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Contents:

1. AERO Conference in 6 weeks! You can still register - Group Rates Available

2.5 MORE Reasons Why you Should come to the AERO Conference

3. AERO Reps Meeting

4. Teen Facilitated Keynotes at the AERO Conference

5. More - New Breakout Sessions Announced

6. Podcast recording - "Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss."

7. A New Resource for Small School Founders & Learner-Directed Educators

8.Volunteer/Internship Opportunity

9. IDEC - September 11-13, 2026

10. Journal Article Published by one of our Youth Presenters/Members

11. More thoughts on Higher Education

12. New Job Listings

AERO Conference Starts in 6 weeks !

Here's a brand new video with some more information & thoughts on the conference.

*** There's still time to register, but you should do so soon if you want to stay on campus and purchase a meal plan, which is highly recommended because the college does not allow

drop-ins for meals.

We Still Have Group & Discount Rates Available. Reach out to us, peter@educationrevolution.org or jerryaero@aol.com, for more information.

Two of our Conference Keynote Sessions

Ted Wachtel

Ted is the founder of the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School and BANR, Building A New Reality, author of many books, including Beyond The Schoolhouse: Learning For A New Reality, and The Restorative Practices Handbook, will be delivering a film discussion session and keynote at the AERO Conference

Peter Gray

Peter has spoken at previous AERO Conferences, each time he brings a fresh perspective on learner-directed education, play based exploration and the freedom to learn.

His research explores how curiosity, play, and autonomy shape learning and healthy development. He is the author of the widely used textbook Psychology and the acclaimed book Free to Learn, and he writes the “Freedom to Learn” blog for Psychology Today.

5 More Reasons Why You Should Come to the AERO Conference

6. Build Community - When you come to the conference, you will be a part of building a community with people who are working to add learner-directed and innovative options to the educational landscape. You'll be building a supportive community that stays connected.

7. Have Fun - There are many serious and important topics, and calls to action that happen during the conference, there's just as much fun and laughter.

8. Be Inspired & Inspire Others - Some of the most consistent feedback we receive year after year is how participants come away inspired. It could be from the briefest interaction, something that happens during a session that resonates, hearing the stories of others, or all of the above and more. Others will draw the inspiration they need to keep going, try something new, create and build, and more from you!

9. Be Surprised - Whether it's young people who have never met before performing an impromptu song they created together, unexpected welcome guests, or connecting with people who share your vision. You never know what will pop up during the AERO Conference but its always a highlight.

10. New Hampshire is Wonderful In June - It's been said by Granite Staters that June is the perfect month to experience New Hampshire. Everything is in bloom, the hiking trails are fully passable, the wildlife is active, and the local treats are aplenty. We can't guarantee what the weather will be like, but we can guarantee that the beauty of New Hampshire and the surrounding New England states and all they have to offer will be waiting for you.

11.It's Affordable - Yes we snuck this in again ... :) We work very hard to make the conference affordable, over the years we have been told that we do not charge enough. So be it! We will work with anyone to make this affordable, we never want finances to be the deciding factor as to whether someone can participate. If you need assistance, and or are interested in a group rate, please reach out to us.

Each year, brings something different. We don't where this year's theme of "Why Learner Directed Education is Critical for Democracy, Freedom & Innovation." will take us, but we're excited to find out.

We have a wonderful program taking shape, (see some samples below), and we have more to come!

The backbone of the AERO conference is network building and building community, which there will be plenty of time for, and open time for hot topics and whatever else comes our way.

Come join us in New Hampshire and be a part of the Education Revolution!

AERO REPS - May 14, 7:30 pm EDT

Following up on the success of our last meeting. We will be meeting on May 14 at 7:30 pm EDT, via Zoom.

As you may know, we are reestablishing AERO representatives and their role in supporting alternative education communities.

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. Join us on May 14th to find out more.

Proposed Agenda/topics

Clarify AERO Rep Role (Individual & Collective)
Getting started (Small engagements, etc)
Clarity on messaging, AERO's values
What do you need from AERO, would like to see us do?

More Youth-Led Sessions Coming Soon

We know that we have youth-led sessions from Liberated Learners, NH Teen Institute, NH Kid Governors Council, and more, with even more to come!

