Dr. Paul Astin

The Egalitarian Principle

tuesday, October 17th, 2023
@ Manzanita School

In this talk, Dr. Paul, co-founder of Manzanita School and Institute, discusses the phenomenon of "own-race bias (ORB)", which is a reliable measure across cultural and racial groups. It refers to the tendency for unfamiliar faces from other races to be remembered more poorly than own-race faces. His presentation considers the role of Deep Nature Connection in mitigating such biases by building strong interspecies discernment in nature-connected individuals. One outcome of nature connection is that individuals learn to identify members within a group of animals or plants that otherwise look very similar, such as a collection of Canyon Wrens, a group of Crows, or a glen of Oaks. The “egalitarian principle” suggests that nature connection is a vital ingredient in reducing anthropocentric worldviews and dismantling other institutionalized systems of oppression.

Symbiosis in
Nature, Evolution
& Human Relationships

Thursday, October 5th, 2017
@ Manzanita School

Dr. Paul explores the concept of symbiosis in nature, as well as its role in evolution, and how it manifests in the human community as reciprocity and gratitude.
From microbial organisms to human interaction, life thrives on (and was created by!) mutually beneficial symbiotic relations.

Systems Theory & Communitas

What's All the Fuss About Systems Theory?
Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 @ Topanga Library

Dr. Paul Astin is the Head and Founder of Manzanita School. He has worked in education for over 20 years. He has been a teacher and administrator in both public and private schools. Paul has a BA degree in Prehistoric Studies, a bilingual teaching credential, an MA in Latin American Studies, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Paul’s 2008 dissertation focusing on adolescent development and middle school reform won the Dissertation of the Year Award in UCLA’s Educational Leadership Program.

Paul founded and directed Los Vecinos Grassroots Development Organization, a non-profit corporation that from 1988-1991 developed health education programs in squatter settlements outside of Mexicali, Mexico. In 2001, Paul won the Bravo Award from the Los Angeles County Music Center for integrating art into his classroom. Paul was named “Topanga Citizen of the Year” in 2008, partly in recognition of the service work of his 6th grade students at Topanga Elementary.

School Founder, Paul Astin

BUILDING A NEW STORY AWAKENING ADOLESCENT SENSIBILITIES TO PLANETARY HEALING
APRIL 25TH, 2014 @ TOPANGA LIBRARY

Why Adolescence is So Critical
Igniting the Intrinsic Gift in Youth
The Importance of this Moment in Time
Deep Nature Connection's Role in Adolescent Education

Dr. Paul Astin has worked in education for over 20 years, as a teacher and administrator in both public and private schools.

Paul has a BA degree in Prehistoric Studies, a bilingual teaching credential, an MA in Latin American Studies, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Paul’s 2008 dissertation focusing on adolescent development and middle school reform won the Dissertation of the Year Award in UCLA’s Educational Leadership Program. In 2001, Paul won the Bravo Award from the Los Angeles County Music Center for integrating art into his classroom.

Paul was named “Topanga Citizen of the Year” in 2008, partly in recognition of the service work of his 6th grade students at Topanga Elementary. Prior to becoming a full-time classroom educator, Paul worked as a jazz pianist and music teacher.