Uniquely Personalized

*Author’s Note: Due to spending all day yesterday at our Craft Fair & Family Fun Event, I am once again recycling a post, with a few edits, from several years ago. It is fun to look back and realize that our philosophy and mission have not changed in these past ten years.

Uniquely Personalized
8/31/2015

Self-directed education is the core principle behind Deep Root Center and other organizations in the Liberated Learners Network. I believe those simple words profess to the world that we are in the business of supporting one kid at a time, in the real world, according to their individual interests, needs, and desires. 

But what does that really mean? We have all heard the phrases “individualized” or “student-centered education”. Those pedagogies, in my opinion, try to bring out each student's interests within a formalized and structured curriculum and classroom or school setting. The schools that utilize these philosophies, however, offer some form of coercion (albeit subtle) and are not able to sincerely look at each student as a unique being, because their internal structure is governed by the requirements set forth by the state or the administration of private learning institutions. (You can read more about Self-Directed vs Progressive Education in an article written by Developmental Psychologist, Peter Gray, here.)

A truly self-directed education provides open options and free choice for each learner, by listening and utilizing the information gathered through multiple conversations and mentoring sessions to create a personalized learning plan. These plans often include: independent research, hands-on projects, group classes, online classes, one-on-one tutorials, and even auditing SUNY Canton classes, internships, or apprenticeships in the community. 

The beauty of this process is that the student and the mentor both understand the plan is completely organic and alive; they are both entirely willing to scrap the original, at any time, because life happens, interests change, and new experiences and explorations may expose new learning opportunities. 

Some students thrive in academically demanding situations, while others seek out a relaxed, go-with-the-flow learning experience. In the fluid, flexible, and non-coercive self-directed learning environment, these two contrasting styles and personalities mesh perfectly. 

Everyone understands that they have options and no one is being forced to do anything they do not want to do. The staff is not worried that one student who is engaged in a rigorous lesson will be influenced to leave the class simply because another is sitting at the next table, surrounded by their latest project and rocking out with headphones firmly attached to their ears. 

A self-directed education simply requires an open and welcoming environment, supportive mentors and facilitators, positive relationships, mutual respect, and the individual, intrinsic desire to learn.

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DRC News

Thank you! We had a Blast!

• A huge thank you to everyone who came out for our Craft Fair and Family Fun Event yesterday on a beautiful, hot, sunny day. 
• We are grateful to the Village of Norwood for allowing us to use the beautiful Village Green and borrow some tables. 
• Thank you to all of our Vendors for investing your day with us and donating items for the raffle. 
• Gratitude to the DRC Staff, Board & Families who volunteered their time to help out.
• Shouts of thanks to our musicians, Valerie Kirkpatrick and Galaxy Hitchhiker, A.K.A., Mike Corse, and DRC’s own Christopher Raymo with his son Christian!
• And thanks, once again, to Maple, etc., for being a Gold Level Sponsor. 

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