Attitutor
Schools without schooliness
When I was a kid in school, I loved learning but schooliness always got in the way.
Eliminating the schooliness from schools will ensure that children can more reliably experience the unadulterated joy of deep learning.
For more information about Back to Basics 2.0
buy the book Schooling For Holistic Equity.
I'm Don Berg, the founder of Attitutor.
My mission is to integrate deeper learning into all K-12 schools.
My lens for that task is education psychology, specifically motivation and engagement.
I've discovered that the secret is creating more joy in order to reveal more genius in teachers and students.
As a leader I have studied what it takes for organizations to help generate that joy through effective leadership that drives the organization away from bureaucracy and towards self management.
If you’d like to learn more about my work, I invite you to get in touch.
To see my videos and get in-depth insights visit HolisticEquity.org.
"Groundbreaking" - Dr. Houbin Fang, PhD.
In Schooling for Holistic Equity: How to Manage the Hidden Curriculum in K-12, Don Berg combines the most thoroughly supported scientific model of motivation and engagement, Self-Determination Theory (SDT), with his analysis of successful holistic education to completely reimagine education for K-12.
Advanced Praise
Through the lens of psychology Don Berg’s book, Schooling for Holistic Equity, looks at the present day education system and simplifies what seems like an insurmountable problem. How do we problem-solve rampant disengagement amongst not only the students but the staff as well? His resolution to include psychological expertise at all levels, from policymakers to teachers is a simple, yet effective answer. Afterall, if our goal is to make all things equitable in the classroom, should not mental health be included? His research builds upon others to show that excitement around learning leads to a deeper understanding of topics, and this is only achieved if all involved feel the type of connection he describes. —Scott Frauenheim, CEO, Distinctive Schools Don Berg’s book Schooling for Holistic Equity speaks to the need for every child to engage in learning that matters to them, find belonging, and know they can make a contribution. To have this kind of education be available for every child will be no easy feat. And, Don offers an important message we need to hear over and over again—education transformation is possible. —Kelly Young, President, Education Reimagined As a deep learning advocate and a parent of a homeschool family, Don Berg’s new book, Schooling for Holistic Equity, resonates with me powerfully. In this book, Don diagnosed the disengagement problem widely experienced by students and teachers alike in the US schools from the perspective of psychology and human primary needs, and maintained that deeper learning only comes when students’ primary needs are nurtured and met. His point was richly and convincingly illustrated using examples from multiple areas of disciplines such as Psychology, Medicine, and Physics. Grounded in profound knowledge in psychology and education, and supported by practical evidence and suggestions, this groundbreaking book is a must read for all educators, policy makers, college education majors and parents with school aged children. —Dr. Houbin Fang, PhD., Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, Columbus State University
Check out my blog.
Attitutor Services
Thank you for your interest in my work. I bring a distinctly psychological perspective to the challenges of leadership and education. In particular I focus on deeper learning and the psychological foundations upon which it must be built. I'd be glad to share my enthusiasm for these crucial issues with you and your organization.
Public Speaking & Professional Development
Whether it's a keynote speech, an interactive workshop, or facilitating professional development I love to engage with audiences about the psychology of deeper learning and how organizations can best facilitate it.
I will customize my presentation to suit your organization and prefer to include interactive elements, as well.
I have presented at a variety of international conferences and schools: Deeper Learning China, Portland State University, AERO, Reed College, International Self-Determination Theory Conference, Clark College, Oregon Substitute Teachers Association Annual Conference, EdCampPDX, Concordia University Portland, and more.
Keynote Speaker Sheet: Achieving the Impossible
Keynote Speaker Sheet: Anti-Bias is Not Enough
Consulting
I am enthusiastic about helping your team create the kind of learning environments they dream of.
When you are ready to engage your school community in a strategic planning process, I can help you explore the question, Who Owns The School?
Ownership is crucial to creating sustained positive changes, using a game format we can engage both small groups and the whole community in discussing it.
Do you currently use measures of motivation, engagement, and psychological need support in your school? I can help you with that, too.
If not, you are missing out on an important tool for assessing and managing school and classroom climate.
Political Organizing
I spent 8 years making my living in the grassroots political arena as a co-founder of Portland Clean Air. Our team built an organization of effective community activists who were instrumental in the installation of over $20 million in pollution mitigating equipment. I can help your leadership team think through and strategize how to take a trans-partisan approach to advocating for your students, your school, and your community.
