Definition of unschooling, used and misused

Money vs. Integrity?

Saturday morning, August 19, 2017 I got a notification of a new page with an invitation to "like" it.

I went there and saw my definition of unschooling being used as the definition of homeschooling, without credit, and without it making sense in that context. I didn't take screenshots at first, thinking the problem could be easily amended. I did cut and paste, though. So first I will show what I had written, and read, before I went to Messenger, on the side, to discuss the matter. More appeared later; I will quote that below. And I have screenshots later in the day when some had been changed and removed.

Originally, this text was in the box, and below that are the first string of comments (mine, and the new-page-owner's responses):

(Original post)

Homeschool Leader shared a group. 18 hrs ·

Homeschooling is a lifestyle in which one creates and maintains an atmosphere where natural learning can flourish.

To learn how to homeschool, join our private FB group: "Homeschool Leader - How Peaceful Parents Homeschool Successfully”

See you on the inside <3
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1218987624914614/

(Comments)

Sandra Dodd

-=-Homeschooling is a lifestyle in which one creates and maintains an atmosphere where natural learning can flourish. -=-

This is lifted from my definition of unschooling, which came either from my website, my book, or Joyce Joyce Kurtak Fetteroll's site.

This isn't your writing, so either credit it, or create your own definition.

 Homeschool Leader
I'm so glad you said something. I couldn't recall where I found that definition.

I rememember that definition being for "unschooling", is that correct?

I decided to define all "homeschooling" as such, but I'm happy to edit so that no one's feelings are hurt.

I'm just on a mission to rescue kids from forced schooling and empower their parents to faciliate a phenomenal environment where they can learn.

Perhaps, I should change flourish to "be plentiful" or "thrive" or "multiply" or "increase".

Either way, I'm grateful for your Work and that you spoke up.

 Sandra Dodd
It doesn't define homeschooling, though. And changing one word won't keep it from being lifted without credit.
 Sandra Dodd
I don't want you to use that at all, for homeschooling in general. Please delete the definition from your post above. Don't use it on twitter anymore, either; I saw it there.

Define homeschooling in your own way, and don't pretend that unschooling is all of homeschooling, or vice-versa.

Delete the first paragraph of your post above, and you can delete this discussion, if you want to.

 Sandra Dodd
Here it is on my site: /definitions

Unschooling is creating and maintaining an atmosphere in which natural learning can flourish.

(on facebook, it showed a preview of the page, but above is the quote
I was providing a link to and proof of
)

At that point, though I wrote to him on the side, thinking doing it in public was too harsh. (And down below will be two later posts—his and my response, both of which were pretty quickly removed.)

FB Messenger, beginning 11:57 AM Mountain Time Sandra

I'm not happy with your lifting my definition.

I hope you haven't put it on anything else but that site and twitter.
This is uncool: www.HomeschoolLeader.com
#1 in the world?

David Rodriguez
I can change it all

I replied to your post

I think its uncool that 700 million kids are in day prisons around the world

Sandra
That doesn't elect you their world leader.

Maybe you should practice on Southern Califonia before you claim the world.

Are you an unschooling dad?

David Rodriguez
If you have a phone number I would like to call you
Can I call you please?
Sandra
No.
I want all of this in writing.
David Rodriguez
What exactly do you want from me, and why?
Sandra
I want not to be plagiarized.
I don't want you to make money with my work.
David Rodriguez
Will you be satisfied with this edit:

Homeschooling is a lifestyle in which one creates and maintains an atmosphere where natural learning thrives.

?

Sandra
Not at all.
I want it completely gone.
Not edited.

You can't use it. It's mine.

David Rodriguez
You dont have the word "lifestyle"
Sandra
Homeschooling is NOT that.
David Rodriguez
"Unschooling is creating and maintaining an atmosphere in which natural learning can flourish"

I define what HS is for my world

Sandra
Not with my words you don't.
David Rodriguez
Or are you my "elected leader"? - To quote yourself
Sandra
I would like for you to take that definition off your page. I don't want you to use it or anything like it.
David Rodriguez
3 words are different: homeschooling, lifestyle, thrive.
I will use my own def
Did you see my long reply?
I had not seen the long reply until I went back upon seeing this question.
It WAS long, and public, and before long deleted, but I cut and pasted it
before it was gone. It's at the bottom of this page.
I was going to reach out and pay you to write post(s) for the site
Do you know I am Gatto's publisher?
Idk why you attacked me so aggressively.
Make money off your Work?
Are you just raking in the dough from that single homeschooling definition?
Wouldn't it be more strategic to create alliances than attack people who are trying to empower parents?
Sandra
It's not an attack to ask you not to plagiarize me.
David Rodriguez
I came across other things as I built my EducationOptionsExpo.org event too from HS legends
Education Options EXPO
Empowering Parents & Students with Real Educational Options
educationoptionsexpo.org
Sandra
This is not an attack:
This is lifted from my definition of unschooling, which came either from my website, my book, or Joyce Kurtak Fetteroll's site. This isn't your writing, so either credit it, or create your own definition.
David Rodriguez
The state is the enemy, not me



