Sugmapl@aol.com
Wed, 6 Dec 2000 22:05:20 EST
Dear Robert,
"It seems to me that anything that can be taught to another is
relatively inconsequential, and has little or no significant influence on
behavior. I have come to feel that the only learning which significantly
influences behavior is self-discovered, self-appropriated learning. Such
self-discovered learning, truth that has been personally appropriated and
assimilated in experience, cannot be directly communicated to another. As
soon as the individual tries to communicate such experience directly, often
with a quite natural enthusiasm, it becomes teaching, and its results are
inconsequential. It was with some relief recently to discover that Soren
Kierkegaard had found this too, in his own experience, and had stated it very
clearly a century ago.
As a consequence of the above, I realize that I have lost interest in
being a teacher. When I try to teach, as I do sometimes, I am appalled by the
results, which seem a little more than inconsequential, because sometimes the
teaching appears to succeed. When this happens I find that the results are
damaging. It seems to cause the individual to distrust his own experience,
and to stifle significant learning. Hence I have come to feel that the
outcomes of teaching are either unimportant or hurtful. When I look back at
the result of my past teaching, the real results seem the same - either
damage was done, or nothing significant occurred." Carl Rogers, April 1952.
Eighteen years before Sudbury Valley opens, Carl Rogers has already developed
client-centered therapy and simply crushes the notion of teaching. He also
notes that Kierkegaard arrived at the same place a hundred years earlier. And
thirty years of Sudbury Valley certainly agrees. The only useful learning is
"self-discovered, personally appropriated and assimilated". Teaching is
impossible and if tried, damaging.
So, Sudbury Valley avoids teaching children and thus avoids futile or
damaging results. And when we all agree to stop teaching and preaching about
all the wonderful goodness of Sudbury Valley we will avoid much futility and
damage also. Teaching and preaching is reaching for results. It is invasive.
The results of Sudbury Valley are owned by the children. They are uniquely
and individually and completely owned by the children. They are not ours to
comment on.
Sudbury Valley offers a deep and profound regard for the child and then
stops. The children are not "improvers". Each is profoundly capable. They
shall make of this regard what they wish.
Bill Richardson
Note: If we can give up the notions of teaching, preaching, results, and
accountability, then I think building Sudbury Valleys will be easier. Looked
at this way, maybe Sudbury Valley is just a nice place that year in and year
out offers a deep and profound respect to the child.
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