The Deep Green Bush-School ran from January 2017 to August 2020. It was a wonderful school while it lasted.
So did the Deep Green Bush-School model "work"?
The students were happy, in a stress-free and screen-free environment, surrounded by nature, developing social and emotional intelligence, developing ecological intelligence, they learned at their own pace, and the parents were satisfied (and they repeatedly, formally attested to their satisfaction until the school ended, only changing their minds years later in court.)
The students were happy, in a stress-free and screen-free environment, surrounded by nature, developing social and emotional intelligence, developing ecological intelligence, they learned at their own pace, and the parents were satisfied (and they repeatedly, formally attested to their satisfaction until the school ended, only changing their minds years later in court.)
Why did the Deep Green Bush-School close?
The school was doomed by my female partner/school co-owner who terrorized us at home for four years - four years of bullying, abuse, blackmail, deceit - and threats to use the police against me and to shut down the school. I never hurt anyone in my life. There was one abuser in the house, and it wasn't me. But people are quick to jump to conclusions and quick to judge, without ever having proper context or relevant facts - often projecting their own experiences, insecurities, and moral failings onto others.
The school was doomed by my female partner/school co-owner who terrorized us at home for four years - four years of bullying, abuse, blackmail, deceit - and threats to use the police against me and to shut down the school. I never hurt anyone in my life. There was one abuser in the house, and it wasn't me. But people are quick to jump to conclusions and quick to judge, without ever having proper context or relevant facts - often projecting their own experiences, insecurities, and moral failings onto others.
Why were you wrongfully convicted?
I was wrongfully convicted for various reasons, but ultimately, people believe what they want to believe, for their own reasons, regardless of facts - and this is a fact of human psychology. The only proof the court heard of abuse pointed to my ex - but the court and police ignored it.
I was wrongfully convicted for various reasons, but ultimately, people believe what they want to believe, for their own reasons, regardless of facts - and this is a fact of human psychology. The only proof the court heard of abuse pointed to my ex - but the court and police ignored it.
“If you want me to ruin this school, I will. Personally, with my bare hands. I'll suffocate it. Do not fuck with me... I'm just warning you.”
- my ex, the co-owner, Oksana Simonoff
“Right, you should not have been convicted. There's a lot questionable here...the totality [of the evidence] points to a different narrative."
- King's Counsel (KC) barrister in Wellington, after the trial
- my ex, the co-owner, Oksana Simonoff
“Right, you should not have been convicted. There's a lot questionable here...the totality [of the evidence] points to a different narrative."
- King's Counsel (KC) barrister in Wellington, after the trial
Who are you?
I'm Joey Moncarz. I was a co-owner and co-director of the Deep Green Bush-School, located in just outside of Auckland. I was the principal, head teacher, the groundskeeper, tree-planter, duck-keeper, and the bus driver. I also did admin and I wrote all school documents and policies.
The other co-owner and co-director was Oksana Simonoff, a corporate accountant who owned the land, and who demonstrated a wide range of unethical and unprofessional behavior for virtually the entire running of the school, and who hated concepts such as honesty, fairness, decency, democracy, and global solidarity. Anyone who has ever known or worked with her will know exactly what I'm talking about.
I'm Joey Moncarz. I was a co-owner and co-director of the Deep Green Bush-School, located in just outside of Auckland. I was the principal, head teacher, the groundskeeper, tree-planter, duck-keeper, and the bus driver. I also did admin and I wrote all school documents and policies.
The other co-owner and co-director was Oksana Simonoff, a corporate accountant who owned the land, and who demonstrated a wide range of unethical and unprofessional behavior for virtually the entire running of the school, and who hated concepts such as honesty, fairness, decency, democracy, and global solidarity. Anyone who has ever known or worked with her will know exactly what I'm talking about.
Are you connected with the Aurora School Alternative?
No. Once I was "removed" from the picture, Oksana Simonoff swiftly closed the DGBS, transferred all the school's meager funds so that I couldn't get paid, and then opened the Aurora School Alternative on the same land. The Aurora School Alternative has a different curriculum, as Simonoff rejected the DGBS curriculum and philosophy, notably basic concepts associated with democratic education, such as democracy, justice, and decency. She continues to be involved in education. And she was rewarded by being employed by the State.
No. Once I was "removed" from the picture, Oksana Simonoff swiftly closed the DGBS, transferred all the school's meager funds so that I couldn't get paid, and then opened the Aurora School Alternative on the same land. The Aurora School Alternative has a different curriculum, as Simonoff rejected the DGBS curriculum and philosophy, notably basic concepts associated with democratic education, such as democracy, justice, and decency. She continues to be involved in education. And she was rewarded by being employed by the State.
What made the DGBS so "radically healthy"?
While some notable schools are also free from coercion (such as Sudbury Valley Schools), only the DGBS explicitly challenged the many unhealthy institutions of civilization, such as modern technology, extraction, colonization and imperialism, and all aspects of our thoroughly unhealthy industrial way of life. And we were brave enough to challenge the many false solutions to climate change (such as solar panels, electric cars, hydro, wind, etc.) - all of which will only increase ecological destruction. And we emphasized the many practical skills that will be necessary as social and ecological breakdown progresses. I.e., we didn't bullshit students with "study hard and get a career and everything will be fine." Because it clearly won't. The DGBS was a troublesome reminder of just how problematic mainstreams schools are.
While some notable schools are also free from coercion (such as Sudbury Valley Schools), only the DGBS explicitly challenged the many unhealthy institutions of civilization, such as modern technology, extraction, colonization and imperialism, and all aspects of our thoroughly unhealthy industrial way of life. And we were brave enough to challenge the many false solutions to climate change (such as solar panels, electric cars, hydro, wind, etc.) - all of which will only increase ecological destruction. And we emphasized the many practical skills that will be necessary as social and ecological breakdown progresses. I.e., we didn't bullshit students with "study hard and get a career and everything will be fine." Because it clearly won't. The DGBS was a troublesome reminder of just how problematic mainstreams schools are.
Hey genius, it's saying things like that that make people want to lock you up.
Exactly my point.
Exactly my point.