Somewhere along in here, David's two responses were removed from the page,
along with my final response (which appeared very briefly after his "long post").

Sandra

You were asking questions on your page, and as you had friended me, sometimes I was responding, and trying (I thought) to help you clarify your thinking.

I thought you were personally wanting to learn more, but perhaps you were mining facebook for information you could use.

That's not a crime. Plagiarism is, though.

David Rodriguez
I know IP law, Ma'am, and I know what my options are.
Sandra
Coming across things is great, but still you should keep names with ideas.

I would like for you to remove that first paragraph, with that definition, from this post

https://www.facebook.com/HomeschoolLeader/posts/163922420849069
Homeschool Leader - How Peaceful Parents Homeschool Successfully 259 members
Just quietly edit it out, and delete the exchange between us.
Sandra
Are you an unschooling parent?

A homeschooling parent?

David Rodriguez
I dont want any problems with you, Ma'am

Please stop bullying me and telling me what words I am free to use.

I am being respectful of your requests

I am a homeschooling champion

I was born free and am being polite to you.

The state is the biggest bully. Perhaps you can ask them to stop their immoral ways.

I will change my sitea this weekend

I have to go now for another interview for people whonl want solutions for forced vaccines

Sandra
Remove that definition from the facebook page today, please, or I will report plagiarism to facebook. Not "today." Now. Just edit that post and remove the first paragraph. I'm not bullying you. I am repeating my original request.
David Rodriguez
Do you understand $$$?
Sandra
You could leave all of this. Just delete the first paragraph and leave this:
To learn how to homeschool, join our private FB group: "Homeschool Leader - How Peaceful Parents Homeschool Successfully"
See you on the inside
David Rodriguez
I was going hire you to write for my site!
Sandra
Yes, you said that in public.
David Rodriguez
But you don't want $$?
Sandra
Please remove that definition.

Do you understand integrity?

David Rodriguez
You just want me to not make $$$?
Sandra
I want you not to use my words as your own.
David Rodriguez
Call me, Ma'am. I cant talk like this.
Sandra
It didn't make you a dime to steal my words.

I have no interest in a phone call. Remove that definition, please.

If I find plagiarism elsewhere on your site, when it is finished, I will request that it be removed as well.

Sandra
As you have not homeschooled any children yourself, how will you train others to do so?

You said you heard me speak at the HSC conference. I've spoken at over 60 conferences. I don't do it to make money, and I don't do it to provide materials for others to lift and sell, either.

Sandra
If you delete that definition from your page, I will drop this.
David Rodriguez
Ok
Sandra
It's still there.
David Rodriguez
Screenshot?
Sandra Dodd
Perhaps you should send me a screenshot of that post without the quote. I've just taken one with it, at 2:14 mountain time.

Had you deleted it the first time I asked you to, both our days would have been more peaceful.
I'm going to lunch with my husband.

If the quote is still there when I get back, I'll publish the history of my request. I'm saving it in either case.

David Rodriguez
How can it be plagiarizing if there are 4 different words and the main words "homeschooling" versus your "unschooling", are different?


That is the end of that exchange as of Saturday afternoon. I was done.

Before the comments were stripped down, this was there (the long response to which he referred above). "Are you sure?" refers to me asking (again) that the quote be removed.

Homeschool Leader
Are you sure? I was planning to reach out to you and potentially do some paid posts in the future so you can be introduced to my audience and they can learn from your wisdom. - I spoke to you in the past about your fees. This is David Rodriguez here.

If changing one word isn't enough to satisfy you, how many words would cause you to forgive me?

Here is how I am including "unschooling" in "homeschooling":

There are 2 main kinds of homeschooling, imo.

Is he telling me what unschooling is and how it works? Or is he trying to impress his other readers (if any) that he understands things I don't understand?

He didn't leave this there long, anyway, which is probably best for everyone. It's not very good.

