Happy 4th of July, We the People, IDEC Deadline, New Webinar

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Contents:

1. Deadline for IDEC Submissions

2. "We The People" An Education that Serves Learners

3. AERO's Webinar Series Returns

4. Happy 4th of July from AERO

5. AERO Conference Survey Results

6. AERO Representatives - Meeting 7/16 - 7:30 pm EDT

7. Happy 4th of July from AERO

8. Job Listings

Deadline for IDEC Session Proposals - July 19!\

If you're interested in submitting a session proposal for IDEC

The Deadline is July 19

You Can Submit a Proposal Here

IDEC International Democratic Education Conference

September 11 -13, 2026

How do we practice democracy in learning spaces — and beyond?

The IDEC brings together people from across the globe to explore democratic education practices and democratic processes rooted in participation, equity, and shared decision-making.

Open to all ages, all backgrounds and levels of experience, the conference offers space for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration across cultures and generations.

📚 Education as a democratic practice

🗳 Democracy as a lived experience

🌱 Learning from one another

Here's a video about IDEC from Peter.

"Education, in whatever way it is. Is there to serve learners; too often, in both government and education. It becomes about something else. " Listen to the rest here.

AERO's Webinar Series Returns

August 27th, 8 pm Eastern Time

We're excited that Mikala Streeter and Khabral Muhammad will be joining us for a chat about Lighthouse Preparatory Academy International, a hands-on microschool in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Register here

Mikala Streeter is the co-founder and principal of Lighthouse Prep, an innovative school in Stone Mountain, GA that emphasizes a blend of traditional academics with hands-on, project-based learning. She combines a strong foundation in educational pedagogy with her expertise in technology and entrepreneurship, holding degrees from MIT and Stanford. Before co-founding Lighthouse Prep, Mikala was a Math and Computer Science teacher, a dorm mom, and an edtech founder, which inspired her innovative approach to education. Mikala is renowned for her dynamic leadership and commitment to creating learning environments where students can thrive by connecting their passions with educational goals. She has dedicated her career to enhancing educational outcomes, particularly for underserved communities. Her work has not only transformed the lives of her students but also serves as a model for educational reform.

Khabral Muhammad is co-founder and key educational strategist at Lighthouse Prep, where he brings over 20 years of experience in both classroom instruction and educational administration. With a focus on science education, Khabral has been instrumental in developing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster a deep understanding of scientific principles, and incorporate real-world applications, including animal husbandry, outdoor adventure, and aquaponics. Beyond his teaching duties, Khabral has been actively involved in community organizing and advocacy, working closely with political leaders to promote policies that enhance educational opportunities for all students. His dedication to education and community service makes him a pillar of the Lighthouse Prep team.

AERO has always been enabled by our community - and that's exactly how we want to keep it. To remain a free, independent voice for learner-directed education without being beholden to outside funders or institutions, we're turning to the people who matter most: you.

By becoming an AERO Sustainer, you help ensure that the work of AERO and all of you- the conferences, the resources, the connections, the newsletter, the movement, and much more — can continue for years to come.

Sustaining memberships start at just $5 per month, and every dollar makes a real difference. We encourage everyone who is able to consider $10 or more per month and with each giving tier come perks as our way of saying thank you for being part of this.

This is an invitation to be a part of something you already believe in. If AERO has ever helped you in any way, or reminded you that another kind of education is possible, we need your support to continue this work.

Become a sustainer today here or make a one-time donation by going to the cart and putting the amount you'd like to donate

— and help us keep the education revolution going.

Happy 4th of July Message from AERO!

AERO Conference Survey Results

How Would You Rate The Conference Overall?

93% of respondents rated the conference as excellent

5% rated the conference as above average

2% rated the conference as average

How Reasonably Affordable Do You Think This AERO Conference Was?

85% responded - very reasonable

13% responded - reasonable

2% responded - somewhat reasonable

How Many AERO Conferences Have You Been To?

60% - responded that this was their first

40% - responded that they have been to two or more

Would You Attend This Event Again?

100% responded yes

What Did You Like About The Conference?

First Five Responses using Random Sort

"I loved being in the same space with so many brilliant people who are so passionate about self-directed education. I learned a lot about initiatives and different career paths people are taking, which was very inspiring."

"The youth panel from NorthStar and Bay State was incredible! More of that please. :)"

"I love the energy and how inclusive everyone is. There are a lot of different perspectives and approaches that people follow, and I love that there is space for all of it."

"AERO is a conference where the learning happens as much in the hallways as it does in the sessions. I appreciated the collaborative spirit, openness to new ideas, and the diversity of educational models represented. The conference created space for authentic conversations, thoughtful questioning, and genuine relationship-building among people who are committed to reimagining education."

"Really great people all prepared to participate with joy."

Do you have any thoughts on our conference theme? Was it important to you? Did you feel there were rich discussions around the theme? Etc.

First Five Responses using Random Sort

"Democracy is at stake, and public education was meant to secure it. We need to do something."

"This year's focus on the relationship between learner-directed education, democracy, freedom, and innovation felt both timely and important. The theme was present throughout formal sessions and informal conversations, particularly around student agency, self-determination, community, and the role of schools in preparing young people to participate in a democratic society. I found the discussions rich, nuanced, and grounded in both theory and practice."

"I am still talking about it and am looking forward to more conversations with my people."

"The theme was perfect and timely. I don't know of any other conference that had this theme."

"Great discussions emerged from the theme. Good balance between the theme and other topics that came up."

Anything else that you would like to share? Quotes, revelations, epiphanies, learnings, overall comments on the conference, etc.

