The next Social Action Shared Offering will be taken on Sunday, November 11, on behalf of Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning (DRC), an innovative educational facility located in Canton.
Founded in January 2014, DRC facilitates interest-driven learning practices outside a formalized school setting. DRC’s Executive Director and founder is Maria Corse, a SUNY Potsdam graduate with over 15 years of experience in alternative education. She is passionate about providing a non-coercive environment where young people have the opportunity to choose their own unique educational path determined by their interests and aspirations. Maria believes learning is a collaboration based on mutual respect, conversations, questions, experimentation, and playfulness, a philosophy that is neatly summed up in DRC’s motto: Learning is natural. School is optional. Since its inception, DRC has been located in a rented second-story space that is not easily accessible. They recently purchased a house in the village of Canton with a half-acre lot that will provide needed outdoor space for play, gardening, and large carpentry projects.
Currently, DRC serves 16 young people between the ages of 5 and 19 who come from across the North Country and who share the experience of feeling disengaged and disenfranchised in traditional public school. Several have also experienced childhood trauma in the form of exposure to extreme poverty, bullying, divorce, severe medical issues, or death of a sibling. Many would leave school altogether if they did not have the option of joining DRC. At DRC, these young people work with a staff of mentors to take charge of their education and create a unique learning plan designed around the student’s interests and goals. The Center provides facilities and resources for students to explore their interests, create hands-on projects, complete independent research, play and write music, and socialize in a safe, multi-age environment. All students have access to on-line classes and older students are able to audit classes at SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam. Community service is encouraged and volunteer opportunities are provided on a regular basis. This past year, DRC initiated a new outdoor program called Water, Woods, and Wild Wonders, inspired by Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods – Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.
Ninety-five percent of Deep Root Center students come from low-income families and receive significant scholarship aid, totaling over $65,000 for the 2018-2019 academic year. The DRC staff and Board are dedicated to providing an educational experience that supports and encourages independence, authenticity, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and fun in a safe, non-coercive, dynamic environment. Students are able to create a positive educational plan based on their interests and aspirations, whether or not a family has the ability to pay the modest tuition fee.
The philosophy and approach of Deep Root Center mirrors the first two UU principles. By enabling each student to take ownership of their own education, the Center upholds the inherent worth and dignity of every person, while the collaborative, non-coercive environment promotes justice, equity and compassion in human relations.