Meet Our Team

Meet the experienced and dedicated facilitators and staff who make Cupola Academy’s vision a reality.

Julia Bergson-Shilcock

Founder & CC/CP1 Facilitator

  • Julia Bergson-Shilcock is a lifelong homeschooler/unschooler, never having stepped foot in traditional school until college. During her college years at Arcadia University, Julia created multiple Independent Study courses focusing on alternative education. While juggling her full-time course load, Julia also worked part-time at Open Connections, and captained her college soccer team. In 2003, Julia graduated with a B.A. in sociology, and transitioned from a part-time position to a full-time role at Open Connections (OC). In 2007, Julia became a co-director at OC and continued in that role until 2020, when she co-founded Cupola Academy.

    In addition to her extensive experience working with homeschoolers, Julia spent 10 years volunteering in the Philadelphia Public Schools, and also ran a small, private summer camp. Over the years, Julia has led a number of workshops in the greater Philadelphia area focusing on homeschooling, natural learning, and Process Consciousness. She has also conducted hundreds of educational consultations for families from a variety of backgrounds, helping them to create meaningful and rich learning journeys.

    Julia sits on the Board of Directors for The Rock School for Dance Education, and is the head of their Parent Volunteer Committee. She also serves on the Barnes Foundation Teacher Advisory Board.

    Julia is married to Mike Hilbert and they are parents to three life-long homeschoolers and CA youth, ages 16, 14 and 11.

Mike Hilbert

Founder & CP4/CYP Facilitator

  • Mike graduated with a B.S. in economics from Villanova University, and a M.A.T. in secondary social studies from Rivier College. After graduating, Mike spent two years working in the Americorps program City Year, where he taught in the Philadelphia Public School system. Mike also spent a number of summers as Athletic Director for the Eagles Mere Athletic Association, where he ran programming for youth ages 3-18.

    In 2005, Mike shifted his focus from working in public schools to working with homeschoolers. Since then, Mike has worked with hundreds of teens, helping them design and implement meaningful educational paths. Mike has extensive experience supporting families through the high school years, including creating transcripts, complying with Pennsylvania Home Education Law, securing internships/apprenticeships, and navigating the college-search and application process. In addition to his role as co-director, Mike is a Facilitator at CA, and conducts private educational consultations and year-end portfolio evaluations.

    Mike also sits on the Board of Directors of the Eagles Mere Athletic Association.

    Mike is married to Julia Bergson-Shilcock and they are parents of three life-long homeschoolers and CA youth, ages 16, 14, and 11.

Alexandra Barainyak

Exec. Asst. & CP2 Facilitator

  • Alexandra grew up homeschooled and credits this educational experience for her lifelong love of learning. She is grateful to have had Susan Shilcock as her facilitator for many years during her childhood, and credits Susan’s influence for helping her find her voice.

    Alexandra graduated from Goucher College in 2012 with a BA in Music (with a double concentration in Vocal Performance and Music History). During her time at Goucher, she studied abroad in Costa Rica, living with a host family, and studying Spanish at the Monteverdi Institute. This was an especially valuable experience for her, as her mother is a Cuban immigrant and Spanish was Alexandra’s first language. Alexandra earned her teaching certificate (Pre-K through 12th grade) from West Chester University in 2014 and in 2016 earned her Master’s in Music from Boston University with a concentration in Music Education.

    Alexandra has worked in many different educational environments over the past 15 years, including public and charter schools, as well as with homeschoolers.

    At CA, Alexandra is an Executive Assistant, helping with many of the behind the scenes operations of running Cupola Academy. She also Facilitates the CP2 program. In addition to her roles at CA, Alexandra is the Instrumental and Choral Music Director at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown, where she directs adult and youth handbell choirs and vocal choirs. During the summer of 2013 she took the handbell choir on a concert tour of East Anglia, United Kingdom. When she’s not at Cupola Academy, Alexandra enjoys singing and playing music (her favorites are violin, piano, and ukulele), creative writing, reading, history, acting in community theater, and spending time with her family and pets.

Megan Pedemonti

CP3 Facilitator

  • Megan is a Facilitator in the Collaborative Pod 3 program. She graduated from Mary Washington College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and then continued her educational journey at West Chester University earning a Masters of Education degree in school counseling.

    After graduating, Megan designed curriculum and taught in a Junior Kindergarten classroom while returning to school yet again to earn her Elementary Education Teaching Certificate. She taught at a public school for several years working with the elementary-aged population primarily supporting learners with learning differences. Megan left teaching when she became a mother, and started homeschooling her youth five years ago. Her family joined Cupola Academy in 2022, and Megan is thrilled to now be in a Facilitative role at CA. She enjoys deep-diving into topics, exploring nature and considers herself a lifelong learner.

