- The Beach School: http://www.thebeachschool.org/
The first democratic free school in the Toronto area. Founded in 2003 by a small group of parents and teachers (including myself) trying to create a radical alternative to traditional factory schooling. The Beach School is modelled on the principles and practices of the Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts, U.S.A.
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The first democratic free school in the world. Founded by A.S. Neill, the most important educational theorist and practioner of the twentieth century. He is also the most important influence on my own thought and practice as an educator.
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- L’Arche International: http://www.larche.org/
A community founded in France by Canadian Jean Vanier to help the mentally handicapped. It is one of the most important examples of Christian values being lived in real life. I lived at L’Arche Daybreak (Richmond Hill) and L’Arche Trosly-Breuil (France) in my teens.
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- Kids In Mind: http://www.kids-in-mind.com/
An important website for parents. This website provides objective (non-judgemental) descriptions of movies according to three categories: sex and nudity, violence and gore, profanity.
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- Dr. Mel Levine: http://www.allkindsofminds.org/
Mel Levine is one of the most important educational theorists currently working in the field. His book, A Mind At A Time, should be required reading for all beginning teachers.
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- Symphony In The Barn: http://www.glencoltonfarms.com/index.php
Michael Schmidt, the person behind Symphony In The Barn, was a mentor to me. He is a courageous advocate of art and culture.
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- Alice Miller: http://www.alice-miller.com/index_en.php
Alice Miller is one of the most important influences on my own thought and experience. Her books should be required reading for anyone raising or influencing children. Essential titles include: The Drama of the Gifted Child and For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence.