ZHS View

Creating an online educational service is a natural life progression that comes from decades of teaching children in various environments, and at the same time, chasing Buddha for forty years. It's true. Ever since stumbling into Tassajarra in the late sixties and meeting Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi, I have looked for the brightest Dharmic minds that I could find, hoping to bask in their light and wisdom. The results? All of my wonderful teachers have pointed to inner-discovery through sincere inquiry. (See brief bio below.) Since the Internet is a perfect medium for awareness education, many wonderful things can be shared, at least somewhat, online. You won't find any bells or whistles on Zenhomeschool.org because the whole purpose of the website is to encourage parents and teachers to find their way with children by being real -- and to address each aspect of education directly, clearly and without distortion. The point is to be present, and then take an honest look around. Children will notice it, if we actually show up.

Of course, simply being real is not at all what our commercial culture is conditioning us to do. In fact, our culture teaches the opposite. Our culture is teaching us to misuse imagination by fabricating wish worlds of endless thrills, chills and ecstasy that can only be satisfied by spending money. Unfortunately, this is not making children smarter, it's making it harder for them to be interested or able to discover reality in nature and in themselves. (See Natural World poem.)

As teachers we are usually expected to entertain, convince, entice and control, but usually all that leads to is disinterest. So, here, online, is one attempt to point to the power in clearly being direct. (See Every Child poem.) Children cannot be expected to navigate through the world on their own. We need to help them, and we need to help ourselves wake up. The sooner the better.

"It is enough to be honest and kind. It is enough to be real." (See Zen Education poem.)

All The Best,

Deb Huntley Deb@zenhomeschool.org

Eugene, Oregon       2010

Director & Online Editor:
Deborah L. Huntley
M.A. Buddhist/Western Psychology (Hospice Specialty), Naropa University 1982, Boulder, CO
B.S. Education (Music Specialty), Southern Oregon University 1978, Ashland, OR
Teacher:
Lane Community College, Oregon 1998-02
Apple Alley School, Longmont, CO 1986-96
Gems (School for special needs children), Denver, CO 1985-86
Alaya (Buddhist) School, Boulder, CO 1980-85
Light Valley Waldorf School, Medford, OR 1979-80
Medford Montessori, Medford, OR 1976-78
Director:
Apple Alley School, Longmont, CO 1986-96
White Clouds Peace Center, Longmont, CO 1988-96
Gratitude for Teachers:
Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi (CA 1969)
H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche "Root Guru" (Ashland, OR 1977)
Trungpa Rinpoche (CO/PA 1980-87)
Thich Nhat Hanh (CO/CA/France 1987-93)
Gesshin Prabhasa Dharma, Roshi (CA/CO/Netherlands 1993-99)
Joko Beck (CA/AZ 1995 - present)

Consultants:
Joko Beck, Zen/Awareness (AZ)
Susan Elling, Learning Styles/Therapeutic Curriculum/Parenting (CO)
Meg Gawler, Nature Conservation/Human Development artemis-services.com (France)
Kathleen Naman, MA, LPC, Contemplative Psychotherapist supportfordepression.com (CO)
Charline Walker, Zebra Fish Research/Ecology (OR, Canada)
Susan Wallis, Science/Physics/Democracy/Economics (OR)
Lori Waxman, Entrepeneur/Parent (AZ)

Online Support:
Susan Wallis, Webmaster, WinWindesign.com