Angela Harders's guest appearances

Angela Harders

The Libertarian Christian Podcast

The Parenting Coach Podcast

Work-Life Flow

Unschooling Conversations

The Unschool Space

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Today I'm chatting with Angela Harders who lives in Maryland with her two children, who are now 9 and 4. Angela was a public high school teacher for 12 years. And although she took her daughter out of school four years ago when her daughter was five, she continued to work as a public school teacher for three more years, until it felt too at odds with how she was seeing learning naturally take place at home. Angela has published a book about this, called Tales of a Toxic Teacher. Today, among many other things we talk about how coercion takes the joy out of learning, allowing our children the space to just be, without needing them to be always productive, and how Angela has created a life she believes in as an unschooling single mother. Instagram and TikTok: @peacefulworldschoolerPodcast: Peaceful Worldschoolerhttps://paxministries.com/pax-academyYou can find my blog, workshop and courses at:www.esther-jones.comOr, connect with me onInstagram: @_esther.jonesFacebook:@theunschoolspace

Today I'm chatting with Angela Harders who lives in Maryland with her two children, who are now 9 and 4. Angela was a public high school teacher for 12 years. And although she took her daughter out of school four years ago when her daughter was five, she continued to work as a public school teacher for three more years, until it felt too at odds with how she was seeing learning naturally take place at home.  Angela has published a book about this, called Tales of a Toxic Teacher. Today, among many other things we talk about how coercion takes the joy out of learning, allowing our children the space to just be, without needing them to be always productive, and how Angela has created a life she believes in as an unschooling single mother.  Instagram and TikTok: @peacefulworldschooler Podcast: Peaceful Worldschooler <a href="https://paxministries.com/pax-academy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://paxministries.com/pax-academy</a> You can find my blog, workshop and courses at: <a href="https://www.esther-jones.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.esther-jones.com</a> Or, connect with me on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_esther.jones/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@_esther.jones</a> Facebook:@theunschoolspace

#44 From high school teaching to unschooling, with Angela Harders in Maryland

In this episode, Doug Stuart interviews former public school teacher, Angela Harders. Harders is author of the book, "Tales of a Toxic Teacher: Exposing the Cycles of Abuse Within Our Schools". Harders discusses her dreams and intentions when she first began teaching, and how quickly those dreams were squelched by the public school system. Many teachers like her share similar experiences, and Harders is calling out the public education, not as "broken" but as operating as it's designed. People who become teachers usually do so because they envision a better world for kids through their education. But reality soon rears its head "within the first 5 minutes" of starting a job as a teacher. Harders explains how the public education system churns out traumatized kids and pass them through to be "society's problems." Not only is the system abusive, but the impact of the abuse cultivates kids who become abusive themselves. Harders, a public school teacher for 12 years, even describes how the zeros she gave one continually absent student were mysteriously changed to 60% (just passing) without her knowledge or consent. Harders rebuffs the tired criticism that public education is "broken." It's not, she says, it operates as expected. Which is to say that it's intended to create submissive, compliant, factory-worker-type followers, ready for employment and trained to never question assigned authority. The complaints, however, that teachers are not given adequate supplies or leeway to be a creative teacher is all true. She had to get creative with her field trips so that students could make some tangible connection to otherwise foreign ideas that even we might take for granted. For example, she describes taking her students to a baseball game so they could understand the assigned reading which involved baseball. Hardships for students abound, but so also do hardships for teachers. As a Spanish teacher, one student asked her why he should care about learning Spanish when he was expected to die by the time he was 18. The public education system is also rife with structural problems, says Harder. The compulsory aspect coupled with the cultural tendency to think of school as glorified babysitting is traumatic. We've all heard the stories of the kids who cry for the parents on the first day (first week, really) of school. Being separated from their parents, at this age, is not normal, and shouldn't be normalized. And yet, it is. Harders challenges parents about the education paradigm by noting that the state usually spends about $15k per student. Would you pay $15k for an education experience like this? No, of course not. But Harders says, the cost is even higher than that. That cost being, the unravelling of the social structure designed for raising the next generation: the family. Harders, a divorce from an abusive marriage, also discovered the hallmarks of abusive relationships are all found within the public school system, and that system often creates what is known as a trauma bond. Where the abused ardently defends their abuser and excuses the abuse. So Harders left the public school system and now promotes unschooling, or what she calls Peaceful Worldschooling. She emphasizes the need to de-school, which means to take active steps to undo the damage done by the public education system. Peaceful worldschooling fits hand in glove with concepts like peaceful or gentle parenting, self-directed or interest-based learning, and using real life as a guiding "curriculum" to ignite the interests and passions of children. Indeed, making manifest the dream she and most teachers have going into this career field. Listen to all this and more right here.   Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Tales of a Toxic Teacher by Angela Harders 04:47 How quickly did you come to realize were a toxic teacher? 09:22 Public education is not broken 10:34 How did you overcome the design of public education? 12:15 Hardships of students; hardships of teachers 18:03 Structural problems built into the system 23:52 Connections to abuse 28:25 Leave-school, De-school, Un-school (Peaceful Worldschool) 34:16 State education compliance 40:46 Ahhh! Won't my kid just play video games all day?! 44:10 Concluding Thoughts   Resources Mentioned: https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulWorldSchoolers https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG0XFHxKs6DSDHdQluUNgqg  https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Toxic-Teacher-Exposing-Schools/dp/1733428550   Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

