Caravan Learning Cooperative is a start-up academic enrichment program for homeschooling families in Central Florida. Starting in Fall 2015 we plan to offer classes two days a week with a focus on critical thinking in math, reading and science in a mixed aged classroom for grades K — 2. We are seeking a teacher to help make this idea a reality.

Our goal is to provide a positive learning environment where students can improve their abilities, establish friendships, and fuel their curiosity. Educational activities will be rooted in play and meaningful experience. The academics will be individualized to meet each students' needs and interests.

The position would be part time, approximately 18-20 hours a week. 10-12 hours teaching and 6-8 hours prep. The ideal candidate would be an experienced teacher who is seeking a progressive environment to experiment in. Our teacher would design their own curriculum, following basic standards set by the small administration.

Interested candidates should send their resume and a cover letter to caravanlearning@gmail.com. Please include why you are interested in progressive/democratic/holistic/open/free/independent education and describe any previous experience you have or research you have done in alternatives to traditional school.  
 

Community Solutions is pleased to announce that we have been selected to receive a 2015 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to assist us with outreach to the low-income community in Ohio and nationally. Much of our recent research work has been focused on energy conservation as a way to reduce carbon emissions. While our constituency is primarily motivated by environmental concerns, the energy conservation work that we have accomplished has broad applicability. To extend our outreach, we are developing energy efficiency materials in print, web, and workshop format for constituencies who are motivated by other concerns, including the financial burdens of home energy use. 

We are seeking a passionate and committed individual to serve with us full-time for a year beginning in June, as part of the AmeriCorps national anti-poverty program. The VISTA member will help us develop our Energy Navigators Project, bringing together the energy expertise of Community Solutions and our partners with the outreach capabilities of Yellow Springs Home, Inc. and Opportunities for Individual Change in Springfield to develop a coordinated energy literacy campaign for the low-income citizens of Yellow Springs and Springfield. The pilot materials developed-in print, web, video, and workshop format-will later be shared broadly with Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies throughout Ohio and the Nation. The VISTA volunteer will work with community and energy partners to develop materials, disseminate them, revise them, and assist in their inclusion in the resources and workplan of the partners moving forward.
 
Read the entire blog entry here.
 

Volunteer Opportunities for teens and adults who are interested in working in the Democratic Free model. Applications are being taken for the remainder of 2014/15 school year and also for the upcoming 2015/16 school year.

South Mountain Co-op’s approach to education is individualized and curiosity driven; students are free to explore the world around them at their own pace and according to their own interests, with the support of the adult staff and school community at large.

School governance is collaborative and participatory; each member of the community, regardless of age or role, has an equal say in the consensus decision-making process and running of the school.
We are dedicated to creating and maintaining an environment of trust and respect; we support students on their individual learning paths by fostering strong connections to fellow South Mountain Co-op members, to families, and to the surrounding community.

If you are interested in being a part of this growing community, please contact us at psh514@gmail.com to get the process started.
 

Altadena Free School is looking for open, fun grown ups with a sense of balance between fun and depth, who know when to get involved and when to leave be, who have experience with kids but come without any dogma or ego of what kids are supposed to be or need, who understand it’s not about us but about them and know how to speak to people of all ages from 6 to 18. We are not here to teach but to allow and assist.