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Our Old Guestbook Entries
(01/05 through 06/05)

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

Date:	Thu Jun 30 11:27:44 2005
Name:	P.V. Srinivasan
E-mail:	pvsrinivasan@comcast.net
Organization:
Location:	Weston, Massachusettes
How the site was found:	thru your book
Comments:	I am half way thru the book and so relieved to know that my gut feeling about raising children was so right. I would love to know if you have written any books or can recommend any that address issues of parenting teens.

Date:	Thu Jun 30 11:16:01 2005
Name:	Ms. Srinivasan
E-mail:	pvsrinivasan@comcast.net
Organization:
Location:	Weston, Massachusettes
How the site was found:	thru the book
Comments:

Date:	Wed Jun 29 20:31:10 2005
Name:	Cindy L. Randolph
E-mail:	cndyrandolph@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	Everett, Washington
How the site was found:	Required reading for Graduate school.
Comments:

Date:	Tue Jun 28 08:46:08 2005
Name:	michael dodson
E-mail:	mike.dodson@sbcglobal.net
Organization:	schneider elementary school
Location:	aurora, Illinois
How the site was found:	book
Comments:

Date:	Mon Jun 27 07:15:52 2005
Name:	Tony Bullington
E-mail:	tbullington@semtribe.com
Organization:	Seminole Tribe of Florida, Education Department
Location:	Brighton Reservation, Florida
How the site was found:	general search
Comments:	I am presenting reading The Schools Our Children Deserve and have found it to be eye opening, entertaining and informative. Thanks for the great work!

Date:	Sat Jun 25 20:06:44 2005
Name:	Ian Pierson
E-mail:	piersoni@cox.net
Organization:
Location:	Florida
How the site was found:	"Unconditional Parenting" cover
Comments:	How very refreshing. I grew up in an authoritarian household. The first five chapters of UP (still reading) are echoes of my entire life! Have a new son, 18 months old, and was considering "time outs" as an alternative to spanking. I have agreed for several years that spankings send the wrong message to children, but your book has saved me from the "time out" mistake as well as the reward mistake! How grateful I am that my wife found your book. Everything you mention seems to be common sense, but as I have feared, it escapes some people who are apparently 'burdened' with parenthood. I have relatives exactly like this. I can't wait to finish this book and read more of your work! Very sincerely, Ian Pierson

Date:	Wed Jun 22 21:09:10 2005
Name:	kristin ransom
E-mail:	krissyran@msn.com
Organization:
Location:	boulder
How the site was found:	SIE conference
Comments:	I am ready to buy the Unconditional Parenting DVD. What is the status?

Date:	Tue Jun 21 13:14:40 2005
Name:	Kelvin Haywood
E-mail:	kelvin923@hotmail.com
Organization:	Parent
Location:	Trenton,New Jersey
How the site was found:	Reading and studying
Comments:	No Message

Date:	Wed Jun 15 21:24:27 2005
Name:	Bella Silverstein
E-mail:	bellasilverstein@yahoo.com
Organization:	house is a bit messy at the moment
Location:	Monrovia, California (part of the L.A. megalopolis)
How the site was found:	googled the author after reading "No Contest."
Comments:	"No Contest" is well written; I'd like to find out more about cooperative learning. Wish there were some way to popularize the notion that competition per se is not desirable; often, while reading the book, I wanted more specific examples (like the details of the specific experiments, more samples of cooperative games for kids, more concrete "for instance" examples. When I turned to the appendix, all I got were the page numbers of citations, bibliographies and ibids, rather than expatiations on the topic.) Vis a vis the nature vs. nurture element in competion & aggression: couldn't it be a bit of both? Chimpanzees also commit murder of their own kind, it has recently been discovered. They also go on war missions — just the males — to murder lone males of rival troupes. Despite Margaret Mead's studies of cooperative societies, it's hard to dismiss the "nature" element — even though we are not animals and can control our actions with practice, there's still a preponderance of aggressive, competitive societies. Has Kohn written anything else lately? Ciao, Bella

Date:	Fri Jun 10 02:37:04 2005
Name:	Cindy LOhrentz
E-mail:	clohrentz@juno.com
Organization:
Location:	SF Bay area
How the site was found:	after reading Kohn's books
Comments:	I am the mother of a thirty year old Oakland Middle School teacher and a four year old child so, it seems like I spend a lot of time reflecting and discussing education, standardized scores and parenting. Is the answer homeschooling the only way to ensure my son will have his joy of learning nurtured?

Date:	Sun Jun 5 20:06:42 2005
Name:	Elaine Dalager
E-mail:	edalager351@aol.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:	The Nation (an article Re: Super Nanny
Comments:	Right on!!!

Date:	Fri Jun 3 16:25:13 2005
Name:	Michael Natale
E-mail:	dingoboard@mac.com
Organization:
Location:	Cumberland, RI
How the site was found:	A friend sent a link
Comments:	Read your article on the Supernanny. I couldnt agree more with your assessment of this garbage that they put on the air. Thanks - Michael

Date:	Fri Jun 3 07:13:44 2005
Name:	laura smith
E-mail:
Organization:	farmington community school
Location:	farmington hills, michigan
How the site was found:	high scope foundation
Comments:	looking for articles on praise vs encouragement.

Date:	Tue May 31 12:43:27 2005
Name:	A. Michael Goddard
E-mail:	agoddard0@frostburg.edu
Organization:
Location:	Frostburg, MD
How the site was found:	Reading an article interview with Alfie
Comments:	It great to know that as a academic-minded individual, I am not alone in protest against highstakes testing and one-fits-all rhetoric spread by those who support and create this standardized tests. Thank you for your dedication to student education and development.

Date:	Thu May 26 21:05:23 2005
Name:	alvin
E-mail:	acolon@splitrockrehab.com
Organization:	nursing home
Location:	bronx, ny
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Thu May 26 09:24:56 2005
Name:	joanna
E-mail:	joannas_dc@hotmail.com
Organization:	student
Location:	Oregon
How the site was found:	self- referred (search engine...google)
Comments:	No message yet. I am just reasearching competition vs. cooperation theories regarding knoiwledge and software manufacturers.

Date:	Mon May 23 19:34:20 2005
Name:	Eric P Nelson
E-mail:	eptanelson@cox.net
Organization:	Omaha Public Schools
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Sun May 22 15:56:43 2005
Name:	Wanda F. Ingram
E-mail:	fayeingram@knology.net
Organization:
Location:	Alabama
How the site was found:	Google
Comments:	This is my first time at this site, I am looking forward to reading Unconditional Parenting. I am sure I will return to this site. I too believe that the testing in our schools serve only for grades, and not for the assessment of whether our children are learning what is being taught. When children memorize strickly for test purposes that information leaves them as soon as the test is completed. If we truly want to educate our children we have to come up with better ways to assess their learing abilities and really help them to retain the information that is being taught. That information has to be given by teachers who are really interested in teaching children and not just receiving a pay check. Teachers have to be willing to change with their students abilities in their teaching. Teachers also, have to ban together and demand that the so call powers that be understand that they are the ones that spend the time with these children and they know what their learning capabilities are, and they along in the classroom should be allowed to teach without being told that you have to have all of these test to assess your students, because that assessment is not always true.

Date:	Thu May 19 03:15:28 2005
Name:	Olvide Zanella
E-mail:	farpolito@arnet.com.br
Organization:	Far Polito Água Pura Ltda.
Location:	Medianeira - Paraná - Brazil
How the site was found:	By Google
Comments:	When we will have 'No Contest ' translated in Portuguese, here in Brazil?

Date:	Wed May 18 15:57:06 2005
Name:	Ken Woodward
E-mail:	kwoodward@zoominternet.net
Organization:	West Chester University
Location:	West Chester, PA
How the site was found:	Book jacket
Comments:	Alfie- I have read all your books and just completed Unconditional Parenting. I am a grandfather three times over and wish that such a book was available to us when we had our children at home. What a refreshing and thoughtful read. So neat to see a parenting book that James Dobson will blast on Fox News or where ever he speaks. Keep upthe good work and rest assured that any student that has one of my classes knows who Alfie Kohn is after taking my class. Ken Woodward

Date:	Mon May 16 13:35:19 2005
Name:	Craig Tsuj
E-mail:	craig.tsuji@tdsb.on.ca
Organization:	Toronto District School Board
Location:	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
How the site was found:	Schools that learn Conf
Comments:	Like to know more about how to get Alfie to lecture at a PD session for a small group 35-40 Principals and Vice-principals in Toronto.

Date:	Mon May 16 06:26:00 2005
Name:	Dorothy Miller
E-mail:	dorothymil@mindspring.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:	Dear Alfie Kohn, I wrote a letter to Ellen Goodman responding to her 5/15 column; tried to cc you. Your web address, as listed on your book jacket, did not work. Is it right?