In this episode, Doug Stuart interviews former public school teacher, Angela Harders. Harders is author of the book, "Tales of a Toxic Teacher: Exposing the Cycles of Abuse Within Our Schools". Harders discusses her dreams and intentions when she first began teaching, and how quickly those dreams were squelched by the public school system. Many teachers like her share similar experiences, and Harders is calling out the public education, not as "broken" but as operating as it's designed. People who become teachers usually do so because they envision a better world for kids through their education. But reality soon rears its head "within the first 5 minutes" of starting a job as a teacher. Harders explains how the public education system churns out traumatized kids and pass them through to be "society's problems." Not only is the system abusive, but the impact of the abuse cultivates kids who become abusive themselves. Harders, a public school teacher for 12 years, even describes how the zeros she gave one continually absent student were mysteriously changed to 60% (just passing) without her knowledge or consent. Harders rebuffs the tired criticism that public education is "broken." It's not, she says, it operates as expected. Which is to say that it's intended to create submissive, compliant, factory-worker-type followers, ready for employment and trained to never question assigned authority. The complaints, however, that teachers are not given adequate supplies or leeway to be a creative teacher is all true. She had to get creative with her field trips so that students could make some tangible connection to otherwise foreign ideas that even we might take for granted. For example, she describes taking her students to a baseball game so they could understand the assigned reading which involved baseball. Hardships for students abound, but so also do hardships for teachers. As a Spanish teacher, one student asked her why he should care about learning Spanish when he was expected to die by the time he was 18. The public education system is also rife with structural problems, says Harder. The compulsory aspect coupled with the cultural tendency to think of school as glorified babysitting is traumatic. We've all heard the stories of the kids who cry for the parents on the first day (first week, really) of school. Being separated from their parents, at this age, is not normal, and shouldn't be normalized. And yet, it is. Harders challenges parents about the education paradigm by noting that the state usually spends about $15k per student. Would you pay $15k for an education experience like this? No, of course not. But Harders says, the cost is even higher than that. That cost being, the unravelling of the social structure designed for raising the next generation: the family. Harders, a divorce from an abusive marriage, also discovered the hallmarks of abusive relationships are all found within the public school system, and that system often creates what is known as a trauma bond. Where the abused ardently defends their abuser and excuses the abuse. So Harders left the public school system and now promotes unschooling, or what she calls Peaceful Worldschooling. She emphasizes the need to de-school, which means to take active steps to undo the damage done by the public education system. Peaceful worldschooling fits hand in glove with concepts like peaceful or gentle parenting, self-directed or interest-based learning, and using real life as a guiding "curriculum" to ignite the interests and passions of children. Indeed, making manifest the dream she and most teachers have going into this career field. Listen to all this and more right here. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Tales of a Toxic Teacher by Angela Harders 04:47 How quickly did you come to realize were a toxic teacher? 09:22 Public education is not broken 10:34 How did you overcome the design of public education? 12:15 Hardships of students; hardships of teachers 18:03 Structural problems built into the system 23:52 Connections to abuse 28:25 Leave-school, De-school, Un-school (Peaceful Worldschool) 34:16 State education compliance 40:46 Ahhh! Won't my kid just play video games all day?! 44:10 Concluding Thoughts Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulWorldSchoolers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulWorldSchoolers</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG0XFHxKs6DSDHdQluUNgqg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG0XFHxKs6DSDHdQluUNgqg</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Toxic-Teacher-Exposing-Schools/dp/1733428550" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Toxic-Teacher-Exposing-Schools/dp/1733428550</a> <a href="https://podsworth.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audio Production by Podsworth Media.</a>

