Philosophy

For ELN Unschooling is not a learning method to follow but a lifestyle that explores learning centered and led by the learner, naturally and intentionally disrupting the harmful cycle of schoolishness and coercive-based practices toward liberation-centered healing. A respectful, trust-filled, partnership-based relationship that spans the emotional, social, and cultural needs of young people and adults centering their learning experiences.   

For Self-Directed Education, ELN follows ASDE’s definition, “refers to the educational route of school-aged children whose families have chosen not to enroll them in imposed schooling, but, instead, allow the children to take charge of all of their education. More specifically, these are families that have enrolled their children in schools that support young people’s pursuits of their own interests and do not impose a curriculum or who homeschool their children by the method commonly called unschooling, where the children pursue their own interests rather than an imposed curriculum. This final distinction is between “SDE” as an alternative to conventional schooling, and “sde” that may happen outside of school, even for people in conventional schooling.” 

Values

Community. Connection. Awareness. (UBUNTU) 
​“A universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity." “I am because we are.” 

The Work - unpack, own, reflect, pivot, practice, and repeat 
​Sitting, shedding, acknowledging, living, and pushing through your shit fully, flowingly and over time. The work is not a check box of accomplished good deeds or something to spew for stickers and accolades. It’s a deep commitment to shift your practice in every area that’s needed. The process of this work is a direct action within oneself. What manifests from this work are ways that reflect your insights and greater awareness supporting your community.   

Equity (using the definition for racial justice from racialequitytools.org b/c it’s a great fit for this work) 
As a practice, it’s the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all. 

Deschooling 
Shedding the programming and habits that resulted from other people’s agency over your time, body, thoughts, or actions. Designing and practicing beliefs that align with your desire to thrive, be happy, and succeed. 

Learning as a Lifestyle 
​Learning through daily living experiences without the fear of failure through play, contributions (not chores), passions, interests, curiosities, internships, travel, books, media, family, friends, and community members. 
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Commitment  
To disrupt schoolishness and pervasive whiteness with adults and young people committed to this work centering unschooling and self-directed approaches through workshops and training's that offer tools to pivot our practice and widen awarenesses toward positive, respectful, and equitable relationships centered on liberatory and ancestral healing.