Date:	Wed May 11 12:52:45 2005
Name:
E-mail:
Organization:
Location:	LI, NY
How the site was found:	The Nation maazine
Comments:	I just finished your article "Supernanny State". I agree with evertting you said. Having taught for 30, I get very upset not just at the stupid, cruel Shows you mentioned, but more importantly at the "importance" that politicians and others place on the constant testing. I was not trained that way, but I worked with some who used various "means" to get udents

Date:	Wed May 11 09:16:46 2005
Name:	Miriam Simons
E-mail:	msimonsswcap@mhtc.net
Organization:	SWCAP - La Mesa Academy
Location:	Boscobel, WI
How the site was found:	MSU/EdVisions Leader Cohort assignment
Comments:	Please forgive me. Several years a young female co-student pressed me to check your work out. I didn't. I wish I had. My kids lives, my teaching life might have been very different. I wasn't ready to listen. Now I am. I will be back at this site whenever I need some spoon-fed common sense ... or a gentle educational mentor. I looked at your speech itinerary; nothing even close. I am not really interested in hearing a speech. Rather, after reading/inbibing/clearing out all that you offer here, I think I would like to be around you as a person to see what such a persona is like. Onward to my assignment. Thank you for being here. Miriam

Date:	Mon May 9 20:43:06 2005
Name:	Sarah Im
E-mail:	jr-mint@bigfoot.com
Organization:	My household
Location:	In the desert
How the site was found:
Comments:	I am halfway through Unconditonal Parenting and have found it provocative and refreshing. I don't know if I agree yet, but I am reconsidering my mindset regarding my parenting. Thank you for your work. I respect your ideas and your guts. I am wondering about a non-parenting statement on page 102 of the book.The holy books of Judaism and Christianity reveal, "God loves you if and only if you love Him--and, in some cases, if you meet various other criteria." What?! I know my "holy book" well and I have not the slightest idea where it gives the impression that God's love is conditional. The New Testament states that God IS love. How can perfect love be conditional? Where do the holy scriptures say that I have to do XYZ to make God love me? Religion teaches that, not the Bible. There is a big difference. I must confess that I am having a hard time digesting the rest of the book past page 102. I strive to keep my mind open, but the flagrant misinformation leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Date:	Sat May 7 07:44:55 2005
Name:	Pax
E-mail:	makingpeacewithchildren@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	Greater Washington, DC
How the site was found:	Google
Comments:	I'm always confused by the logic that says "But kids need to learn the consequences of their actions" as a rationale for all kinds of punishments - or the imposition of 'natural consequences', which usually means some kind of disguised punishment. There already ARE consequences - I'm upset if the kids are too loud for me, I'm angry or concerned that they're fighting, whatever... There are always consequences to the relationship between the adult and the kids in conflict situations and the kids are very aware of this even at very young ages. My mantra for responding is, "Keep it in the relationship." Why do we think that people can't see that kids already experience consequences?

Date:	Fri May 6 14:20:59 2005
Name:	Tamekia Brown
E-mail:	Magalyshygurls33@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	Miami Lakes
How the site was found:
Comments:	I think this website really needs some improvements. But, it was helpful. Overall, it really should be updated. Please take this into consideration. Thank You.

Date:	Thu May 5 06:07:59 2005
Name:	Linda LaSalle
E-mail:	llasalle2@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Wed May 4 14:50:51 2005
Name:	Michael T. Walsh
E-mail:	mtwalsh25@comcast.net
Organization:	retired
Location:	fall river school department
How the site was found:	May 4, WSAR 1480
Comments:	Today you put into words what I have always believed about standardized testing. The real goal has always been to exclude students. E.g.entrance exams are "exit exams." As an MSW school adjustment counselor, my goal for a student was to always explore his or her potential, not just make him or her fit into the curriculum. Sincerely, Mike Walsh

Date:	Wed May 4 12:30:47 2005
Name:	Kenneth F. Reeve
E-mail:	kreeve@caldwell.edu
Organization:	Caldwell College
Location:	Caldwell, NJ
How the site was found:
Comments:	I have commented on Mr. Kohn's work before (see my amazon.com review of PBR) but I wanted to provide some additional comments. First, I and every other concerned parent, teacher, and member of society, agree with the GOALS of Alfie's philosophy. Children and adults SHOULD love learning, SHOULD not be reliant on feedback from others to light our way, and SHOULD do well in life because it is the right thing to do. We SHOULD see things from the perspective of the child and also those we teach and supervise. No argument there about these very desirable goals. My main concern is that Alfie adopts a philosophy about how to achieve these goals (and very passionately) that, unfortunately, has absolutely no scholarly empirical peer-reviewed evidence to back it up. Just because you believe (even if very passionately) that this is how things SHOULD work does not make it so. We learn how things work by collecting EVIDENCE using research that allows us to draw valid conclusions. Fortunately, we have over 30 years of peer-reviewed research evidence to support the use of behavior analytic techniques in parenting, management, and education. This is not my opinion. The studies are out there. For example, google the name "William Heward" and "education" and you will find a wealth of education-related material regarding effective teaching and behavior analysis, as a start. We also need to recognize that TESTING IS NOT EVIL! It provides a way to assess how effectively we are learning to do things! Can testing be misused? Of course, if people are only teaching to the test, then that is wrong. We are all "tested" in some form or another in our daily lives and there is nothing wrong with teaching children to be accountable for what they do. I am not, however, talking about wrapping their knuckles with rulers if they misbehave and giving them jolly ranchers if they do (why anyone would ever believe that jolly ranchers would be effective rewards for older students is beyond me but that is another issue--I would find them insulting!). The one area in which Alfie is 100% correct is that “pop” behaviorism IS rampant and should be abandoned. “Pop” behaviorism is not based on anything with empirical evidence and, therefore, should NOT be used. What he fails to recognize is that REAL behavior analytic techniques are VERY effective for learning many skills, and for teaching independence, pride, self-esteem, and accountability to children. These techniques are not about dangling carrots and M&Ms, however. They require a great deal of training before one can use them effectively. I hate to sound like a broken record but most lay people seem to understand that lawyers, physicians, and structural engineers ALL need a great deal of training to become knowledgeable in what they do. Most lay people, however, also believe that they themselves are fully knowledgeable in behavioral techniques (hence the rampant use of “pop” behaviorism). I would not want my physician to use “pop” medicine on my child any more than I want a teacher to use “pop” teaching techniques. We need to use evidence-based techniques! This, of course, includes making sure that these techniques have no detrimental side effects. I realize most people who have developed a poor view of testing, of teaching, and of society in general need to blame it on something. Well, go ahead and blame it on “pop” behaviorism. BUT, please do not throw out an extremely well researched and applied science of teaching (behavior analysis) because it is MISUED by many who should know better. This would be like throwing out the science and practice of medicine altogether because lay people are mixing up their own medicines and practicing surgery in their living rooms. I hope this analogy makes some sense and draws attention to the complexity of being an effective teacher! On a final note, I did not write this piece because of a pat on the head, or for money, or for fame (although I did joke about whether Alfie wrote PBR for nothing in my amazon.com review). I wrote this piece because I feel better about myself when I spread information that may help people (I have a learning history for doing this). Sorry, Alfie, but that too, is a reward for the behavior. I am sure that Alfie feels the same when he spreads information that he believes will help others to be better people. I am also sure that he takes the fee for writing, not because he is writing for the money, but because it provides him with resources to spread his information even more extensively. My only question is, what is the VALID information we need to be spreading to help others? To all the readers, thank you for thinking about this.

Date:	Tue May 3 13:25:39 2005
Name:	Michael Gayle
E-mail:	msgayle@buffalo.edu
Organization:	University at Buffalo
Location:	Buffalo, NY
How the site was found:	Class Assignment
Comments:	Thank you for your work.

Date:	Sun May 1 08:08:34 2005
Name:	Pat Werner
E-mail:	patteachmns@hotmail.com
Organization:	NYC Board of Education
Location:	New York City, NY
How the site was found:	the back of THE SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE
Comments:	I have been carrying about three of your books, most recently, THE SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE and before that, PUNISHED BY REWARDS, and years ago, when I taught in East Harlem, and was desperate to create community, it was BEYOND DISCIPLINE. I love them all. I have underlined, starred, and highlighted something on just about every page. They give me ammunition (good heavens!) to hurl at the traditionalists should I need it. (Can you see me thumbing through your book trying to find the right retort, research, evidence?) They give me courage to face the naysayers and keep my finger in the dam. They remind me that I’m not alone in this battle, that your books are going out into the world to find and create others like me. For seven years I taught third grade in Shelley Harwayne’s school, The Manhattan New School. If you’re familiar with her school you’d know it is truly a school children deserve. Wanting to share all I’d learned at MNS and help to spread this more progressive way of schooling I left my beloved Manhattan New School and became a Literacy Coach in two other schools which led me back to your books. It is when things go wrong in schools that I reach for your books, wearing them like a life preserver, gripping them to get me through the latest storm. But this is not just a thank you note. About 15 years ago, while writing a paper on alternative schools, I came across a small pale blue book, FREE AT LAST, the story of The Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, Massachusetts. The ideas in that book sat inside me as I began my teaching career until recently when I’ve come to feel that the Sudbury model of education is the best model for educating children, all children. I know I risk sounding childish when I make such a statement, but it is nevertheless how I feel. Teachers need to get out of the way and let the children at it. ... Thank you for the copious notes and references; all those doubters love research and concrete evidence of what their hearts are already telling them. Thank you for your eloquence and passion and bravery.

Date:	Sat Apr 30 20:34:47 2005
Name:	Crosby Harris
E-mail:	charrris110@cox.net
Organization:
Location:	Oklahoma CIty
How the site was found:	Radio show
Comments:

Date:	Sat Apr 30 19:01:38 2005
Name:	Carolyn Grace Matteo
E-mail:	opendoorwellness@yahoo.com
Organization:	The Open Door Wellness Center
Location:	San Diego, CA
How the site was found:	research
Comments:	Our Children are fortunate to have you speaking on their behalf!!! Thank You so much for waking a sleeping world! We love you!!!!!

Date:	Sat Apr 30 01:35:44 2005
Name:	stacy
E-mail:	stacyday@earthlink.net
Organization:
Location:	Fremont, CA
How the site was found:	from your books
Comments:	Thanks for coming to Stanford. Your message is having a profound impact on me. I look forward to participating in the forums. Thanks. One thought though, in your recent book and at your lecture you point out how our post-Skinnerian society sometimes treats children as if they were animals. Many believe that humans are animals and perhaps the heart of the problem is that our society treats animals poorly too. Unconditional parenting may have beneficial applications with the care of animals.

