Storytelling with an Alternative Educator and Entrepreneur

Laura Sandefer is an author and the co-founder of Acton Academy, a school whose learner-driven model is spreading across the globe with over 130 locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Malaysia and more, and in 2019 is celebrating 10 years of letting children take learning into their owns hands.

Acton Academy bases their model of learning on the Hero’s Journey: a story pattern common in ancient myths and modern day adventures in which a hero goes on an adventure, wins a victory and comes home transformed. Children at Acton Academy know why they are being challenged to learn — they are on their own Hero’s Journey to find their passion in life.

Sandefer went on her own Hero’s Journey in starting Acton Academy, which she chronicles in her book Courage to Grow: How Acton Academy Turns Learning Upside Down. She became a reluctant entrepreneur, growing Acton Academy so other parents can start their own learner-driven communities.

“When you have the hero’s journey narrative in your mind, what you realize is that every single human you come across has treasure within. Each person’s treasure is different.” - Laura Sandefer on story and empathy

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