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We have to give students the right tools in order for them to shine. But our educational culture often has us asking the wrong questions. A holistic view of what students need empowers us to ask better questions. And when we ask the right questions, we find the right answers. Fortunately, asking the right questions isn’t rocket science, it’s just uncommon. This site will help you find the answers you’re looking for. I’ll break it down so you can better help the kids in your life to have the happy and purposeful lives they deserve. It works to help kids experience the change they need. 

Intentional learning and life-crafting

I created this site for people who want to see a world where education gives all kids the tools they need to truly write their own scripts in life, to live well and give well, to shine! My main audience is families with struggling students and progressive educators. I was a struggling student and I get it. Quite ironically, I ended up dedicating my life to working with kids and I happened to be good with students that struggled. As I honed my skills I saw that when these students were given what they really needed, they were able to shine (and this is the metaphor that inspired the name of my educational coaching business, ShineOn.)

I absolutely believe in the power of education. However, after many years of teaching it’s apparent that there are many forces preventing schools from adequately meeting the needs of students, especially for kids that don’t fit into boxes well. And sadly, these students often end up feeling like there’s something wrong with them. This is not okay, as it’s the responsibility of schools to serve students, not the other way around. Needless to say, there is a completely unacceptable level of unnecessary suffering going on with students who struggle to fit into a box that wasn’t designed to accomodate their uniqueness.

Important Subtleties

Often times when it comes to helping learners, it’s subtle details that make the difference. I’m particularly interested in using these details to help struggling students; those quirky, right brained, unconventional, interesting, complex, divergent learners who don’t fit in the proverbial box.

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
— John Lennon

This blog is a labor of love. Every ounce of energy I’ve poured into it is motivated by the fact that education should empower all kids to be successful and happy- to live with clear intention, purpose and passion. Extensive experience working with students has somehow made this mission become the driving force in my life. I’m fascinated by how extraordinarily diverse student’s learning needs are, and by the incredibly unique gifts all kids have. In fact, our world literally needs them to develop and share their gifts.

This blog is also a response to my frustration with how often schools neglect to meet the needs of some of our most amazing, talented and interesting kids. Due to many influences, including the massive value placed on standardized testing, kids fall through the cracks and sadly, their strengths often go unnoticed and remain dormant. They often spend years going in directions that are incongruent with their talents, interests, passions, and skills. Here, you will find helpful insights regarding how to navigate these challenges as well.

Kids absolutely do not need to struggle the way they do in school. Unnecessary struggles have the effect of limiting possibilities for students and holding them back from realizing their potential. The systemic problems are often invisible like a cancer, and this angers me because it hurts our kids. Consequently, it hurts everyone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Think about it- schools are a result of well-intentioned people who tried to create a system that would help children have better lives. But the system is now in dire need of revision. Re-vision. How do you envision schools that empower kids become truly successful and happy?

So I began SethPerler.com as a container for these ideas and as a community where like-minded people could share successes, challenges, and solutions. I want a world where schools educate, where they provide students with the tools necessary to write their own script in life. I want education to value and develop the unique potential, strengths, talents, interests and passions of all children and to encourage students to develop in a manner congruent with who they are as individuals. I know this is possible because I see students create remarkable change all the time. They need a more holistic approach which gives them the right tools, and fortunately, it’s not rocket science. It works to help students experience the change they need.

Let’s empower all kids to live well and give well. It’s time we ask the right questions and stop spinning our wheels with major systemic problems. The solutions are closer than they seem.

If you like what you find, sign up for free updates. I’m committed to building a community that shares meaningful insights benefitting all types of kids.

Shine on,
Seth