As the kids began graduating from the alternative grade school, the school system decided to extend the alternative idea into an alternative highschool. In the mid 1980s, I knew another gal who was a college student at Wells College who was a part-time teaching assistant at the Alternative highschool. While there, she connected with one of her older students. They became lovers. The kids parents got to meet her and had no problem with the idea of their 16 year old son having sex with the 20 year old teacher. She then told the school administrators and she got her assignment changes so she was not in a supervisory position over her student lover. Seemed like a very sane way for the school to handle the situation. She was one of folks on the fringes of the local pagan community.
To her, our Circles were "pagan parties", which annoyed me. She brought him to Circle. He loved exploring my bookshelves. He had never heard of most of the books on my shelf. He joined us for rituals and trip circles. He was a very mellow balanced guy. Not at all the "problem child" he told me he had been when younger. He was smart and very inquisitive. Their relationship was sweet.
So, in my observation, kids do want to learn, and can do so with minimal supervision. Guidance -- sure. But not brainwashing or control.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-06-15 09:10 pm (UTC)To her, our Circles were "pagan parties", which annoyed me. She brought him to Circle. He loved exploring my bookshelves. He had never heard of most of the books on my shelf. He joined us for rituals and trip circles. He was a very mellow balanced guy. Not at all the "problem child" he told me he had been when younger. He was smart and very inquisitive. Their relationship was sweet.
So, in my observation, kids do want to learn, and can do so with minimal supervision. Guidance -- sure. But not brainwashing or control.