About SelfMadeScholar.com

Who are you?

My name is Jamie. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Education. But, I don’t believe that either of those prove anything. (Other than a large student loan debt…)

As a high school English teacher, I was dismayed at the state of public education. A lot of teenagers attend high school like adults attend traffic school after getting a ticket. You may participate and even smile. But, you don’t intend to get anything out of it (other than a fine deduction). You’d better believe that you wouldn’t be there if you didn’t have to.

I stopped teaching several years ago and started re-evaluating my beliefs. As I read works from some of the masters of educational thought – John Holt, John Taylor Gatto, Grace Llewellyn – I became convinced that forcing people to learn is rather ridiculous. Not only is taking away freedom a painful process for both sides, but it doesn’t work. Seriously…what did you learn the last time you were in traffic school?

As I came to this realization, I also came to a greater understanding about my own education: I truly believe in learning. I believe that learning enhances our lives, makes us better people, enables us to help those around us, and ensures liberty.

I’m dedicated to my own learning and hope to share the resources I find with others. You can learn by going to the library, browsing the internet, talking to the people you meet, locking yourself in your room to ponder an important question, or signing up for a class just because you want to.

Who is this site for?

The goal of SelfMadeScholar.com is to connect people to the resources they need to learn.

Anyone who is interested in learning (be it academic learning or technical learning) is welcome to join our community. Business professionals, students, seniors, stay-at-home-moms, homeschoolers, unschoolers, and autodidacts of all kinds are invited.

What is your philosophy?

At SelfMadeScholar.com, we believe:

People are capable of learning outside of the rigid confines of traditional schooling.

Academic learning is neither more nor less valuable than technical learning. Being able to analyze Joyce isn’t inherently superior to being able to build a house.

Although diplomas and certificates can help you get a good job, they don’t prove everything. People should be judged by their knowledge and abilities, not by a piece of paper.

Facilitators are needed to help connect willing learners to the ever-increasing amount of learning material now available.

Do you hate teachers and schools?

No. Many teachers are gifted, caring people who are trying to make a difference. Many schools are positive places where kids learn valuable skills.

However, I do worry that mandatory schooling stifles the natural desire to learn. Many adults spend their after-work hours slumped in front of the television instead of writing novels, canoeing, sculpting dishware, or solving mathematical dilemmas because they didn’t tap into their natural curiosity and develop their gifts when they were younger.

Should students drop out of college and learn on their own?

I believe that college can be a positive, meaningful, enlightening experience. But, it can also be a waste.

If you decide to go to college or grad school (at any age), make sure to get your priorities in line. I wish that when I attended college, I purposefully chose to attend for the learning experience rather than for the grades and the diploma. Instead of racing through my classes, I wish I would have stuck around a while, networked with others in my field, and taken full advantage of the many learning resources available to students.

How Can I Contact You?

Email: selfmadescholar@gmail.com