by Ken Danford | Sep 10, 2021 | Uncategorized
At our final staff meeting of last year in mid-June, we felt quite optimistic about this coming fall in regards to Covid-19. The incidence of Covid-19 in western Massachusetts was very low, and across the country, cases seemed to be in decline. All of our staff and...
by Ken Danford | Sep 10, 2021 | self-directed learning
The past six weeks have been quite a fluid time at North Star, as we have been working to register members for the fall and update our Covid-19 policy in light of the Delta variant. With so much in flux, I have missed a few of my personal blog posting deadlines. Here...
by Ken Danford | Aug 1, 2021 | self-directed learning
Mid-July, about 30 minutes into a meeting with a new family, sitting at the table in the North Star office area: Youth: “I’m done with this meeting. I’ve heard enough. Can we go?” Youth looks around, realizes that their comment sounded a bit harsh. Youth: “I mean, I...
by Ken Danford | Jul 15, 2021 | self-directed learning
This spring my friend Blake Boles invited me to recruit some young people to do a panel about self-directed learning with Howard Blumenthal, the creator and producer of the PBS television series, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Howard now hosts a weekly...
by Ken Danford | Jul 1, 2021 | self-directed learning
One result of the pandemic is THREE (3!) quality podcasts where I’ve had the opportunity to tell the North Star story. Listening to the final, polished versions of these conversations makes me appreciate the curiosity and interviewing skills of these hosts. I find...
by Ken Danford | Jun 17, 2021 | self-directed learning
In our Another Way class for adults learning about Self-Directed Education, we are currently involved in a conversation about how we might know that our approaches “work.” Many of you know that I find this conversation frustrating. People want data: test scores,...
by Ken Danford | Jun 1, 2021 | self-directed learning
We are in the midst of our End-of-the-Year Family Meetings at North Star. This process involves having each teen, their parents, and all relevant and available core staff members gathering to review the year and hear plans for the future. Scheduling 62 family meetings...
by Ken Danford | May 16, 2021 | self-directed learning
We have just hosted a few glorious days of in-person time at North Star! The sun was shining, and many new teen members finally had the opportunity to meet the staff (including me!) and other teens in person for the first time. Those Zoom boxes are nice, but this sort...
by Ken Danford | May 4, 2021 | Uncategorized
“Hi, Ken! It’s Jesse! Believe it or not, I’m now applying to Amherst College, and I wonder if you would write me a recommendation?” Jesse Shotland, now age 28, was a delightful member of North Star for two years, 2009-2011. We have stayed in touch, and I knew that...