Date:	Fri Apr 29 11:26:34 2005
Name:	Ramin
E-mail:	ramin_amiri@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location:	Virginia
How the site was found:
Comments:	Mr. Kohn, I enjoyed your lecture at Burgundy Farm school and found it to be very usefull. Many thanks. Ramin Amiri

Date:	Fri Apr 29 10:50:47 2005
Name:	Timothy E. Maxwell
E-mail:	mxovrdrv69@hotmail.com
Organization:	none
Location:	Cleveland, Ohio
How the site was found:	NPR
Comments:	After listening to Dian Ream this morning I am most interested in applying some of the techniques on my four children. My girls are so mean and my son just doesnt care about anything anymore. Help......

Date:	Fri Apr 29 09:22:23 2005
Name:	Luanne Koop
E-mail:	lkoop@vermontel.net
Organization:
Location:	Springfield,VT
How the site was found:	I was inspired by public radio
Comments:	I'm a retired teacher who was devoted to Alfie's work and philosophy. I still get fired up when hearing about him. I know applying his principles in my classroom was right because it made me feel better and made my job easier, and made me a more thoughtful person. I grew as much as my students. Group and individual problem solving, or as I put it "sharing the power" made me realize that we were all in it together. Our lives were not somewhere in the future, but right now. The best assurance of a future sane and happy adult is a sane and happy child. It not only did using Kohn's ideas allow my students to grow in a more unfettered way, but it allowed me to grow in ways that felt right for me. Go Alfie!

Date:	Fri Apr 29 09:19:21 2005
Name:	Eileen Lorson
E-mail:	elorson@rochester.rr.com
Organization:	just an empty nester
Location:	rochester, new york
How the site was found:	Diane Rehm Show
Comments:	I wanted to thank you for being on the Diane Rehm show. I sent an email to the show with my comments but also wanted to hear the show rather than typing a long winded comment. I parented from my gut and intuition. I put myself in my child's place each time something came up and looked at it from the child's point of view. Very different from the reward punishment style. Too many parents are more concerned with their own agenda and not being inconvenienced by parenthood. I have a sensitive, caring 22 year old son. I parented much the way you suggested and we never experienced the "terrible twos" or rebellious teen years. By the time he went to school, he was already well on his way to thinking on his own feet. He is not swayed by praise or persuasiveness from his teachers or peers. We have an open equitable relationship now that he is an adult. I believe your approach (my approach!) has also made if possible for him to leave home in confidence. I could go on and on - everything you said on the show I was saying sitting at my kitchen table. I never pass up the opportunity to share this way of parenting. It works. Thank you.

Date:	Thu Apr 28 16:21:23 2005
Name:	Linda Richardson
E-mail:	linda0359@charter.net
Organization:	SUNY Plattsburgh Dept. Special Education
Location:	Plattsburgh, NY
How the site was found:	Textbook
Comments:	I am unsure as to your philosophy of discipline. Could you elaborate for myself and education students? I enjoyed reading THE SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE. Would you please email an updated photo of yourself. Thank you. A big fan- Linda

Date:	Tue Apr 26 20:35:00 2005
Name:	Jeremy R Jones
E-mail:	jeremy.jones@tfanet.org
Organization:	TeachForAmerica
Location:	New Orleans LA
How the site was found:	search with reference from a book
Comments:	Alfie, Please continue to lead the battle against the destruction of our public schools in the NCLB Act. Thank you. Jeremy

Date:	Mon Apr 25 11:18:05 2005
Name:	Elizabeth Christine
E-mail:	elizabethevenstar@yahoo.com
Organization:	Birthing From Within
Location:	Santa Fe, NM
How the site was found:	Through an interview posted on Educational News with a lead in from the Living School newsletter.
Comments:	I came to the same insights as I was reading in the interview with Alphie in Educational News. (I have not yet read the books.) Thirty years ago I was learning these insights about relating to children from the Re-evaluation Counseling Community. I applied them while parenting my children in a remote area of norhtern NM. My husband and I did not send our children to school and learned to trust thier learning processes. We raised four children who were integrated into our rural life and home business with us. The results have been outstanding and the children have done much to heal the disconnect that took place in our lives from growing with people who sought to control us rather than understand us. I am currently opening myself to be a mentor for parents. I am looking forward to using the resources and connections I can make here. Sincerely, Elizabeth Christine

Date:	Mon Apr 25 10:42:23 2005
Name:	Mary Finn
E-mail:	m_e_finn@yahoo.com
Organization:	San Carlos Charter Learning Center
Location:	San Carlos, CA
How the site was found:	google
Comments:	After attending Alfie Kohn's lecture on Progressive Schools 4/18/05 at Stanford University, I am renewed in my quest to make education fit my family rather than the other way around. Here's to "minds on" curriculum designed with the needs and desires of our kids in mind. Here's to abolishing homework until high school. Here's to getting rid of standardized tests. Here's to the renewal of curiosity and exploration, and dare I say it - fun - in education. Thank you Alfie.

Date:	Fri Apr 22 13:51:00 2005
Name:	C Brown
E-mail:	hrvik64@yahoo.com
Organization:	Parent
Location:	Texas
How the site was found:	Yahoo
Comments:	Our children have enough pressure on them as it is in todays society. Adding the TAKS testing makes it worse. The system tells these children that they have to pass inorder for the schools to get there funding. That is just not right. They spend to much time learning those test they cannot even complete the entire book/books they are supposed to be teaching. I vote for old school!

Date:	Wed Apr 20 12:59:23 2005
Name:	Mireille McKee
E-mail:	director@littlewonders.org
Organization:	little wonders parent-child center
Location:	San Mateo, ca.
How the site was found:	back cover of book
Comments:	I'd like to thank Alfie Kohn for sharing his passion for the "whole child." I attended a speaking engagement of his at Stanford where he spoke about parenting "with" rather than "to." Great ideas! I will do my best as a parent educator to share this info. as well as this much more healthy way of parenting. Thanks so much! I would love to know if Mr. Kohn would be available to be the keynote speaker for a convention put on by the San Mateo Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools in March of 2007. We had Adele farber this year and would to Have Mr. Kolhn in the future. Thanks! Mireille McKee

Date:	Tue Apr 19 10:12:17 2005
Name:	Halbert Hollingsworth
E-mail:	halbert1@bellsouth.net
Organization:	Broward County Schools
Location:	Fort Lauderdale, FL
How the site was found:	Through a friend
Comments:	Iam anxious to read your books

Date:	Tue Apr 19 08:30:32 2005
Name:	Marian R. Stuart
E-mail:	stuart@UMDNJ.edu
Organization:	UMDNJ-RWJ Med School
Location:	New Brunswick, NJ
How the site was found:	Looking for literature on competion
Comments:

Date:	Sun Apr 17 13:19:13 2005
Name:	Terry Herring
E-mail:	ctherring@iw.net
Organization:
Location:	Edgerton, MN
How the site was found:	Conference in Marshall, MN
Comments:	Thank you for opening my eyes again. I have been teaching many years and after hearing your lecture feel as if I have started over.

Date:	Sun Apr 17 10:40:51 2005
Name:	jonathanmaga
E-mail:	jonamaga@yahoo.co.in
Organization:	ohio university
Location:
How the site was found:	surfing
Comments:	lovely site!!!!!!!!!

Date:	Sat Apr 16 21:53:58 2005
Name:	Katherine (Kay) Singer
E-mail:	ksinger@onemain.com
Organization:	Ewha Women's Univ. Continueing Education
Location:	Seoul, Korea
How the site was found:	cnvc-trainer network
Comments:	I'm teaching Nonvilent Communication in Seoul, Korea. I'm up against thousand years of authoritaritative domination structure and it's many mmanifestation, parenting, school-violence, punitive judicial system, etc. Your book 'Punished by Reward' was very helpful for me to get more insights. And I'm grateful for your new book 'Unconditional Parenting' which I'm going to order through Amazon. From Seoul, Kay

Date:	Sat Apr 16 20:49:31 2005
Name:	Eliza
E-mail:	eliza571@xoomail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:	Nice job, your doing a great job.

Date:	Sat Apr 16 20:47:39 2005
Name:	Eliza
E-mail:	eliza571@xoomail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:	Nice job, keep it up.

Date:	Sat Apr 16 11:34:42 2005
Name:	estelle leisy
E-mail:	estelleleisy@aol
Organization:	leisy's panamerican abcs
Location:	culver city
How the site was found:	kpfk program
Comments:	I'm astounted with your sharp reading of school facts. Sounds like 'me'

Date:	Thu Apr 14 16:56:10 2005
Name:	Diane Weiss
E-mail:	diane.weiss@verizon.net
Organization:
Location:	Northern Virginia
How the site was found:	Traversing links for EDU584
Comments:	High school students are no longer willing to supply their own paper for an assignment. They "do packets" or worksheets supplied by their teachers. If your course is not one with a required "end of year test" they view it with contempt. Perhaps it is time to take a close look at the public school concept of direct instruction.

Date:	Mon Apr 11 09:22:14 2005
Name:	roxanne
E-mail:	schoolgirl925@aol.com
Organization:	First Philly
Location:	Tacony St.
How the site was found:	search
Comments:

Date:	Mon Apr 11 07:21:37 2005
Name:	Maris H. Krasnow
E-mail:	maris.krasnow@nyu.edu
Organization:	new york university
Location:	ny,ny
How the site was found:	google
Comments:	In your address to the national convocation of Kappa Delta Pi, you quoted Albert Einstein. THe quote was: Not everything that counts can be counted; not everything that can be counted counts. What is source of that quote? I'd like to use it in a publication.

