We believe that home time is family time!

Both in and outside of school, children need time to play free,

time to be creative and curious,

time to pursue hobbies,

time to inspire others,

time for reflection...

time to be a kid.

Kori and Michael Stack, founders of Acton Academy Kennebunkport, with their four children at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah; Summer 2019

For two and a half years we homeschooled our children, which was a wonderful journey. We began homeschooling because we wanted to instill our values, give our children time to run and be free, to be outside, to experience and learn from the real world around them, and simply to spend time as a family. 

What amazed us almost immediately was how creative our kids are and how much they can do on their own. It proved to us, what is already known, that kids want to learn and do it very naturally if we take the risk and step back. We do more service to our kids acting as their mentors, guides, and coaches as opposed to spoon-feeding them information that has no relevance. It feels risky to give up control, but we have seen that loosening the reins and allowing kids freedom is the only way to let them learn who they are and what they are capable of.

Our kids are growing up in an entrepreneurial household, so statistically have a higher chance of being entrepreneurs themselves. But, regardless if they are or not, we want them to be able to think on their own, come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems, and have the confidence to go against the grain when it's appropriate to set a higher standard.  

When we read about Acton Academy in the book 'Courage To Grow' by Laura Sandefer it encompassed so much of what we were trying to accomplish for our kids in our homeschool. Our reaction to Acton Academy was, "Could this be even better? Could this challenge our kids in an amazing way? And could this help not only our kids, but other like-minded families in our community?" 

At that moment, we were so happy with our own homeschooling and by no means looking to start a school, but we could not ignore that the answer to these questions was an absolute 'YES'! 

So we did what we typically do...jumped in with excitement, faith, and two feet!

Our Learner Driven Communities are run mostly by our students, where closely connected families of lifelong learners are bound by clear covenants. Where "Learning to Do" and "Learning to Be" are even more important than "Learning to Know".

LEARN TO LEARN

Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.

LEARN TO DO

Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges. 

LEARN TO BE

The Hero's Journey, relational covenants and real world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.

Acton Kennebunkport Co-founder Head of School & MSLP Guide

Acton Kennebunkport Co-founder

Kori grew up in Storrs, CT before attending Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA for her undergraduate studies. 

After college Kori worked in technology consulting for six years at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte Consulting traveling to client sites around the country. While she was very successful and enjoyed what she did, Kori felt a pull towards education and helping children.  She went back to school where she earned her Master of Math Education from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. 

In Chicago, Kori taught High School math at Lane Tech College Prep for four years before starting a family and prioritizing her role as a mother. Starting an Acton Academy combines Kori's desire to do the best for her children, while also making a difference in other children's lives...truly bringing out her own inner genius.

Kori is happily married to Michael and together they have four energetic, happy children. The live in Kennebunkport, ME ten months of the year, but rent their house each summer in order to give their children the experience of living in different locations around the country. For the past four years they have spent summers in Oregon, Colorado, South Carolina, California, Vermont, and Utah, with international being next on the list.

Kori and Michael have always been very intentional about the way they live their life and raise their children. They have worked very hard to live a simple, but rich life and are extremely grateful.

Michael grew up in Valparaiso, IN before attending Indiana University in Bloomington, IN for his undergraduate studies.

Michael's entrepreneurial spirit began at an early age when he started a lawn-mowing business, Mighty Mowers, at the age of 13. This company ran successfully for 6 years and was sold for profit during Michael's time in college where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Computer Information Systems. 

After beginning his career in the corporate world at PricewaterhouseCoopers the pull of entrepreneurship lead him to a successful career in Real Estate.

Michael went on to follow an opportunity and purchase an existing business in the workers' compensation industry and is now an industry thought leader. He has won Best Blog for the past 7 years, is a national speaker, and founder of the Amaxx Workers' Comp Training Center. 

He has brought innovation to the industry with a cutting-edge learning platform teaching workers' comp cost containment systems. Through an extensive curriculum, professionals can earn their Certified Master of Workers' Compensation designation.  

