FreedomHill Cooperative Biographies

Denise Chasin, Founder

After years of studying various approaches to education, Denise founded the FreedomHill Cooperative (FHC) in March 2007. Observing her own children in both traditional and not-so-traditional educational settings had led her to conclude that there had to be a better way.In her research, Denise came across Summerhill in Suffolk, England, the original democratic, free school; Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts; and later Fairhaven School in Upper Marlboro, Md.

After visiting Fairhaven, Denise never looked back.  It was clear to her that the ideal way for children to learn is in a democratic community filled with interesting people of all ages and in an environment that allows children to discover their interests and then pursue them.

Denise has a B.A. in Art History and Fine Arts and an M.B.A. in Business.  After eight years working in the corporate world as an international trade consultant, she made a 180-degree turn to start an equine-massage business.  She has also taught art classes for young children. In addition to being “chief cook and bottle washer” at FSC, Denise is the Assistant National Director of Personal Ponies Ltd. (www.personalponies.org), an organization with a mission to make magic in the lives of children with special needs by pairing them with expressly bred Shetland ponies.

In the next few years, Denise envisions FHC expanding into a full-time, independent school with enough land for raising farm animals and growing an organic garden. Meanwhile, never content with the status quo, Denise continues to study past and present philosophies about education.

Christa Sperry
Christa grew up in “the soul of the Southwest,” Taos, N.M., where she won several state championships in poetry and was the official poetry “slam” master New Mexico, as well as winning the World Heavyweight Championship Poetry Bout. Christa has shared her love of poetry with children by volunteering at various pueblos in New Mexico, working with kids ages 11-14.

Currently, Christa is a coach for the Taos Poetry team, which competed internationally in 2008. She is also the co-author of several plays and has directed and performed in various drama productions throughout northern New Mexico

After graduating from college, Christa spent three years traveling and studying in Asia, Europe, and South America. She volunteered in developing countries, helping with farming and disaster relief. Other areas about which Christa is passionate are nutrition, health, politics, music, and anthropology.  She shares these interests with FHC students on a regular basis. Christa came to the Washington, DC, area in 2007.

Meg de Guzman
Meg first heard about Sudbury Valley School from Abraham, a group of nonphysical beings who communicate through Esther Hicks, and she was intrigued. Though she had been a good student in traditional school, she always felt her real learning occurred outside of the educational system and so the idea of learning by following interests made complete sense.

After reading books on the subject, she was ready to relocate so her eldest daughter could attend a Sudbury-type school. Fortunately, before she and her husband, Roo, put their home on the market, she received a scrap of paper with Denise’s name and contact information on it. Before she knew it, she was helping to edit documents and attending meetings for the newly forming cooperative. With her youngest daughter, Tess, in tow, Meg spends one day a week at co-op.

Meg puts her master’s degree in journalism to good use by editing the co-op’s quarterly newsletter and working on articles. She is ready and willing to work with any student interested in writing, grammar, and publishing. She also has extensive interest in health and nutrition, yoga, and Great Danes, and can be found reading just about anything.

Susan Philpott

With interests in American history and government, Susan got involved in the FreedomHill Cooperative because she was drawn to the idea of democratic education. Susan believes that one of the reasons Americans tend to be disengaged from the democratic process is due to our educational experiences in this country. In traditional schools, children never have the opportunity to participate in decision making, problem solving or conflict resolution.

At FHC, kids get the chance to become part of a community and discover what democracy involves. Susan shares her passion for history with the kids as well as her involvement in boy scouts and other academic subjects.

Susan is the parent of a 10-year-old boy who loves science, math, chess and computer games.

Deborah Donndelinger
Deborah is an avid unschooler and parent of three children. With her husband, Jim, she’s committed to meeting the needs of her children in a way that serves them, not what the mainstream dictates.

After 10 years at home with her children, Deb’s desire to be part of an extended community dedicated to freedom and respect brought her and the children to the Freedom School Cooperative. She finds the co-op is a natural expansion of the unschooling lifestyle.

Professionally she is an emotional energy worker and coach, supporting individuals to heal their childhood wounds so they can parent their children in a more compassionate way. Husband Jim is an avid outsdoorsman, Packers fan, and computer security specialist—but most of all, he’s a loving dad with a big heart.

Richard Morris
Richard has a deep passion for democracy and is committed to helping students discover and understand their rights and responsibilities for both the school and the larger community. He is a Fairhaven School alumnus and has served as a substitute staff member at both Fairhaven and FreedomHill since 2008.

While attending Fairhaven, Richard took on many roles, including Law Clerk and School Meeting Chair, as well as wrote and directed a feature length school play.

Richard attended Video Symphony TV & Film School in Burbank, Calif., and has worked as a sound editor on more than 20 projects, including feature films and video games. Richard’s website is www.zenofsound.com.

When not working, Richard writes, listens to music, plays the cello, and keeps up to date on politics and box office stats.

Elaine Wooton
Elaine Wooton is a member of the Founder’s Group of  FreedomHill Cooperative. Having attended a 1970s free-school for first grade, she’d been looking to move her two boys out of the traditional educational environment when she met Denise.

Based on a her mom’s advice that life is only meaningful if one learns or experiences something new every day, Elaine can often be found “Googling” new areas of interest and trying out new things.

FHC offers Elaine and her boys the opportunity to follow their interests and to share new experiences with the other members. She’s present at co-op two days a week.

Elaine has been involved in Scouting, rocketry, archery, primitive skills, boating, practical crafts, cooking, and endless other areas, including traditional academics (emphasis on math/science/foreign languages). In her professional life, she works part-time as a forensic scientist for the federal government

Eric Chasin
Eric is a founder of Freedom Hill Cooperative, and although he works full-time, he provides an enormous amount of support to keep our program running, whether that’s maintaining the co-op’s computer systems or laying carpet on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Eric’s background in physics and mechanical engineering does not go unused.  He often is available for the Science Club and organizes many experiments and activities in chemistry, physics, and engineering with all age groups.

Eric’s real passion is race car driving.  Although there have been several opportunities to teach the kids about mechanical engineering, what Eric would really like to do is work with the kids to build a Freedom Car, but as of yet, he has no takers.He spends his working hours keeping the world safe from terrorists, tax evaders, and any other threats to peace and liberty.

Lynne Dutrow
Lynn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years of interest, study and experience in the fields of Education, Psychology and Spirituality.

She has worked with children and adults in a variety of public and private settings, supporting them through life’s challenges and celebrating life’s accomplishments.

Lynn is an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church Monastery and is currently the facilitator and coordinator for the Freedom Hill Fellowship and an advisor for the Freedom Hill Homeschool Cooperative.