Back to Free: The Public School

It's back to school time, already, so quickly. And this means it's also time for "Back to Free", an ongoing series of regular posts that offer introductory profiles of free schools, courses and other education opportunities. Since the first chilly days of September always remind me of heading back to public school fresh and ready for the potential that the year ahead holds, I've decided to officially begin the Back to Free series with The Public School, as a nod to the exciting possibilities for learning that these posts will share.

The Public School is comprised of several internationally based schools with educational programming driven by dynamic participation and public interest rather than a set curriculum. The project was initiated in 2007 by Sean Dockray, director of the Telic Arts Exchange in Los Angeles. School locations are not necessarily fixed, sometimes shifting between semi-permanent spaces and itinerant locations - such as the school in New York, which this month moves into an exciting new multidisciplinary contemporary arts space at 155 Freeman Street in Brooklyn, shared along with Triple Canopy and Light Industry. 

So what do they teach? Well, what would you like to learn? The way the school programming works is that someone proposes a class they would like to attend or even teach, and, if it successfully makes it through moderation, gets posted on the host Public School's fantastic website, where the process of confirming enrolment, scheduling the class and commenting on classes pretty visibly plays out. Upon posting a proposed class, members of the public then indicate that they, too, are interested in participating in the class. If a class gets enough interest, the school finds a teacher, a location, confirms the class's scheduled date and boom! You're going to school and learning what you want.

Classes are often free (though not always) and range from one-time discussion-based seminars on Art Criticism to hands-on super technical workshops held over several weeks. From what I've seen, the range of classes, while intellectually and creatively stimulating, can skew to the academic end of the public interest spectrum, but there are more practical, casual and downright playful classes available too. (See the vaguely amusing proposal for a lesson in civil disobedience here.) One workshop coming up that looks pretty great gives an introduction to urban field recording. Happening in New York a few weeks from now, the course includes well-qualified instructors, equipment, plus the sounds recorded will be showcased as part of the Ear to Earth Festival. And it's free!

Happy back to school, everyone! And here's to a happy Back to Free, too. 
xoe

If there is a free school you would like to see profiled, please email us: threetongues [at] gmail [dot] com.

Ellen Dykes to teach Contra Dancing

Stacey and I know some truly lovely folks, and Ellen Dykes is one of the loveliest. When I first met Ellen at a brief gig working for a theatre, I knew that smiles as bright and kind as hers were rare, and decided that I had to get to know this pleasant new girl. Genuinely kindhearted, her friendliness is matched by sharp intelligence and a ridiculously intoxicating sense of fun. This is definitely *the* girl to go dancing with. An accomplished graphic designer and recent graduate of the visual communication design program at South Carolina's Winthrop University, Ellen has lived in Toronto for almost a year and we hope she will soon make Canada her permanent home! 

Prior to our Decision Making skill swap at the White House this Thursday, she responds to some of our questions about how she makes decisions here:

TT - Do you consider yourself a good decision maker? 

ED - I would say no, unfortunately I am a terrible decision-maker. I like to consider possibilities from all angles, get lots of advice, and I tend to agonize over decisions big and small, from "what should I do with my life" to "what should I eat for lunch?"

TT - What decision making strategies do you use? 

ED - I am a big fan of pro-and-con lists, so I can get the list of possible outcomes out of my head and onto paper and see everything visually. I also seek advice from lots of different people, which helps me see things from other perspectives.

TT - What is the hardest decision you've ever made? 

ED - Right now I am a typical 20-something struggling with what to with the next chapter of my life...

TT - What's your favourite tool of the undecided: Rock paper scissors, Eenie Meenie Minie Moe, or a coin toss? 

ED - Eenie Meenie Minie Moe is always fun!

TT - And finally - Heads or tails? 

ED - Tails!

Thanks Ellen, we are looking forward to contra dancing with you on Thursday!

Maria Golikova to Teach Pendulum Dowsing

Maria is a genuine lovely person with an incredible healing sensibility. She is also a skilled writer and has recently completed a degree in English and Professional writing at York. She will be teaching Pendulum Dowsing at the Three Tongues event on the 8th of September at the White House and we are so excited!
We micro interviewed her as an introduction:

Three Tongues- Do you consider yourself a good decision maker?
Maria Golikova- Yes, when it comes to big decisions; no when it comes to small, everyday things.

TT-  What decision making strategies do you use?
MG- I try to use my intuition when I am really unsure of something, so I go with my initial inclination. I also assure myself that whatever decision I make will end up being the right one for me at that particular time.

TT- What is the hardest decision you've ever made?
MG- Leavin' my last job! I found out from a Native American shaman though that a hawk helped me make that decision. Thanks pal!

TT- What's your favourite tool of the undecided?
MG- Definitely a coin toss. And I'd say tails.




See you on the 8th!