    In her free time, Megan spends time with her husband and three children ages 14, 14, and 10, and their dog Maple. She loves to deep-dive into topics, and is an avid reader and researcher. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring nature.

Lucy Tyson

CP4/CYP Facilitator

  • Lucy has been working with homeschoolers for over 25 years, working both in the States and abroad. In 2000, she graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's degree in English. During the 1990s, Lucy worked with Peter Bergson and Susan Shilcock, where she received extensive training in the core philosophies that CA is based upon, and has worked alongside CA’s co-founders since 2005.

    In 2004, Lucy traveled abroad, where she earned a Master's in Shakespeare Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK. Lucy has also worked in theater education and has directed dozens of plays for the stage. Lucy has facilitated all age groups, and now works primarily with teens. She enjoys introducing young people to Shakespeare and a diverse array of great writers through the modern era. She also takes an individualized approach to writing, helping each student to find their voice, while significantly improving their writing skills. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons, both of whom attend Cupola Academy. Her hobbies include cooking, listening to audio books, and hiking.

Maria Llevat

CC/CP1 Facilitator

  • Maria is so excited to be an "official facilitator" this year, after being a sub for the last couple of years, in the CC and CP1 programs. She has been a member of the community since her own young people were in programs with Julia's parents, Peter and Susan, as well as many of the veteran staff at Cupola. 

    Maria has always enjoyed learning new languages, and studied Portuguese and French. She then went on to receive her BA in Spanish from the University of Delaware, which gave her the opportunity to delve deeper into her native language. 

    Maria worked in bilingual customer service and as a Spanish interpreter in the medical field. She then went on to homeschool her two young people, Alexandra and Marcus, for over fifteen years. Currently, when not at Cupola, Maria works with young people ages three and four at Central Community Preschool. 

    Maria's interests include environmental sustainability, volunteering with local organizations that assist those experiencing food and housing insecurity. 

    Maria lives in West Chester with her husband, Steve, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, her four cats and two dogs, thrifting, DIY home improvement projects, and going to the river. Her latest project is turning her lawn into a meadow (much to her husband's dismay). 

Cate Liguori

CC/CP1 Facilitator

  • Cate Liguori graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of arts degree in marketing and mass communications. Following graduation she worked as a buyer and creative merchandiser in the fashion industry for seven years. Her path shifted profoundly when she welcomed her own young people to the world and ultimately found her calling working with youth. 

    In 2017 she opened Camp Wonderkin, a process based STEAM studio, nature camp, and subscription kit for young people. The program has evolved throughout the years but the mission has remained the same - inspiring young people to find their passion, to trust their ability and intuition, and to love and care for our planet. In addition, Cate has spent much of the past seven years of her homeschooling journey—with her three daughters—facilitating a small group of youth in a co-op setting where her focus was on nature, art and the natural sciences. She also has experience as a Cupola Academy Wednesday “Deep Dive” facilitator. 

    Cate holds children’s yoga and mindfulness certifications. She has over 10 years of experience in the equine world working with young horses and riders, and she is forever furthering her knowledge, experience, and connection to the natural world. She loves learning from and alongside young people, modeling passionate curiosity, and is a firm believer that wisdom is gained through the process, not the end result. Cate is incredibly excited to be a facilitator for Creative Choice and Collaborative Pod 1 this year.

Sarah Himebauch

CP3 Facilitator

  • Sarah has worked with youth in various capacities for over twenty-five years. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Education and certifications in elementary and special education, and then from the University of Pittsburgh with a Master of Education in reading education and a reading specialist certificate. Later she obtained additional teaching certifications in middle school mathematics and secondary English. Sarah taught in middle and high schools for seven years, designing and implementing individualized education plans. In doing so, she discovered a passion for finding multiple ways to present concepts and facilitate skill development. After leaving teaching to stay home with her own youth, Sarah tutored high school students for several years in academic content areas, executive functioning and study skills, and SAT/ACT preparation. 

    Sarah was introduced to the world of homeschooling and self directed education by the Bergson-Hilberts when her now 13 year old was still a toddler. Those conversations led her to begin homeschooling her own youth. Over the years, she has enjoyed facilitating in many different co-ops and clubs, and is excited to continue her role working alongside the expert team at Cupola Academy as a Facilitator in Collaborative Pod 3. 

