What do students say about their GVS experience?

I got a letter from my teacher …today and she likes my writing and everything sounded pretty good and that makes me happy. Her letter gave me more confidence with my writing… She is the best teacher I ever had. I never liked school before but now I do.

This has been a good year and when I think about everything we did and everywhere we went I realize that we did a lot. It’s the first time in my life that I actually enjoyed school. I have been thinking about all this more because my school year is coming to its end.…I hope I get to go to Global Village School again after I complete my fifth grade.
Derek, 5th grade, Oregon

Thank You …the career you both chose really does make a difference... its nice to know there are some people like the both of you who go out of their way to help teenagers and not treat them like they're just another number...any other people either of you advise are blessed.
Amanda, 12th grade, New York

The past four months have really flown by and I cannot thank you enough for all the help you have given through this whole process.  Global Village was such a great way to finish the year- I wish I had been doing it for the past four years. 
Anne, 12th grade, New York

Thank you for creating such an awesome school.  I learned more over the past year than I ever could have hoped for at (previous school). 
Tom, 12th grade, Indiana

I’ve gotten a lot from this class, certainly a lot more than I expected I would when I first started with it. It was a hard course for me, mainly because it required a lot of thought and I tend to be rather lazy with things like this. But I think that I’ve learned so much, and I’m sure that the things that I’ve learned will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I’ve definitely developed my own beliefs a lot more. Reflecting on all of the passages really helped me realize what I believed and how I looked at the world. I’ve also learned how to deal better with people who hurt me, and I’ve learned how to balance being a pacifist and not being walked on (which was something that I’ve always had a problem with).

It’s really so inspirational and uplifting to be able to see how many amazing people there are out in the world who really are dedicating their lives to making the world a better place. Some times I’ve wondered if maybe there was something wrong with me because I view things so much differently than other people – I see forgiveness where others see anger, or I see alternatives where others see nothing but violence. And of course there are times when I myself do things like react violently – not necessarily physically violent, but in the past few weeks alone I’ve had quite a few violent reactions to situations. Having gone through this course, though, I feel a lot better about myself and a lot more confident about what I was placed on this earth to do.
Phyllis, 12th grade, Pennsylvania (writing about “Reflections on Peacemaking”)

Since my service learning course, my family has made a lot of changes. We pay more attention to the things we buy. All toxic cleaners have been taken out of our house. We shop for organic products and this year all of our vegetables were grown without chemicals. Even my dad, who thought we were all going crazy says this is the best our garden has ever been.
Ty, 11th grade, Texas

This is why I am a different person for I have been introduced to an educated world that was way out of my own experience; I was helped to understand and become more articulate… for the first time I am questioning my own assumptions and opening my mind… At a very deep and more personal level, I have learned to take responsibility for my own thoughts and actions and set goals for the future… This book and these studies have made such an impact that they have changed me as a person. My life has become much more meaningful and enriched as a result. When I have read of evils never before imagined I would have become deeply pessimistic and felt totally helpless. The (school), who compiled and introduced me to such teachings has changed my life. They have taught me that no matter how hard you never give up. They have also taught me that the world and life can be a beautiful and joyous place.
Ruth, 11th grade, Australia

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What do parents say about the GVS experience?

I just wanted to tell you how very happy Kenny is with his peace and diversity course.  
It is so up his alley!  The questions are tough and provocative and has inspired a lot of discussion within the family, especially the one questioning the value of non violent resistance.  I was also thrilled with the textbooks.  The photography book is one I've been eyeing for several years and I'm so glad to have it in my house where everyone is looking at it.  What a terrific book! I just wanted to let you know how pleased we all are with this new experience.  Rich and I have been saying how we wished we had done this years ago!
Nancy, High School parent, CA

Thanks, by the way, for an excellent semester. It has been WONDERFUL to hear
Josh speak glowingly (finally) about an educational experience.
Jeff, High School parent, Illinois