Date:	Sun Apr 10 09:52:45 2005
Name:	John Williams
E-mail:	jmwcc@sbcglobal.net
Organization:	Teacher
Location:	Texas
How the site was found:	Email from concerned parent
Comments:	Do you pretend that education was less effective 50 years ago than it is today? If not, and their standards were much higher, their "carrot and stick" much more pronounced, and their techniques far less "sophisticated" (and I use the term advisedly) than what you preach here. But thanks for letting me know that formal education techniques developed over the millenia have been all wrong and you educational dilettantes have figured it all out now...

Date:	Sun Apr 10 06:43:41 2005
Name:	Bob Madden
E-mail:	maddenr2@ocps.net
Organization:	Wideremere Elementary
Location:	Orlando, FL
How the site was found:	Web search after reading PbR
Comments:	Fear is the path to disengagement. Fear leads to control, control leads to punishement, punishment leads to rewards, rewards leads to suffering. Okay, maybe a bit much. Like many of you I am so relieved to have discovered Mr. Kohn. Ever since 3rd grade when I stopped doing my homework I knew there was a better way. (I'd just spent the last 2 years learning to regurgitate from books and teachers, you mean there's 9 more years of it?) Unfortunately, my parents didn't understand what was going on (How could they?) and I always knew I was different. In a way I became a teacher to right the wrongs of my past. I chose music because I wouldn't have the restraints imposed by standardized tests. It wasn't until I read Horace's Compromise and then Democratic Schools that I finally realized "Hey! I'm not alone! And some of my ideas really do work! COOL!" Hey, I was still in college. I talked like that then. Just recently, I discovered Punished by Rewards (feel free to read my review on Amazon. I got a little bit of nice smack aimed at the guy who said "Did he write this book for free? Think about it" hee hee) While I love teaching music, I'm realizing that instead of being constrained by standardized tests, I'm now constrained by other teacher's views of discipline...unfortunately I'm "just the music teacher..." Anyway, as a result I'm contemplating a move to teaching 2nd grade in a year or two. No FCAT to worry about there ;-) To Mr. Kohn, thank you. To Mr. Kohn and anyone else with this knowledge...Teaching is not my ultimate destiny. I've known this. I am a philosopher. The classroom is not where I am meant to wage my battles, although I love it. I am looking for ideas (outisde of being an administrator which is what my current AP wants me to do) of positions where I can have impact on school policies. Specific positions in school systems, universities that welcome progressive thinking in education, paid position as personal lackey to Mr. Kohn, anything and everything. I know this is broad, but I'm young and the possibilities are endless. Thank you. And guys, don't lose faith. Maybe we need to start an "Alfie's Army" website where we can knock ideas off of each other...share what works and what not. Just a thought...

Date:	Fri Apr 8 08:44:20 2005
Name:	Robert T. Whelan
E-mail:	mailto:roberttwhelan@optonline%20.net
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Fri Apr 8 05:30:10 2005
Name:	Jake
E-mail:	jake_amlin@yahoo.com
Organization:	Piqua City Schools
Location:	Piqua, Ohio
How the site was found:
Comments:	Thanks, Alfie, for all of the compelling literature that I can use to support my rejection of using rewards to "motivate" my students.

Date:	Tue Apr 5 04:27:48 2005
Name:	Thomas Ford
E-mail:	fordhome@shianet.org
Organization:	The Shiawassee Progressive (Newspaper)
Location:	Owosso, MI
How the site was found:	Looked up Educational Insanity
Comments:	04/05/05 I just finished listening to a group who called themselves the Council of the Great City Schools. They were on C-SPAN and gave about an hours worth educational thinkspeak going on and on about test scores, management systems, student aggregates and data accumulation. Not once while I was listening did they ever refer to students in a way that recognized they were people. What a sterile, lockstep future they have planned for our children. After all theyr'e just another brick in the wall. They talked about Detroit's expected 200 million dollar educational shortfall only in terms of how it was going to affect test scores. Thay felt really bad about the test scores but never mentioned the children involved.

Date:	Mon Apr 4 09:22:17 2005
Name:	Teresa Evanko
E-mail:	joeteresazoeanna@sbcglobal.net
Organization:	superintendentparent advisory council
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Sun Apr 3 21:48:01 2005
Name:	Teresa F. Johnson
E-mail:	teresafj2002@yahoo.com
Organization:	UWF grad. student
Location:	FWB, FL
How the site was found:	key word(s) Alphie Kohn
Comments:	I have been learning about Kohn in my classes and I really like his philosophy about education. I recently saw him on the national news speaking about standardardized tests and producing independent, critical thinkers. He is right on!!!!

Date:	Sun Apr 3 20:23:17 2005
Name:	Rachael
E-mail:	rachaelm@nwciowa.edu
Organization:
Location:	Orange City, IA
How the site was found:	searched "Alfie Kohn" because I am doing a report on you
Comments:	Interesting stuff...I will be exploring more to learn about your life philosophy (which i haven't seen too much of) and your educational philosophies. Thanks.

Date:	Sun Apr 3 15:48:56 2005
Name:	Sarah Simmons
E-mail:	sadiejane58@sbcglobal.net
Organization:	IAMS
Location:	chicago, il
How the site was found:	web surfing
Comments:	Seeking principal for Spanish-English dual language progressive K-8 public school in Chicago. This school has a history of shared decision-making, highly involved parents and teachers, an Americas-centered curriculum with emphasis on social justice. Resumes to Mary Beth Flurry at 2449 N. Monticello/ Chicago, IL 60647 April 22 deadline

Date:	Sat Apr 2 10:18:39 2005
Name:	Karen Bierdeman
E-mail:	ckbier@aol.com
Organization:	ParentWise Parent Coaching (private prac.)
Location:	Olympia, Washington
How the site was found:	listed on your books
Comments:	I appreciate your strong, clear voice on how to bring dignity and authentic caring to parenting. As a parent coach, I applaud your efforts to go against the cultural tide of mechanistic thinking. We need your message more than ever!

Date:	Fri Apr 1 10:21:46 2005
Name:	Patty Able
E-mail:	Ablesfa@yahoo.com
Organization:	HumbleISD
Location:	Humble, Texas
How the site was found:	read the books
Comments:	Keep writing....I am a behavior intervention teacher and I have gotten a lot out of Punished By Rewards.

Date:	Fri Apr 1 04:47:01 2005
Name:	Peter Wright
E-mail:	pwright@stithian.com
Organization:	St Stithians Boys' College, South Africa
Location:	South Africa
How the site was found:	Looked you up, on the basis of your writings.
Comments:	controversial & interesting stuff - I want to find out more.

Date:	Thu Mar 31 11:19:48 2005
Name:	gary kohl
E-mail:	gary.kohl@sunnybrookschool.com
Organization:	Sunnybrook School
Location:	Toronto
How the site was found:	book
Comments:	Message for Alfie Kohn: Just wanted to send a message regarding your books... I've read all and have tried to implement many of the ideas and strategies in my grade 4 class. Because it's a private school, I've had a bit more freedom than many public teachers may have. Are you speaking in Toronto any time in the future? Gary Kohl grade 4 class

Date:	Thu Mar 31 10:47:14 2005
Name:	Charlene Foster
E-mail:	velcfost@mars.utm.edu
Organization:	Student
Location:	TN
How the site was found:	Alfie Kohn Personal Information
Comments:	I have to teach a class on Mr. Kohn and need personal information. Like date of birth, birthplace, anything else you can tell me that will help. Thank you, Charlene

Date:	Thu Mar 31 06:46:20 2005
Name:	Cassie Hewitt
E-mail:	hewittcassie@elyriaschools.org
Organization:	Elyria High School
Location:	Cleveland, Ohio
How the site was found:	saw Alfie Kohn on a.m. TV
Comments:	I was initially drawn to this website to research the book Unconditional Parenting, as my husband and I are looking to start a family soon, and I want to be the best parent I can be. BUT imagine my delight when I found the many articles on teaching and schools. This stuff is RIGHT ON and makes so much sense. I am happy to say that I recognized that much of what Mr. Kohn has found through research is what I already intrinsically do! There is always room for improvement, though, and I look forward to reading all of his writings. The viewpoints on standardized testing are a breath of fresh air, after spending all year "teaching to the test." It's just yucky!! No room for discussions about moral/character issues. What sane, logical, kind, healthy advice Mr. Kohn has to offer! I'll be recommending it to other friends and colleagues. Thank you!

Date:	Wed Mar 30 18:23:17 2005
Name:	Wayne Kurtz
E-mail:	waynecalifornia@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	Los Angeles, California
How the site was found:	Researching a term paper for graduate school.
Comments:	Thank you, Alfie Kohn, for making sense of the abuses of standardized testing. I appreciate your diligent work for young peoples' advocacy.... Wayne Kurtz

Date:	Wed Mar 30 09:29:26 2005
Name:	Caitlin Link
E-mail:	linkca@student.gvsu.edu
Organization:
Location:	Michigan
How the site was found:	ENC Online
Comments:

Date:	Mon Mar 28 07:30:13 2005
Name:	Natalie Bosshart
E-mail:	natalie_rene@netins.net
Organization:
Location:	Belle Plaine, Iowa
How the site was found:	The Early Show
Comments:	If everyone thought like Mr. Kohn, no one would have to worry about our generation (I'm 16) being unsafe. I feel that the majority of the drug and suicide problems are a result of bad parenting.