First Five Responses using Random Sort

"I've never felt so genuinely welcome in a space. Knowing that there are so many people advocating for youth and working for to build a better education (and world) filled me with hope about the future I had not felt in a long time."

It was a wonderful community and I felt enlivened by how many other folks are having these conversations and doing this work! Thank you for creating the space for us to gather! :)

"One idea that stayed with me throughout the conference was that agency is not simply choice—it is ownership, responsibility, contribution, and purpose. I also left thinking about the relationship between belonging, agency, and challenge. Across many sessions, these concepts surfaced repeatedly, suggesting that meaningful learning occurs when all three are intentionally cultivated together. Thank you for creating a space where educators can ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, and continue learning from one another."

"I got a lot of new information from content and new organizations. It all broadened my knowledge and understanding of the field and gave me lots to work with and work on going forward."

"Yes, I want to say how amazing this conference was! It's by far the best one out there. Other conferences may have more bells and whistles and put on more of a show, but they cannot match AERO's content, community, and authenticity. The commitment to putting youth at the center of it all and giving them a real voice was incredible.

The conference was a gathering place for anyone interested in exploring learner-directed and learner-centered approaches, where learners are trusted to make decisions about their learning.

Read the full AERO Conference Report.

AERO REPRESENTATIVES

This is what the AERO REP role can look like

Act as a Local resource and point person
Provide support in areas of expertise
Represent AERO & it’s mission & Build the AERO Community
Assist with AERO’s Sustainability
Special Projects
Other possibilities

If you are someone you know are interested in finding out more, please fill out this short form, even if you have been an AERO Representative previously. Next meeting July 16, 7:30 pm EDT via Zoom. Reach out to us with any questions.

Job Listings

Salmonberry Community School

Salmonberry Community School is seeking a caring, fun, mature teacher with experience teaching elementary grades. In Orcas Island, North Puget Sound.

Qualifications

The ideal applicant would hold a MA or higher and have at least 3 years of

experience as a lead teacher with children under age 12 in a school or similar environment. Particular expertise in teaching literacy is valued. The candidate should have solid knowledge and/or experience in progressive or holistic education. Excellent communication skills are essential, as are strong

organizational skills and an ability to coalesce a classroom community of students and parents. The ideal candidate should also model a willingness to learn and an excitement to grow as a member of the highly

collaborative faculty team.

Duties:

This is a full time, permanent lead teaching position, beginning August 24, 2026. Duties include all aspects of curriculum development and implementation, assessment, communication, classroom

design, and classroom management for 10-15 students ages 7-10. The teacher must engage all learners in a wide span of skill levels and learning styles and incorporate a holistic approach to learning. They must

embody an ethic of care in all aspects of the work. A full or part-time teaching assistant will be provided, depending on enrollment and classroom needs.

Approach to Teaching:

The candidate should be excited to develop a program that emphasizes:

- excellent and balanced academics and an ability to integrate purchased curriculum and self-designed

activities

- differentiated instruction, tailoring experiences to a range of interests and learning styles

- student choice, cultivating autonomy and self-direction in students

- cooperative and collaborative learning

- experiential and hands-on learning including field trips

- integrated arts

- focus on SEL as an integral component to the program

- mindfulness and centering curriculum

- cultivating a beautiful and rich learning environment

- effective strategies in outdoor ed, nature-based, project-based and community-based education

- developmentally appropriate practices including teaching justice and equity curriculum

- inspiring curiosity, engagement, wonder and awe

- emergent and thematic integrated curriculum

See more information here

Little River Community School

Now hiring a visionary, community-minded Director to lead our

democratic K–12 school in Canton, NY Little River Community School, founded in 1999, has 37 students and is located at Birdsfoot Farm in Canton, New York. We are seeking a full-time Director who brings both teaching experience and a deep commitment to democratic education.

About the Role

The Director maintains and communicates the school’s philosophy, provides leadership to the school community, creates and oversees the budget, fundraises and conducts outreach, supports students and staff, and serves as a key point of contact for families. The Director works in a consensus-based environment, facilitating collaboration among students, staff, and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership consistent with Little River’s mission

• Support and guide teachers through collaboration and consensus

• Oversee operations, budgeting, fundraising, and outreach

• Maintain open communication with students, parents, and board members

• Represent the school in the broader community

See more information here

Lilly Lake Homeschool Collective

Learning Guide and Outreach Coordinator

Lily Lake Homeschool Collective is looking for a Learning Guide & Outreach Coordinator to jump in and make this program their own. The vision is for this role to be an integral part of growth for the organization. Self- motivation, desire to build an education program and community as well as a commitment to the success of the

organization is vital to success in this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Learning Guide (75%)

 Empower children to learn autonomously and discover their independence through leading by example

and providing the tools and resources necessary to encourage self-directed learning.

 Develop “lesson plans” and activities based on the interests of the children.

 Launch and lead Socratic discussions among children of varying ages.

 Manage students’ project-based learning.

 Work with older children to support them in leading the younger children.

 Support students aged 5-16 during “learning” times: including interacting with children in

See more information here

Tradewinds School

https://tradewinds.school/jobs/teacher-k-5

Andy Szybalski <andyszy@gmail.com> wrote:

Here is a short description of our philosophy, hopefully this is helpful. We are located in Honolulu, HI and will be serving grades K–5.

Tradewinds School believes gifted learners need differentiated education that preserves their natural curiosity and intellectual fearlessness, not just acceleration or traditional rigor.

We're combining AI-powered personalized learning that removes artificial speed limits with hands-on, project-based experiences and multi-age groupings, allowing students to progress at their own pace while developing genuine competence through appropriately challenging work. Our philosophy centers on serving the whole child - intellectually, socially, and emotionally - within a community of like-minded peers who understand their unique learning needs.