:
| Brian mcClelland
| E-mail:
| lauriemc@telusplanet.net
| Organization:
| Sherritt International Corporation
| Location:
| Canada
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| I an a business practicioner looking better ways to manage
for increased productivity at all levels in an organization. I have have
used "punished by rewards" as a basis for management..but have to fight
established practices and almost every consultant and published article in
existance. Thanks for your insight and leadership.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 19 11:33:46 2001
| Name:
| Kerry McCabe
| E-mail:
| kmccabe@pcii.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Kands' End Academy
| How the site | was found: I have read Punished By Rewards
| Comments:
| I will be in Milwaukee next week to listen to you. Perhaps
we will meet. Thank you for having a persistent voice. Peace,Kerry McCabe
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 15 16:11:16 2001
| Name:
| David
| E-mail:
| DVJB@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Jax, FL
| How the site | was found: Saw you speak at Nova Summer Institute
| Comments:
| As Gerald Bracey stated in The Kappan, Oct. 2001, "... 2001
was the year testing went stark raving mad". Maybe one person ( hopefully
educator) at a time will come to their senses and start again doing things
"for" children and not "to" them. I appreciate your "message".
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 15 13:06:29 2001
| Name:
| Peter D'Alesandre
| E-mail:
| fr.peter@excite.com
| Organization:
| very little
| Location:
| Providence
| How the site | was found: biography at the end of on-line magazine article
| Comments:
| I recently returned to the US from Asia, and my wife gives
me no peace in her fury at the "Standards Movement". I wanted to see some
other material and so realized that I am a "standards-survivor" who jumped
ship in college from Physics to Philosophy and Religion. I still am
haunted by the competitiveness and intellectual stuffiness that is the
unacknowleaged, inevitable toxin of standards as supreme in classroom and
testing.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Oct 13 15:36:55 2001
| Name:
| barbara gronefeld
| E-mail:
| Barb@gronefeld.com
| Organization:
| self
| Location:
| nashville tn
| How the site | was found: google.com Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| I am taking "Contemporay Issues" Class at Belmont
University with Dr. Guy Rose. I am researching the topic of character
Education and moral decline. Your web page has been a termondous help with
understanding the issues involved.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 12 23:21:08 2001
| Name:
| Elizabeth Hammerman
| E-mail:
| hammerman@mindspring.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Carthage, North Carolina
| How the site | was found: Punished by Rewards!
| Comments:
| Hi Alfie! After having read (and loved) several articles
you wrote in Ed. Leadership and PDK journals, I decided to tackle the book
Punished by Rewards. Right on!!!! I didn't need the research to know what
you struggle so hard to prove.... I was a classroom teacher in the 60's
and 70's... Science. Although I did not have the kind of education I wish
I had had, I tried to deliver the type of education I wish I had had.
Thus, I worked very hard to deliver inquiry activities and engage students
in learning activities. I rarely had behavior problems.... I seldom
graded. All students had opportunities to succeed and DID!!!! Low threat;
high expectations; engaged learning, etc. Since then, I have taught at a
university part time (teaching only, not research -- concern for teaching
ability once in the field) for 15 years while directing an outdoor
education program that I started that was highly successful -- 65
schools/4000+ students a year.... I designed the program and got the
business (for someone else) Was/Am a consultant.... have done a lot of
curriculum development work and classroom assessment... wrote a book of
prototypic performance assessments that is NOT a best seller because
teachers don't know what to do with "performance assessment".... not valid
if they aren't doning "engaged learning in a performance mode".... and so
on. I attended a six day training with Eric Jensen this summer which
reinforced everything I believe about inquiry based and experiential
learning. Eric is a "brain scientist" but not an educator.... I am an
educator so can appreciate the application. Alfie, I had a conservative
upbringing and education. It has taken a lifetime to learn and synthesize
my understanding of the teaching/learning process. I moved from IL to NC
(culture shock) two years ago because I needed a change of climate. I am a
Math/Science Consultant for a seven county consortium.... AND a presenter
at National Conferences... NSCI.... I know a LOT about Science Education
and Performance Assessment..... You are a genius!!! You have helped me to
understand why I have done what I have done over the years...... the
practice of it came easily... it was based on my belief system about how
humans learn.... nothing I have learned from you or Eric Jensen has
changed what I innately believed.... the research you present and the
research about brain science that Eric presents just helps to explain what
I have believed and done for over thirty years. Maybe some of us are
"programmed" to teach..... Hey, THANKS, Alfie!!!! I can't wait to meet
you!!!! In the meantime, I will buy another book. You say what I feel and
believe. Thanks for putting it into words for me!! I am doing my first key
note address next week and will "go forth" with confidence because of
people like you. By the way, I can give you a very good rationale FOR
Natl. Standards.... there were no indicators of learning for Science
before standards.... although not perfect for everyone, they do give
guidelines for basic knowledge. Sadly, teachers have so little knowledge
of Science Education and anything was ok. Now, at least, there is a
standard that shows that "just anything" is NOT ok, such as reading about
Science is NOT teaching science.... key concepts and principles DO
matter.... standards help to define key areas of learning.... maybe not
for all students, but teachers desperately needed those guidelines!!!!
Keep up the good work! Elizabeth Hammerman
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 12 20:48:53 2001
| Name:
| Paul Arenson
| E-mail:
| paul@tokyoprogressive.org
| Organization:
| http://tokyoprogressive.org
| Location:
| Japan (22 years ago came from New York)
| How the site | was found: Through the War Resisters League site
| Comments:
| I haven't read your work before. But your article on Sept
11 (with the "United we stand" globe) was beautiful. And I noticed you
teach or are involved with teaching. I am an English (as a second/foreign
language)teacher, and found that what you say about teaching, about not
praising, about tests, and much else on your site resonates with me... I
have long been feeling that where many around me have a passion to
instruct, I just want people to become independent of me (to be able to
learn how to find their own way in this world rather than need a teacher
close at hand to tell them what is right and what is not). I suppose that
is what attracted me initially to Silent Way and Community Lagnguage
Learning, though I do not allow myself to believe there is any one
appropriate methodology or trick. Well, anyway, I hope you will visit my
site. I am doing a presentation on critical media literacy and there is
some stuff about it linked to the main page (Under Teachers at the top).
Paul Arenson paul@tokyoprogressive.org http://tokyoprogressive.org
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 11 12:04:34 2001
| Name:
| Wendy Yeadon-Stark
| E-mail:
| wyeadons@wpsic.com
| Organization:
| WPS Health Insurance
| Location:
| Madison, WI
| How the site | was found: MAQIN seminar
| Comments:
| Although I did not agree with everything Alfie had to say,
I was very interested in his presentation. I recommend seeing Alfie to
everyone!
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 10 16:47:26 2001
| Name:
| Celia Oyler
| E-mail:
| co74@columbia.edu
| Organization:
| Teachers College
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: Rouge Forum
| Comments:
| Your September 11th article speaks for me. The tragedies of
state-sponsored terrorism or no less vicious than the terrorism carried
out without the backing of a central government. I have watched in horror
as my country killed innocent civilians. I now have watched in horror as
terrorists have killed over 6,000 civilians here. I have watched
interviews with my fellow U.S. citizens speaking in sound bites of their
pleasure at our country's bombing of Afghanistan. I take such talk of
vengeance (not against the terrorists, but against the people of
Afghanistan) as a severe indictment of our educational system. When will
we teach our children to see the lives of the people different from
themselves? It is a telling lesson, indeed, that those who survived the
bombing of the south World Trade Tower were those who refused to listen to
the voice on the intercom. What voices on the intercom can we challenge
today?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 10 02:09:47 2001
| Name:
| John Acker
| E-mail:
| acker_john@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Palm Springs CA
| How the site | was found: article "The real Threat to American Schools"
| Comments:
| I enjoyed your article, and I agree that the reform
movement has some elemnets that will be provide more problems than
solutions. By not taking a strong stand we have become our own worst
enemy. After 32 years as an educator I still find it hard to understand
why educators have so much difficulty standing up, we have such little
respect for our own profession.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Oct 9 18:37:53 2001
| Name:
| Bakari Chavanu
| E-mail:
| bchavanu@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| Education Consultant
| Location:
| Sacramento, CA
| How the site | was found: NCTE listserv
| Comments:
| Saw you speak in Oakland, and I thought you were absolutely
dynamite. Too bad you're not a principle of some school in California.