    Sarah likes to spend time outdoors hiking and exploring with her family, and she has recently developed an interest in learning more about native species and creating beneficial habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Michael Altman

Science Facilitator (CP2-CP4)

  • Michael is joining us as our new Science Facilitator. Michael graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Later in his career, he earned an MBA from the University of Delaware.

    Michael has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of technical roles for a global material science company. He has done machine design, lab work and product development in diverse areas such as medical devices, chemical production, consumer products, and technical clothing. For 5 years during his tenure, he developed and facilitated training programs for the company’s technical product managers, covering topics on engineering, business and collaborative leadership. He was also a formal mentor and informal coach to many teammates.

    Michael volunteers with the Philly Fixer’s Guild where he teaches members of the public how to repair their broken household items in order to both empower individuals and reduce waste. This has also helped him start building new skills in electronics. He is an avid woodworker. After he filled much of his house with furniture, he branched out to other custom projects and wood-based artwork. Michael’s passions are science, building things and teaching others. He’s excited to bring these all together at Cupola.

    Michael is married and has two sons (20 and 18) who are pursuing engineering and science disciplines, respectively. With any remaining free time, he enjoys travel, cooking, crosswords and complicated board games.

Corinne Greskiewicz

CP3 Facilitator

  • Corinne Greskiewicz, MA, ATR-BC, LAPC graduated from Arcadia University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in art. She went on to get her Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy from Drexel University. Over the past twenty years, she has had experience as an Art Therapist in a variety of clinical and community-based settings. She currently teaches undergraduate art therapy courses at Arcadia University, is a facilitator for the Women’s Resource Center’s Girls Lead program, and is in private practice at the Child and Family Art Therapy Center.

    Corinne experiences great joy learning alongside young people and has spent the past twelve years working with small groups of homeschoolers, including her own two young people (ages 17 and 20). Corinne has been a faculty advisor for Jr. Model UN and World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s high school program. She also coached multiple FIRST Lego League teams, as well as led weekly sessions for homeschoolers focusing on writing, literature, history and current events. At Cupola, Corinne is always seeking out new and exciting learning opportunities emphasizing Real Work for young people, including facilitating the CA Inquirer, a young-person created news publication, and leading young people to research, nominate, and be approved for one of the newest PA State Historical Markers: the Diamond Rock Schoolhouse. She has also spearheaded collaboration with social justice organizations, such as Students Rebuild, where Cupola young people used their art for activism and raised over $3,000 for humanitarian organizations around the world.

    She is currently interested in the intersection of education and psychology, the psychological and developmental benefits of alternative educational paths in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, and the impact of generative artificial intelligence on education, learning, and the human brain.

    Corinne has worked closely with the Bergson-Shilcock family over the past twelve years, enhancing organizational development and fundraising efforts and as a homeschooling parent and active member of the community. Currently, Corinne is a Facilitator in our Collaborative Pod 3 program.

Dr. Hayley Nelson

Neuroscience Facilitator

  • Dr. Hayley Nelson is a neuroscientist, Professor of Psychology, and educator who is passionate about making neuroscience accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life. She earned her PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, where she conducted research on the neuroscience of motivated behavior. Prior to earning her PhD, she held research fellowships at the National Institutes of Health with both the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Her work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications, and she has spent more than 20 years teaching psychology and neuroscience, including at the University of Pennsylvania and currently at Delaware County Community College, where she is a tenured Full Professor.

    Dr. Nelson is also the founder of The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, where she develops neuroscience education and professional training programs. Through this partnership with Cupola Academy, she is excited to bring neuroscience to students through curiosity, discussion, hands-on experiences, and exploration of real scientific research. Her goal is to help young people understand not only how the brain works, but how neuroscientists discover what we know about it—and to encourage them to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and follow their curiosity.

    This collaboration is especially meaningful because Dr. Nelson and Cupola co-director Mike Hilbert have been friends since childhood. After years of pursuing their own paths, they are excited to reconnect through a shared interest in creating meaningful learning experiences for young people.

    Outside of neuroscience and teaching, Dr. Nelson is a mom to two boys and spends plenty of time cheering from the sidelines as they pursue their own interests. She also tap dances, because apparently neuroscience and sports sidelines aren't enough to keep her busy. If you're looking for Dr. Nelson, you might find her in a classroom, on a soccer or lacrosse field, or dancing her way across a stage.

Meet Our Board

Joining Mike and Julia in stewarding Cupola Academy’s vision, a vibrant and skilled group of advisors help ensure that we stay true to CA’s mission of creating meaningful learning for our youth.

