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:...
by Ken Danford | Jan 1, 2022 | self-directed learning
It turns out that Omicron has me down, along with millions of others. (The family Christmas dinner was a spreader event.) Thanks to my vaccines and booster, and the support of our Montague friends delivering various tinctures and teas, I hope to be back up before...
by Ken Danford | Dec 20, 2021 | self-directed learning
Sometimes I meet teens who are miserable in the middle of their senior years. I am always cautious about how to talk with them. On the one hand, I’m confident of our approach and the pros and cons of opting out, even at such a late moment in a high school...
