FAQs

This page details Frequently Asked Questions to clarify how this model works to empower through choice using 1-on-1 self-directed education from Off Da Beaten Path Learning LLC.

A drawing of a triangle with pink painter's tape ripped off the paper. Child's hand hold marker in the lower right corner. Background paper is brown and the triangle is a blend of purple and blue crayon lines.

What is 1-on-1 self-directed education?

WHAT: During meetings, the learner meets with their educator to review, reflect on, and honor progress. The educator prepares updates, feedback, questions, and activities highly customized for the unique learner. The learner leaves each meeting with a strong reminder of who they are, what they have accomplished, and what is next.
HOW & WHY: The educator will facilitate the learner's independent decision making as a means of providing the navigation to help them to focus on steering their own ship. Self-directed education is a vehicle to empower through choice.
WHERE: Meetings happen
- remotely (Zoom, Whats App, Google Meets),
- on the phone,
- and/or in-person (home, library, museum, etc).
WHEN: Each meeting is usually 1 hour. Time varies depending on the needs of the learner. Meetings are usually held weekly, but this can be adjusted as needed.
WHAT: During family meetings, the team meets to review, reflect on, and honor the learner's progress. The family leaves each meeting with a strong reminder of the strengths of their learner, aware of opportunities for growth, and equipped to respond to strengths and struggles accordingly.
HOW & WHY: The educator stays connected to the learner's support team to provide context, insight, resources, and support. This helps to ensure all supporting members are seamlessly communicating.
WHO IS "THE TEAM?" Parents, guardians, family members. If the learner is an adult, the team may include a partner or spouse. The educator may also meet with professionals such as teachers and doctors.
WHERE: Meetings happen
- remotely (Zoom, Whats App, Google Meets),
- on the phone,
- and/or in-person (home, library, museum, etc).
WHEN: Each meeting is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. Time varies depending on the needs of the family. Meetings can be held weekly, to be adjusted as needed.
WHAT: Before and after the meetings is when most of the educators' work occurs. This model demands considerably more preparation than a conventional teacher executes per student.
Off Da Beaten Path Learning LLC and this model of 1-on-1 self-directed education is highly personalized, flexible, and structured according to each unique learner. As such, educators spend more time working behind the scenes for each learner as they do in meetings.
OUTCOMES: Research, preparation, documentation, celebration, feedback, paperwork, coordination, advocacy
WHY: To uphold the personalization and self-direction of the learner.
WHERE: Administrative work happens
- on the computer,
- at the library,
- networking at events,
- at home,
- at the park on a picnic blanket on a nice, sunny day,
- wherever.
WHEN: Administrative work has no set time. Sometimes, it is all-consuming. If the educator is doing intensive research or writing a report, behind the scenes work can take 5-15 hours. On average, an educator will spend 2-4 hours per week doing administrative tasks.

I'm interested! Let's talk.

Yes. It is a part of the process to, at some point, not know.
The only requirement with Off Da Beaten Path is that you want to create a path for yourself. You want to choose what to learn and how. You want to define your own success and get help in achieving that.
If you are feeling stuck, missing a clear vision of what’s ahead and/or the road map to get there, reach out.
This work is normally 1-2 hours per meeting time per week. Still, it can be a deep and intensive process.
Worthwhile ventures require effort, zones of discomfort, and challenge. True advancement takes (and also provides) courage, confidence, and compassion.
It is not always going to be easy. Even with the right self-directed guide, even with all the support, celebration, documentation, encouragement, and advocacy.
However, the more we choose ourselves, the more we create our own path of progress, the closer we are to our desired lives.
Trust in your process.
Good. Then we’ll get unbored and learn through that process. Or, quite possibly, we’ll stay bored for a very long while.
If the learner is in a state of deschooling, this is inherently an uncomfortable transition that often corresponds with boredom and uncertainty.
Trust the process.
To request a coach or mentor with a specific certification, let us know so we can match you with just the right guide for you/your learner’s needs!
Our genius is to find the genius you need!
The founder, Dominique Paloma Bible, has their Master’s of Arts in Community Education. To read more about Dom’s background, go to their About page.
Self-direction is amazing for everyone.
Empowerment, a true connection to self and others, is a need for all humans. Knowing we have a choice in creating our education matters. It’s never too late. Or early! We have not explored this work with tiny small people yet. Potentially more on that to come!
For children, the process looks like play. For teens and young adults, it usually looks like mentorship. For adults, self-directed education often takes the label of coaching.
We work on any goal. Social. Professional. Academic. Athletic .
Name your goal.
We match you with the perfect guide and utilize the magic of self-directed education to help you exercise choice as a vehicle to help you transition toward accomplishment and joy.
Choose your education. Create your success.
The value is priceless to have a learning coach to help you focus on your particular unique goals in a 1-on-1 regular manner.
Our model is completely unique in that it was born between a neurodivergent educator at the request of her neurodivergent learner.
Dom, the founder, is one of very few within the field of SDE to have a lived experience of disability, traditional school, as well as first hand years of experience with SDE and other forms of alternative education as both student and educator. This, combined with her particular training, yield a rare and special approach with maximum long term impact.
All that said, if you can’t afford it, let us know. Maybe we can find a way. Scholarships, grants, etc!