Date:	Sat Mar 26 06:32:33 2005
Name:	Catherine Kohn
E-mail:	cassck@earthlink.net
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:	through husband, Keith, who attended school with Mr. Kohn
Comments:	As a high school language arts teacher I find Mr. Kohn's ideas refreshing. There is far too much "teaching to the test" going on here in Florida and little real learning. It may explain why my honors students seem so woefully unprepared for the rigors of college or of life. I am afraid for them -- many will never know the joys of exploring knowledge for its own sake. Every day when we work in class I hear, "Do we get a grade for this? Is this extra credit?" But, sometimes there is hope, such as my student who discovered information about barber surgeons while researching a Renaissance doctor. He became fascinated with this new information. "Can I include this with his biography?" he asked me. He seemed surprised when I said "yes, of course," and asked him to tell me about his discovery. Discovery is learning -- not being "told" or lectured to. The students MUST be the ones doing the work in class. Without that process we produce little robots who can't think for themselves when they get into the "real" world. People like Mr. Kohn are hopefully spreading the word that learning is a joy in this life, not a chore to be finished and left behind in school. I look forward to him being in Orlando at some time so I can hear him in person.

Date:	Sat Mar 26 05:21:02 2005
Name:	Amy Burke
E-mail:	Amy_Burke52@yahoo.com
Organization:	teaching student
Location:	Elmira NY
How the site was found:	Lecture and book
Comments:	I am extremely intrigued by the issues described. I am looking to find others in my city who are proponents of them. I would like to help promote awareness to parents, educators, city officials and politicians in my area. Perhaps you know of a contact. Please email me back so I know where to begin to help in this cause. Thank you.

Date:	Fri Mar 25 08:56:59 2005
Name:	Elizabeth Hershoff
E-mail:	chibi@indra.com
Organization:	Horizons Alternative School
Location:	Boulder, CO
How the site was found:	love Alfie!
Comments:	The most important components of a real education can not be measured.We have devalued creativity,critical thinking, and compassionate living by assuming education is only about academic splinter skills.How sad for our children.I worry about our future.

Date:	Thu Mar 24 07:23:18 2005
Name:	T.K. Cellar
E-mail:	TkCellar@worthington.k12.oh.us
Organization:	Counselor, Thomas Worthington HS
Location:	Worthington, Ohio
How the site was found:	advertisement
Comments:	You spoke in our district several years at our annual "Summer Institute." You a much needed voice today, especially in light of the Bush administration's desire to privatize education and their efforts to fit all our students into national and state testing. Thanks for standing up for American public education, the bedrock of our great nation.

Date:	Wed Mar 23 11:59:35 2005
Name:	rula bayram
E-mail:	rula.bayram@lau.edu.lb
Organization:	Lebanese american university
Location:	Beirut-Lebanon
How the site was found:	search
Comments:	Hi I'm doing a prsentation on your book punished by rewards.I'm interested in the writer's social & educational background.or any helpful information that may help in my presentation.Thanks in advance

Date:	Tue Mar 22 19:41:53 2005
Name:	Mary Beth Sekurski
E-mail:	MB_SEKURSKI@YAHOO.COM
Organization:
Location:	Winchendon, Massachusetts
How the site was found:	A google search
Comments:	Dear Mr. Kohn, I am a First Grade Teacher and a graduate student at Fitchburg State College. Presently, I am preparing a presentation on classroom management dealing with your beliefs on the negative effects of rewarding in classrooms. One aspect we need to cover in all our presentations is a picture of our subject and their birthdate. I've got the picture, various articles and have read your books, but I have been unable to locate your birthdate. If possible could you supply yoru birthdate. In advance thank you. And I have learned quite a bit from your articles and books.

Date:	Tue Mar 22 12:39:50 2005
Name:	Mitchell Glass
E-mail:	glassboy@mail.mc.maricopa.edu
Organization:	Mesa community college
Location:
How the site was found:	a friend
Comments:	I am doing a report on the pros and cons of a grading system to see if it really has a bad effect on children. I have found so much on this site. Its been great. If you know of any other info from other authors or web sites please e-mail them to me. Thanks again.

Date:	Mon Mar 21 14:38:07 2005
Name:	william
E-mail:	marry@microsoft.com
Organization:
Location:	Luize
How the site was found:
Comments:	Just a note to say this site is excellent!

Date:	Mon Mar 21 09:37:38 2005
Name:	carla rachimi
E-mail:	carlarachimi@hotmail.com
Organization:	self emploied
Location:	florida boca raton
How the site was found:	via books
Comments:	HI!!! I am very very glad and excited that I found the books: 'punished by rewards' and 'unconditional parenting', it is a very welcome supplement and support of my own idea's. I just moved from Holland a half year ago and got very upset about the schoolsystem here in Florida, what I called "the rigid punishment/rewardsystem," to fit kids in a box and throw in their heads just knowledge,extermely many test, what means often no recess AT ALL, and this is accepted by all (complaning and exepting )parents,just because everything is based on fear, nobody dares even to open his/her mouth, especially in the public schoolsystem.( we come from Waldorf and Montessori systems in Holland, and our children now are in jewish privateschools like Salomon Schechter).I am also very sad about the way people I meet ( usually quite educated) believe in punishment by beating their kids.It looks to me that they just operate from their own past and are very confident that this is the best way,of course with fear on the background. In discussions about that I use a lot of information from Alice Miller. Still, most shocking to me is that many teachers are not aware of the way they approach children.I do not see they get involved with NLP tools, Nonviolent communication, etc. About myself: my first profession was being a flutist in opera and symfony orchestra's, and when I got children,I studied psychology. I am now working as personal coach (the USA does not exept European university degrees)using also arts like music and intuitive drawing, guiding parents with AD(H)D children, and training them other communication skills. My question is: are there any ready materials , based on the books of Mr. Kohn,for training groups of parents/teachers/kids avalable to buy?? Confronted with the many joyless and lacklustre eyes from the kids I see,( and adults!), I think there is a big need for change. I APPRECIATE EXTREMELY MUCH THE WORK OF MR. KOHN!!! Thank you for reading, and a response wold be highly appreciated! warm regards, carla rachimi

Date:	Mon Mar 21 03:19:16 2005
Name:	evelyn wawire
E-mail:	nasikem@yahoo.com.au
Organization:	ECU
Location:	Mt lawley
How the site was found:	Through ECU
Comments:

Date:	Sun Mar 20 21:33:41 2005
Name:	Jo Ann Causey
E-mail:	causeyjoann@msn.com
Organization:	none
Location:
How the site was found:	Looking for info for a class project
Comments:	I was wondering how long you actually spent inside a classroom. And, if you could expand your technique to a class of 35-40 unruly jr. high students who haven't had the wonderful ideas you promote lavished on them before.

Date:	Sun Mar 20 05:04:46 2005
Name:	rosalindchen
E-mail:	rosalindchen55@yahoo.com.sg
Organization:	kindergarten
Location:	Singapore
How the site was found:	reading an article
Comments:	Enjoy reading new research about children.

Date:	Sat Mar 19 13:53:10 2005
Name:	Jaana Long
E-mail:	jaanaz1@hotmail.com
Organization:	Porse In Home Childcare
Location:	New Zealand
How the site was found:	Google
Comments:	I work with children and families of children under 5 and through my training have always thought that praise and encouragement are the way to get children to do the 'right thing'. After reading your article 5 reasons to stop saying "good job" I now know I have a lot more to learn about behaviour modification. Thank you for offering the other side of the picture and taking the blinkers off.

Date:	Fri Mar 18 21:37:15 2005
Name:	Cindy Anderson
E-mail:	cindya@wwdb.org
Organization:	M2 Academy
Location:	California
How the site was found:	internet search
Comments:	Thanks for having the courage and dedication to speak for the truth and help people THINK about what they are doing...and why.

Date:	Fri Mar 18 16:07:40 2005
Name:	Mary Jane Cera
E-mail:	mjcera@comcast.net
Organization:	Kino School
Location:	Tucson, AZ
How the site was found:
Comments:	Dear Mr. Kohn, I recently read an article reviewing Sudbury Valley School. In this article you commented that you appreciated the effort of Democratic schools, but were concerned with Sudbury's lack of focus on community. I am an administrator of a progressive, private school in Tucson, AZ which has been in existence for almost 30 years. I would love to send you some information about our school, which includes students from ages 3 through 18, where students determine their own course of study in conjunction with the staff. Our low student/teacher ratio allows for much individual and small group assistance. We also focus intensely on being part of a community, not only in our school, but also in the greater Tucson community. Please check out our web site. In can be found at Kino School in Tucson, AZ. If possible, if you could send me an address, I would love to forward you more information about Kino. In this age of testing and accountability, we stand out as a school that has never administered standardized tests, given grades, focused on competition, or given rewards for learning. We just completed two days of parent/student/teacher conferences in which the students' work was the basis for evaluation and discussion.Please let me hear from you. I think that Kino may be a school that comes very close to what you write and speak about. Sincerely, Mary Jane Cera Kino School

Date:	Fri Mar 18 08:37:06 2005
Name:	Paul Moore
E-mail:	pmoore1953@aol.com
Organization:	United Teachers of Dade (AFT)
Location:	Miami, Florida
How the site was found:	Searching for FCAT resistance
Comments:	An open letter to the Florida State Board of Education: On Saturday March 12, 2005 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s front page alerted its readers that some students are skirting the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) requirement for high school graduation. Outrageous as it sounds, many of these young people have gone on to college, served in the U.S. military or taken productive jobs after receiving diplomas from the North Atlantic Regional High School in Maine. This high school is clearly trying to thwart Gov. Jeb Bush’s efforts to root out the “failing” children in our state before they can slip into the military or our colleges or the civilian workforce. Florida’s private schools already offer refuge from the FCAT for any child whose parents can afford the tuition. Imagine the havoc that might result from giving poor and working class children the same exemption from this flawless educational assessment tool the wealthy kids now enjoy. Imagine the danger in allowing some 18-year-old who can’t pass the FCAT to continue dreaming of a successful and productive future. This FCAT “loophole” must be closed! It is a sign that the soft bigotry of low expectations is creeping into our plantations, I mean schools. Toughen the FCAT still more and raise the stakes even higher. Maybe forced labor camps for those young people who can’t pass the test. Paul A. Moore

Date:	Wed Mar 16 19:46:40 2005
Name:	Haibo Xu
E-mail:	bobeexu@163.com
Organization:	xi'an jiaotong University (China)
Location:	China Xi'an
How the site was found:	Harvard Business Review
Comments:	I have just read your article about compensation and wanted to study your reseach,but i can not find your other articles,can you heip me ?

