Intelligent Life

Did you know that some flat earth conspiracy theorists believe not only that the 1969 moon landing was faked, but that the Challenger disaster never happened — that those seven astronauts are out there somewhere living entirely different lives? 

When I learned that, it got me thinking about a piece I came across recently, a video or essay — I can no longer remember which — that examined the nature of stupidity. I've since tried to track it down, but without knowing the author or creator, it's effectively lost to me. It wasn't concerned with intelligence in the conventional sense. Instead, it focused on something more specific: the absence of imagination, a rigid mindset with the inability to think critically or creatively, and the failure to solve even straightforward problems. What struck me most was its portrait of the stupid person as an inherent follower — someone who cannot, or will not, think independently, and who clings to their beliefs even when confronted with plain evidence to the contrary.

The piece obviously made an impression. But I left it frustrated. It dwelt on the pathology of stupidity rather than turning the lens around and describing what genuine intelligence actually looks like. I understand it was built for a specific purpose, and it served that purpose well. I just wish it had done so by illuminating the positive rather than autopsying the negative.

Intelligence isn't simply the opposite of stupidity. It isn't only a high IQ, or the ability to memorize facts, ace a test, or follow instructions without deviation. It is something far more alive than any of those things.

Authentic intelligence is — in no particular order and not exhaustive:

• Admitting when you're wrong and apologizing when you've caused harm.
• Seeing problems not as obstacles but as puzzles worth solving.
• Understanding that the best way to learn something is to jump in, make mistakes, get messy, and try again, while exploring all of the possibilities.
• Knowing that learning is not a performance — it's a natural, lifelong process.
• Standing firmly in your authenticity without using it as a license for bad behavior.
• Possessing profound observational skills and insatiable curiosity, and having the courage to ask questions.
• The ability to take in new information, change your mind, and grow.
• Realizing that there are a multitude of learning styles and no one way is the correct way.
• Caring deeply about the earth and every living thing on it.
• Having humility and meeting others with empathy and kindness rather than judgment.
• Understanding that a learning disability does not diminish intelligence — and that using tools, strategies, and hacks to accomplish something is not cheating. It's resourcefulness.
• Recognizing that intelligence itself is wildly diverse, and that all forms of diversity are a strength.

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Many of the creative, curious, bright, and compassionate students who walk through our doors arrive carrying a deep and mistaken certainty that they are somehow less — because they can't sit still in a classroom, because their handwriting is a mess, because reading for comprehension feels like a battle, because math concepts seem written in another language, because memorizing anything feels impossible. They've been told, both directly and through the quiet cruelty of being dismissed, that something is wrong with them. 
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Our job is to dismantle that belief — with compassion, with affirmation, and by modeling what genuine intelligence actually looks like. When students begin to see themselves clearly, there is nothing they cannot do.

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DRC News

This week, I spent more time cleaning, sorting, and organizing so the space is physically ready for September.  There are still a few small tasks that I need to complete over the next few days, but for the most part, I can now focus on the long list of administrative duties and maybe even renew my start of getting all 12 years of blog posts sorted for a book. 

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Travel Plans
I will be attending the AERO Conference in Manchester, NH, from June 11-13th. I am looking forward to spending time with other folx from the alternative education movement—especially my Liberated Learner Peeps, who I have not seen in two years! 

I may post some photos from the conference, but there likely won’t be a regular Blog Post next week. 

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Volunteer Opportunity
We are still seeking volunteers who are excited about sharing their interests, skills, and talents with our DRC Crew. Ideally, these are folx who can commit to coming in twice a month. The list below is just a few of the fields that our students have expressed interest in.  Find the volunteer application here. 

COSPlay - costume creation
Photography
Drama 
Carpentry
​​Building repair and maintenance
Small engine repair
Science Classes and Labs - biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics
Computer repair
Computer programming
Game Design
D&D Dungeon Master
Magic: The Gathering Mentor
Digital art
​Entrepreneurship
High Level Math - Algebra, Trig., Geometry
Social Studies - World History, US History, Medieval History, Social Justice
Baking - cakes and cake decorating
Various Arts & Crafts

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Open Enrollment
If your child has expressed interest in homeschooling or is seeking an alternative to school, please get in touch to schedule a visit and learn more about our program.