Staff
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Adam Kinunen |
I first learned about the existence of student-empowering, democratic, self-directed, educational institutions while studying philosophy at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Always knowing that there must be a better way to get knowledge into a student than force-feeding, my heart leaped within me when I read about “the ‘unofficial’ unschooling school” that allowed students to pursue their own passions, and vowed to remove the sour taste in their mouths toward learning.
As a staff member, I have used the freedom inherent in the Sudbury educational model to start pursuing some of the varied interests that I have never taken the time or given myself the opportunity to explore. I will list a few of the projects that I have undertaken in the year of our Lord 2009. Learning and teaching finger-knitting and knitting with knitting needles. Construction and use of foxhole radios, and crystal radios, LED circuit experiment, design, and construction of bicycle lights. We made speakers out of magnetic wire, magnets and Styrofoam plates. We learned how to weave Chain Maille, how to do Native American bead weaving, I learned how to sew, and have been teaching beginner’s sewing lessons. I’ve also toyed around with embroidery, cross-stitch, and tatting this year. My film camera collection has grown to well past two dozen cameras (mostly 35 mm), and I am waiting for a student to get excited about helping me get our dark room up and running again. |
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Rebecca Cobb |
Rebecca believes life should be meaningful. She has spent the past 13 years joyfully homeschooling her three children. Seven years ago she encountered John Holt who revolutionized not only her homeschooling methodologies but her life; she loosened her authoritarian hold and created space for the wonder and mysteries of life to blossom. Rebecca is continuously involved in various projects and setting goals only to arrive in destinations she never anticipated. She studied art, sociology, gerontology, and marriage and family therapy at Utah State University. She has worked with grieving groups and has a great respect for the fragile balance of life. Her passions include coffee, baking bread, cooking, knitting, writing, gardening, reading, painting, and traveling. She is currently learning to play the guitar, roller skate, experimenting with vegetarian and vegan cookery, and is fascinated with the art and history of storytelling. Her next endeavors may include trail running, writing her own music, xerascaping her entire yard, Victorian studies, and learning to moonwalk. |
Jen Schwartz |
Jen, one of the Sego Lily School founders, is a native Texan who has lived in Utah for over 15 years. After obtaining a degree in education and early childhood development, as well as a teaching certificate in music, Jen taught public school for five years. Leaving the public school system for the business world gave her experience in starting, running, and managing businesses. Her dream was to open Sego Lily School for her four boys, and every child she has met since embarking on this adventure. Recently Jen obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Her other interests include music (she has played the French horn for over 20 years), scrapbooking, puzzles of any kind, and mathematics. Jen is involved with many humanitarian agencies and organizations, including The Hunger Project. She is excited to be at Sego Lily School, making self-initiated learning accessible to all children. Jen also teaches parenting workshops at Sego Lily School. |
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Kyle Spencer |
Kyle received his B.S. degree in Mass Communications from the University of Utah. After college, Kyle worked in the hospitality industry and as a professional film actor. He has several small roles to his credit, and two leading roles. In 2002, he returned to school and earned a Masters Degree in education. Upon graduation he took a one year contract and taught drama at Park City High. Kyle is one of the original staff members at Sego Lily and has grown dramatically personally and professionally in the past five years. He has attended two Sudbury conferences and is beginning to feel like a Sudbury “oldtimer.” Outside of Sego Lily, Kyle is an avid athlete: skier, runner, and basketball player. His second job is at an adolescent treatment center and he has between one and four day-treatment foster boys living at his home. |
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Stephany Morrison |
Right from childhood, Stephany was planning and organizing activities for the neighborhood children. IN high school she did work leave to teach in a preschool. She has always felt that she related to, and got along with children well, and that it was her calling in life to work with them. Stephany has traveled around the world visiting 19 different countries including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. She attended the University of Utah and received an Associates degree in Child Development in 1995. She went on to run Neverland Preschool until the birth of her son. At that point, Stephany ran a preschool in her home for seven years. For five years Stephany followed a dream of operating big machinery in the construction world. Since October of 2008 Stephany has returned to the world of children, joining the Sego Lily School staff. She loves gardening, Geography, Art, Science, Health & Exercise. She also enjoys organizing, swimming, eating, camping, back-packing, hiking, skiing, and being in the great outdoors. Her dream is to live on a self-sufficient farm. She has a deep love for animals and has many pets. |