Date:	Wed Mar 16 10:55:00 2005
Name:	Beth
E-mail:	lizamann@Hotmail.com
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:	google
Comments:	I just started Unconditional Parenting and can't wait to finish it. I also saw you speak at the Latin School in Chicago a few years back and really enjoyed it. Anyway - how can you get yourself on Oprah or Dr. Phil? Or Supernanny? I don't watch any of those shows, but the people who most need your book do (most of America). Of course nobody wants to hear that what they're doing is wrong, but maybe Dr. Phil can turn it into a "parenting war." Anything to get these ideas out there more! Time-outs have never set well with me, and now I better understand why that is. I think many parents aren't uncomfortable with it but are at a loss about what their options are. Anyway, I'm just hoping for more mass exposure!

Date:	Mon Mar 14 09:46:42 2005
Name:	Laine Morch
E-mail:	bumblebee97@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location:	Canada
How the site was found:	In the back of your "The Schools our Children Deserve"
Comments:	A enjoy reading your books and look forward to reading more of them. You do an amazing job Alfie and i love the way you write and the statements you say!!!!!

Date:	Sun Mar 13 18:30:52 2005
Name:	Patty Able
E-mail:	Ablesfa@yahoo.com
Organization:	Humble ISD
Location:	HUmble, Texas
How the site was found:	Book
Comments:	I have been studying your book, Punished by Rewards. I am a behavior teacher writing a master's research paper on teacher perceptions and responses to bullying. I am convinced that teacher warmth is key to this issue. I thought your site might be a good resource. Any ideas in particular that might guide me?

Date:	Sat Mar 12 11:00:09 2005
Name:	Debra Marino
E-mail:	mrskres@msn.com
Organization:	Hampton Day/Morris Center
Location:	Bridgehampton, NY
How the site was found:	from you
Comments:	Have seen you speak twice now in Sag Harbor, New York and enjoyed it. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. It is hard raising child not in the mainstream American way but we'll keep doing our best. Our son is a happy, confident child and I must attribute some of this to his personality but also to the way we are raising him. Keep up the good work!!!

Date:	Fri Mar 11 16:39:21 2005
Name:	Deb Dupont
E-mail:	debbie38@mts.net
Organization:	Family Centre
Location:	Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
How the site was found:	from a Lecture by Alfie Kohn
Comments:	This has given me some interesting things to think about in teaching Parents. The reward system is deffinetly not the way to go but will be difficult to convince Parents. Giving up control of some parents and teachers weather it is reward or punishment will be difficult. I believe many people feel children can not" get it right" with out adult praise or punishment.

Date:	Fri Mar 11 13:00:20 2005
Name:	Kristen Thomson
E-mail:	baccuda@comcast.net
Organization:	Home
Location:	Clackamas, OR
How the site was found:
Comments:	I discovered your books last summer while trying to find answers to my 5-year-old's trying behavior (along the way I found answers or perhaps, questions, to my own trying behavior!). I started w/Punishment by Rewards and read on through most of your books and a few of the articles on your site. And then I took suggestions from your books and started on a journey of learning about learning that has been rewarding and fulfilling and exciting. Thank you for that. Although your writings encourage me, I then become discouraged and baffled when I read about education in the op-ed pages of my local paper or in the articles about the local schools. Then, there is the John Holt factor which has made me trust my child's innate learning ability more and question schools big time. I wrestle with contradictory threads running through my head. On the one hand, I love the idea of children coming together to learn and interact and explore and think and become fully functioning citizens in a democratic country (will it save us from ourselves?). On the other, I despair that that isn't at all what happens at the local school and perhaps the best approach is to allow my highly independent-minded child to freely learn at her own pace. I saw that you have one article that mentions homeschooling but I couldn't get access to it. I can't remember if you wrote about it in your books (I think I was focused on other things at the time). Can you direct me to a place where you've expressed your views on homeschooling? Thanks.

Date:	Wed Mar 9 00:12:05 2005
Name:	Lynnett
E-mail:	lynard69@charter.net
Organization:	None
Location:	Madison, WI
How the site was found:	Yahoo Group MBC-Parents
Comments:	My midwife hosts an annual conference for parents each year. I am not in charge of scheduling, but you may want to try and speak at the next one. I think they are in September. You could get exposure and Moms and Dads could learn something.

Date:	Tue Mar 8 09:27:09 2005
Name:	katie arnett
E-mail:	arnettk@usd416.org
Organization:	Louisburg High School
Location:	Louisburg, KS
How the site was found:
Comments:

Date:	Sat Mar 5 18:31:33 2005
Name:	david ameer
E-mail:	david9034@yahoo.com
Organization:	student
Location:	City College of New York
How the site was found:	Referred by Professor Maysaa Bazna
Comments:	I am sending this question again, because I may have accidentally erased your email response to my question. In reference to your book "punished by rewards," Prof. Bazna's class was engaged in a group dicussion and we came up with a question. Also I have made the question more specific. Why doesn't the book address students with special needs, including disability students?

Date:	Thu Mar 3 05:08:27 2005
Name:	John Charles
E-mail:	jcharles@acadiacom.net
Organization:
Location:	New Orleans
How the site was found:	Google
Comments:	I am a doctoral student and was assigned one of your articles to read. I have worked in secondary education for 17 years. I worked with youths prior to that in my church parish. I am not a trained educator. I left the field of engineering to impact our youth. I found rewards in teaching/coaching, frustration in administration. I strongly believe in your philosophy of teaching. I practiced a similar style, not knowing initially that I was actually not doing what other teacher were doing. My first question as novice teacher was, "How do I quantify student performance?" I never got a satisfactory response. I appreciate being introduced to your concepts and messages. I plan to get to know you better through your writings. Thenk you, John

Date:	Tue Mar 1 12:37:50 2005
Name:	Tiana Hohmann
E-mail:	tmhohmann@hotmail.com
Organization:	Upper Merion School District, NEA, PSEA, NSTA
Location:
How the site was found:	colleague
Comments:	I am currently taking graduate classes and your site was very informative for a paper I am writing on standards. Thank you

Date:	Sun Feb 27 18:24:33 2005
Name:	Meghan Lynch
E-mail:	mxl200@yahoo.com
Organization:	Grad Student
Location:	Hunter College
How the site was found:	google
Comments:	When you refer to the children in "Beyond Discipline", what ages were you referring to? Do you feel that your attitude toward discipline applies to students ages 3-5?

Date:	Tue Feb 22 10:36:46 2005
Name:	David Ameer
E-mail:	david9034@yahoo.com
Organization:	Student
Location:	City College of New York
How the site was found:	Referred by Prof. Maysaa Bazna
Comments:	in reference to your book "punished by rewards," Prof. Bazna's class was engaged in group dicussion and we came up with a question. Why is not the book applicable to students with special needs?

Date:	Sat Feb 19 09:13:32 2005
Name:	nancy samalin
E-mail:	samalin@aol.com
Organization:	parent guidance workshops
Location:	new york city
How the site was found:	through alfie k
Comments:	I'm a parent educator/author & have known of your work for a long time; hope to be able to hear you in person one of these days

Date:	Fri Feb 18 17:14:18 2005
Name:	ian hamilton
E-mail:	hamiltoi@telus.net
Organization:	calgary board of education
Location:	calgary ab
How the site was found:	listening to presentation
Comments:	Thanks for your great work Alfie! really enjoyed your presentation at Calgary Convention!

Date:	Wed Feb 16 22:44:53 2005
Name:	Barbara McDonald
E-mail:	logolady1@aol.com
Organization:	mediocre but getting better
Location:	home (Oakland, CA)
How the site was found:	friend referred me
Comments:	Alfie Kohn, you restore my hope for meaningful parenting and connections with human beings in general.

Date:	Wed Feb 16 11:48:54 2005
Name:	Anna Toy-Palmer
E-mail:	atoypalmer@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	Arlington, MA
How the site was found:	Book -- "Punishment by Rewards"
Comments:	My husband and I found the book very enlightening and helpful in raising our five year old son. I would be interested in knowing more trial-and-error stories from others both on the parenting side and management side. Thank you.

Date:	Tue Feb 15 19:40:16 2005
Name:	Heather Dilatush
E-mail:	heather.dilatush@fcps.edu
Organization:	Fairfax County Public Schools
Location:	Annandale, Virginia
How the site was found:	google
Comments:	Thanks for all of your incredible work! I can't thinking about how to make my classroom a better environment for students. Just say no to NCLB!!!

Date:	Tue Feb 15 13:13:56 2005
Name:	Richard Basham
E-mail:	rbasham@cableone.net
Organization:	Independence Community College
Location:	Independence KS 67301
How the site was found:	A book that I bought from Alfie Kohn
Comments:	I have enjoyed your lectures, and books.

