noteworthy

By Tara Oakes Summary: In this personal origin story, Tara shares her journey from a bullied child in the UK school system to finding belonging in online communities, discovering project-based learning through video game modding, and ultimately joining a team of founders determined to build a better future for kids. This article explores how her early experiences with loneliness, creativity, and community led to the mission behind CARE today. A Shared Goal The founding team:

Introduction: Small Acts, Big Ripples “Some believe it is only a great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”  – Gandalf, The Hobbit At first glance, this quote might seem simple, even corny. But it captures a truth I’ve come to understand: The most important changes, even the most real, often start with ordinary people living out the

Learning by Doing at the CARE Society At the CARE Society, we believe young people learn best when they have true agency  and are trusted, supported, and encouraged to take charge of their education with care. Freedom with CARE  is our approach to helping children and teens grow into thoughtful, capable, and caring human beings—people who use their freedom to make choices that benefit themselves, others, and the world. Our collectively-owned CARE Learning Framework  represent

Introduction This article is a creative writing project of mine to empower readers and invite families and students to build a better world with us at the CARE Society! Disclaimer This project was written without the use of artificial intelligence. I just sat down and wrote this in a 45-minute sitting. We encourage our members to share their unpolished and raw drafts and ideas! Moving Mountains: Exercising Freedom with Care Everyone is free to make decisions. Maybe not everyt

I recently watched a lecture that Alfie Kohn gave at the Deming Institute , titled The Schools Our Children Deserve: Rescuing Children from Grades, Tests, and Data.  Alfie Kohn has written several books on the topics of parenting and education. Many of his writings focus on the detrimental effects of rewards and competition and relate those theories to current educational philosophies. His ideas align closely with what we believe and practice at the CARE Society  — that real

At the CARE Society, we’re building more than a learning community — we’re building a movement of families who believe that education can be joyful, purposeful, and rooted in care. The families who join us aren’t looking for a new curriculum or a quick fix. They’re searching for something deeper: connection, curiosity, and a sense of meaning in how their children learn and live. Families Who Believe Learning Should Feel Alive The families who thrive with the CARE Society are

While most people understand that play is important for children’s development, many still believe that at some point children must stop playing and start learning. Yet research has long shown that play is not separate from learning—it is the foundation of it. Play is how children make sense of the world, test ideas, and form meaningful connections. Emerging studies also show that this truth extends beyond early childhood—learners of all ages benefit when curiosity, joy, and