Ep 293: Angela Harders: Journey Away from being a Toxic Teacher

In today’s episode, my guest Angela Harders and I explore what happens when play is work or work is play.Angela shares how she overcame the struggle of having to choose between being a great teacher and being the mom she wanted to be for her daughter. Her background in teaching made her question whether unschooling was possible, but she followed her daughter’s lead and started realizing that it was absolutely beautiful how her curiosity unfolded. This is what led her to form Peaceful Worldschoolers and an umbrella organization for families (PMA) who would like to homeschool with complete educational freedom.Doing what she loves, she feels that her work is playing and work-life integration becomes effortless.4 Must-Have Checklists for Kids, so They Can Get Ready on Their Own and Learn Executive Function Skills, While You Sit Back and Relax.What we’re talking about…Why unschooling is a natural consequence of positive parenting That our children are the masters of their learning and we are here to support them The power of purposefully sitting back and observing our childrenWhy unschooling is a journey of trusting your childHow to look for learning in their everyday activitiesThat you can be an Unschooler and choose to go to schoolHow Angela’s umbrella organization might be a way for you to homeschool, even if it’s not legally allowed in your state/country yet.LINKS MENTIONEDPeaceful Worldschoolers WebsitePeaceful Worldschoolers YoutubePeaceful Worldschoolers InstagramPeaceful Worldschoolers FacebookOff-Trail Learning Podcast: Kevin Currie-Knight on Self-Directed Education in College 

In today’s episode, my guest Angela Harders and I explore what happens when play is work or work is play. Angela shares how she overcame the struggle of having to choose between being a great teacher and being the mom she wanted to be for her daughter. Her background in teaching made her question whether unschooling was possible, but she followed her daughter’s lead and started realizing that it was absolutely beautiful how her curiosity unfolded. This is what led her to form Peaceful Worldschoolers and an umbrella organization for families (PMA) who would like to homeschool with complete educational freedom. Doing what she loves, she feels that her work is playing and work-life integration becomes effortless. <a href="http://www.kerstinkirchsteiger.com/checklists" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4 Must-Have Checklists for Kids, so They Can Get Ready on Their Own and Learn Executive Function Skills, While You Sit Back and Relax.</a>What we’re talking about…<ul><li>Why unschooling is a natural consequence of positive parenting </li><li>That our children are the masters of their learning and we are here to support them </li><li>The power of purposefully sitting back and observing our children</li><li>Why unschooling is a journey of trusting your child</li><li>How to look for learning in their everyday activities</li><li>That you can be an Unschooler and choose to go to school</li><li>How Angela’s umbrella organization might be a way for you to homeschool, even if it’s not legally allowed in your state/country yet.</li></ul>LINKS MENTIONED <a href="https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peaceful Worldschoolers Website</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/PeacefulWorldschoolers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peaceful Worldschoolers Youtube</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/peacefulworldschooler/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peaceful Worldschoolers Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulWorldSchoolers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peaceful Worldschoolers Facebook</a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kevin-currie-knight-on-self-directed-learning-in-college/id976183057?i=1000501960115" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Off-Trail Learning Podcast: Kevin Currie-Knight on Self-Directed Education in College </a>

When Work is Play - On Educational Freedom through Unschooling with Angela Harders

