From: Sean Conlon [mailto:sppem@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sat 6/11/2005 3:57 PM
To: Rutledge, David; Nakasone, Raul; Peterson, Gary
Subject: staff evals
 
     Raul, David, and Gary have been a pleasure to
work with. Their genuine concern for the educational
well being of their students and unique approach to
teaching is inspiring. They have been very supportive
in my self directed work which I would probably not
have had an opportunity to pursue in other programs.
This support has been invaluable in realizing and
achieving my educational goals. With the Patience
program they succesfully created an atmosphere of
inclusiveness and hospitality that has enabled myself
and others to have a great year of learning.

      The nature of this program was to very
creatively combine structure and freedom in a way that
both enables and pushes the student to bring out the
best in themselves. This not only helps the student
obtain new awareness of their educational goals, but
also creates a learning community committed to
helping its members obtain these goals. This in itself
is a remarkable educational achievement that was a
privelage to be a part of. At first I thought this
approach would leave some students who lack self
motivation a bit lost. However I noticed again and
again examples of students taking on more
responsibility for their own education. What better
gift could a teacher give a student?

      The learning community established in Patience
really supported and brought this sense of responsible
learning out in its members. The environment was one
where the members felt they had a real stake in not
just their own education, but also in the vitality and
creation of the community itself. Amazing.

       Patience has been a truly progressive program
that is exactly what I had hoped for when I came to
Evergreen. As a passionate, motivated, and tireless
self-directed learner I have felt so many educational
environments to be down right hostile to true
learning. David, Raul, and Gary however have really
created a way for students like me to feel right at
home at Evergreen. They deserve lots of credit for
what they have done. Evergreen is a school that really
appeals to self motivated learners and I think more
programs like this should be offered. If Evergreen is
to continue to be a community for, appeal to, and help
produce creative minds, then it should offer more
programs like Patience. It has been a great program
that stimulates and empowers such creative minds
to pursue their full potential.                                                  RETURN

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