He got turned on working this project -- he is now working full time on staff for Democratic National Committee …he is on fire. Also, he is signing up for Political Science courses for Fall at SBCC -- (this is a feather in the cap of Global Village - you have facilitated an advocate for Social Justice and Political Reform)…he was down and out and got revitalized, radicalized, and conscious.
Steve, High School parent, California

Thank you so much, for last year, and for the school year ahead.  I am so happy that we found GVS; it has made homeschooling in the Midwest much easier, and is worlds better than sending her to the local public school. 
Kacey, 4th grade parent, Missouri

We are so happy with Global Village School and we have been so excited to watch Taylor and what she has been learning. 
Joanne, High School parent, Maine

…and yes, I do think Sam is a great writer...the wonderful thing about our Global Village connection is that your request for him to dig further has provided an amazing space in which he is deeply examining and expressing a huge life  experience...write on!
Marie, High School parent, California

The traditional school system did not work for Brittany- I am so thankful for your insightful program! Thanks again for all you do.
Patti, High School parent, California

Many thanks for all your help, and visioning your innovative school, so that Alia and others can find an appropriate way to complete high school.
Blessings,
Maren, High School parent, California

Thank you very much for everything. I am proud of Derek and how Global Village rekindled his interests in learning. Global Village has taken a little boy who hated public school and turned him into an inquisitive student.
Joe, 5th grade parent, Washington

Global Village has been key in supporting our children in self-empowered learning. They bring their creativity and dreams, and you have helped us with the framework and structure to allow their learning to be meaningful and real. Kudos for helping us navigate a path for deeper knowledge and connection.

Having you available for phone consultation was immensely helpful; a touchstone as we tapped into what we knew was real education – and support for helping our children follow their bliss and passion. You have given us a year to hold future educational experiences up to as a standard of excellence.
Marie, 7th grade and High School parent, California

Wyatt seems to have matured a great deal this year. Many people assume he is older than he is because of his (mostly) rational, even-tempered, thoughtful responses and also because he is so well-spoken and articulate...He has very good communication skills. A friend’s mom said that you can really tell that Wyatt is home schooled because he has easy conversations with her (while other kids his age don’t), he’s happy to play with little kids, and in general sees no barriers regarding a person’s age. He sees everyone as his equal.
Chance, High School parent, Illinois

Global Village School has been such a blessing for our family. The main reason why we homeschool our daughter is because we don’t feel that the environment in most public schools is consistent with the way we raise our kids. We put a lot of effort into creating a loving and supportive atmosphere, and feel sending Luna to public school would only work against us in that respect. With Global Village School, we’ve always felt supported in our approach to educating her. An approach that is different than what many would consider traditional, using a cross between homeschooling and unschooling.

We like that we are able to inject our values into our daughter’s education. For instance, we were able to grow an organic garden, landscape our new yard, and create a compost pile for food and yard waste – all of which was part of Luna’s Science homework. Currently, we’re working on a project that centers on the upcoming election in the hopes that we can show her how important it is to participate on many different levels, including voting. We not only want her to identify what’s important to her, but also to act on it. We’re able to teach her the things that we feel are of value, while fulfilling her educational needs in a way that directly relates to our lives. Just as we’re able to adjust the way we implement her education, using methods that work best for her as an individual.

Another way that Global Village School has been a blessing, is the flexibility it offers our family. For the last few years, I’ve been taking care of my Dad, who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. Luna has learned many important “life lessons” through this process. We’ve been able to turn some of our experiences into “homework”, all the while giving Luna the confidence and self-worth that comes with actively participating in something that affects the whole family, including her.

We feel like Global Village School offers a curriculum that is more in line with our values, and presents information in a way that inspires Luna to keep learning. All the while, encouraging us as parents to continue to educate her in a way that is consistent with the way we live. To us, these are the most important aspects of an education. We want her to always be curious. To always strive to learn more about the things that are important to us and most importantly, to her. To be the kind of person that stands up for what she thinks is right. And above all, to live her life in a way that honors what is in her heart.
Kacey, 6th grade parent, Missouri

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