Angela Harders joins Heidi Steel this month, to talk about Gentle Parenting, our journeys into unschooling, and the importance of community. Angela is a bilingual special education teacher near Washington DC, she has been teaching for over twelve years. She is a single mum to two children, Sophia aged 7, and Benjamin aged 3.  SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/liveplaylearn  We discuss: · What a typical unschooling day looks like in Angela’s household 4:00 · UK Guidelines for HE parents and the Local Authority 5:00 · Further info on responding to the LA for UK listeners 12:00 · How gentle parenting led Angela to unschooling 16:00 · How graphing quadratic equations led to Angela to question the education system. · Realising that the decisions that we make today don’t have to be forever 22:00 · The power of observing our children. · The joy of unschooling, sharing life together with our children, and having fun 23:20 · Angela’s top recommendations for those new to unschooling 26:20 · It’s okay to simply do more of the things that you love 30:30 · What caring for ourselves might look like 32:40 · How community support contributes to our self care especially as a single parent 35:00 · The myth of school socialisation 40:00  GUEST MEDIA LINKS: Tales of a Toxic Teacher: Exposing the Cycles of Abuse within Our Schools Books Peaceful World Schoolers Podcast  RESOURCE LINKS: John Taylor Gatto : Dumbing us down John Holt: How Children Learn Pam Laricchea’s Podcast: Exploring Unschooling The local Authority and Home Education Elective Home Education: Guidance for Parents EHE: Departmental Guidance for Local Authorities  LIVEPLAYLEARN LINKS: Website Liveplaylearn.org Facebook Live. Play. Learn YouTube Live Play Learn

Angela Harders joins Heidi Steel this month, to talk about Gentle Parenting, our journeys into unschooling, and the importance of community. Angela is a bilingual special education teacher near Washington DC, she has been teaching for over twelve years. She is a single mum to two children, Sophia aged 7, and Benjamin aged 3. SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON Ko-fi: <a href="https://ko-fi.com/liveplaylearn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ko-fi.com/liveplaylearn</a> We discuss: · What a typical unschooling day looks like in Angela’s household 4:00 · UK Guidelines for HE parents and the Local Authority 5:00 · Further info on responding to the LA for UK listeners 12:00 · How gentle parenting led Angela to unschooling 16:00 · How graphing quadratic equations led to Angela to question the education system. · Realising that the decisions that we make today don’t have to be forever 22:00 · The power of observing our children. · The joy of unschooling, sharing life together with our children, and having fun 23:20 · Angela’s top recommendations for those new to unschooling 26:20 · It’s okay to simply do more of the things that you love 30:30 · What caring for ourselves might look like 32:40 · How community support contributes to our self care especially as a single parent 35:00 · The myth of school socialisation 40:00 GUEST MEDIA LINKS: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733428550/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W5ATJF7HDWPM1AW8T9Z2?fbclid=IwAR0_Z_xyfnc7_WdUfimsfYPKP_ssh99m33jLlr1tsSMHZXxxqEk4HMU-EIw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tales of a Toxic Teacher: Exposing the Cycles of Abuse within Our Schools</a> <a href="https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/books/?fbclid=IwAR0EdW8s1_WUJU0M9hTDr0KT1bbS6GRwJadGpMUE9SDNm16Gr3ZjnE6-z9g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Books</a> <a href="https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/podcast-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peaceful World Schoolers Podcast</a> RESOURCE LINKS: John Taylor Gatto : Dumbing us down John Holt: How Children Learn <a href="https://livingjoyfully.ca/podcast-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pam Laricchea’s Podcast: Exploring Unschooling</a> <a href="http://liveplaylearn.org/the-local-authority-and-elective-home-education/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The local Authority and Home Education</a> <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791528/EHE_guidance_for_parentsafterconsultationv2.2.pdf?fbclid=IwAR11jGWE5Eb_IIlsuYMIxF5uAFm2XR9EUXUXVsGWpF37amHj1NftXEavFj0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elective Home Education: Guidance for Parents</a> <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791527/Elective_home_education_gudiance_for_LAv2.0.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EHE: Departmental Guidance for Local Authorities</a> LIVEPLAYLEARN LINKS: Website <a href="https://liveplaylearn.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Liveplaylearn.org</a> Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeidiTSteel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live. Play. Learn</a> YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9dhfwgSDImXzQhQU5eNOdA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live Play Learn</a>