Michael believes in the philosophy made famous by Zig Ziglar that "you can get everything you want in life if you just help enough other people get what they want."

Acton Kennebunkport
Director & ADVENTURE Studio Guide

Dan is a dedicated father of three who continues to follow his Hero’s Journey. 

After growing up in Montreal, he played junior hockey in Quebec and varsity lacrosse while earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University. There, he participated in research focused on toad population dynamics on Ontario’s shores of Lake Erie and coastal ecology in Barbados. 

Upon graduating, and after a brief stint in semi-professional lacrosse, he hopped on a bicycle and rode 10, 000 miles around the perimeter of the United States with only a tent. This exploration was grounded in exploring his American roots and would provide the foundation for his Master of Arts in Educational Studies at Concordia University. When he returned home, he worked as a researcher in pediatric cerebral palsy, ADHD, and the effects of sleep on youth development (ask him about his thoughts on this last topic!). 

He again returned to school in Toronto where he received a Certificate in Film Studies from Ryerson University and worked as a producer, editor and writer of comedy and advertisements for one of Canada’s largest online video producers. Always multitasking, he simultaneously coached Dawson College’s Men’s Lacrosse Team to its most successful season to date, garnering the Quebec Federation of Student Athlete’s Coach of the Year Award. 

Dan’s life drastically changed when he moved to Maine for his wife’s medical residency and took on the role of primary caregiver for his growing family. He stayed active in the community as a foster parent, chairing The Children’s Nursery School and coaching baseball, lacrosse, soccer, hockey and ultimate frisbee in local high schools and local programs. His love for coaching culminated in assisting the University of New England (UNE) Men’s Hockey Team achieve its winningest seasons three years in a row. 

Seeing his players maturing out of hockey at UNE opened Dan’s eyes to new possibilities. He enrolled there himself and received his Master of Science to became a Physician Associate. He worked in inpatient cardiology and internal medicine at Maine Medical Center for three years before venturing into private business. His experiences now come full circle as he returns to education in search of an authentic, fulfilling and contributive life. 

In all his varied paths, Dan has come to excel at building cultures of excellence. He has a “first-on-the-field-and-last-one-off” mentality and cares deeply about team and mentee successes. He brings insights from research, education, medicine, parenting and business to Acton Academy and continues to learn alongside his students. Dan is elated to share his lifelong love of learning in the Acton community and inspire others to share in this passion.

Acton Kennebunkport

SPARK Studio Guide

Acton Kennebunkport

Lead OUTDOOR Guide

Liz has always loved learning new things and being out in nature, surrounded by the beauty of this world. She grew up on the side of Mount Cardigan in Orange, New Hampshire, and spent summers living on a small island with her family. She attended the University of New Hampshire, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and her Master’s Degree in Education. She was also a member of the Women’s Crew team.

Liz enjoys running, cooking, exploring new places, gardening, landscaping, hiking, volunteering, and spending time with her three children and her dog. Her most important and cherished teaching has come from her experiences guiding her own children through life and watching them become curious, independent, and amazing humans.

Liz feels strongly about helping others and enjoys volunteering in her community. She runs a food drive every November, has been a Scout leader and Eagle Scout mentor, and was a facilitator at the Center for Grieving Children for several years. She hopes to share her love for community service with her students because helping others creates connections and fosters compassion and empathy.

Liz is excited to bring her love of learning and her belief that all children are born with unlimited potential to the Spark program. She considers it an honor to be able to guide children and encourage them to grow, learn, investigate and be curious about the world around them.

Ryan grew up in southern New Hampshire and enjoyed exploring the White Mountains on skis and in hiking boots as a teenager.  He studied Economics and Finance at Bryant University where he was captain of the Cross Country/Track & Field team.  After a brief career in corporate finance he felt called to do work that would be more meaningful to him and helpful to others.  Ever-curious about the systems that make the world work Ryan began exploring holistic health, fitness, organic farming and “rewilding”. He soon discovered a passion for foraging, tracking and survival skills which lead him to Maine Primitive Skills School.  There he apprenticed for a year and stayed for two more to help teach adults and children of all ages.  Along the way his interests expanded to include traditional homesteading skills, permaculture and earth-based spirituality. 