Thanks also for your website and posted material. Very useful.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 8 17:12:55 2001
| Name:
| wendy talbot
| E-mail:
| sarahbeenz@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| teacher
| Location:
| taumarunui
| How the site | was found: tet course Mr Royds
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sat Oct 6 11:44:55 2001
| Name:
| marlies bearden
| E-mail:
| marlies@math.msstate.edu
| Organization:
| mississippi State University
| Location:
| Starkville, Mississippi
| How the site | was found: From the references of an article I was reading
| Comments:
| Your website has been very informative for me. I am working
on my dissertation and your website has given me a lot of information and
lots to think about.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 5 12:33:41 2001
| Name:
| Beverly Pavao
| E-mail:
| bevpavao@aol.com
| Organization:
| Fall River Public Schools Title 1/SLS
| Location:
| Fall River Massachusetts
| How the site | was found: I have heard you speak 9 times......
| Comments:
| Each time I attend a function and you are involved it takes
me 3 or 4 days after to think and process what I've heard. You are
really....right about what you teach, I know from my own experience as a
person, mother of four and educator. Thanks for your guidance and I'll see
you another 9 times.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 5 11:09:48 2001
| Name:
| Pat Haley
| E-mail:
| ghoehne@ngis.ca
| Organization:
| Teacher
| Location:
| Burns Lake B.C.
| How the site | was found: BCPTA conference brochure
| Comments:
| Back again for a morale boost!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Oct 5 06:47:45 2001
| Name:
| Beth Mackay
| E-mail:
| beth.mackay@sympatico.ca
| Organization:
| Ottawa Montessori School
| Location:
| Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| How the site | was found: I was reading your book, The Schools our children deserve.
| Comments:
| I have just heard that you will be coming to Ottawa and
that our school is one of the sponsoring organizations. After some 32
years of teaching, I welcomed many of the comments made in your book.
Observation and assessment, in an ongoing manner, far outweighs the use of
standardized tests.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 4 23:37:11 2001
| Name:
| Patrice "Patti" Harkins
| E-mail:
| ricpatwalk@montana.com
| Organization:
| Missoula County Public Schools Title I Coord.
| Location:
| Missoula, MT 59801
| How the site | was found: Jay Mathew's Article about Alfie Kohn
| Comments:
| I think Alfie is the greatest. He is able to see that
educators need to stop the defensive posturing and speak up for our need
to be progressive.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Oct 4 11:34:15 2001
| Name:
| Ariana Paraskos
| E-mail:
| Ayse17@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Miami
| How the site | was found: Through "Annual Editions"
| Comments:
| I read an Article of a conversation you had about "tougher
standards", and I just wanted to let you know that I agree with everything
you said. Children need to learn how to learn, before anything else.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 3 20:12:11 2001
| Name:
| Roberta A. Hollowell
| E-mail:
| catsfork@juno.com
| Organization:
| CTA/NEA-Retired
| Location:
| 1176 Neale Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95404
| How the site | was found: In "Education Week" reprints
| Comments:
| Although retired, I am intensely interesting in fighting
the tidal wave of high-stakes testing. As a matter of fact, a few months
ago I applied - neither wanting it nor expecting to get it - an
appointment to the newly expanded Santa Rosa School Board, just in order
to send a message, which I believe I did. I was not appointed, and more
recently when there was another opening, I chose not to apply. However,
the young political colleague who was appointed is already apprised of
your work and will be getting your materials. Here in Santa Rosa, the
California state exit exam is apparently not stringent enough and the
Board has been attempting to develop their own. That process has been
slowed down now. My major concern is with the kids who will never do well
on any exam; no one is addressing the tremendous cost of the necessary
support services.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 3 16:39:20 2001
| Name:
| PIerce Napahunu
| E-mail:
| kkjcc@aol.com
| Organization:
| JURA
| Location:
| SLC
| How the site | was found: WEB CT
| Comments:
| Thank you
|
|
Date:
| Wed Oct 3 15:21:09 2001
| Name:
| Tim Gallagher
| E-mail:
| tgallagh@mail.sctboces.org
| Organization:
| Odessa-Montour High School
| Location:
| Odessa, NY
| How the site | was found: metacrawler
| Comments:
| I am looking for research on the effects of competition in
music. More specifically marhing arts( marching band, drumcorps,
colorguard, percussion ensembles and the like) If you know anyone who has
actual data on how competition helped, harmed or changed this activity
please e-mail me. Looking for grad work info.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 1 12:12:36 2001
| Name:
| Stephen F. Nestor, Jr.
| E-mail:
| snestor@massed.net
| Organization:
| Silver Lake Regional High School
| Location:
| 260 Pembroke Street, Kingston, MA 02364
| How the site | was found: NESDEC Conference "Motivation"
| Comments:
| I attended the conference n Milford, MA on 9/25/01. Your
site was given and an invitation to visit it. Simply, your perspective has
helped me re-think many of my assumptions, which in many cases are build
on faulty premises. Thank you!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 1 10:46:05 2001
| Name:
| Ted Hipple
| E-mail:
| hipple@utk.edu
| Organization:
| University of Tennessee College of Ed
| Location:
| Knoxville, TN 37996-3400
| How the site | was found: I've read all your stuff.
| Comments:
| I use SCHOOLS WE DESERVE in my class for prospective
secondary school teachers and believe you to be among my heroes (and there
aren't many). I'm submitting a review to our local paper of THE CASE and,
if it's published, I'll send it along. I also teach a cohort of Knoxville
experienced teachers, some of whom I've turned on about your testing
ideas. They are pretty badly treated in Tennessee.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Oct 1 09:42:15 2001
| Name:
| gloria schwartz
| E-mail:
| gloys@cs.com
| Organization:
| Boys and Girls Harbor
| Location:
| New York City
| How the site | was found: Ref. Wes Taylor
| Comments:
| Please keep me informed. Thank you,
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 30 19:44:15 2001
| Name:
| Jane Harris
| E-mail:
| jwh1233@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: friend
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sat Sep 29 12:00:45 2001
| Name:
| Craig Hutton
| E-mail:
| huttonbunch@mwci.net
| Organization:
| Lambert Elementary School
| Location:
| Manchester, Iowa
| How the site | was found: searching the internet
| Comments:
| Alfie- More educators need to hear your message!Your ideas
have a great impact on what I do in my classroom. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Sat Sep 29 09:32:22 2001
| Name:
| ajit hegde
| E-mail:
| ajitrkhegde@yahoo.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| india
| How the site | was found: noam chomsky mentioned your name in interview
| Comments:
| It's good stuff. I am studying all these skinners etc. in
my college books. I always mistrusted them. But I had no other proof. I am
happy I found your name. It's always good to hear all sides of an
argument.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Sep 29 07:36:57 2001
| Name:
|
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: "Education's different drummer"
| Comments:
| I've bookmarked your pages for more study. Our education
system is moving to a new 2010 plan. Any plans to visit Australia to check
out our state systems...we have yet to get a national one.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Sep 29 07:33:27 2001
| Name:
| fiona cole
| E-mail:
| fcole@gympeastss.qld.edu.au
| Organization:
| Gympie East State School
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 28 16:54:04 2001
| Name:
| Bill Gills
| E-mail:
| wgills@earthlink.net
| Organization:
| Math teacher in NYC public high school
| Location:
| Brooklyn, NY
| How the site | was found: Alfie Kohn's books
| Comments:
| I would like to thank Mr. Kohn for his excellent (and
courageous) article on September 11. I hope he doesn't mind my sharing it
with students and teachers at my high school. Given that many usually
progressive people have suddenly become flag-waving warmongers, and that
in these same circles criticism of Israel and Zionism is tabu (immediately
earning one the title of anti-semite or self-hater), I am afraid that Mr.
Kohn will now suffer some major abuse at the hands of some of his readers
and admirers. That Phi Delta Kappan has brazenly censored this outstanding
piece from its November issue seems to imply that Alfie Kohn's name will
now be added to a McCarthyite black list and will be "made to pay" for his
opinions, which so many of us still value. From the third floor windows of
my classroom in Park Slope Brooklyn, my students and I watched with
stunned horror the attack in Manhattan on September 11th. I am deeply
saddened by a great human tragedy, and by a lesson that, I'm afraid, will
not be learned. Thanks again, from one of your grateful supporters.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 28 11:21:26 2001
| Name:
| susan
| E-mail:
| sas2785
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| atlanta,ga
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| I read yesterday that the September 11 article has been
pulled from the November Kappan. Is this true?
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 27 10:48:28 2001
| Name:
| Blake Decker
| E-mail:
| dakeblecker@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Brownfield High School
| Location:
| Brownfield, TX
| How the site | was found: article in English Journal
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 27 00:37:48 2001
| Name:
| DonnaJean Gifford
| E-mail:
| stpeter@chorus.net
| Organization:
| St. Peter Catholic School
| Location:
| Middleton, WI
| How the site | was found: A conference
| Comments:
| The presentation by ALfie Kohn at the Edgewood College
Education Conference was a motivational experience. Thank you! He
continues to inspire and engage one in reflection.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 26 20:33:57 2001
| Name:
| Janice Fielder
| E-mail:
| jfielder@hopedale.k12.ma.us
| Organization:
| Hopedale Jr/Sr High School
| Location:
| Hopedale, MA
| How the site | was found: Address given at workshop
| Comments:
| What's it all about Alfie? You certainly filled us in on it
at the Milford, Ma, Radison on Sept. 25th. What a dynamic presentation!
You expressed vocally what I have always felt was true. Keep up the good
work!
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 26 16:48:31 2001
| Name:
| Scott Kizner
| E-mail:
| skizner@aol.com
| Organization:
| Westerly Public Schools
| Location:
| RI
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| I just heard Alfie Kohn speak and am interested in maybe
organizing other Superintendents to get more active in changing the
current trend in assessment and standards. Is there a group now doing
this?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 26 14:52:37 2001
| Name:
| alan Sturrock
| E-mail:
| sturrocka@calvertnet.k12.md.us
| Organization:
| George Mason University
| Location:
| Department of Educational Leadership
| How the site | was found: websurfing
| Comments:
| We are using your text "Punished By Rewards" as a main text
in the graduate course, "Motivation for School Administrators"...do you do
workshops/seminars, and what is the cost? What is the best video that
captures the themes of this book??
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 26 11:34:55 2001
| Name:
| Emma Firestone
| E-mail:
| efirest@fas.harvard.edu
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Harvard College
| How the site | was found: College course website
| Comments:
| Alfie, I was in the assembled crowd of students in Brian
Palmer's Personal Choices and Global Transformation class, and I don't
know how often you get onto this part of the site, but I wanted to thank
you for speaking in such a considered, comprehensive, eloquent way on
topics that so demand to be addressed. You gave voice and energy to the
loose, fragmented kinds of thoughts that many of us harbor but few can
understand, let alone articulate. If I had your powers of persuasion, I'd
hang out longer at the dining hall so I could wow 'em in conversation...
Anyway, thank you so much. You've got many many new fans here, and we all
want to buy your books and spread your words.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 25 15:02:42 2001
| Name:
| Brion Deitsch
| E-mail:
| edgerton_s@nwoca.org
| Organization:
| Edgerton Local Schools
| Location:
| Edgerton, Ohio
| How the site | was found: A superintendents conference
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 25 04:10:53 2001
| Name:
| lea torres
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 24 17:27:17 2001
| Name:
| Jeffrey Arrigo
| E-mail:
| jarrigo@columbia.k12.mo.us
| Organization:
| Project Construct National Center
| Location:
| Columbia, MO
| How the site | was found: coworker showed me
| Comments:
| Thank you for your article "September 11". This article has
more important imformation for N. Americans than any other article I've
read or any speach or other newscast I've heard. We, as Americans, love to
forget all of our own trespases. Our government and media encourage an "us
against them" mentality. We should be aghast at the horrible things that
happened on September 11, but we should be no less horrified when our own
government propagates the same terrible acts on others. I don't know
whether I'm more saddened by what happened on September 11, or more
ashamed of what led up to those acts of terrorism.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 24 16:12:20 2001
| Name:
| John B. Day
| E-mail:
| Rapmstrabe@aol.com
| Organization:
| Woodlynde School
| Location:
| Philadelphia, Pa
| How the site | was found: Google
| Comments:
| "Excellence demands competition. Without a race there can
be no champion, no records broken, no excellence--in education or in any
other walk of life." - Ronald Reagan "Children should be tested on basic
reading and math skills every year, between grades three and eight.
Measuring is the only way to know whether all our children are
learning-and I want to know, because I refuse to leave any child behind in
America. Critics of testing contend it distracts from learning. They talk
about "teaching to the test." But let's put that logic to the test. If you
test children on basic math and reading skills, and you are "teaching to
the test," you are teaching ... math and reading. And that's the whole
idea." - George W. Bush
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 24 14:23:28 2001
| Name:
| susan scheer
| E-mail:
| sas2785@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Decatur, ga
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Alfie Kohn is one of my favorite authors. I am curious to
hear his feedback on the America's Choice program from ncee. Is is another
ADS program?
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 23 23:17:05 2001
| Name:
| Victoria Rashbaum
| E-mail:
| vmamacita@aol.com
| Organization:
| Barnard School
| Location:
| 129 Barnard Rd., New Rochelle, NY 10801
| How the site | was found: Heard Alfie Kohn at Peaceable Schools 6/00 and 6/01
| Comments:
| A breath of fresh air..made me look at what I do with
children and parents and reevaluate my work..want to share his powerful
message with other school staff..
|
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 21 23:09:40 2001
| Name:
| Suzette I. Boehms
| E-mail:
| siboehms@aol.com
| Organization:
| Hickman County High School
| Location:
| Centerville, Tennessee
| How the site | was found: internet search
| Comments:
| I am a student in a graduate curriculum class at Tennessee
State University. I am writing a scholarly inquiry on your approach to
discipline in schools. I have been teaching for 13 years, 11 of which were
in the UT system, and this is my 3rd year in our high school. I would like
permission to submit 10 questions to you to get your response for my
paper. Thanks.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 19 21:53:42 2001
| Name:
| Patricia Haley
| E-mail:
| ghoehne@ngis.ca
| Organization:
| teacher/parent
| Location:
| Burns Lake B.C. Canada
| How the site | was found: B.C.Primary Teacher's Conf. Brochure
| Comments:
| I wish I could here you speak in Vancouver in October..may
order books or tapes instead...thanks for promoting your philosophy...we
need your voice here in B.C.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 17 12:59:44 2001
| Name:
| claude picard
| E-mail:
| claude.picard@fnq.qc.ca
| Organization:
| Fédération de natation du Québec
| Location:
| 4545 Pierre de Courbertin Montréal
| How the site | was found: By Kathy Witterick
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 17 00:46:20 2001
| Name:
| Robert Mills
| E-mail:
| goldenretlover@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: search engine
| Comments:
| Alfie's conferences are for everyone. He really makes the
audience think.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 16 16:36:42 2001
| Name:
| Shawn Haygood
| E-mail:
| haygood@alltel.net
| Organization:
| Elementary School Counselor
| Location:
| Georgia
| How the site | was found: Doing research on pro's & con's of using applied
behavior analysis
| Comments:
| After researching the principles of applied behavior
analysis, your criticisim seems to be based on approaches that would be
considered a misuse of applied behavior analysis techniques at the outset
of developing an intervention or program. It is inaccurate to demean an
approach when it is described in an erroneous manner, confusing its terms
and methods. This is anlaogous to claiming "Heart surgery is ineffective
with back pain."
|
|
Date:
| Sat Sep 15 13:23:21 2001
| Name:
| Linda Massey
| E-mail:
| masseys@erols.com
| Organization:
| Prince George's County Public Schools
| Location:
| Maryland
| How the site | was found: Looking for information about the relationship between
equitable funding and "standards movement."
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Sep 14 15:07:33 2001
| Name:
| T. Ruef
| E-mail:
| TracyR425@aol.com
| Organization:
| The Attic
| Location:
| Seattle, Washington
| How the site | was found: read many of your books
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 12 17:38:31 2001
| Name:
| Tom Conry
| E-mail:
| tconry@post.harvard.edu
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| 16255 NW Schendel Ave #G
| How the site | was found: google search
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 12 00:17:24 2001
| Name:
| Rachelle Cain
| E-mail:
| rachelle_cain@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: class
| Comments:
| hello
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 11 02:39:56 2001
| Name:
| Jacky Morris
| E-mail:
| jacky.morris@flinders.edu.au
| Organization:
| Sociology Dept. Flinders University
| Location:
| South Australia
| How the site | was found: searched
| Comments:
| Just read 'The Brighter Side..' and thoroughly enjoyed it!
(I have spent 7 years doing a thesis on a similar topic, and appreciated
Alfie's insights.)
