First question: What is an autodidact? Well, let's just say that if you are one, you've already looked it up. If you haven't, an autodidact is a "self-taught person." I say this as someone who received a solid k-12 education from the state of New York and now teaches at a public high school in New Jersey. I have a grown child who received her k-12 public education in New Jersey, and attended a magnet high school (which is a public high school, not a charter or private school). I am a true believer in public education as the way to level the playing field to opportunity. So where does the autodidacticism come in?
While it is an interesting juxtaposition of ideas, an "autodidact advocating for public education," I have to confess my public education was not the same as my child's. I went to school in the 60's and 70's when there was an expolsion in science and technology, and while there was strife and turmoil in the world, there was also a sense that we could overcome the world's problems and maybe leave this sphere and explore other worlds. We had field trips and plays, science labs and electives, debate teams and gymnastics. It was competitive, brilliant and exciting. There were so many cutting-edge fields to explore. My intellectual curiosity just blossomed - and it cost my parents nothing more than the taxes they paid as citizens.
Fast foward to present day education and you find the politicization of education creating a climate that is adversarial to intellectual curiosity and instead is focused on minimal proficiency tests and conservative dogma. Even a magnet school can be over politicized and focus on test results instead of the development of intellectual curiosity, "thinking outside the box" problems solving skills, and innovation. What to do?
Public schools should be an environment that saturates your child with ideas, strategies, innovation and freedom of expression - without picking your pocket. As a student, parent, and a teacher I hope to provide some insight and advice, as well as referrals to all the technology and media available to help you get the best out of your public education system. I will provide the tools and research you'll need to advocate for the best public education for your child, and the studies and documentation to you'll need to make your case.
Come join me to create the best possible public education for your child!