Hoping to be closer to family and friends Ryan returned to southern New Hampshire and soon began working for White Pine Programs, another school that was inspired by the teachings of Tom Brown Jr. and the 8 Shields model.  He has 5 years of experience working with children ages 4-18 in the outdoors and has run numerous adult workshops including the popular meetup group Seacoast Nature Connection.  Ryan is a certified Permaculture Designer and Wilderness First Responder.

Ryan loves to help folks of all ages to find their unique gifts and express them in the world.   He enjoys demonstrating how humans can re-engage with their natural environment to become regenerative stewards.  He also believes that the world is our invisible classroom and enjoys guiding children and adults in discovering the lessons all around us. 

Ryan’s passions include gardening, foraging, paddling, permaculture design, hunting, fishing meditation and fitness.  He is interested in building community around co-operative farming and will be leasing land in South Berwick to begin farming in 2022.

Acton Kennebunkport
Spark OUTDOOR Guide

Jenna grew up in southern New Hampshire and York, Maine, where her love for the outdoors began. She spent every season of her childhood immersed in nature, either in the forest or in the ocean. She began surfing at the age of 12, competing at 13, and later becoming a surf instructor for children of all ages, as well as offering private lessons for adults. Even in her 30s, she continues to push herself in her favorite sport, surfing bigger waves every year.

After high school, Jenna moved to Northern California, where she studied Herbal Medicine at the California School of Herbal Studies, the oldest herb school in the country. There, she took courses in Body Systems and Herbal Wellness, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and, finally, a 9-month intensive course in gardening, medicine making, botany, plant identification, and more. She continues to use these skills in her small business, where she crafts herbal remedies and skincare products.

As an entrepreneur, Jenna has a wide range of talents. She incorporates her passion for plants into botanical design for weddings and events and enjoys hosting workshops where she shares her knowledge of the craft. During the warmer months, Jenna can often be found working in her own garden or helping clients care for their established perennial gardens.

Jenna has lived in Sonoma County, San Francisco, and Maui, gaining a wealth of knowledge about plants and people along the way. Her travels have taken her to Australia, Central America, and the Caribbean, further expanding her understanding of diverse cultures and environments. She has called Cape Neddick home for the past nine years, sharing her love of surfing and nature with her partner, Dana.

Jenna has always had a love of working with children. Having grown up as the oldest of four siblings, this helped her cultivate a nurturing and caring personality. Over the years, she has shared her love for plants and health with her two bonus children, who have grown into remarkable young adults. She is deeply grateful for the fulfillment she finds in sharing her skills with children as the Spark Outdoor Guide.

In her free time, you can find her surfing, mountain biking, photographing big waves, or exploring the forest with her 8-pound, tiny but mighty rescue pup, Curry.

Acton Academy Advisor & Co-founder

Acton Academy Advisor & Co-founder

Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science.

After being awarded the highly competitive Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd’s of London, Laura worked in the aviation insurance industry in New York City.  Deciding to follow her calling into the world of education, Laura returned to Nashville and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. This led her to her work at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, creating fine arts education programs for teachers and talented high school students.

Laura married Jeff Sandefer and is the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and step-mother to Taite. It is the inspiration of these children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy.

Her greatest hero is her mother who was a Master Teacher. Her wisest mentor is her father who sent her off to college with two words of advice: "Be curious".

Jeff Sandefer lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and a Socratic Guide.

As an entrepreneur, he founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses.

As a Socratic teacher at the University of Texas, Jeff’s students five times voted him the school’s Outstanding Teacher and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America. Jeff went on to co-found the Acton School of Business, an MBA program perennially ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012 The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world.

Jeff is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he served for over twenty years on the school’s governing committees. He was a longtime director of the Philanthropy Roundtable and National Review magazine and one of the youngest members ever elected to the Texas Business Hall of Fame.