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 6 17:17:53 2001
| Name:
| Julia Dadds
| E-mail:
| jdadds@bloomington.in.us
| Organization:
| Head Start
| Location:
| Bloomington, Indiana
| How the site | was found: attended lecture in Evansville
| Comments:
| Long road ahead. Taking the first step, anyway. Thinking
about forming a parent organization that supports and promotes this
approach in our schools here in Bloomington....Working toward fully
incorporating it in our program here at Head Start...sigh. Long road.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 6 11:07:19 2001
| Name:
| manjit biant
| E-mail:
| manjit@advent-truth.co.uk
| Organization:
| the advent truth
| Location:
| uk
| How the site | was found: search engine
| Comments:
| GOD BLESS YOU MANJIT WWW.ADVENT-TRUTH.CO.UK
|
|
Date:
| Thu Sep 6 10:19:31 2001
| Name:
| Helen Marx
| E-mail:
| marxhenzy@worldnet.att.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| East Hampton, Connecticut
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Are there any groups in CT that are openly opposed to the
state testing? I have been told that there is no opt-out clause here, do
you know if that is true?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 5 19:46:50 2001
| Name:
| Barbara Traczek
| E-mail:
| sonyat@execpc.com
| Organization:
| School District of Cudahy
| Location:
| Cudahy, Wisconsin
| How the site | was found: Teacher's (WEA) Convention schedule
| Comments:
| I am looking for a posting board to discuss Alphie's ideas
and especially their day to day implementation with counselors and other
educators. Can you help?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 5 11:45:05 2001
| Name:
| Richard O. Titus
| E-mail:
| rtitus@eirc.org
| Organization:
| NJ Child Care Training Program
| Location:
| Sewell NJ
| How the site | was found: Young Children 09-01
| Comments:
| Go Alfie ! You've really nailed this topic - Need to
examine the other things available here - Unfortunately, the notion of
intrinsic motivation is too often seen as an "upstream" topic in those
cultural flash floods that stress factual knowledge along with social
compliance. A joy to read such an articulate advocate with an upstream
heading -- Richard
|
|
Date:
| Wed Sep 5 11:21:13 2001
| Name:
| Mark Booth
| E-mail:
| mark.booth@abbeynational.co.uk
| Organization:
| Abbey National
| Location:
| Bradford, England
| How the site | was found: I admire Deming.. now I admire Alfie too!
| Comments:
| If you've not read Deming or Scholtes.. I would recommend
you do.. if you've not read Alfie.. do it now! Then use what you've
learnt. Peace. Be happy. I wish you well.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Sep 4 16:32:36 2001
| Name:
| alan feigenberg, professor of architecture & education
| E-mail:
| bff2@columbia.edu
| Organization:
| city college school of architecture
| Location:
| new york city
| How the site | was found: through education leadership magazine
| Comments:
| your voice is one of great reason and strong resistance.
many of us greatly appreciate it and it gives us further support in our
attempts to facilitate critical learning in our students and our
children.. thank you.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 3 21:10:08 2001
| Name:
| Julia Wood
| E-mail:
| juliadwood@home.com
| Organization:
| Jenks Public Schools
| Location:
| Tulsa, Ok
| How the site | was found: Looking up info. on Emotional Intelligences for a workshop
I'm giving.
| Comments:
| I was introduced to Alfie Kohn by a woman named Betsy Bacon
who was a trainer for the TRIBES program. It's amozing how so much of what
I believe is beginning to "show up" in my life with books and people.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Sep 3 10:23:52 2001
| Name:
| Kim Terrell
| E-mail:
| crabcake13@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Florida
| How the site | was found: Keyword
| Comments:
| We are currently reading your book titled Punished by
Rewards in my Behavior Modification class at USF. I think it's amazing
that you met and interviewed Skinner. If I have any questions/comments I
will write again. Kim Terrell
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 2 11:59:29 2001
| Name:
| Cindy Charest
| E-mail:
| ccharest@maine.rr.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Westbrook, ME
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| If anyone is interested in reading the transcript of a
discussion about standardized testing that appeared on CNN on Sat., Sep.
1, (featuring Alfie Kohn) you can find it by going to the CNN web site on
the transcript page.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Sep 2 11:53:11 2001
| Name:
| Cindy Charest
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 31 16:16:56 2001
| Name:
| Brenda Marfin
| E-mail:
| bmarfin@lycos.com
| Organization:
| Educator
| Location:
| Conroe, Texas
| How the site | was found: Read Beyond Discipline
| Comments:
| I really appreciate Mr. Kohn's work. I am currently working
on my masters in secondary ed. and I am conducting research on discipline
management models. However, I do not look at Mr.Kohn's work as a
management model. i am finding it difficult to explain his concepts to
others. Most teachers and administrators want a recipe card for each type
of behavior. Something quick and simple. Kohn presents a way of being in
the classroom that opposes the recipe models. If anyone has any info. that
might help me in my research, please let me know.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 31 14:42:02 2001
| Name:
| David Stocker
| E-mail:
| davidstocker85@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| City View Alternative Senior School
| Location:
| Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| How the site | was found: Read Punished By Rewards- web search
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 30 00:09:28 2001
| Name:
| Robert Cairo
| E-mail:
| rjcairo@mac.com
| Organization:
| Fieldston School
| Location:
| Bronx, New York
| How the site | was found: Educational Leadership
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 29 22:29:47 2001
| Name:
| bwilliams
| E-mail:
| bwilliams@lvcm.com
| Organization:
| student
| Location:
| NV
| How the site | was found: reference for class
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 29 16:09:03 2001
| Name:
| Eje Wadebro
| E-mail:
| eje.wadebro@telia.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Sweden
| How the site | was found: Via Skandinaviska Ledarhögskolan, Lars-Erik Uneståhl
| Comments:
| I have just reread your book "No Contest, The Case Against
Compettion" in swedish. And I seem your message is moore actual today then
in the beginning of 90th. I wonder what happen later
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 28 22:19:34 2001
| Name:
| Eileen McRae
| E-mail:
| emcrae@nrtco.net
| Organization:
| Western Quebec School Board
| Location:
| Aylmer, Quebec
| How the site | was found: by searching through autodesk
| Comments:
| Quebec is implementing a new education plan, a component of
which is project-based learning. I'd like to learn more about this.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 28 14:49:22 2001
| Name:
| James Lees
| E-mail:
| jtdhlees@telus.net
| Organization:
| Chilliwack Teachers' Association
| Location:
| Chilliwack, BC Canada
| How the site | was found: Television interview (CNN?)
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 28 01:37:54 2001
| Name:
| Richard Basham
| E-mail:
| Basham25656@cs.com
| Organization:
| EVSC
| Location:
| Evansville, Indiana
| How the site | was found: Through one of your workshops
| Comments:
| Excellent lecture in Evansville, Indiana.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 27 21:58:02 2001
| Name:
| Bob Greenwell
| E-mail:
| robertjgreenwell@msn.com
| Organization:
| Ethical Society of St. Louis
| Location:
| St. Louis, MO
| How the site | was found: searching internet for research on effects of competition
and cooperation in schools
| Comments:
| Thrilled to have discovered your work!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 27 15:16:04 2001
| Name:
| Willie Wickman
| E-mail:
| williewickman@aol.com
| Organization:
| League of Women Voters
| Location:
| Harvard, MA
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 27 15:02:41 2001
| Name:
| Kimie Kuzay
| E-mail:
| kimiekuzay@home.com
| Organization:
| Long Beach USD, elem. teacher
| Location:
| Irvine, California
| How the site | was found: I went to the ECE Conf in Torrance, CA.
| Comments:
| This is my first time here. I was very impressed with Mr.
Kohn at the early childhood ed conference last Friday. I'd like to
read/hear more. You put into words what I and many others feel inchoately.
Thanks for the kick in the pants!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 27 14:55:11 2001
| Name:
| Kimie Kuzay
| E-mail:
| kimiekuzay@home.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Irvine, California
| How the site | was found: I went to the ECE Conf in Torrance, CA.
| Comments:
| This is my first time here. I was very impressed with Mr.
Kohn at the early childhood ed conference. I'd like to read/hear more.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 27 14:53:31 2001
| Name:
| Kimie Kuzay
| E-mail:
| kimiekuzay@home.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Irvine, California
| How the site | was found: I went to the ECE Conf in Torrance, CA.
| Comments:
| This is my first time here. I was very impressed with Mr.
Kohn at the early childhood ed conference. I'd like to read/hear more.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Aug 26 22:14:17 2001
| Name:
| Cindy Gottschalk
| E-mail:
| cpgotts@aol.com
| Organization:
| Torrance Unified School District
| Location:
| Hickory Elementary
| How the site | was found: Alfie gave it out at the conference.
| Comments:
| Thank you for voicing the frustrations I have felt during
testing. I used to work as a first grade teacher in a district that tested
first graders. I would watch them cry, throw up, and shut down every year.
