This blog is one of the primary ways we share core ideas and new developments in the Building A New Reality movement.
In Case You Doubt That School Really Is Optional
If you’ve been following this latest series about Kenneth Danford’s upcoming book, Learning Is Natural, School Is Optional, and had serious doubts about that whole concept…welcome to the club.
School is Optional – Part 5
North Star Self-Directed Learning for Teens program is neither an alternative school, nor a private progressive school, nor a homeschooling resource program. As Kenneth Danford recounts in this excerpt from his book, Learning is Natural, School is Optional, until recently North Star was unique. That is, until others wanted to emulate it and he created a way to do that — he calls it “Liberated Learners.”
School is Optional – Part 4
North Star coaches teens to leave school and embark on a self-directed path. It turns out that for 82% of our members, the first activity after North Star is: school.
School is Optional – Part 3
Editor’s Comments by Ted Wachtel Just because young people don’t want to go to high school doesn’t mean they don’t want to go to school. Many North Star members go…
School is Optional – Part 2
Editor’s Comments by Ted Wachtel Kenneth Danford’s new book, Learning is Natural, School is Optional, shares his more than two decades of experience in providing an alternative to school. Made…
School Is Optional – Part 1
Editor’s Comments by Ted Wachtel I’m not against schools. Rather, I am against the continued monopoly that schools have over the resources for learning. I applaud the many students who…
Power Corrupts
In case you haven’t noticed, our society is not functioning well. We all feel uncomfortable about it. Our greatest discomfort comes from our system of governance. Political governance isn’t working for us, because it causes eternal bickering and divisiveness.
Be Radically Transparent: Leading Conflict Principle 5
For the first time in our thirty-year history, we were headed toward layoffs. We held a meeting with several hundred staff to discuss the state of the organization and our plans to right the ship.
When to Drop the Big One at Work
When in doubt about whether to share what’s on your mind or engage a tough situation, it’s usually best to lean towards taking the risk. The core concepts, principles, creative strategies, and toxic behavior profiles covered on this blog are here to help you do that.
Leadership Lessons From a Teenage Gang Member
by John W. Bailie, Ph.D. When I saw the large knife clipped inside his waistband, my first feeling wasn’t fear. It was disappointment. I was walking up the stairwell to…
