I.School
2025
Project.
I.Newson.org
A Cautionary Tale
I.School is different. I can’t really explain me back to me. But my students comments echo in my memories. I hear “Newson, I wish I had some warning before I took your class.” “I didn’t know what to expect, you can’t really explain Newson’s class….” And yet, through word of students mouths, I got to teach my passion, my love of learning, with people I love. I taught Philosophy, for over a decade, which was started in 2003. I say “my philosophy class”, but I just copied curriculum and borrowed textbooks and ideas off giant shoulders. I wanted a class. A class that is different, and yet as old as the observers of the stars. I started ‘my own class’ out of frustration and an instinct. The instinct was a witnessed need, a craving, a hunger for something more. Something more than what school currently offered students, and myself. So I offer you less.
Hackled by standards and data, I somehow managed to sail under a bridge of compromise to start a philosophy class in high school. It wasn’t difficult to justify a social studies class under the vague premises of state and national curriculum standards in 2003. Unfortunately, I do not for-see any chance of starting a philosophy class today, 2025. Why teach kids to think for themselves? Especially philosophy. Philosophy is just the basis for every world religion, non religion, every form of government, political systems (including the Constitution of the United States), and education. It is not the learning I object to, its the lack of learning I find so sickening. The brutal soul crushing mockery of an education that we call it, AND knowing we can heal and change- IF those in charge, um, Listen! Listen to kids, teachers, communities, moms, dads, and did I mention kids? “Hey, Newson!”
“You should write a book. You should get back to the classroom. You should edit your work. You should shut up. You should just relax, calm down.” Yea, I have heard all of that, and Please stop should-ing on me. I do not want money, fame or more money. (Haven’t we learned from TV child actors?) Time is my most precious commodity and I got to spend a life time of it with kids in the classroom. I feel like one of the richest moms in the world. So, I’ve got this. I ‘mostly’ know what I am doing. I’m spending my time more wisely.
That is my point. Time. Two barriers get in my way with communication about I.School. One is, “I don’t have the time.” And Two, “I don’t know what to say” (with the time I do have). So, that is my start. I knew going into this I.School project in 2020, two things. One: This is going to take some time. And two: This is going to have to be cryptic. Why? In teaching history, I learned that ancient stories have symbolism for a reason. To reach many levels and stages of development. What you see and read in myth can be interpreted through many perspectives. More on that later. For now, this is my idea of school rebellion. Learning.
I’ve done my time. I’ve marched (‘boots on the boulevard’), spoken up for kids, written “strongly worded e-mails”, to no avail. I will no longer spend my time wasted. Wasted time on faculty meetings that could have been clarified in an e-mail. Wasted time administering standardized testing. Time wasted arguing best practices for kids when Clearly, kids are the ones wasted. Disregarded, used, and blamed for actions out of their control. I.School is for individuals who simply want to learn. Something. Different.
I.School is different. I am not interested in comments, likes, happy stickers, or any other form of flattery. It’s not that I don’t care, I do. I just care about something else much more. Honest and frank conversations about learning. And quite frankly, I don’t need nor want publicity. What I want is silence. Silent contemplation of I.School topics. For now. I.School is not up for debate. My school. My rules. If democracy was a classroom, I would frankly be a poor teacher if I allowed the whole class to decide day to day lessons by vote and simple majority. Nope. Just listen. Listen to me and “frank”, apparently. For now.
You want change? Change the subject. Change the story.
Play a game. Let’s.
A Game
My game. My imaginary game with my imaginary rules.
Can you imagine a game of opposites? Imagine waking up in the morning after a good night sleep, excited to experience another day? Imagine waking up with a purpose and a direction? Eating, nourishing without obsession? Feeling good about your body? Exorcising as expression and release? Sleeping consistently? Enjoying crazy-healthy relationships yourself and with at least one other person? Imagine the intensity of (anxiety, depression, x-factor) only in its opposite form? Joy, laughter, love at multiple levels? More genuine, human, deep conversations?
Me neither. Until now. I.School is a game. A comedically serious game of life. I’m making up the rules as I go. Such is life.
Either I die like this, or. Something else. I chose the later. I’ve been studying the rules of the game currently at play with education. The “pay as you go” programed part of the game. I did not realize I had been in the game without knowing the rules. I was just told “do this, and then you’ll get that.” I didn’t ask more questions. No, I take that back. I asked a boatload of questions that continually got shut down shut out and dismissed. I now see that was part of the game.
Apparently public school teachers are losers of the game. We willingly chose a profession that does not make game money. Which, turns out are ideal game conditions for me. I am a loser at at “the game” but imagine a game of opposites. Imagine having just enough security to sleep, nourish, enjoy life without the “victory spoils”. Being the “loser” means freedom. Freedom to me means having enough. Simple, basic needs.
Too much power=too much pressure. No thank you. I quit. I’m too lazy for that. I’m a loser.
