Challenges and Opportunities

In this episode of the Alpine Valley School podcast, we continue our Visionaries & Voices series with a powerful speech by Cassi Clausen, founder of The Open School in California. Cassi's journey from a conventional educator to a pioneer in self-directed learning is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering valuable insights for parents, educators, and anyone interested in reimagining education. This is the second episode in our Visionaries & Voices series, from speeches recorded at the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference that happened at Alpine Valley School in July 2024.  Cassi shares her personal transformation, sparked by a single philosophy class that led her to question everything she thought she knew about education. Her story is one of courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to creating a learning environment where children truly thrive. You'll hear about the challenges of starting a democratic school, the leap of faith required to innovate during a global pandemic, and the exciting future of accessible, self-directed education. This episode is a must-listen for parents who: Feel frustrated with traditional schooling methods Are curious about alternative education models Want to nurture their child's natural love of learning Are looking for ways to support their child's autonomy and self-direction Are interested in how education can adapt to meet the needs of diverse learners Cassi's passion is contagious, and her insights might just change the way you think about your child's education. Tune in to explore how embracing trust, freedom, and individual growth can revolutionize learning and personal development.   Review the show notes for this episode online at: https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/podcast/ep61

Join us as we dive into the transformative world of self-directed democratic education with Larry Welshon, founder of Alpine Valley School. With 28 years of experience and a background in public education, Larry shares powerful insights on how trust and vulnerability shape a truly nurturing learning environment. In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover: How Alpine Valley School creates a safe space for children to experience and process big emotions The importance of institutional trust and how it empowers students to push their limits safely Real-life examples of students shaping school policies through democratic processes Why allowing vulnerability in education leads to stronger, more confident learners How self-directed learning builds tenacity and problem-solving skills Whether you're curious about alternative education models or seeking ways to foster trust and independence in your own children, this episode offers valuable perspectives for the modern parent. Tune in to explore how embracing trust can revolutionize the way we approach learning and personal growth. Show notes: www.alpinevalleyschool.com/podcast/ep60

In episode 59 of the Alpine Valley School podcast, we share an insightful interview with Addison Ault, a former special education teacher who has transitioned to a staff role at Alpine Valley School, a self-directed democratic school located in Denver. Addison shares her profound insights on supporting students with neurodiversity, drawing from her rich background in mainstream education. Through her interview, listeners will explore the importance of empathy, individualized support, and creating inclusive environments that celebrate every student's unique journey. Addison's experiences and perspectives offer valuable lessons on embracing and understanding neurodiversity in alternative educational settings, promising an enlightening listen for educators, parents, and advocates alike.  Join us at the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, hosted by Alpine Valley School from July 10th to 14th, 2024, for an inspiring gathering of educators, students, and advocates of self-directed democratic schooling. This unique event offers a platform for networking, participant-driven sessions, and insights into our unique model. For more information and to register, visit our website at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/conference. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative educational movement! Show notes for this episode available at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/podcast/ep59 Want More?  Episode Addison mentions in the interview: EP 34: If Our Daughter Died Tomorrow, Would We Be Happy With How She Lived?  Podcast Episode: What Special Needs Tell Us About Schools featuring Dr. Naomi Fisher Book: A Different Way to Learn - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education by Dr. Naomi Fisher  Article: Becoming Yourself - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education   

In this episode of the Alpine Valley School podcast, host Marc Gallivan talks with conscious parenting coach Angela Young about how to set clear boundaries with your children while still supporting their independence. This episode is a great listen if you're looking for support and advice on how to approach boundary-setting with your self-directed children. You'll also learn: How to explore your own self-directed path as an adult, the importance of setting clear expectations for your children (hint: you don't have to be a doormat!), and how to identify your own limiting beliefs that may be getting in the way of your child's education. Don't miss this episode!  To learn more about Alpine Valley School (and come visit!) check out our webpage. We are hosting an Open House this summer and invite you to join us! Find out more on our webpage: Summer Open House. 

