deeprootcenter
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Canton Afternoon Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog

Explore the Possibilities with Us

Donate

Tuesday-Profile

1/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
In November and December, we profiled a person each Tuesday who is intimately connected to Deep Root Center.  As the new year begins, we are reprising the Tuesday Profile with the DRC Board Secretary.  

I originally met Kara in 2005 or 2006 and was immediately struck by her ability to connect to students (youth) on deep level.  So, as she mentioned when I saw her at the Brewer Bookstore in 2013, I knew she would be a perfect addition to our Board.  Thankfully, she agreed to join us.

Name: Kara McLuckie

How long on the DRC Board and responsibilities?

In mid-2103, during an impromptu visit at the Brewer Bookstore Café, Maria told me about her plan to open a self-directed learning center. The idea immediately hooked me and I must have shown just the right amount of excitement for Maria to invite me, on the spot, to join the board!

Listening and transforming the verbal banter from our board meetings into accurate and succinct notes comprise my main responsibilities as the DRC Board secretary. I am also involved in developing communications and media relations for the center, but that is a work in progress.

Why do you serve on the DRC Board?

I serve on the DRC Board because I believe in the greatest number of learning options for kids, and DRC provides a non-school choice that is based on the success of model self-directed learning centers around the United States. The DRC makes homeschooling accessible to kids from a variety of economic backgrounds and family configurations, and it makes amazing use of community resources to support a kid’s education. I like what the DRC does!

What do you do for a living?

I wear three awesome hats right now: Grant Writing, Research and Education Consultant with Positive Action for Treatment Access-Nigeria, Chef at the Blackbird Café in Canton, and Test Preparation Instructor for Clarkson TestPrep, Inc. in Potsdam.
By far, the most time-consuming commute is the one to Nigeria, but that is sometimes eclipsed if I get stuck at the traffic light at the intersection of Park and Main Streets. It’s a very long light.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Right now, I am in love with squash, the racquet sport, not the starchy vegetable. My very understanding partner has been a saint when it comes to playing a few games (and very occasionally winning) with an intense and sometimes tiny bit competitive me, watching me rush out the door to play a match and barely waving good-bye, and being awoken at 2 am by the flickering light of a “How to Improve Your Backhand” YouTube clip binge. I also appreciate my partner’s total lack of jealousy when I introduce one of my squash partners as, “my partner.”

One of the things I like best about squash is the quickness with which a new player can pick up the game, and introducing people to squash is a pleasure. It is a skill and fitness adaptive sport so just about anyone can play, and the courts are wheelchair accessible. So, if anyone reading this would like to help build an army of recreational squashers get in touch with me!

Endurance sports like road biking and triathlon have kept me entertained for several years. I adore the task of setting training goals, seeing improvements in my performance, and meeting the community of athletes at local races. Many people have a mantra that they use in order to stay psyched while they train or compete, mine is, “personal best … personal best … personal best.”

Dogs, dogs, dogs. Since I basically work three jobs and spend most of my free time either playing squash or riding a bicycle, I don’t own a dog. However, I am lucky to have plenty of opportunities to play with and unofficially train other people’s dogs. Call me a self-directed dog enthusiast.

Currently, I have been working on the basics of agility, pointing and retrieving with a lovely Brittany who now has a new doggy playmate. The Britt and I have gone to two great training classes hosted by the St. Lawrence Valley Dog Club, and we have learned that training is a collaboration and ongoing process between dog and handler. The Britt’s playmate is an excellent snuggler, and is currently learning recall and sit commands.

What are you the most proud of?

I am proud of being active in the communities of which I am a member, wherever and whatever they may be.
I am the most proud of being active in the Canton community; it’s where all the pieces of life come together for me.

If you were going to play hooky for the day, what would you do?

Ski, shop and dine in Lake Placid, NY. However, if it were possible to build a St. Lawrence River Skiff, become fluent in French, do the Lake Placid trip and go to bed early (wink) all in one day, I would do that.

Name the last three books you have read.

Richard Rhor’s Falling Upward
The Lifespan of a Fact, Jim Fingal and John D’Agnata
Helen Oyeyemi’s Boy, Snow, Bird
(I am sneaking in a fourth book: Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. I pick up this book frequently and read a chapter, a sentence, a line or a word. It’s a troubling and fascinating work).


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Don't miss a post!

    Sign-up here to get the DRC Blog delivered to your inbox.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

Picture
© 2023 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

​315*244*3034/maria@deeprootcenter.org
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • DRC-Canton Summer Program
    • Canton Afternoon Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
    • Grant Funders & Sponsors
  • Blog