In case it hasn’t been clear, I have an agenda – a goal toward which this blog is focused.
That goal is for each and every child, no matter their socio-economic status, race or religion be able to learn in the way that suits them best. My goal is to do away with coercive methods of schooling; of the idea that education must be force-fed, and instead to implement a system where each child can choose their own path, with the support and encouragement of family, or friends, or caregivers or teachers, or all of the above.
That is what unschooling is all about. It means encouraging each child to continue the path of self-directed learning which starts at birth. It means assisting them in finding the way that works best for them. That way may include a classroom or not. It may include things that look like “traditional” schooling, or it may not. As long as the choice is made by the child with the support of those around them, I am all for it.
So when my friend Priscilla Sanstead invited me to join the Badass Teachers Association on Facebook, which in just a few days has well over 16,000 members, I immediately accepted.
According to Priscilla, who is one of the founders of the group, the mission is as follows: “Badass Teachers Association was created to give voice to every teacher who refuses to be blamed for the failure of our society to erase poverty and inequality through education. BAT members refuse to accept assessments, tests and evaluations created and imposed by corporate driven entities that have contempt for authentic teaching and learning.”
The organization is made up, not just of teachers, but parents and concerned citizens who “wish to reclaim America’s education system”.
In a matter of a few days, the group has gotten a lot of press, from a blog post by Diane Ravitch, to an article in the Sun Sentinel and another on the Yahoo News feed just to name a few. On Monday the group bombarded the White House with calls and tweets, calling for the removal of Arne Duncan and his love of Common Core & high stakes testing.
After observing the group for a few days, reading threads and clicking on suggested links, I decided to find out how many chairs were available at this new table of education transformers. I posted a comment in which I basically stated my belief that teachers (or at least Badass Teachers = BATs) and unschoolers have a common goal and might benefit from working together. I threw it out there and asked for thoughts and ideas about how the type of change we all seem to want could be most effectively implemented.
The ensuing discussion was very encouraging, and that is important.
Here’s why: The only way to implement systemic change is to find the common ground among people with wildly disparate methods and ideas. The only way to succeed is to remember the common ground and be willing to entertain ideas that we may not find ideal for ourselves but that move us in the right direction as a society. We must be willing to disagree with respect, keeping in mind that our common ground is more important than our differences. We must even, at times, be willing to compromise. (Contrary to current popular belief, the ability to compromise is a sign of strength, not weakness.)
In my perfect world, would every child be unschooled? Yes, of course. Unschooled and with every resource available to them. However, my perfect world – or at least a version thereof – could manifest by merging with the vision of some of the BAT’s, by creating open learning centers, supporting democratic schools, encouraging schools of 200 students or less, making individualized instruction & self-directed learning the norm, or at least the goal, and of course doing away with testing.
Unschoolers should realize that transforming the school system benefits everyone – even us, even though we are not part of the system. The world will be a better place if every child has access to more freedom in learning; if they are all encouraged to learn in the way that suits them best, whether in school or out.
Likewise, teachers and administrators should realize that no group understands self-directed learning better than unschoolers, and that we have a lot to bring to this discussion. Pick up anything written by John Holt, John Gatto, Wendy Priesnitz, Pat Farenga, Grace Llewellyn or Blake Boles, and I guarantee you will learn something that will improve the way you view learning, children, and the world as a whole.
The time has come. Join forces, find our common ground, and change the world.
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If you would like to join the BAT’s, simply go to Facebook and search for “Badass Teachers Association”. Once you click “Join”, your request will be moderated by the admins. Contrary to some reports, it is not a closed group.
YES to this goal: “for each and every child, no matter their socio-economic status, race or religion be able to learn in the way that suits them best”
Thanks for this post Amy. My decision to leave the school system and unschool was about what seemed best for my son– but I see the public school system as essential. All kids should have access to resources, mentors, support, and non-coercive learning… I have huge respect for everyone working to make that happen for their own kids and even more for those working ot make it happen for other people’s.
Thanks for the comment Robin. Agreed!
==The only way to implement systemic change is to find the common ground among people with wildly disparate methods and ideas.==
Amy, you hit the nail on the head here. This is why Bad Ass Teachers (BAT) is finding success where so many others like United Opt Out hit a wall so early on. BAT is made up of admins with diverse perspectives with an eye on the prize of all children, educators, and families. Too many of the other groups were entrenched in partisan issues and were guilty of bashing, bullying, censoring, and banning members for being in the wrong political party, having the wrong religious beliefs, or if they worked in, had children in or supported all students and teachers rather than teacher’s union schools exclusively. They often had ulterior motives that put teachers jobs before student best interests as well.
I watched those groups and moderators like Shaun Johnson, Tim Slekar, Peggy Robertson, etc. etc. shoot themselves in the foot time and time again alienating those who could / should be their allies.
From what it seems, BAT will not be / has not been like that. It appears this is a group for one and all squarely focused on truly doing what is best for all young people and staff in all learning environments.