Staff Members at self-directed democratic schools like Alpine Valley School are often asked what sorts of unique challenges students experience at places like this. While our students are free from the tests and grades that are imposed on others in mainstream education, they do encounter a totally different set of struggles.  Not only that, but parents often have to deal with their own difficulties as well. In this episode of the Alpine Valley School podcast staff members Larry, Katy, and Connie talk about what makes life at our school challenging and how they've seen students and parents find strength in their struggles.  Visit the show notes page here: Episode 57 Show Notes To learn more about Alpine Valley School (and come visit!) check out our webpage. We are hosting an Open House this summer and invite you to join us! Find out more on our webpage: Summer Open House.  Want more? Read a blog post about finding strength in struggle on the AVS Blog.  Watch a video interview with one of our graduates talking about how he struggled with boredom.  Listen to a podcast episode about the invitations that boredom offers us.  Read a blog post from Sudbury Valley School about boredom and entertainment.  Send us your questions, suggestions, and feedback at [email protected] 

Most people involved in self-directed education know that staff are the adult members of the school community, but what is the actual role staff members play in the day-to-day running of the school? What sorts of tasks do staff members do? And beyond that, why are staff members important to schools like Alpine Valley in the first place? Hear personal accounts from staff members at self-directed democratic schools all over the world on this episode of the Alpine Valley School podcast! To learn more about Alpine Valley School (and come visit!) check out our webpage.   Want more? Read a blog post from Cara DeBusk at the Houston Sudbury School about her "typical day" Watch a video compilation of staff members discussing their role in the school Watch a video of a "typical day" at Alpine Valley School Listen to another podcast about the process of starting a Sudbury School Send us your questions, suggestions, and feedback at [email protected] 

What are school wounds? How do they develop, and who do they affect? This is a topic we explore on episode 55 of the Alpine Valley School podcast, along with Akilah S. Richards, a podcaster, author, and self-directed parent.    Want more?  Learn more about the Fare of the Free Child podcast (and subscribe!)  Watch Akilah S Richard's TED Talk Listen to an episode of our podcast all about competition and school wounding.  Read a blog post from parents who share their experiences after leaving the public school system.  Send us your questions, suggestions, and feedback at [email protected] 

In mainstream education, parents and teachers are continually breaking down children into two separate groups: good students and bad students. In this episode, we hear from Tay Arrow and Marc Gallivan, two Sudbury School graduates who self-identified as bad and good students, respectively. Tay and Marc share their own personal journeys through the school system and how they both ultimately arrived at self-directed education, and what they found when they did. View the show notes page for more details about this episode. To learn more about Alpine Valley School (and come visit!) check out our webpage. Want more? Listen to a podcast episode all about self-directed education and learning disabilities: What Schools Tell Us About Special Needs Hear from another Alpine Valley School graduate who struggled in mainstream education: Play is the Work of Children Listen to a recording from the original Sudbury Valley School about learning disabilities in schools: The Learning Disability Epidemic   You can get in touch with the show at: [email protected]

It's been a while, but Alpine Valley School is still here! In this episode Marc provides an update about what life at our school is going to look like moving forward, as well as the future of this podcast. He'll also share some of the most popular episodes so you can catch up with all of our previous episodes, and maybe find your new favorite! To learn about Alpine Valley School's plans for reopening, please check out this webpage. To listen to favorite episodes, check out the links here: Episode 02: The Importance of Video Games Episode 25: School Meeting Parent Panels: Moms (Ep 22) Dads (Ep 33)   You can get in touch with the show at: [email protected]

Introducing a new podcast from Alpine Valley School - Lockdown Learning As COVID-19 swept the globe from east to west this year, so has home education. Millions of children woke up one morning to find their schools closed and their new teachers are their parents. Learning at home can be a wonderfully liberating and connecting experience for families that choose it but it can also be daunting and exhausting even at the best of times. And let's face it – this is not the best of times. No one planned for this. And whereas Home Education is usually done more out of the home than in it as families meeting up with others to socialize, play and learn together all that's off the table right now. East Kent Sudbury School grew from a group of home educators and as passionate advocates for alternative education we've teamed up with our friends at Alpine Valley School in Denver, Colorado to bring you a special podcast season to help you not just survive learning in lockdown but get the most out of this out of school experience. Listen to the first episode now and, to get future episodes delivered right to you, subscribe now at the podcast page or on whatever program you use to listen to podcasts.    Contact the show at: [email protected]