Over the weekend I met John Taylor Gatto (he signed a book) and spoke with him briefly, it was a big moment for me, but what struck me about him even more than his message was him, he has a presence that draws you in.
I haven't read any of his books, just excerpts and essays, so I was surprised to learn that his is a proud Christian.
I found him very engaging and of course, well spoken but more than that, he was so darn honest, it just made me like him.
I also met several cool people, one of them runs the Holt Associates, Pat Forenga. His ideas, thoughts and understanding of homeschooling helped me realize how normal it is to "freak out" and "worry". I mean, if people who heped pioneer the movement also freaked out as their kids were growing, it must be normal to do so.
I shared a story with Mr. Gatto and made him laugh. Several years ago I met Alfie Kohn. On Friday he gave a talk to parents and was very well received. On Saturday he gave a speech to early childhood educators and many people got up and left his talk. I laughed and said, "he really pissed them off", and Gatto replied, "Yes, I bet he did, he is like that." We went on to have nice discussion on some of the other mentors and movers and shakers in homeschooling/alternative schooling.
It was a moment I will remember always.
I haven't read any of his books, just excerpts and essays, so I was surprised to learn that his is a proud Christian.
I found him very engaging and of course, well spoken but more than that, he was so darn honest, it just made me like him.
I also met several cool people, one of them runs the Holt Associates, Pat Forenga. His ideas, thoughts and understanding of homeschooling helped me realize how normal it is to "freak out" and "worry". I mean, if people who heped pioneer the movement also freaked out as their kids were growing, it must be normal to do so.
I shared a story with Mr. Gatto and made him laugh. Several years ago I met Alfie Kohn. On Friday he gave a talk to parents and was very well received. On Saturday he gave a speech to early childhood educators and many people got up and left his talk. I laughed and said, "he really pissed them off", and Gatto replied, "Yes, I bet he did, he is like that." We went on to have nice discussion on some of the other mentors and movers and shakers in homeschooling/alternative schooling.
It was a moment I will remember always.