Let's work to end this torture.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 23 00:22:08 2001
| Name:
| Adriana Gonzalez
| E-mail:
| Adriana11111@aol.com
| Organization:
| Wildwood School
| Location:
| Los Angeles, CA
| How the site | was found: Web Search
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 22 22:20:02 2001
| Name:
| Laura Krall
| E-mail:
| kralll@vcss,k12,ca,us
| Organization:
| Project RENEW
| Location:
| California
| How the site | was found: Eisenhour National Clearinghouse
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 22 09:39:51 2001
| Name:
| jim beane
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 21 20:55:25 2001
| Name:
| Lori Davis
| E-mail:
| dvsfmly@ccountry.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Talent, Oregon
| How the site | was found: searching the internet
| Comments:
| Our family moved from Idaho to Oregon in search of more
progressive schools. We thought we found a good school, not perfect, but
better than in Idaho, untill my son entered third grade and his teacher
began punishing him for needing to use the bathroom. He was also punished
for failing to pass a timed math test. However, he could "win" a candy bar
for getting his spelling and grammar paper "perfect". Needless to say, he
began to hate school, so with no help from the administration, I decided
to transfer him to an Ashland Oregon school. Now He has a teacher who
reads and agrees with Alfie Kohn's philosophy. I think after what my son
went through at his old school, he deserves a teacher who respects
children. Of course ALL CHILDREN deserve respect. Thank you Alfie for your
committment to kids.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Aug 17 09:23:22 2001
| Name:
| Bob Carpenter
| E-mail:
| acotmusic@aol.com
| Organization:
| Crestview Middle School
| Location:
| Columbus Ohio
| How the site | was found: Keyword search
| Comments:
| Our school is considering the CMCD program out of Houston.
I was curious to find out if Alfie Kohn had considered this program and
written any article concerning it. Second, has Alfie Kohn applied his
principles and observations to the relationship between school
administrators and their staffs?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 15 11:23:40 2001
| Name:
| Michelle Bothel
| E-mail:
| mrbothel@student.tcu.edu
| Organization:
| Sr. Elem. Education Major at Texas Christian U.
| Location:
| Fort Worth, Tx
| How the site | was found: The Book "The Case Against Standarized Testing"
| Comments:
| Thank you for saying everything I have always wanted to say
about testing. I know so many pre-service teachers who hate the TAAS (Tx
Standarized Test) but don't see any alternative.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 14 22:47:41 2001
| Name:
| Mary Gafkjen
| E-mail:
| gafkjenmary@netscape.net
| Organization:
| college
| Location:
| Minnesota
| How the site | was found: search
| Comments:
| Kohn's writing is exciting and thought provoking. Does
anyone know of a way to determine the level of intrinsic motivation in a
group of learners? I'm thinking of doing some action research based on
what I've read but need some help to triangulate results. Thanks!
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 14 14:54:05 2001
| Name:
| Christine Dove
| E-mail:
| ChristinePSA@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Presbyterian Social Agency
| Location:
| Phoenix,AZ
| How the site | was found: Flagstaff Center for Compassionate Com link
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 14 14:50:42 2001
| Name:
| Christine Dove
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sun Aug 12 21:56:18 2001
| Name:
| Karla Johnson
| E-mail:
| KarlaJ320@prodigy.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Ventura, CA
| How the site | was found: Link
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 9 22:16:42 2001
| Name:
| Jimmy Lawrence
| E-mail:
| Jimlawren@yahoo.com
| Organization:
| none
| Location:
| Internet
| How the site | was found: Internet
| Comments:
| Help Math term paper
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 9 19:01:10 2001
| Name:
| Allanna Sarosy
| E-mail:
| sekerak@ncweb.com
| Organization:
| Parent
| Location:
| Ohio
| How the site | was found: Read the book
| Comments:
| Could someone clarify something for me? In Ohio, they have
decided the old proficiency test was inappropriate and now are working on
a new test that will take effect in 2007. However, even though they
themselves have said the old test is not appropriate, they are still
holding the old standard with the old test over these kids. How can they
legally mandate something that they themselves have said is not
appropriate? Does anyone have any answers? I know parents in Franklin
County have filed a lawsuit and I just wanted some ideas. Thanks
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 9 14:19:55 2001
| Name:
| Nancy Horstmeier
| E-mail:
| nancy.horstmeier@mononagrove.org
| Organization:
| Monona Grove Schools
| Location:
| Monona, WI
| How the site | was found: Alfie mentioned it at the conference I attended.
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 9 10:48:11 2001
| Name:
| Diane Gorman
| E-mail:
| degmentor@aol.com
| Organization:
| MEDIAMENTORS
| Location:
| Durham, NH
| How the site | was found: Amazon.com books/standardized testing
| Comments:
| I am very interested in being placed on a
newsletter/mailing list regarding any information on the problems with
standardized testing. I own an educational resource guide, and highly
promote books and resources related to multiple intelligences, learning
styles, authentic assessment, etc. I would like to become actively
involved in any movement that makes others aware that standardized testing
is biased (not just w/race and socio-economic factors,) but also with
regard to brain based research. We have known for some time now that
intelligence is physiologically based, i.e. Gardner's work, yet we still
allow teaching and assessing that may be prejudice to only one particular
type of learner. My personal goal is to ensure that all teachers
understand authentic application and assessment in the classroom, so that
students are no longer randomly fortunate to have a teacher that is
enlightened and educated, with regard to current education. Diane Gorman
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 9 00:28:36 2001
| Name:
| Raúl Martínez
| E-mail:
| Elciderly.com ALO
| Organization:
| Bell Gardens High School spanish teacher
| Location:
| Bell Gardens, California
| How the site | was found: Article in LA Times 2/22/00
| Comments:
| I also agree that learning a "bunch of facts" is hindering
learning and thinking. I teach using Paulo Freire's methods, Yes, I am a
"critical" educator. Have been for over 25 years. Sad to say, there are
very few of us. I will not give in to "Standards" Keep up the fight. Come
and speak to the teachers of Montebello Unified School District in
California. What is your position on "Bilingual Education"?
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 8 20:23:34 2001
| Name:
| Jennifer
| E-mail:
| Cygnus@swirve.com
| Organization:
| Future Republican Leaders of America
| Location:
| Lowell/Springfield Oregon
| How the site | was found: research on competition
| Comments:
| You know I just had to post this because I find the whole
no competition thing incredibly communistic... If we abolish grades, how
will that effect the preparation of students for the real world? Does
abolishing grades actually make kids work harder?...in the real world, do
we only have to do the interesting assignments our boss gives us? Does our
boss not evaluate us as to our performance? If we switch to a no grading
or an outcome based educational system, we will be preparing students for
life in a communistic, non-competitive work place. For it is in communist
countries that everyone works cooperatively for the common goal of serving
the government and no one is paid more than anyone else for everyone is
equal. (In theory anyway) In a no grading system, communism would be the
real world that schools would be preparing the pupils for... So if the
primary purpose of school is to teach students the necessary skills to
survive in the working world, then our current grading system should be
kept.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 8 17:51:06 2001
| Name:
| EVELYN HOLT
| E-mail:
| eholt@charrette.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: search
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 8 02:45:10 2001
| Name:
| Kil-Jae Lee
| E-mail:
| kjlee@cc.knue.ac.kr
| Organization:
| Korea National University of Education
| Location:
| Korea
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Wed Aug 8 00:41:38 2001
| Name:
| Terry Maschman
| E-mail:
| maschte@speagle.com
| Organization:
| Sauk Prairie High School
| Location:
| Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin
| How the site | was found: got the address at the conference
| Comments:
| Lots of food for thought. Much of it seems to fit in with
the stuff I've been collecting throughout my career, from Sidney Simon on
values clarification, through Haim Ginot on choice in child raising, to
Victor Frankl on Man's Search for Meaning. The list goes on. There seems
to be a link with Jim Fay and his views on Discipline with Love and Logic,
where choice and control remain in the students' hands. Now, how do we go
from good food for thought to a force for change??? Thanks for your
thoughts, your obvious passion, and your unrelenting work.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 7 18:51:15 2001
| Name:
| susan stern
| E-mail:
| sternhickey@bigfoot.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| madison, wi
| How the site | was found: mentioned at the edgewood conf. in madison
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Aug 7 09:28:19 2001
| Name:
| Jane Hefty
| E-mail:
| JEHefty@aol.com
| Organization:
| Canton Montessori School
| Location:
| Canton, Ohio
| How the site | was found: Alfie noted it in a speech I heard
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 6 17:14:24 2001
| Name:
| Anne Beier
| E-mail:
| ljajbeier@aol.com
| Organization:
| Mt. Horeb Schools
| Location:
| Mt. Horeb, WI
| How the site | was found: I was at a conference
| Comments:
| I am attending one of your conferences in Madison. I had to
hear you in person after reading your books and taking part in a teacher
study group. I'm not going to say "Good Job", but I am extremely pleased
with the information I'm receiving! Many of the items you talked about
today I have been working on over the course of eight years. It feels good
to have a respected, intelligent person sharing wonderful, kid-centered
ideas that are taking place in my room. I wish that my superintendent and
board members were at the conference as well. Thanks for the entertaining
and important presentation!
