Review of Educational Disobedience

[Justin Christensen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Educational Disobedience" by Dr. Annise Mabry.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Educational Disobedience by Dr. Annise Mabry is a blend of a personal history and an academic overview of Dr. Mabry’s educational system. The book reads like an autobiography, which I did not expect. Given the title and subject matter, I assumed it would read like a textbook, with examples, lesson plans, and instructions on every page. Instead, Dr. Mabry has written her story and uses her experiences to explain her approach to education. The result is both deeply moving and extremely informative. I was uncertain about the style when I first began reading, but I grew to love it before I put the book down.

The overarching theme of the book is the titular concept of educational disobedience, which seems to me to describe an individualized approach to education. In my opinion, it means allowing an education to be guided by an individual’s needs, rather than by prescriptivism. The standard public school system works, in the absolute best-case scenario, for only most people, and only most of the time. Educational disobedience does not mean chaotically raging against this machine, but rather intentionally and compassionately choosing to disobey standard procedure in order to give the best chance of success to each individual child.

One thing I loved about this book was how much detail it gives about Dr. Mabry’s many attempts to teach her kids through conventional methods before developing her own system. This level of detail not only highlights Dr. Mabry’s wealth of knowledge about education, lending a lot of credibility to her eventual conclusions, but also demonstrates the love and dedication she feels for her children. The eventual expansion of her own personal system into something to serve first her community and later a larger community of families in need speaks of compassion and dedication on a scale that is rarely seen.

This book covers a broad range of topics, and it does so in a very emotional and honest way. As someone who was briefly homeschooled myself, it is bittersweet to read about Dr. Mabry’s experiences. My mom’s attempt to homeschool me failed, like so many others, for many reasons. I think if my parents had had access to this book when I was a child, we may have seen a different outcome.

I would call this book a must-read for any parent considering homeschooling their children. I think it is a valuable and educational read for any parents, educators, or individuals who care about improving their communities. The appendices alone are well worth the investment. I rate this book five out of five stars, I have no criticisms at all, and there is nothing I would change. If you’ve made it this far in my review, I would strongly encourage you to go read the book itself!

******
Educational Disobedience
View: on Bookshelves

[Stephanie Runyon]

Interesting that this gives Mabry's experience working with children who need specialized attention. This book sound somewhat like the books by Torey Hayden who worked with the behaviorally disturbed children in the public schools.

[Louis Donald]

Dr. Mabry’s shift from conventional teaching to creating a personalized educational system really stands out. The way she weaves her personal journey into her educational philosophy is intriguing. I appreciate how the review highlights the emotional depth and honesty in her writing, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to dive into homeschooling ideas myself.

[Pearl Flourish]

It’s refreshing to see a book that challenges the rigid structure of traditional education with a personal, heartfelt approach. Dr. Mabry’s journey sounds both inspiring and practical, especially for parents looking for alternatives that truly fit their children’s needs.

[George Bastem]

Dr. Mabry’s approach to education is both heartfelt and practical, offering a refreshing take on how we can adapt learning to fit individual needs. Her personal journey and dedication to her students make this a compelling read for anyone interested in education, especially homeschooling.