Our Staff
North Star has a small, core staff of dedicated professionals and a large, extended staff comprised of interns, work-study students, and volunteers. Together we create a diverse body of caring individuals with a wide variety of skills and interests to share.
Kenneth Danford
Executive Director
Co-founder of North Star, Ken has been working intensively with teenagers and their families since 1991. Previously a middle school social studies teacher, first in Prince George’s County, MD, then in Amherst, MA, Ken left the Amherst school system to found North Star. He brought with him extensive education and training, including a B.A. from Amherst College in Psychology and an M.A.T. in Social Studies from Brown University.
Catherine Gobron
Associate Director
Now in her seventh year at North Star, Catherine is an active participant in the extended homeschooling community with two homeschooling daughters of her own. She has been working continuously with youth in a variety of capacities since she was one herself, as a coach, tutor, and teacher in both public settings and Montessori schools. Catherine holds two B.A.s from University of California, Santa Barbara, in English and History, a Master's in Education from Lesley University, and primary teacher certification from the American Montessori Society.
Sarah Reid
Outreach Director
As a high school dropout and Smith College graduate, Sarah considers North Star’s mission and work very important. She has experienced North Star on many levels; as a teacher, as a parent of a member, and as a board member. This history, combined with her background as a small business owner and nonprofit office manager, makes her uniquely qualified to spread the word about North Star.
Susannah Sheffer
Part of the staff of North Star since 2002, Susannah has been leading the writing workshop and working individually with North Star members. Formerly the editor of Growing Without Schooling, the national magazine founded by John Holt, she has worked with homeschooling teenagers and families around the country, and has published four books and numerous essays and poems.
John Sprague
John has been affiliated with North Star since its inception. He has been a parent to two members, a board member, and now a staff member leading classes in Philosophy and Math. He is also a musician for the Five College dance program. John has a B.A. from Amherst College in English and a Masters in Creativity Studies from Vermont College.
Joe Seitz
Joe brings a wide set of skills to North Star and a wealth of experience in capoeira, dance, carpentry, and video production. He has a dozen other passions and interests, including paraflying, traveling, and robotics. Currently leading workshops in a variety of topics, tutoring math, and playing ultimate medicine ball, Joe holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
To see photos and read about our extended staff members, go to the Photo Gallery.