|
|
Date:
| Mon Aug 6 08:11:46 2001
| Name:
| Carol Higgins
| E-mail:
| lchiggins58@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Public school teacher
| Location:
| Michigan
| How the site | was found: seminar attendance and books
| Comments:
| I am revisiting the web-site due to some recent
developments in my district. I have been speaking out against high-stakes
tests for quite some time based on my 12-year experience of administering
the MEAP test to 4th or 5th grade students. Unfortunately, the
administrators in my district want the good scores and have told us,
"You'd better teach to the test!" Now, a beloved friend of mine has been
accused of cheating by the state officials in charge of the MEAP. In fact,
she "taught to the test" so well that a large percentage of her students
had similar (Not identical) answers to a written response item. Here is
living proof of one of Kohn's premises regarding the effects of such
tests. I am certain that this is an opportunity to gather support for my
position that is opposed to these tests because of what they do to our
students, teachers, and schools. However, I doubt that I would be
considered an authority in my hometown. Where do I find flesh and blood
support for any actions I might take? Who will stand by my side? I can
point many directions to the books, the web-sites, and the professionals
behind the movement. But who has the time to come to a small community
like mine to make an impact? Any suggestions or offers would be greatly
appreciated as I consider my options. As president of the local teacher's
union, I know I have a platform. I hope to use it wisely. But then,
starting a local revolution is not out of the question, either. Carol
Higgins--A teacher trying to prevent the loss of the love of learning in
the lives of students.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Aug 4 16:50:47 2001
| Name:
| Jerry Martin
| E-mail:
| jmartin@gv.net
| Organization:
| National Active Video Academy
| Location:
| Grass Valley, California
| How the site | was found: your book, PUNISHED BY REWARDS
| Comments:
| I'm reading your book (page 13) and understand your
objection to behaviorism. I have a program ("Saluting New Readers")that
puts K-5 students on local TV reading their favorite books. This motivates
them to read, 'cause kids love to see themselves on TV, prepares them to
overcome their fears of public speaking, builds genuine self-esteem,
'cause they've set a goal and met it successfully, and gets parents and
the community involved in local schools. We show a whole class everyday at
5 pm for a week. It takes me about 2 hours to tape a whole class, editing
in the camera. I do it for free. It costs me almost nothing. I'm curious
about what you think of this type of "reward". Thanks for your time and
any thoughful response. I'll send you a tape if you're interested. Please
respond to my home e-mail address: jmartin@gv.net, as this is being sent
from my friend's laptop, and I won't receive your response if sent here.
Jerry Martin
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 2 17:42:29 2001
| Name:
| Brian Poss
| E-mail:
| IDIG19@aol.com
| Organization:
| Indian Prairie School District
| Location:
| Naperville, IL
| How the site | was found: Lycos
| Comments:
| I am writting an article on Alfie, when was he born?
Thanks, Brian
|
|
Date:
| Thu Aug 2 16:19:01 2001
| Name:
| Frank Church
| E-mail:
| toggle2@rocketmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| Alfie, got your name from a Noam Chomsky interview. Your
ideas about competition are quite compelling. I feel like sending your
book to my right wing uncle. I bet he would have a diffrent feeling about
the matter. Smile. Peace.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 31 23:11:58 2001
| Name:
| Brenda Marfin
| E-mail:
| bmarfin@lycos.com
| Organization:
| Personal
| Location:
| Personal
| How the site | was found: Search
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 31 21:41:58 2001
| Name:
| Pokey Stanford, Ed.D.
| E-mail:
| Barbara.Stanford@wmcarey.edu
| Organization:
| William Carey College
| Location:
| Hattiesburg, MS
| How the site | was found: Kappan Article
| Comments:
| I find all that you say to be so encouraging as I work to
nurture the next generation of teachers. I currently work with preservice
and practicing teachers. I'm out to make our schools a better place for
kids and teachers...thank you!!!!!!
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 31 16:45:23 2001
| Name:
| Ruth N. Lazarus
| E-mail:
| mikelaz@avenew.com
| Organization:
| Village Day School
| Location:
| Oak Park, IL
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
| My husband and I recently opened a small therapeutic
school, for students with severe behavior problems. We are looking for any
information on other schools in existence, who serve special education
students and follow a progressive philosophy.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 29 19:32:29 2001
| Name:
| Beth Pratt
| E-mail:
| mailto:pratte@nova.edu
| Organization:
| Leominster Public Schools
| Location:
| Leominster, Massachusetts
| How the site | was found: From listening to AK at a keynote speech in AZ
| Comments:
| Mr. Kohn, I am so grateful that you braved the AZ heat to
speak to the students from Nova Southeastern University. Two days after
your visit, there was a panel discussion on assessment that included a
sales rep from Harcourt Testing Services. The room was silent, and she was
almost "booed" more than once. She was a lousy counterpoint, if that was
their intention, to you and reaffirmed everything that you and Ralph Nader
warned about regarding the influence of the business/political folks on
education. Thank goodness that you and the other speakers were there, or
we all would have left feeling beaten down and likely to change nothing
back at our schools. I am imagining myself as a buffer as we speak and I
am looking forward to a little civil disobediance of my own. Nothing too
drastic, but the supt will know where I stand. Thanks for your
encouragement to do what is right for our children. Beth Pratt
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 29 18:23:13 2001
| Name:
| Julie Page
| E-mail:
| pageales@pacbell.net
| Organization:
| Teacher
| Location:
| Aptos California
| How the site | was found: web search
| Comments:
| I find your work so inspiring -- and would like to make an
active change in the way schools teach! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading
"What to Look for in a Classroom" and am currently reading your book on
the problems with praise and incentives... I would love to hear of web
links and resources you recommend. Thank you for your work!! Julie
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 28 19:09:17 2001
| Name:
| Will Stites
| E-mail:
| wstites@coredcs.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Stevens Point, Wis.
| How the site | was found: read "Schools our children deserve"
| Comments:
| I've read and enjoyed "No Contest", "You know what they
say" and now "Schools our Children Deserve". Thanks to Mr. Kohn for his
carefully researched debunking of the destructive pseudo-facts that do so
much damaage.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 28 12:40:53 2001
| Name:
| Julie
| E-mail:
| InformedParent@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: from Education World Web site
| Comments:
| Love your site! I've been reading your books and articles
for a long time, and am glad to have found your Web site! I hope there
will be a chat feature someday to interact with other like-minded parents
and educators. I'll be checking in often, and will put a link to your Web
site on mine. Julie http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/parenting_shorts
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 28 11:59:10 2001
| Name:
| Cathy Salazar
| E-mail:
| salazar@olypen.com
| Organization:
| NISBA
| Location:
| La Push, WA
| How the site | was found: Yahoo! search
| Comments:
| Alfie Kohn was a keynote speaker at our conference in
Portland, OR on a variety of topics, including standardized testing.
Formerly, I was a staunch supporter of testing, because of course they
indicate how the teachers are doing teaching and the students are
learning. During the presentation, my mind starting shifting to the
possibility that testing might not be as useful indicator as I have been
almost brainwashed since my own testing days to believe! I did get the 2
books offered at the conference and am in the process of reading "The Case
Against Standardized Testing".