Date:	Sun Feb 13 23:47:14 2005
Name:	Erin Freeman
E-mail:	erin.freeman@sbcusd.com
Organization:	Teacher
Location:	San Bernardino, California
How the site was found:	reading the books
Comments:	Thank you for giving me another way to look at how not only to run my classroom, but to raise my child and more importantly, to think.

Date:	Sun Feb 13 19:01:58 2005
Name:	April Millan
E-mail:	ajmillan@mb.sympatico.ca
Organization:	school
Location:	canada
How the site was found:	looking for help for a disruptive classroom
Comments:	I like and agree with your philosophies and hope to gain more insight from your website to turn a class around.

Date:	Sun Feb 13 15:39:48 2005
Name:	csablan
E-mail:	csablan@nsd.org
Organization:	SPU
Location:
How the site was found:	SPU
Comments:	Your articles are so informative. Thank you!

Date:	Sun Feb 13 05:05:41 2005
Name:	Joshua Pritikin
E-mail:	jpritikin@pobox.com
Organization:
Location:	India
How the site was found:	Free Software Foundation
Comments:	Punished by Rewards is one of the defining books of the 20th century. Keep up the great work!

Date:	Fri Feb 11 07:56:06 2005
Name:	Charles Kachmar
E-mail:	heyk01@hotmail.com
Organization:	CTE
Location:	Georgia
How the site was found:	Your book: The schools our children deserve.
Comments:	I would be interested in your K-12 teaching experience.

Date:	Wed Feb 9 19:20:46 2005
Name:	D.C. Harris
E-mail:	doesjesusknowu@hotmail.com
Organization:
Location:	Arizona
How the site was found:	read article on rebuilding school culture
Comments:	It is a matter of the heart.

Date:	Sun Feb 6 18:49:19 2005
Name:	Kristen Heindel
E-mail:	kheindel@columbus.k12.ia.us
Organization:	Teacher
Location:	Columbus Junction, Iowa
How the site was found:	NABE conference 2005
Comments:	Awesome speaker!

Date:	Sun Feb 6 06:31:11 2005
Name:	David P. Lennox
E-mail:	dlennox@twcny.rr.com
Organization:	Norwood-Norfolk Central School
Location:	Norwood, New York
How the site was found:	I know your work and looked for a web site.
Comments:	I am a frustratred middle school classroom teacher that wants to find a better way than this mindless dedication to the standards movement. Our future generations are at stake, our children's very well being is at stake, and I need to find a way to revolt.

Date:	Fri Feb 4 00:19:30 2005
Name:	maps
E-mail:	mamamaps@yahoo.com
Organization:
Location:	New Zealand
How the site was found:	Punished by rewards book from our local playcentre
Comments:	Your book forced me to take a good long look at myself, and especially the underlying beliefs of my parenting strategies. It has opened a whole new way of dealing with my children. I am a young, educated mother who has been devouring parenting books in order to be the best parent I can possibly be. This attitude is not exceptional amongst my fellow mum-friends. We all are looking for the right answers and we all are more or less uncomfortable with the one-size-fits-all-advise we've been getting. I hope your new book stirs up a storm that will even reach the quiet backwaters of New Zealand, because this is stuff that every parent and educator should know and reflect on. Meanwhile, thank you for sharing a vision of a world where people work together to make it a better place. Map, Timon and Saulé

Date:	Thu Feb 3 13:42:34 2005
Name:	Joeanna Hill-Thornton
E-mail:	jthornton@centralstate.edu
Organization:	Central State University
Location:	Wilberforce, OH
How the site was found:	C.M. Charles textbook Building Classroom Discipline
Comments:	Your theory on discipline is excellent and can be practical, however, as an African American professor who is preparing pre-service teachers to teach in urban schools, I would like to know if there are Black theorists who write about classroom management? I have not had success finding Black Educators in this area of theory. Please let me know how I can contact them and if you have collaborated with Blacks in this area please let me know. Thanks so much for your assistance.

Date:	Wed Feb 2 23:00:21 2005
Name:	Angela Saludes
E-mail:	angela_saludes@yahoo.com
Organization:	Singles for Christ
Location:	Philippines
How the site was found:	surfing the net
Comments:	I'm curious about the Reggio Emilia Approach

Date:	Wed Feb 2 08:53:28 2005
Name:	Brian Whalen
E-mail:
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:
Comments:	I understand you taught in the past. I read your three bios and saw no reference to teaching. This seems odd for a person who lectures/writes on education.

Date:	Tue Feb 1 09:00:17 2005
Name:	Lorraine Cella
E-mail:	lcella@westwood.k12.nj.us
Organization:	Westwood Junior-Senior High School
Location:	WAshington Township, NJ 07676
How the site was found:	I'm a fan of Alfie
Comments:	I'm looking for a particular article in which Alfie wrote, " Schools should help childrren locate themselves in widening circles of care that extend beyond the self, beyond country, to all of humanity." Can you help me locate it?

Date:	Tue Feb 1 06:22:48 2005
Name:	Erika Endres
E-mail:	eedive@fuse.net
Organization:	Cincinnati Public Schools
Location:	Cincinnati, Ohio
How the site was found:	The "About the Author"section of Ed Week
Comments:	I recently read the commentary in Teacher Magazine entitled "Joyless Endeavors". This is exactly what I'm experiencing in my classroom for students with special needs. "No Child Left Behind" requires my students, many of whom have serious learning and behavioral problems to complete all of their classwork and take tests on their chronological grade levels, not their instructional levels. This has caused serious frustration, worsening behavior problems and general dislike of anything remotely academic on the part of my students. I experience the "Joyless Endeavor" that is the current hallmark of our education system.

Date:	Mon Jan 31 12:44:24 2005
Name:	Brad T.
E-mail:	vlad_drac99@yahoo.com
Organization:	LSU student
Location:	Baton Rouge, LA
How the site was found:	it was mentioned in Alfie's book
Comments:	I had the idea that education was really rather silly and futile for most majors, and I bought What Does it Mean to be Well Educated to expand on those thoughts. Now I really hate school, and I can't wait until I'm out of it.

Date:	Mon Jan 31 12:34:18 2005
Name:	marybeth myers
E-mail:	mmyers@aea9.k12.ia.us
Organization:	AEA9
Location:	Bettendorf,IA
How the site was found:	heard Kohn speak at my organization
Comments:	looking for interesting articles on school nutrition, midmorning snacks and related brain functioning.

Date:	Sun Jan 30 21:07:41 2005
Name:	Norine Neilson
E-mail:	renebean@msn.com
Organization:	Jordan Elementary
Location:	Arizona
How the site was found:
Comments:	I've been reading articles on Thomas Gordon's teacher effectiveness. Your methods are very similar with his. What do you think is different between the two techniques? I find both of your works fascinating.

Date:	Sun Jan 30 14:50:16 2005
Name:	Norine Neilson
E-mail:	renebean@msn.com
Organization:	Jordan Elementary
Location:	Arizona
How the site was found:	Research on Classroom Management
Comments:	After reading one of Kohns' articles,is it safe to say that a disciplinary action regarding classroom managment, would be to discuss the problem and then let students think of ways to solve it, perhaps from not happening again, and then what? Can you give an example?

Date:	Sun Jan 30 12:23:13 2005
Name:	Michael Briglin
E-mail:	briglin@twcny.rr.com
Organization:	Elmcrest Children's Center
Location:	Syracuse, New York 13027
How the site was found:	Delphi
Comments:	I could not agree more. Our societies focus more on production vs perfecting. Our children today need more affection, guidance and understanding with the compulsive needs societies has demanded. I believe the problems lie with the, "GEEKS" who run our cities, counties, and states. We need real people with real hearts to create a paradigm shift in socities.

Date:	Fri Jan 28 12:58:10 2005
Name:	melba salazar-lucio
E-mail:	hopeforman@aol.com
Organization:	doctoral student in bilingual education
Location:	brownsville, texas
How the site was found:	searching for articles for my dissertation
Comments:	Hi Sir, Wow! I was really moved by your speech at NABE last week in San Antonio. I like your spunk; you seem unafraid to rattle King Kong's cage. I am currently trying to find literature on teaching dual language gifted children. I am in the process of formulating my proposal; I want to study a GT dual language that began in 1999 at Brownsville in South Texas. thanks, melba

Date:	Thu Jan 27 21:25:57 2005
Name:	Fred Nelson
E-mail:	fredn@manhattan.k12.ks.us
Organization:	Manhattan High School
Location:	Manhattan, Kansas
How the site was found:	google for Alfie Kohn
Comments:	Keep the faith! I have a student teacher for the first time in my short (7 years) teaching career, and an optimistic about sharing ideas regarding assessment reform.

Date:	Thu Jan 27 10:00:10 2005
Name:	Bonnie Walker
E-mail:	bonnie@bonniewalker.ca
Organization:	SAND Technology
Location:	Ontario
How the site was found:	Kohn's name was referenced in a book I'm reading "It's not what you say...it's what you do"
Comments:	Wow!! I have bee struggling with incentive based compensation and its connection to performance for years. I am a big fan of mission led companies and the stakeholder model...now I have a place to turn to try to understand where the compensation part fits. Thank you. With regards to parenting; I concur!! I have a 14 year old son at home exploring 'self-initiated learning' as a home-schooling model. Learning to learn, knowing one's passion(s) and having the courage to tackle something new...in our family, this is the foundation of an education. 'Unconditional support' is challenging...where does pride fit, avoiding praise for performance - it's not easy...but worth consideration for sure. I am also impressed that you are involved in Alberta...we have a dream of moving there and the fact that they have an interest in your perspective is encouraging. Thanks for your body of work and communicating it. All the best to you. BW

Date:	Mon Jan 24 21:29:33 2005
Name:	Veronica Rodriguez
E-mail:	veronrd30@aol.com
Organization:	McAllen ISD
Location:	McAllen, TX
How the site was found:	NABE 2005 Conference
Comments:	I heard you speak at the San Antonio NABE 2005 conference, and was forced to acknowledge the role I am playing in the corrupted and joke of a system we refer to as education. I looked in the mirror and into the faces of my students after the conference and I hated what I saw. Thank you for your candor, I needed that.