Lisa, I think for the most part you are correct. It’s not perfect, but better than anything has been to date, and I think that is reflected in the large number of members. I hope it continues – it’s so easy for people to get focused on their differences, so the mantra of “find common ground” needs to be ever present.
Regards,
Amy
Thanks for writing this, Amy. I have been on the fence about joining BAT. I am a former teacher and currently an unschooling mum of two. I love much of what I read in the BAT group description, but I was wondering if the goals related only to public education and were more focused on teachers and schools and less focused on the youth that they serve.
In the goals there is mention of increasing teacher autonomy in the classroom. Would you say that the group is also working on increasing student/youth autonomy in the classroom and open to alternative learning options as well. I think either way the group is a great idea, just trying to decide if it will be worthwhile for me to get involved. I’d like to be a part of something that sees student/ youth voice and genuine choice as a necessary part of the change that is sought.
What are your thoughts?
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your comment. Honestly, right now I think it is a mixed bag. I know for sure there are people involved who support self-directed learning. One of the commenters said his view is that the true goal of teachers should be to make themselves obsolete; in other words, to facilitate the kids in a self-directed path, so that they don’t really need a teacher. Fantastic! That said, the primary focus right now is definitely on teacher autonomy, which is why I feel we are needed. We need to remind everyone that the kids are the ones most adversely affected by current policy and that ultimately the focus should be on how to make things better for them.
Best regards,
Amy
Your post, Amy, is imo right on point.
I (a retired NYC public school teacher/counselor) have had some interaction with public school educators/social activists in a couple of different groups, and I believe we in those groups have been guilty of looking for our differences and doing a them-us thing; instead of – as you suggest – building on our commonalities and moving forward together.
I think ‘they’ have been thinking of me as being one of those unschooling types; and I have trouble with ‘their’ position of wanting to ‘Save our schools’. I don’t want our schools to be saved! As I see it, even before the big testing craze came around, the schools have been working to the benefit of the government and/or big corporations – definitely NOT for the students and NOT for the good of the community, or of society.
So I want to see our schools TRANSFORMED, not saved!
But you are so right! We share the most important basic goals!!! We all want (1) what is best for the students and (2) to live in healthy communities and a healthy world..
There were five main points in your post that really stood out for me: (1)You stated that “The only way to implement systemic change is to find the common ground among people with wildly disparate methods and ideas.”
(2) Then you said that (your)”perfect world – or at least a version thereof – could manifest by merging with the vision of some of the BAT’s, by creating open learning centers, supporting democratic schools, encouraging schools of 200 students or less, making individualized instruction & self-directed learning the norm, or at least the goal, and of course doing away with testing.”
You continued, (3) “Unschoolers should realize that transforming the school system benefits everyone – even us, even though we are not part of the system. (THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE) if every child has access to more freedom in learning; if they are all encouraged to learn in the way that suits them best, whether in school or out.”
And then (4): “Likewise, teachers and administrators should realize that no group understands self-directed learning better than unschoolers, and that we have a lot to bring to this discussion…”
…I would like to add something here in the area of ‘self-directed TEACHING’ – meaning allowing teachers to teach in the ways that they are most effective. In my case, I was only an outstanding teacher when I was allowed to teach – or facilitate – in a collaborative, student-centered classroom.
And permission to teach in my own way did not happen very often during my thirty years. If it had there would have been THOUSANDS of healthier and more empowered students leaving my classroom and moving on to whatever came next for them. Instead there were HUNDREDS.
And your final comment, Amy, is perfect: “The time has come. Join forces, find our common ground, and change the world.”
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(This comment is especially poignant for me, because what fuels me more than anything is the desire to live in a world where all individuals are safe and happy, where diverse groups of people/s live in harmony (and mutual respect) with each other; and where humankind lives in harmony with nature.
Now I’m not dumb enough to think that is going to happen anytime soon, and it probably never will, but it still is the vision that gets me moving every day! I want us – people of all ages and backgrounds – to work together and constantly strive to come as close to that ideal as possible.
And creating a new way to look at education and learning would be a major step in that direction!
Kelly,
It took me a while to join BAT, for pretty much the same reasons you stated. But then I saw that a lot of ‘pro student centered’ folks had joined and were beginning to post some really good comments. So i joined b/c I then saw it as an opportunity for some excellent discussion and especially for many teachers to be exposed to important pro-student perspectives.
(I would like to see students join BAT and post – I think they would be allowed.)
Hi Roger,
Thank you so much for both of your comments. I also wish that students would be allowed to join BAT, but after a discussion on the page last night, it seems that option has been ruled out. Look for a post tonight in which I discuss the role of fear in this whole process…
All the best to you!
Amy
Awesome! Thanks Amy!
Been hoping for and writing/publishing about this for 40 years. Have become cynical. Despaired of finding enough folks in the “unschooling” world who agreed with its importance. This gives me renewed hope.
Hi Wendy,
Me too, although it is clear the path will not be easy. There is fear and distrust on all sides, and overcoming that is no small task. That said, I think it can be done. You should join BAT. Your voice would be SO valuable (as it is always, everywhere).
Regards,
Amy
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