Sara
Schmidt


Sara Schmidt is a writer, homeschooling mom, artist, wife and activist from the St. Louis area. Sara has taught in various capacities, from a European at-risk program and college support services to American Red Cross service corps. She writes for the Institute for Democratic Education in America and is inspired by nonconformist teachers, guerrilla learning, free schools, peaceful revolution, living outside the box and above all, kids.

Articles by Sara

Gear Up for No Name-Calling Week!

Before winter break hits, take some time to plan your school’s celebration of kindness!

Using Cell Phones to Bridge Gaps and Engage Youth

Maybe you’re thinking texting has no place in the classroom. This teacher found some practical applications.

Primary Grades are Ready to Talk Peace

Picture books can help 5-year-olds explore social justice topics and nonviolence. The resulting discussion is the start of a peace curriculum.

Let’s Hear It for Youth Activists!

I am in awe of young people. Today, for example, I read about a group of teens in Louisville, Ky. who continued to speak on LGBT issues. High school students from duPont Manual High School were censored for writing about gay issues, but they refused to let their voices be silenced. They decided to run an underground paper, The Red Pen, and won the annual Courage in Student Journalism Award.

Take Mix It Up Beyond One Day

I love teaching in a co-op with other homeschoolers and former public educators. We are an incredibly diverse group—racially, ability-wise and religiously. We also incorporate diversity in our guest speakers and field trips. The first day of school this year, we were chanting and doing art projects with Tibetan monks. So how do we make Mix It Up at Lunch Day unique with this gorgeous hodgepodge of people that is already used to joining together?
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A map of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi with overlaid images of key state symbols and of people in community

Learning for Justice in the South

When it comes to investing in racial justice in education, we believe that the South is the best place to start. If you’re an educator, parent or caregiver, or community member living and working in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana or Mississippi, we’ll mail you a free introductory package of our resources when you join our community and subscribe to our magazine.

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