by Ken Danford | Jun 1, 2022 | self-directed learning
Here’s some news from our industrious Science class! Thank you, Melanie! (K.D.) — One of the few silver linings of the first year of the pandemic was teaching outdoors as much as possible. This year I wanted to continue using the outdoors as my classroom. Since...
by Ken Danford | May 23, 2022 | self-directed learning
Our spring job posting for a new core staff member netted 13 applications, and I spent the better part of a few weeks exclaiming, “I want to hire them all!” We have chosen to hire two people instead of just one for the fall, and we may have to find ways to include...
by Ken Danford | May 16, 2022 | self-directed learning
In my previous post, I shared the news that North Star has enjoyed a flurry of interest from potential new families in 2022. I’d like to follow up with the news that Liberated Learners, our network of centers using our approach and our consulting operation, has also...
by Ken Danford | Apr 29, 2022 | self-directed learning
The new year of 2022 has generated unprecedented interest in North Star. Since January, we’ve had over forty inquiries, which is more than double what I would normally expect to receive in these months. For the most part, this is terrific news, as I love having these...
by Ken Danford | Apr 11, 2022 | self-directed learning
Saturday, June 11, 2022, Outdoors at North Star, 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland MA, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Come see your old friends and our new building! Honor the service of retiring Core Staff member John Sprague, who has been present since our first public meeting in...
by Ken Danford | Apr 1, 2022 | self-directed learning
Hot off the press and heading for your mailbox! The spring issue of Liberated Learners, featuring lifelong homeschooling Atticus Belmonte! Enjoy this one, and you may join me in thinking, “What a nice place, that North Star!” Happy Spring!...
by Ken Danford | Mar 25, 2022 | self-directed learning
North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens Job Posting Position: Core Staff North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens has been making school optional for teens in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts since 1996. The Core Staff of 8-10 diversely...
by Ken Danford | Feb 18, 2022 | self-directed learning
Thank You to Jacob Miller-Mack, Ellen Morbyrne, Kiva Singh, and Sphennings Wright for sharing their thoughtful reflections about having left school with North Star’s support a couple of decades ago! This sort of conversation counts as Major Fun in my life! To give...
by Ken Danford | Feb 7, 2022 | self-directed learning
In addition to my work with North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens, I spend an increasing amount of time happily sharing our model with others around the country and the world through our Liberated Learners network. Liberated Learners has two primary goals:...