1) flexible homeschooling
2) strict homeschooling

Both are better than government monopoly compulsory schools. :)

Flexible homeschooling allows for more personalized learning, free time, and fun, as the main focus is on the child's interest, engagement, and happiness.

This could also be called "unschooling" or "self-directed learning".

Strict homeschooling is when a parent basically does "school at home" and has time slots for various subjects as different curriculums and text books are used.

Sometimes, this can lead to stress, as mom or dad races around trying to take on the role of 7 school teachers, as if the kid was still in school.

Due to life's sudden changes, and given uncertainty, flexible homeschooling works for many students and seems to be more valuable than strict homeschooling.

On the other hand, strict homeschooling may serve other students better in certain situations.

For instance, if a student wants a Ph.D. there will be many classes that the student will be required to take and it could be helpful if s/he had some experience with time deadlines and subject-focused curriculum.

Either way, there are many degrees and circumstantial factors which change a student's needs or interest levels, as well as the parent's, but these 2 categories might serve you as you determine your own approach to homeschooling.

It is a way to look at the homeschooling model, and it is not The Truth for all. Just one perspective. --

Please kindly let me know Sandra Dodd your thoughts on the matter.

I'm on a mission and that includes respecting the wishes of the sages that have come before me, like Gatto, Beach, and yourself.

John Taylor Gatto (who never homeschooled anyone) and Wes Beach (who never homeschooled, but is a nice man who helps homeschooled teens, for a fee)—I'm one of that set?

But MY definition was the one that was stolen.

You have my ear, more than you realize, I think.

Wishing you continued success and perfect health!

Sandra Dodd
-=-I spoke to you in the past about your fees. This is David Rodriguez here.-=-

I have my e-mails back to 2009, and one facebook message from you before today (about Learn Nothing Day).

I don't do one-on-one work. I have no fee chart. I have helped others to understand unschooling better, freely, for 25 years now.

/oneonone

Please remove the definition. Changing a few words doesn't make it yours.

So although I asked in public and in a side message for him to remove it, it was not removed when I created this page, 5:30 Saturday afternoon.

Also, at that time, only my original comment remained:


SUNDAY, August 20
Joyce Fetteroll hadposted a comment on the Homeschool Leader page. It was deleted, and she is not now able to post there.

Brie Jontry commented on twitter, about plagiarism, and was banned from seeing Homeschool Leader tweets. (images are links)

After one of those, I commented that I didn't want to be credited—I wanted the whole thing removed.

I asked on Twitter for him to remove the quote and left a link to my page with the original, SandraDodd.com/definitions
I was banned from seeing Homeschool Leader tweets.

Later in the day, I received this by FB Messenger:

Is this sufficient?

I didn't respond. Forty-five minutes later, he added this:

You're feedback has been helpful. Are there additional adjustments you would have me make?
None of what he wrote was about my feedback.
My feedback was to remove it entirely.


At 2:00 Mountain Time I responded:
Sandra Dodd:
I will give you fifteen minutes to delete the whole definition, as I have been asking for over 24 hours now.

I want it gone from Twitter (two posts, which I saw before you blocked me) and gone from the facebook page and group.

If it's still there in fifteen minutes, I will take the request more public.

I have asked you several times to remove it. Remove it immediately.

David Rodriguez:
I deleted it

What are you talking about?

Please make it public. You are the bully in this situation. The truth is the light.

Sandra Dodd:
Have you deleted it from twitter?
You blocked me. You blocked Brie Jontry.
David Rodriguez:
Is this how you treat someone who wants to empower kids and families?
Sandra Dodd:
The version you have asked about above is NOT acceptable to me.

This is bullshit: "You're feedback has been helpful. Are there additional adjustments you would have me make?"

My "feedback" has been to delete it.

You should probably stop writing.

Just remove the whole definition. I'm saving all of this and you are not going to look good. The more you write, the worse you look

David Rodriguez:
Let's tell the world. I've made changes and in an IP court you have no case. I'm trying to be respectful. You are making threats. I'm trying to empower families and you believe your definition for unschooling is the same for my def of homeschooling. They are different words, ma'am.

UPDATE

When I took it public, he not only would not respond, but blocked me (for posting) and Joyce (for commenting) and deleted any comments about the quote from the Homeschool Leader page.

After leaving the mangled quote there for some or most of a week, he changed it to

"Homeschooling is when a leader creates, or facilitates, an atmosphere in which personalized learning can occur"


Definition of Unschooling Integrity Plagiarism