#radicaleducation

Episode 1 of The Doula Is IN

The Doula is IN is a web series featuring Katy Collins, real life birth doula. During her online “office hours,” Katy discusses everything from periods to postpartum depression. Want to know more about pooping during labor? Got questions about your cervix? Need to know more about stimulating that sweet, sweet oxytocin? Katy Collins, doula to the Internet, is here to answer your questions.

This web series started when a bunch of female filmmakers in their late 20s sat down for dinner with a doula and realized that we didn’t even know what we didn’t know about our own bodies! Women usually don’t reach out to a doula until they are already in the birth process. However, as women in our reproductive years in a land where female anatomy has been made taboo, we need a doula NOW!

This year has been a research study in education for me as I substitute teach and contract teach around Portland in a myriad of settings: various charters, private, and a homeschool collective.**

I have a billion thoughts about what I have witnessed, but two factors stand out overwhelmingly above the others: CLASS SIZE and STUDENT CHOICE.

As an impassioned advocate for radical and systemic education change, there is much more I would do to improve this institution--but after spending time in these various settings I can tell you that the places where I see the light of spirit in the students' eyes, where they are most respectful to each other and adults, where the atmosphere feels emotionally safe for them (and me!), and they are most engaged in their learning has been where these two elements (small class size and student choice) are present!

Is it practical? Is it financially viable? What size is ideal? (under 15 in my opinion!) Are there subjects that students should be forced to learn? Is it viable for mainstream education?

There are so many obstacles to creating a healthier, happier way of nurturing compassionate, capable adults. Sigh. Let's try anyhow!

Students Conduct Their Own Groundbreaking Research About Learning | MindShift