Remember that a group from New Hampshire Teen Institute will be facilitating a keynote session:

Engaging Youth In Meaningful Ways:

Youth engagement is a win-win proposition! It provides critical benefits for young people, the adults who work with them, and the communities they live in now and in the future. Meaningful Youth Engagement is an intentional process of involving young people as equal partners having a say in the world around them.

In this session we will explore:

• the benefits of youth engagement to youth, organizations, and communities

• ways to meaningfully engage youth

• ways meaningful engagement can look

The Excitement for the AERO Conference is building. We're gathering around the theme, "Why Learner Directed Education is Crucial for Democracy, Freedom & Innovation.

" As one person put it, 'this conference is so necessary and something we all need now, to gather together as a community."

Remember, we have these two keynotes, with more on the way!

More Interactive Breakout Sessions!

& More on the Way

The rise of homeschooling, unschooling, and other self-directed learning models has profoundly influenced education at all levels. Once considered fringe, these approaches have gained momentum post-pandemic, challenging traditional schooling structures and reshaping curriculum and assessment in P-12 schools, colleges, and universities.This session explores how unschooling philosophies - rooted in intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and experiential learning - are driving shifts toward ungrading, competency-based education, and student-centered pedagogy

Many learner-centered models prioritize freedom but struggle with rigor, while traditional systems emphasize rigor at the expense of belonging and agency. This interactive session explores how to design coherent school systems where these elements work together. Participants will engage in a structured design exercise, analyze real examples from a new school model, and reflect on misalignments in their own settings. The session blends brief framing, peer discussion, and hands-on application. Participants will leave with a practical framework for aligning structures like advisory, personalized learning time, and academic blocks to support both student agency and strong outcomes.

Podcast Recording - "Meet the New Boss, Same as The Old Boss." What’s clear is that there are many more educational options available to students and families than there were even five years ago. What isn’t clear is whether these options are options in kind rather than degree. Listen here .

A New Resource for Small School Founders & Learner-Directed Educators - From Stuart Grauer

Many of us are building schools in real time—often without a map, and always in relationship with the young people and our own communities.

The Way to Pancho’s Kitchen is a new collection of short, story-based reflections drawn from the founding and sustaining of a learner-centered school over more than 30 years, including close to 20 years of AERO membership.

Rather than a how-to guide, it’s meant as your companion—something to travel with when you need perspective, reassurance, or just a reminder of why this work matters so much. As Margaret Wheatley writes, it is “the most delightful, inspiring, and practical book on leadership I’ve read in many a year,” capturing the courage and joy of doing meaningful work in community. “Guaranteed joy.”

The stories are grounded in place, nature, and the lived experiences of students, teachers, and founders as they face the changes, from comical to tragic. They speak to the quiet, often invisible work of holding our small schools together for meaningful youth and teacher engagement—and the joy and freedom that come with that.

If it sounds useful to you or your community, you can learn more here, or wherever books are sold: https://www.theworthyeducator.com/wpk

Volunteer or Internship Opportunity - AERO Social Media

If you or someone you know are/is looking for a great volunteer or internship opportunity, are/is knowledgeable about social media, want/wants to flex and stretch your/their creative muscles, can dedicate about 5-7 hours per week, and want/wants to be a part of expanding learner-directed educational options, where learners take the lead. Reach out to us - peter@educationrevolution.org. Gain great experience and help shape our voice.

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

The Deadline to Submit a Session for IDEC is Fast Approaching!

If you're thinking of submitting a session proposal, do so ASAP!

A Global Gathering on Democratic Education & More

Here's a video about IDEC from Peter.

Be a part of IDEC, submit a session, share your suggestions, volunteer!

You can submit a session for consideration here .

The group also came up with a form for people to give input about the support they need in their work, which can possibly be addressed at IDEC in the program tracks.

We are also putting out a call for volunteers, which is the backbone of IDEC. You don't need to be an expert to volunteer.

A Youth Member Has a Journal Article Published

We like to highlight the work of the members of our community, especially youth. Here's an article by Zakia Irfan, who has been a youth presenter and an AERO member for years.

Article: Cosmetic Management of Gummy Smiles with Botulinum Toxin A: A Review: Read here

Zakia Irfan

More Thoughts on Higher Education

Interesting Article on Higher Education -

"Higher Education’s Problems Go Way Beyond Trust"

Read here

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.