Click Here To Purchase Lives of Passion, School of Hope: How One Public School Ignites a Lifelong Love of Learning

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is honored to have as our guest Rick Posner author of Lives Of Passion, School Of Hope: How One Public School Ignites a Lifelong Love of Learning

Fredric “Rick” Posner, Ph.D. has a background in open, democratic, alternative schools as well as special education. His dissertation (1989) was titled A Study of Self-Directed Learning, Perceived Competence, and Personal Orientation Among Students in an Open, Alternative High School.

Good day Rick and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

What is an alternative public school and how many exist in the USA? Why do you feel they are more productive than the usual schools?

Rick:

I can’t begin to give you a blanket definition of an alternative school because they are so diverse in nature. There are some that focus only on the “fundamentals” or “What every 4th grader should know”, others that give students more control over their own education. Some are designed for specific populations of students ( ie. “drop-outs”); others are open to anyone who lives in the school district.

Also, there are many arguments for and against the so-called productivity of these schools. I think they should measured against their own goals and vision statements and the evaluation of their alumni as to whether they think their school experience had a positive effect on their lives adults in a democratic society.

Norm:

What motivated you to write Lives Of Passion, School Of Hope: How One Public School Ignites a Lifelong Love of Learning ?

Rick:

I wanted to write a book about a place that saved my life as a teacher and human being. I wanted to see if it changed the lives of the alumni in similar ways.

Norm:

Could you briefly tell our readers a little about your book?

Rick:

It’s a book about the lives of adults who attended a public school that didn’t have grades or credits, a school where the students had to take responsibility for their own education. How did these people feel about this unusual school’s influence in their lives? Were they living up to the goals of the school? Did their unique school experience have any effect on their capacity to enjoy their lives? These were questions that needed to be answered. I think I addressed them in the book.

I also wrote about my own story at the school and the transformative effect it had on my family and me.

Norm:

Why do you think this is an important book at this time?

Rick:

I think it’s more important than ever to have public school options. We are in the midst of a terrible trend in public education, that of high stakes testing, standardization and the insidious narrowing of the curriculum. We need to see that other approaches are effective in raising productive, well-adjusted citizens in a democratic society. We also need to put the heart and soul back into our idea of what it means to be educated.

Norm:

What do you want your book to do? Whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why?

Rick:

I want the book to be an inspiration for anyone who is interested in challenging the dangerous trends in public education. We are leaving too many kids behind or simply “disappearing” them by continuing to try to fit them into a one-size-fits-all system.

I think we all have a direct stake in our kids’ education. Thus, we can all benefit from the story of a school that treats its children with respect and dignity. Parents have the ultimate power to effect change in our public schools. Hopefully, this book will give them a boost.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your book?

Rick:

…gathering so much information and organizing it in an effective framework…also deciding which wonderful stories to include when there were so many extraordinary ones to choose from!

Norm:

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
 

Rick:

I learned that, with persistence and a strong connection to one’s heart, anything is possible. I also think that I used the values of the school (such as self-reliance and meeting challenges) to keep my focus on this project at times when I felt frustrated and lost

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Rick:

I was fortunate in that I simply targeted four publishers according to the kinds of books they put out and sent them each a manuscript. I hit on two out of four and picked the one that seemed to be in my political/social “camp” .

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Rick:

Of course, these days I had all of the resources of the Internet to find as many alumni as I could. It still took lots of time and effort because I was drawn more to the personal interview for such a personal kind of book. Unfortunately, Facebook came along after I had done the bulk of my research, but it’s sure helped with the publicity campaign.

Norm:

Are you working on any other books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

Rick:

I’m thinking of a book or a video project dealing with the unappreciated folk music genius, Michael Hurley. I believe he is a savant of the highest order and an artist that more people should know about.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about your and your book?

Rick:

Go to my WEB SITE  (http://rickposner.wordpress.com/)

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Rick:

… just that the alumni of this unique public school have an awful lot to say about life satisfaction and its connection to an educational experience that encouraged them to grow and wonder and give back. It is really quite an amazing group of people that I feel we can learn from. We need to always keep this mind: anything is possible if we believe in ourselves. …and it sure helps if we have schools that believe in our children and give them this hope. It benefits all of us in the long run.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

 Click Here To Purchase Lives of Passion, School of Hope: How One Public School Ignites a Lifelong Love of Learning