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 27 00:07:13 2001
| Name:
| Mickey Nuccio
| E-mail:
| micnuccio@mindspring.com
| Organization:
| NCTE
| Location:
| Chicago
| How the site | was found: NCTE Whole Language Umbrella
| Comments:
| Tonight is the 2nd time I have heard you speak. Thank you,
I am inspired again.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 26 22:47:47 2001
| Name:
| Doris Brosz
| E-mail:
| dbrosz@kscable.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Andover, KS
| How the site | was found: Class with Friends University, Wichita KS
| Comments:
| I am presently an at home mother but I taught 10 years at
the middle school level. As I said in a response to the article "Rescuing
Our Schools from "Tougher Standards"" for my class, I didn't go into
teaching to administer tests, I went into teaching because I love to see
that lightbulb come on in a mind when a student realizes that they
understand something. This is what motivated me to get up every morning
and go back to the classroom.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 25 14:58:14 2001
| Name:
| Barbara Hoetker Ash
| E-mail:
| ashbarb@auburn.edu
| Organization:
| Auburn University
| Location:
| Auburn, AL
| How the site | was found: Listed in the book The Case Against Standardized Testing,
required reading for a course I'm teaching
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 24 10:04:50 2001
| Name:
| Jeffrey Haefemeyer
| E-mail:
| jhaefeme@mail.roseville.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Tri-District School
| Location:
| 30 E. County Rd. B / Maplewood, MN 55117
| How the site | was found: Alfie gave it out during a presentation
| Comments:
| Alfie Kohn stated that the momentum for standardized
testing has reached a crisis point for our nation. I want to find out how
we get the truth out to the public and reverse this harmful trend.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 24 09:59:26 2001
| Name:
| Jeffrey Haefemeyer
| E-mail:
| jhaefeme@mail.roseville.k12.mn.us
| Organization:
| Tri-District School
| Location:
| 30 E. County
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 23 13:34:04 2001
| Name:
| Jill Morris
| E-mail:
| dover_23@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Ursula Franklin Academy
| Location:
| Toronto, Canada
| How the site | was found: Alternative Education Resource Organization
| Comments:
| I have been reading Kohn's work since I became both a
parent and a highschool teacher. These ideas seemed to speak to some
growing discomfort I had with traditional approaches to education and
parenting. I have found myself able to articulate my difficulties with
grades and behaviour "management" (shudder) with increasing ease over the
past two years or so - supported as I am by the work of Kohn. I am just
beginning to work up the courage and plan to challenge our province's
recent focus on standardized testing. I have already begun to diminish the
centrality of marks in my English classroom. What a happy circumstance -
to stumble across these articles on-line to remind me of the community
that exists around these challenges!
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 22 16:59:35 2001
| Name:
| elizabeth
| E-mail:
| lee@dundee.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 20 16:13:49 2001
| Name:
| Andy Marshall
| E-mail:
| anddym28248@aol.com
| Organization:
| Holywells High School Inclusion unit
| Location:
| Ipswich, Suffolk, England
| How the site | was found: Following inservice training at school
| Comments:
| I have downloaded many of your articles. Will read then
over the next few weeks, and read at least one of your books I will then
report back etc. Your views appear very much to sit comfortably with my
own
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 19 19:35:59 2001
| Name:
| Laurie Tandy
| E-mail:
| landrt12@aol.com
| Organization:
| Old Adobe School
| Location:
| Petaluma, California
| How the site | was found: From Alfie
| Comments:
| Was inspired by your keynote address in March at the
Project Based Learning Conference, San Francisco. Wish our district would
invite you to one of our inservice days. Keep up the great work.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 19 12:48:23 2001
| Name:
| Stacy Nicholson
| E-mail:
| stacy_nichclson@educ8.org
| Organization:
| Pioneer School
| Location:
| Bismarck, ND
| How the site | was found: Fran
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 17 17:25:46 2001
| Name:
| Judy Murphy
| E-mail:
| jmurphy@fairfield.k12.sc.us
| Organization:
| Geiger Elementary School
| Location:
| Fairfield County
| How the site | was found: list serve
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 17 13:13:41 2001
| Name:
| Alexis Hanneken
| E-mail:
| ahanneken@dc.com
| Organization:
| Deloitte Consulting
| Location:
| Chicago
| How the site | was found: Schools Are Children Deserve
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 16 20:15:04 2001
| Name:
| Janet Rivett
| E-mail:
| janetplanet@anet.com
| Organization:
| IPSD 204
| Location:
| Naperville, IL
| How the site | was found: Author research
| Comments:
| Thank you for being an advocate of children. I have been in
the "trenches" for over twenty years as a kindergarten teacher and support
your perspective on what our kids need and deserve. An additional concern
about norm referenced tests is that they frequently are used as an excuse
to exclude early childhood students from the support/interventions they
need. As the school psychologist realize that the tests are not
developmentally sensitive, they are hesitant to administer them resulting
in the children being denied services when they can do the most good. We
need to treat traits before they become states.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 16 15:53:24 2001
| Name:
| peggy colby
| E-mail:
| mcolby@seresc.net
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| NH
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 15 19:11:53 2001
| Name:
| Michelle Wolfensperger
| E-mail:
| mrsw97@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| LaCrosse WI
| How the site | was found: from lecture
| Comments:
| Thank you so much for the lecture to the grad. students of
Viterbo University. I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts and wish
more people would listen.
|
|
Date:
| Sat Jul 14 15:14:45 2001
| Name:
| Barbara Green
| E-mail:
| barbaragreen@mn.rr.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Eden Prairie, MN
| How the site | was found: attended conference at U of M
| Comments:
| Thanks for the wonderful, energetic session. Although I was
embarrassed to be laughing about such serious topics, it helped underscore
how idiotic standardized tests, particularly norm-referenced ones are!
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 13 22:07:53 2001
| Name:
| Jack LaValley
| E-mail:
| jtlavalley@aol.com
| Organization:
| Jack LaValley Productions
| Location:
| Irvington, New York
| How the site | was found: web surfing
| Comments:
| Keep up the valuable, needed, important, and germane work.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 13 17:19:06 2001
| Name:
| karen drazkowski
| E-mail:
| kdrazkowski@hotmail.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| West Salem, WI
| How the site | was found: from Dr. Kohn
| Comments:
| thank you for coming to La Crosse, WI to speak at Viterbo
University. I enjoyed and learned much. As a school board member, I have
told parents to opt out of the standardized tests. I hope teachers take
your suggestion on civil disobedience.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 13 13:57:19 2001
| Name:
| MARTHA CHANDLEY
| E-mail:
| KAIROSCHANDLEY@AOL.COM;
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| SACRAMENTO, CA
| How the site | was found: VIA IVYSEA.COM
| Comments:
| LIKED YOUR COMMENTS ON SPIRIT AT WORK IN JAMIE'S ARTICLE.
WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE. THANKS.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 13 11:30:13 2001
| Name:
| Erika Chow
| E-mail:
| echow@uwm.edu
| Organization:
| German/ Spanish teacher, Kettle Moraine High School (and
Middle School)
| Location:
| Wales, WI
| How the site | was found: under search for "Alfie Kohn"
| Comments:
| My principal recommended reading about Alfie Kohn's
thoughts on feedback.
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 12 07:24:19 2001
| Name:
| Philip Levine
| E-mail:
| philiplevine58@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Elementary School Teacher, Irvington U.F.S.D.
| Location:
| Irvington, New York
| How the site | was found: It was identified in one of your books.
| Comments:
| I have almost finished reading The Schools our Children
Deserve. It is a thought provoking account of so much that is wrong with
public school education in Westchester County today. There is also a lot
positive direction in the book. Thanks so much for providing an
alternative voice in the world of education. I have already been
incouraging my colleagues to read the book and hope that they too see the
shortcomings of their decisions. Thanks for a rather remarkable account of
what is but should be taking place in our schools. Philip
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 11 16:56:24 2001
| Name:
| Bill Pumo
| E-mail:
| bpumo@roe26.k12.il.us
| Organization:
| West Central Illinois Special Ed Coop
| Location:
| Macomb, IL
| How the site | was found: ISNS
| Comments:
| I just can't believe professionals believe that increased
testing will improve our educational system.
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 10 22:34:26 2001
| Name:
| Yolanda Sol
| E-mail:
| yoly1207@aol.com
| Organization:
| Bowman Foster Ashe Elementary
| Location:
| Miami, Fl
| How the site | was found: From His books
| Comments:
| It's great to know someone who agrees with my ideas! Your
books are FANTASTIC!
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 10 10:52:28 2001
| Name:
| Sarah Tilghman
| E-mail:
| ctilghman@beachin.net
| Organization:
| just a teacher
| Location:
| Ocean City, Maryland
| How the site | was found: easily
| Comments:
| Totally agree with your stand on testing
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 9 16:07:58 2001
| Name:
| Amanda Doss
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
| teacher
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found: computer
| Comments:
| I'm a Whole Language teacher. Thank you for your books you
wrote. Your my hero! Love Amanda Doss
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 9 01:44:52 2001
| Name:
| Heidi Shvetsoff
| E-mail:
| h_shvelsoff@optusnet.com.au
| Organization:
| Student teacher
| Location:
| NA
| How the site | was found: Thru Google Search Engine
| Comments:
| In my first year of University...Primary school Teaching
and have just read your book about 'incentives'. Very interested to hear
more of what you have to say.
|
|
Name:
| Heidi Shvetsoff
| E-mail:
| h_shvelsoff@optusnet.com.au
| Organization:
| Student teacher
| Location:
| NA
| How the site | was found: Thru Google Search Engine
| Comments:
| In my first year of University...Primary school Teaching
and have just read your book about 'incentives'. Very interested to hear
more of what you have to say.
