In this essay, adapted from his recently published book, Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher, DaN McKee reflects on his personal experiences with the inner conflict of being an anarchist teacher working within a school-system built on discipline and control. He looks back on his misguided attempts to subvert such systems through strict adherence to their absurd rules, and the more successful moments of subversion that came when he restored humanity and horizontalism to his classroom.

DaN McKee received his PhD from Cardiff University in 2009 and is currently Head of Theology and Philosophy at a secondary school in the West Midlands. Alongside Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher: A Memoir of Struggle, Grief, Philosophy and Hope (out now on Earth Island), his recent publications include Authentic Democracy: An Ethical Justification of Anarchism and ‘Character Flaws – An Anarchist Critique of Character Education in England’s Secondary Schools’ in Anarchist Studies. His forthcoming paper, ‘An Error of Punishment Defences in the Context of Schooling’ will be published in the Journal of Philosophy of Education soon. DaN also produces music under the name of Strangely Shaped By Fathers and runs the websites www.philosophyunleashed.com and www.everythingdanmckee.com

Our music comes from Them'uns (featuring Yous'uns).

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Artwork by Sam G.

Essay #59: DaN Mckee, ‘Anarchist: Subverting the System from Within’