A loser with a lot of knowledge. Knowledge of the game. So, my game is this: I.School is a game and a riddle. It may look like chaos, but once you begin to see patterns and connections. Created for your level of maturity. Levels are immeasurable at this time, but keep going. It gets immeasurably better.
Winner of the game is up to you. “What if I die, now, doing this?” The whole death thing may not be up to me, but when I ask that question now? I would be at peace. I am doing what I Love, with and for the ones I Love. My game. My rules.
Rules of I.School The Game
You, the student are number one. anything you do physically, emotionally, or intellectually must be in the best interest of the student. You. #1.
Interpretations are essential for understanding. Any interpretations of I.School ideas that are not in the best interest of the student, U, goes against everything I work for. Therefore, you are out of the game. “Knock knock.” An open door.
Admission back into the game is welcomed. Do better this time. Build better. Tick Tock.
Frameworks are based on variables of truth. Brick by brick. Your building. Your house. Think very carefully about what you want before you build something substantial. Truth-Full.
I work for you. 24-7. Teacher in service. I will provide information as I see necessary. Underground. This is your life after all. I work for you, but I will not captain the ship. Just guide you, if needed. Silently.
If you do have questions, feel free to ask while I am available. *You get one question. One. Per session. Session= once ever. Balance.
Some participants of I.School will get a chance to move on to various levels of interests and maturity. Chose wisely. Or not.
Cruel and unusual information will be shared with those who can mature to the next level. It needs to be very clear- that when I say- “this information will alter your perception.” You will not be able to undo, unsee, ideas. I can not be more serious about this rule. Ask with caution. “That which does not kill you makes you stronger”? How about, what does weaken I?
With that being said, if you can stand some values, truths, lies and fairy tales with an honest pursuit of genuine knowledge and learning, you will not be sorry. It’s well worth the struggle.
Rules of the game are still pending. Although there are no monetary fees- because learning should be FREE- no age limits. Nothing stopping the integration of I.School ideas into anyone’s daily life- I hold complete command and responsibility of I.School rules. My story.
What better time than here? What better time than now?
Supplies:
*Unsure. I am making this part up as I go.
A notebook. An open mind. A desire to learn.
In the ‘mean’ times
Here’s What:
My made-up history theme. You know,“In the Mean Times”. Like, “back in the Olden Times, Middle Ages, Dark ages. Stone Age, Paleolithic Times”. Times. Periods. Epochs. 2020-x cetra. Mean times.
Mean Ages? Mean-Times. And when I put it like that, it sounds like I mean, mean. As in the pejorative sense of, grrrrr. Angry-mean, which changed meaning in 1857 (around the US Civil War) to “Unwilling to share.”
Which changed from c.1200, when Mean (Old English), ment “common; general; public; universal; “Possessed jointly; Shared by all; Together.”…. It’s true, but tell someone that or share on social media, and see what ya get. I’ll bet it gets mean. Sounds like _______, rhymes with ___________.
Hence the change. Mean talk? Thats the point.
So What?
Understand that many words change meaning over time. Sometimes the words we currently use not only have changed meaning over time, but ‘newer’ meanings sometimes mean the opposite of its original intent. It gets confusing. Which is the point. Because the who or whomever interprets the ‘meaning’ of words, thus Stories, “wins.”
And where do we learn words? Meaning of words? Stories?
It would be wise to spend time researching the origin of words and stories, if only you had the time.
Now What?
Don’t have your own time to spend researching? That’s the point. In the Mean Times,
Let’s say you want better communication skills. Which is what I hear a lot in the field of education. “We want real, genuine, authentic, down to earth” conversations. I hear many words like ‘authentic’ to explain how people want to get real. Really?
The reality is there is much ‘mean-ness’ out there. Lots of talk. Talk, gossip, slander. Real-mean talk. But what does it mean? Words used in mean-anger, for example, are mean! They pack a powerful punch. Thats the point. It’s meaning-purpose over time IS to create division.
In the mean time- stop and ask your self, “is this really what I want to spend my time talking about?” Or ask, “did I really mean what I just said?” Focus on “I”.School.
Mean, by definition means to “genuinely intend to convey or express.” “Doing something good,” Finding the means between two extremes. Middle way. Central.
When you look back on the Mean Times, how do you want to see yourself?
Take time to figure it out. Or not. “It’s now…. Or”
Nothing
Here’s What: Origin.
(N.) “figure which stands for naught in the Arabic notation," also "the absence of all quantity considered as quantity," c. 1600, from French zéro or directly from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic sifr "cipher," translation of Sanskrit sunya-m "empty place, desert, naught" (see cipher (n.)).
A brief history of the invention of "zero" can be found here. Meaning "worthless person" is recorded from 1813. As an adjective from 1810. Zerotolerance first recorded 1972, originally U.S. political language. Zero-sum in game theory is from 1944 (von Neumann), indicating that if one player wins X amount the other or others must lose X amount. Online Etymology Dictionary.