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 8 21:59:47 2001
| Name:
| Booth McKeown
| E-mail:
| boothmck@aol.com
| Organization:
| LaGrange College
| Location:
| LaGrange, GA
| How the site | was found: class assignment
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 8 11:21:25 2001
| Name:
| Larry Bekich
| E-mail:
| LBekich@MNSi.Net
| Organization:
| New Secondary School Teacher
| Location:
| Ontario
| How the site | was found: through Web Surfing
| Comments:
| I just finished a BEd programme at a University which shall
remain nameless. Alfie Kohn's name was cited in one of my texts in a
point/counter point chapter summary section re: Rewards/Punishments. I had
heard about Alfie Kohn before so this sparked my interest that ultimately
led to me discovering this site. There were some "liberal" educators in
the BEd programme which I experienced, but by and large they are a
conservative lot--encouraging teachers to "be the best they can be" and
never failing to remind us "that the kids are the most important reason we
are there." Sure. Fine. All great things to hear, but pretty obvious too.
BEd programmes by design do not have a critical analysis component that
poses hard questions for student teachers to ponder. So ... what comes out
of these programmes are middle-of-the-road and orthodox approaches to
teaching, for the most part. There is no historical investigation of
teaching methods--no examination of alternative approaches to teaching,
such as Summerhill. We are also left with the feeling that the buck stops
with us. However, inasmuch that teachers ARE ultimately responsible for
education, the structural roadblocks that bureaucrats throw in their way
can be very destructive to the education of students. None of my lecturers
really challenged the sociological reasons for why education is a mess.
They skirted around the issue, "blaiming the government," but didn't offer
or solicit alternative solutions or approaches. As for me, I'm a new
teacher and will now embark on a teaching career in Ontario with good
intentions and a desire to effect change the small way that I can.
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 6 23:22:35 2001
| Name:
| Joel Conway
| E-mail:
| erty76@aol.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| LaGrange Georgia
| How the site | was found: by watching your video
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Fri Jul 6 12:37:09 2001
| Name:
| David J Schneider II
| E-mail:
| schndj13@uwgb.edu
| Organization:
| student
| Location:
| Green Bay
| How the site | was found: carefuly
| Comments:
| I wanted to post a favorit passage: Sure of never being
scolded, my children do not develope the vices that so commonly become
characteristic of schoolchildren. Because they never feel restrained by my
presence I am given the opportunity of watching children in their most
natural state, revealing to me without reserve what lies at the bottom of
their hearts. I never check them, nor bid them hold their tongs, nor
pretent to listen to them. And even though they should say the most
reprehensible things, I shale never seem to notice them. I am, however,
really listening with the greatest of attention; I keep a most exact
record of each child's acts and words. For, I recognize in them a soil
which I have to cultivate. The vicious acts and words so common to
children resembles a weed whose seed has been carried by the wind. If I
cut it off with a scolding it is sure to grow again; I rather search for
the hidden root and to carefully pull it up. I weed the garden and pull up
the tares, the gardener must cultivate the good seed!
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 5 17:24:51 2001
| Name:
| Karen Erickson
| E-mail:
| kwe523@hotmail.com
| Organization:
| Illinois PTA
| Location:
| Melrose Park
| How the site | was found: Through e-mail from Sharon Voliva
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Thu Jul 5 14:02:45 2001
| Name:
| Diane Gorman
| E-mail:
| degmentor@aol.com
| Organization:
| MEDIA MENTORS(Own Educational Guide)
| Location:
| Durham, NH 03824
| How the site | was found: FCAR first, then through CARE (Massachusetts)
| Comments:
| I have very much enjoyed the work of Alfie Kohn, as I
research educational materials, and sell them through an educational
resource guide that I have developed. My primary occupational motivation
is to promote equity in educational application and assessment of
curriculum. Thankfully, there is much legal attention being paid to
Standardized Testing, but I would like to see more precedents being set
around the legality of NOT using authentic assessment in schools. We have
known for some time now that multiple intelligences and learning styles
are brain-based and physiological in nature. Since we can no longer
discriminate against race, which is also physiological, why is it that
educators can continue to discriminate against specific "intelligence and
learning styles?" For example, my oldest teenager recently completed her
Freshman year at college, and for the first time in her educational
career, she has felt some success. Her university is a teaching school,
and is very progressive in teaching methodology. Lindsay always received
A's and B's in high school, however was not strong in math between grades
9-12. She could never achieve above a 74%, which is a "D" in our district,
therefore, she could never make the honor roll. The school's policy is not
to average all grades together, but instead it utilizes the conjunctive
assessment method, eliminating any student with a weakness from being
honored. I personally don't adhere to the honor system in general,
however, what made matters worse was that her academic self-esteem
remained low, since the school magnified its importance. In fact, in the
last semester of her senior year, Lindsay achieved five A's,(95%and
above,) and a 74% in math, still eliminating honor roll status. My husband
and I consistently spoke to her of authentic intelligence, but it didn't
seem to matter when she'd view our local paper, only to find that her name
was again, not included. To add fuel to the fire, the school's policy is
to post the honor roll on the outside of the school's front entrance. As
students and residents paused to examine the list, to Lindsay, it was a
daily reminder that she wasn't considered a success. In my research of
many countrywide math programs, authentic assessment would have eliminated
much of this problem. Specifically, she had a traditional teacher who
taught only to the analyticallyong student, with good logico-deductive
reasoning (approximately only 15% of the class.)She also assessed by
utilizing only tests and quizzes, and wouldn't count Lindsay's 95%
homework average as part of the formula. I am actively looking to locate
any precedents or contacts to help me encourage reform around authentic
application and assessment.I am wondering if this could be a civil
liberties issue, since learning styles and intelligences are
physiologically based. My resource research has been involved with the
works of Mel Levine, Howard Gardner, Robert Marzano, Ellen Weber, and many
other leaders in this field. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as
if there is nothing yet out there, I would like to pursue change in this
area, as is taking place with Standardized Testing. Thank you, Diane
Gorman MEDIA MENTORS 603-868-7064
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 4 21:50:04 2001
| Name:
| Becky Lerma
| E-mail:
| blerma@swbell.net
| Organization:
| Northside ISD
| Location:
| San Antonio,TX
| How the site | was found: A brief bio with Mr. Kohn's website
| Comments:
| My teammate and I are doing a presentation on Alfie Kohn.
|
|
Date:
| Wed Jul 4 18:13:11 2001
| Name:
| Franco Miele
| E-mail:
|
| Organization:
|
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Tue Jul 3 19:24:35 2001
| Name:
| Kevin Taylor
| E-mail:
| KTEdMajor@cs.com
| Organization:
| Graduate Student - Elementary Ed.
| Location:
|
| How the site | was found:
| Comments:
|
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 2 22:46:53 2001
| Name:
| Donald W. Weikle
| E-mail:
| donaldweikle@home.com
| Organization:
|
| Location:
| Fort Wayne, IN.
| How the site | was found: Google search on competition
| Comments:
| I am doing my dissertation on how human services are coping
with the emerging competitive environment. I found your articles and the
book that I have fascinating and enlightening. I wonder if research has
been done to show that a competitive environment harms organizations in
terms of internal environment, general outcomes, etc. in a manner similar
to what you speak of in connection with individuals? I would appreciate
any information. Thanks, Don
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 2 20:34:31 2001
| Name:
| Karen Austin
| E-mail:
| austins5@msn.com
| Organization:
| Portland Community College - Student
| Location:
| Portland, OR
| How the site | was found: As part of an assignment in a sociology class
| Comments:
| I am just visiting your site for an assignment, but I like
what you have to say so far.
|
|
Date:
| Mon Jul 2 14:36:13 2001
| Name:
| Barbara A. Wagner
| E-mail:
| wagnebar@mail.wcboe.k12.md.us
| Organization:
| Wash. Co. Bd. of Educ.
| Location:
| Hagerstown, MD
| How the site | was found: SSU's The Seidel News
| Comments:
| I work very hard in my second grade classroom to apply what
I learned in Punished by Rewards (an excellent book which I recommend at
every opportunity).
|
|
Date:
| Sun Jul 1 07:28:31 2001
| Name:
| Maija Gray
| E-mail:
| mimigray@mediaone.net
| Organization:
| Southeastern Regional School District.
| Location:
| Work: S. Easton, MA-Home: Dedham, MA
| How the site | was found: Peaceable Schools Conference, 2001
| Comments:
| Please keep me informed of talks you may be presenting in
the New England area! I want to bring others to hear your
message...thanks.
|
|
| Back to the Home Page | Contact AlfieKohn.org |
www.alfiekohn.org -- © Alfie Kohn