Comments for A New Direction Counseling | Daniel A. Franz

Comment on The Education Debate by Daniel A. Franz

Daniel A. Franz — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:28:39 +0000

I’m right there with you JoAnn!

Wouldn’t it be nice if our legislators and educators could work together – maybe even bring in some experts in development and metrics in order to put together a comprehensive plan, rather than bandage a 100 year old system?

Comment on The Education Debate by JoAnn Jordan

JoAnn Jordan — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

I agree with you, Dan. Part of the problem from my perspective as a mom and wife of an educator is government makes decisions about education rather than the educators. (I’d like to see how our legislators would score on some of these exams students are expected to pass.) We end up with much of the time teaching to tests rather than creating a love of learning and the skills to be life long learners. We spend little time creating and move and lots of time sitting.

We, like Susan, offer our daughter as many enrichment opportunities as we can during the year. We have also gone to bat for her with school administrators from time to time to have her needs met rather than to making her education be “standard issue”. My daughter gets excited by teachers who challenge her to think, research her interests, and articulate them in a variety of manners.

The social aspects of school are very important. Which is why we elected to keep her in public school rather than home school. Learning to work with those who have different values and opinions is important.

There are no easy answers. In my opinion, education can function best when we get rid of this one size fits all model.

Comment on The Education Debate by Susan Giurleo

Susan Giurleo — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:09:56 +0000

Dan, I agree with Seth (and you) on many of these issues. As a mom, an educational psychologist and the daughter of 2 teachers, I see how frustrating our educational system can be. We looked at private schools for our son and decided to keep him where he is for social reasons. We then, like you, offer him a wide variety of experiences outside of school to educate him. This summer he’s going to arts and sports camps, we are traveling to the Pacific Northwest and he’ll create a travel blog with his writings, pictures and videos of his trip. We invest in augmenting the public school system for now.

Ultimately, I worry more about his social experiences in school than the academics. Knowledge can be gained in many ways. Social skills and social self esteem are learned young and hard to undo later in life.

Comment on The Education Debate by Daniel A. Franz

Daniel A. Franz — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:43:19 +0000

What a difficult, but loving decision! I know we have had a variety of discussions similar to that in our home. We have decided each time to continue to go with the flow of where our children are now, but to work extra hard to provide them with opportunities outside of school.

Comment on The Education Debate by Crystal

Crystal — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:18:03 +0000

Dan, thanks for the reference to this book…I briefly scanned it and agree with the author on many points. I don’t see him reference Montessori school (at first glance), but what he describes as the new kind of school is Montessori through and through! The role of the teacher, the homework issue, the passion for learning, individualized learning…all Montessori stuff.
My husband and I just sat down and had a big discussion about our budget. The vast majority of the money we make goes to paying for our kids to go to Good Shepherd Montessori School. We love the school and our kids are happy and passionate and free thinkers. But it is EXPENSIVE. We decided to keep investing our hard-earned salaries for our kids to continue going to this school because we think it is worth it. The points I see laid out in this book make me feel even better about this decision! I’ll be forwarding it along for sure.

Comment on “Life is Too Short Not to Do Something That Matters…” by Daniel A. Franz

Daniel A. Franz — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:45:20 +0000

You’re so right, Susan – and I just love the way Hugh phrases it, “choosing an easy life rarely ends up with either.” The great thing is, it’s a choice. We can choose the “easy” way, or Fight Like Hell, as Kathy suggests!

Comment on “Life is Too Short Not to Do Something That Matters…” by Susan Giurleo

Susan Giurleo — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:02:38 +0000

Dan, love this! Especially the part about the “easy way” not being easy at all. If I’ve learned anything over these past 8 years of self-employment it is that hard work focused on specific goals pays off HUGE. And being smart and strategic about how and when I do that work gives me a great life!
Sitting around thinking everyone has it better than you, or that this whole ‘living’ thing should be easier is a big time waste.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Comment on “Life is Too Short Not to Do Something That Matters…” by Kathy Morelli, LPC (@KathyAMorelli)

Kathy Morelli, LPC (@KathyAMorelli) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:39:33 +0000

Hey Dan – Great inspiration! I like the Fight Like Hell! Go for it!

Comment on This Too Shall Pass by Daniel A. Franz

Daniel A. Franz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:44:45 +0000

You know David, I think it comes with the territory of trying to help others and be the best “us” we can be – sometimes it’s hard to be patient with the process.

Comment on How to Change Your Life by Daniel A. Franz

Daniel A. Franz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:43:57 +0000

Thanks David – sometimes, it’s just the basics that can make the biggest difference!