Exploring the Possibilities through Self-Directed Education [S-26-15]

This course will define Self-Directed Education, including key characteristics and benefits. Through visual aids and discussion, the instructor will provide specific features, misconceptions and myths around self-directed education, as well as other forms of alternative education. She will explain her work at Deep Root Center supporting youth from all over the St. Lawrence Valley, including the process of founding a not-for-profit and the funding issues related to promising access to any child who needs this support through a "pay what you can" policy. She will also invite participants to explore how they can (or already) use the concept of self-directed learning in their own lives.

Maria Corse (pronouns: she/her) is a seasoned facilitator, mentor, and self-directed educational consultant with twenty-two years of experience in alternative educational settings. Determined to provide a safe, non-coercive, self-directed learning option in Northern New York where she can support young people to follow their interests and choose their own unique paths, Maria founded Deep Root Center in January 2014.

Maria firmly believes that learning is an individual pursuit - driven by curiosity, interests, and aspirations. And, within that, education is a collaboration, which includes a supportive community, mentorship, mutual respect, trust, deep conversations, questions, hands-on experimentation, and playfulness.

Special Instructions:

Resources:
1. Deep Root Center website - https://www.deeprootcenter.org/
2. Deep Root Center facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deeprootcenter
3. Peter Gray - Free to Learn - https://substack.com/@petergray?utm_source=global-search
4. Alliance for Self-Directed Education - https://www.self-directed.org/
5. Learning is Natural, School is Optional. by Ken Danford (Co-founder of North Star)
6. How Children Learn and Teach Your Own by John Holt

Cap: 50