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- 🦉 The hidden psychology of education shamers (#112)
🦉 The hidden psychology of education shamers (#112)
Why do some people get so defensive about your educational choices? Plus: alarming new data about classroom behavior has teachers speaking out. And: explore 200 years of Smithsonian treasures from your couch.
Charlie Deist
January 14, 2025
Good morning!
When a teacher recently posted about behavioral issues in schools, hundreds of commenters jumped on the dog pile. But while everyone's busy pointing fingers, some families are quietly building better alternatives. And they're facing an unexpected challenge: criticism from the very people struggling in the system they left. Let's talk about it.
In this edition:
đź’ The psychology behind why your educational choices make others defensive
đź“Š New data shows student behavior is "a lot worse" in 72% of classrooms
🏛️ How to access 200+ years of Smithsonian treasures from your laptop
đź’ˇ Plus: Ben Franklin's surprising innovation (hint: Amazon owes him one)
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đź’ˇ THOUGHT
Why Critics Get Defensive About Your Educational Choices
Ever notice how the loudest critics of your educational choices are often the most insecure about their own?
Their judgment usually isn't about you—it's about their own doubts.
When someone reacts strongly to your educational choices, they're usually not judging you—they're defending themselves against imagined judgment. They hear "we homeschool" and translate it to "you're doing it wrong."
The solution? Turn the conversation toward their choices instead. Ask what they love about their children's education. Show genuine interest.
Remember: Confident parents don't feel threatened by different choices.
đź“Š TREND
The Kids Are Not Alright
Surveys continue to find that behavior in schools is getting worse and worse and worse and worse and worse
This is the biggest underreported story in education
Behavior is off. the. chain.
And schools refuse to respond to it appropriately.
— Daniel Buck, “Youngest Old Man in Ed Reform” (@MrDanielBuck)
9:56 PM • Jan 9, 2025
48% of teachers say student behavior is "a lot worse" than pre-pandemic. Another 24% say it's "a little worse." Math isn't my strong suit but that's **checks notes** basically everyone.
We're not talking about passing notes or chewing gum here – we're talking about hallway fights live-streamed for TikTok clout.
One teacher put it bluntly: "Students are louder, more belligerent, unkind, and socially awkward." (Translation: the vibes are completely off.)
Maybe it's time to consider alternatives that don't involve cramming 30+ socially stunted teenagers into a room for 7 hours a day...
🛠️ TOOL
Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Greatest Digital Attic in History
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is exactly what it sounds like: every cool thing they've been hoarding behind glass for 200 years, now accessible on your laptop. Dinosaur bones. Lincoln's hat. That painting your kid won't stop asking about.
What makes this special? While anyone can post anything on Wikipedia, these collections are built by people who've spent their lives geeking out about this stuff. You're getting the real story, not just the first Google result.
For the "I need something right now" parents: Grab their "Talk with Me Toolkits” – ready-to-go conversation starters that make learning feel like discovery, not homework.
Cost: free.
(CHART) OF THE DAY
Ben Franklin: Original Pricing Optimizer
Meet America's first postal rate chart from 1765. Before Benjamin Franklin got his hands on it, sending letters was chaos – every route had different prices that made absolutely no sense.
So what did Ben do? He standardized distances and rates, basically inventing the postal system as we know it.
That’s all for today!
– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)
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