Date:	Mon Jan 24 16:23:47 2005
Name:	Stan Adams
E-mail:	sadamstimd@aol.com
Organization:	Time Dimension, Inc
Location:	Pensacola
How the site was found:	old associate of Alfie's
Comments:

Date:	Sun Jan 23 05:12:01 2005
Name:	Franca van der Weijden
E-mail:	franca.nijmegen@wanadoo.nl
Organization:	VVH
Location:	Nijmegen
How the site was found:	by Henriette Mol
Comments:	Iam interested i n reading your artikels

Date:	Fri Jan 21 20:54:37 2005
Name:	Janice Schell
E-mail:	turtleschell1@yahoo.com
Organization:	Kindergarten Leadership Committee
Location:	San Diego
How the site was found:	forward in Susan Ohanian book
Comments:	We are a group of concerned Kindergarten teachers who organized because of dramatically raised reading level expectation for K & developmentally inappropriate practice. Help us by e-mailing our school board @sandi.net. Can send you our letter to explain our situation. Thank you!!!!!

Date:	Fri Jan 21 04:14:57 2005
Name:	Samina Khorakiwala
E-mail:	samina3@vsnl.com
Organization:	Wockhardt
Location:	India
How the site was found:	Through a friend
Comments:	Being a Mom I would like to do the best i can for my little one.

Date:	Thu Jan 20 11:48:58 2005
Name:	DR. PRINCESS SYKES WARD
E-mail:	H.C.WARD@WORLDNET.ATT.NET
Organization:	LAUSD LOCAL DISTRICT #7 (CEAC CHAIR)
Location:	LOS ANGELES CA.
How the site was found:	CONVENTION IN TEXAS
Comments:	I WAS VERY PLEASE WITH YOUR PRESPECTIVE ON EDUCATING THE TEACHER FOR BETTER EDUCATION FOR OUR FURTURE OUR CHILDRENDS

Date:	Mon Jan 17 23:34:35 2005
Name:	jenny holland
E-mail:	dolyang@aol.com
Organization:	walden center and school
Location:	berkeley california
How the site was found:	ebisa conference
Comments:	thanks for the great presentation on friday, the 14th of january. totally great. woof. in january's atlantic magazine: the end game of testing, an article called "lost in the meritocracy" by walter kirn.

Date:	Mon Jan 17 23:07:20 2005
Name:	Sandy Bruesewitz
E-mail:	skrhbree@wctatel.net
Organization:	Area Education Agency
Location:	Iowa
How the site was found:	Punished By Rewards Book
Comments:	Thanks for all the insights! Looking forward to hearing more in Marshall, Mn.

Date:	Mon Jan 17 11:39:22 2005
Name:	Suzanne Abbey
E-mail:	sabbey@spes.org
Organization:	St. Paul's Episcopal School
Location:	Oakland CA
How the site was found:	You told me
Comments:	"Good Job" just kidding. Learned so much from your presentation at the Mormon Temple Friday morning on "How to Destroy Meaningful Learning." Once again we are hearing about sound teaching practices. How did we get so far away from effective teaching? I am looking for a chart that you mentioned is on your web site. Can you direct me to it, please?

Date:	Sun Jan 16 19:05:06 2005
Name:	David Muskrath
E-mail:	cmuskrath@aol.com
Organization:	Monroe High School
Location:	North Hills, CA
How the site was found:	What does it mean to be well educated?
Comments:	Thank you. Your book made me cry joyfully that someone could articulate what I felt but could not say. I feel changed. May I reprint some essays for the new socratic dinner group we have formed?

Date:	Sat Jan 15 23:45:57 2005
Name:	Catherine Weber
E-mail:	oodles@optusnet.com.au
Organization:	Parent, Personal Trainer, Martial Artist, Traveller...
Location:	Perth, Australia
How the site was found:	Through the book "Punished by Rewards"
Comments:	THANK YOU!

Date:	Wed Jan 12 01:37:00 2005
Name:	Sathevil
E-mail:	sathevil@mattheyasia.com
Organization:	Johnson Matthey
Location:	Malaysia
How the site was found:	E-mail
Comments:

Date:	Mon Jan 10 20:06:50 2005
Name:	Roxanne Bovee
E-mail:	roxy@elltel.net
Organization:	Student at Central Washington University
Location:	Ellensburg
How the site was found:
Comments:	Hopefully this is where education will start heading; towards working and learning with children, not controlling them.

Date:	Sun Jan 9 07:35:12 2005
Name:	jim arey
E-mail:	jarey@dist214.k12.il.us
Organization:
Location:
How the site was found:	google search
Comments:	If educators are going to take back their schools, we will need to moblize the massess. We can't wait on administration, and/or our unions to lead the effort. At Disrict 214, both groups have failed in their roles as back-end providers to present us with the information as well as the strategies to best resist the political agenda of the Republican party. Mr. Kohn defines the dire situation we are in, and frames the argument in a way that can be understand by the common man. He has mobilized me to take a leadership role and start the process at Elk Grove High School. Thank you for providing me with essential questions and the confidence that I need to sustain me in this effort. We will speak the truth to power and in the end, we shall prevail.

Date:	Thu Jan 6 18:45:48 2005
Name:	Cynthia Chandler
E-mail:	cynthiachandler@bhsu.edu
Organization:	Black Hills State University
Location:	Spearfish, South Dakota
How the site was found:	keyword search
Comments:	I use your articles in my Professional Teacher course. These students are finishing up their coursework and will be student teaching in the next semester. They are all secondary educations students. South Dakota is an interesting state (I came here from Alabama). They have few problems with discipline or issues with diversity. Most of these students are ultra conservative. When I give them the harmful effects of grading or rewards, they get plenty upset. Makes for good conversation about the realities of teaching and about thinking outside their "box". You are my hero because you describe the kind of teaching that I actually got to participate in for a few good years. I taught in a magnet program where we did not give grades and tried to hold rewards down to a minimum. It was wonderful. The kids begged to stay at school to work on research. They took books to the lunchroom and p.e. Anyway...thanks.

Date:	Thu Jan 6 00:20:45 2005
Name:	Diana Rossi
E-mail:	rossigold1955@mac.com
Organization:	parent of two children in the Berkeley, CA Unified School District
Location:	Berkeley, CA
How the site was found:	CA-resisters
Comments:	going crazy in Berkeley as "data driven" becomes the latest buzzword and real children and real parents (cuz I think parents are really an important part of all this, speaking as one) and real teachers with all their charms and faults are forgotten.

Date:	Wed Jan 5 06:06:26 2005
Name:	Joy
E-mail:	jwidmann@rocketmail.com
Organization:	A Child's Garden Charter School
Location:	Louisburg, NC
How the site was found:	Googled "Alfie Kohn"
Comments:	One of the best resources I've found for implementing this concept is Marvin Marshall's "Raise the Responsibility System." His book, "Discipline without Rewards, Punishment, or Stress" outlines how to become a more effective teacher or parent. You can read more at: http://www.marvinmarshall.com. I have implemented this system in my classroom with positive results.

Date:	Wed Jan 5 00:33:51 2005
Name:	Billy Carodine
E-mail:	billycarodine@aol.com
Organization:
Location:	1153 Parkland St.
How the site was found:	Reading your Book
Comments:	The Biosphere is very pleased with your work. Do competition increase compassion and compersion in our local and global community? Compersion mean entering into and sharing the joyfull feelings of another.

Date:	Tue Jan 4 17:06:28 2005
Name:	Bruce Banner
E-mail:	poemworld2k@550access.com
Organization:
Location:	Austin, TX
How the site was found:	I've known about Alfie for years
Comments:	Has anyone noticed that almost no one posts from the south and that there are very few posts from "red" America? So sad.

Date:	Tue Jan 4 15:47:07 2005
Name:	Diana Proud-Madruga
E-mail:	diana@jazzydesigns.com
Organization:
Location:	La Mesa
How the site was found:	Punished By Rewards
Comments:	I picked up your book several years ago because it resonated with the way I wanted to run my classroom and my objections to the way many teachers run theirs. I'd like to say that I was wildly successful but I will say that I was mostly successful. It concerned me that students were coming to me who literally asked, "What's in it for me?" when I would ask them to answer a question. Having a BA in Psychology and having also been asked to "train" a pigeon, I would explain to the students that I didn't believe in demeaning them and treating them like dogs. Interestingly enough, they rarely asked twice. I have recently left teaching for many reasons, one being that the district where I taught believes that teacher success is measured by student success on the tests and the situation I was in was designed in such a way that I could see no way of succeeding. To "Xavier the Teacher": our society is based on us being able to get our basic needs by working and getting a paycheck so, of course we work to get paid. However, the paycheck is not enough. If there is no personal satisfaction in doing the job, eventually the job must go or the person suffers. I am moving into a new phase of my career now. One of the things I am doing is parent education on some similar topics. I was hoping that you could help me with some research. I know from personal experience how destructive "why" questions can be when confronting someone or trying to solve personal problems. Do you have any sources I could go to to support my personal experience?

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