“Empty Place. Desert.” And Cipher: From zero, it came to mean “any numeral.” Nothing has infinite possibilities.
“A secret way of writing: Coded messages. “The key to a cipher.”
“Worthless person” in *1813 was a;
Figurative sense of “something or someone of no value, consequence, or power.” (*1570)
Code for those someones treated with no value. Worth- less mass = have all the power. Once realized has infinite possibilities.
ALL
Or
Zero: De-Cipher!
10~10 Game Plan
It started with a question- What do I want? What do I need? I.School! Okay then, What would that look like you crazy gal!!?
Like adult Kindergarten. Using Months 1-10, starting in March I would want to include:
Music
Movement
Calendar: Months, Seasons, Days o’ Week
Story Time. Word.
Art: Colors and meanings
Free Time
Movement- Recess
Snack Time
Reflection, journal Time
Skills Lab
Math & Science and other language
Structure days. Anchor each number 1-10. Assign a “meaning” to a number. (My) I.Example:
1- You. Are #1.
2- Open.
3- Build.
4- Truths.
5-Silence.
6- Balance.
7- Choices.
8- Strength.
9- Values.
10. Story. Your #1 x 0 = Full circle. New starts.
You may want a simpler anchor like- One is sun, two is shoe, three tree etc… Just know that those anchors will become habit forming. The more you do it, the more it will mold to memory. You will use this to ground yourself in desired outcomes of I.School.
Other Tips and Tricks
Get a Playlist of 10 songs. Any of your favorite songs. Assign each song to your anchor number. Example: #1, a song about grounding. “Ground” in the title or lyrics;
Color coordinate days of the week. Pick a color. Anchor or assign a color for each day of the week. It does not have to be noticeable. Subtle. Just as long as you know. Pick one. Advanced students, pick two. ( I.Example: Monday- blue/white; Tuesday- Red/orange Wednesday- Green/brown; Thursday- Purple; Friday- Pink; Saturday- black, Sunday- yellow)
Order. Find Three to Five ‘anchor’ in and out of -school times of the day to build a schedule. (Example Wake, write a dream or thought. Make bed. 8:30am snack. 11:11 look outside, 2:10 stretch; dinner? Pre-bed time routine.) Build.
Simply Feels Four: Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear. Truths.
Silence is worthy of daily practice. Senses five focus.
Schedule treats for yourself every day or every week at least. Life is tough. Balance it out. (Simple, easy, rewarding ones- coldest drinking fountain water. Draw.) Daily self- appreciative quiet rewards.
Chose. Time. Wisely. Have a plan.
List your strengths and weaknesses.
Name Nine Values you cherish.
Reflect. Are your Tips and Tricks Intrinsic or Extrinsic? Do you focus I on the outside in or reversed? I.School mainly focuses on the Intrinsic motivators.
The Purpose of I.School Tips and Tricks are set up to sort of trick your brain into re-conditioning the conditioning. If you think you have no power, you will be right. If you focus on small sensory, daily, self-chosen routines, my hope is that your brain will get the idea you are more in control than previously thought.
Suggestions on the “What do you want” question-
Time to sleep. Attention to I needs. Direction- Actions more toward your values. Self- sufficiency? Less dependence on “everyone else,” more self-reliance.
Reflection questions might include:
Is it reasonable? Sustainable? What will happen after years of quiet re-conditioning conditioning?
Learn. Repeat. Count. 1-10.
Curriculum
As of 2025, the 23-48 pages of NAEP standards for English and Math have been reduced to one page. One page. Seven principles. The Seven Principles of Universal Design:
Equitable in Use
Flexibility in Use
Simple and intuitive Use
Perceptible Information
Tolerance for Error
Low Physical Effort
Size and space for approach and Use
Although not technically ‘in use’ yet, the Seven Principals of Universal Design are designed to make use of the used. Consider the past 150 years of US curriculum.
I.School intends to start at Kindergarten. Or, as I like to think,
Kin-
Kind-er-
Guardian-
Basics. Proficient in learning. Advanced when ready.
If you feel used, retreat.
If you don’t want to feel used, learn.
Learn the system that is using you; so that, you use the system more than the system is using you. More or less.
Retreat into to the I. Inner space of thoughts and actions in order to redirect course. Run and explore internally.
Seek as close to the origin of anything worth seeking.
Curriculum (n.) “a course, especially a fixed course of study in school.” 1824.
Are you fixed?
Is this the course you chose? If so, proceed. As fixed.
If not, how would you like to redirect?
Is it realistic?
Does it involve the world changing around you? People changing for you? Changing systems, environments, planetary trajectories? Good luck. Proceed. That is not I.School curriculum.
I.School curriculum is not a set of data, nor standardized, fixed tests and results. For use. (One third of NAEP staff are well paid behavioral psychologists.)
I.School sucks curriculum. Meaning, it’s going to hurt. At first, then empowering. If you trust me, a kinder, guardian (to be tested) I would like to help you, help you. The I.
Let us Begin. Again.