Rob Laudeman

Board Member

  • Rob has more than 30 years of financial and leadership experience from his roles in large multinational companies. As a tax leader and member of financial leadership teams at companies such as McDonalds, Monsanto, Laureate Education, DuPont, and SAP, Rob has overseen diverse global teams, advised executive teams on tax strategy and policy, and initiated process improvements across global teams.

    Prior to his time in-house Rob started his career working on policy and legislative issues at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. Rob has an engineering degree from Purdue University and law degrees from Indiana University and Georgetown University.

    While living in Washington DC, Rob chaired the Board of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center a non-profit early childhood program that places children at the center of every experience. SEEC utilizes an emergent curriculum, following the children’s interests to teach content and developmental skills through objects in the museums and community. He lives in West Chester with his wife, and their two Portuguese Water Dogs, and has 3 adult children in Washington DC and Baltimore.

Jon Greskiewicz

Board Member

  • Jon Greskiewicz is an experienced human resources professional who has spent a career leading global HR transformation programs and project teams. Jon has worked for numerous Fortune 500 corporations including in the financial services, technology manufacturing, and retail sectors. His expertise in HR spans project and change management disciplines as well as learning and organizational development. 

    Jon has earned professional credentials in project and change management, LEAN Six Sigma, training facilitation and instructional design. In recognition of his program leadership in the organization’s cultural transformation, Jon received The One Award in 2021, Qurate Retail Group’s highest employee honor. Jon earned his Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from West Chester University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, Human Resources from Arcadia University, where he has volunteered significant time, holding roles of National Alumni Fund Co-Chair and former Alumni Trustee.

    Jon and his wife, Corinne, reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania with their daughter (a current CA youth). Their son, a CA alum, is thriving as a sophomore in college. Jon and his family enjoy the freedom and independence that homeschooling has provided and have a passion for lifelong learning. The personal care, experience and support of the Cupola Academy staff and the partnership education philosophy are hallmarks of the CA experience that keep the Greskiewicz family deeply connected and forever committed to this community.

Christopher Conklin

Board Member

  • Christopher Conklin has over 20 years of experience in the clinical research industry, including having served in leadership positions at three of the top five global pharmaceutical companies. Chris is currently a Senior Director in the Business Intelligence & Analytics organization at Bristol Myers Squibb, where he leads a team responsible for clinical trial planning activities for BMS's Hematology & Cell Therapy portfolios.

    Chris holds a master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a bachelor’s in Psychology from Arcadia University. Chris has previously served as an adjunct faculty member in George Washington University’s Clinical Research Administration Program and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on various topics in clinical research.

    Chris is father to three homeschooled children and husband to a lifelong homeschooler. Chris is passionate about Cupola’s mission & vision and wants to work to see the organization thrive so that many other children can benefit from the same freedom and independence that have enabled his own youth to become self-directed learners. 

    In his spare time Chris enjoys traveling, finding ways to be active outdoors (hiking, mountain biking, trail running & skiing are some favorite activities), and coaching his young people in their athletic endeavors.

Mindyjane Berman

Advisory Council

  • Mindyjane is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, and founder of KeyQuest Consulting. Her firm is a small, individually-tailored practice offering comprehensive academic and extracurricular counseling and coaching for adolescents and young adults as they navigate traditional and non-traditional academic programs, and begin to plan for the years ahead. Emphasis is placed on the developmental and psychosocial stages of individuals, their respective temperaments, social and learning environments. Most coaching clients are between the ages of 12-25, attend traditional public, private, or alternative educational programs, and are in pursuit of college, work, mentorship, apprenticeship, or are developing a passion project. Mindyjane listens intently and empathetically, thinks out of the box, and develops an idea from the design phase through execution with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.

    Mindyjane is the parent of two adult sons who were unschooled and online students throughout their primary and secondary school years. She was introduced to John Holt’s How Children Fail as a graduate student, and Peter Bergson’s and Susan Shilcock’s Open Connections: The OTHER Basics as a young parent. These solidified a foundation for family life and an approach to learning that honors authenticity and the individual.

    Mindyjane is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton (BS), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd), and Bryn Mawr College (MSS). She is a board member of the Delaware County Youth Orchestras, Branch Board member of the Settlement Music School, and President of the Princeton Parent Committee.

Eric Gehring

Advisory Council

  • Eric Gehring is a dedicated design professional with over 30 years’ experience. He is the Commercial Studio Director at KMA Design Studio based in Ambler, Pennsylvania.

    Eric is known for his thoughtful approach to problem-solving and his commitment to excellence. With a strong foundation in the field of Architecture, Eric brings a blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience to every project he undertakes.

    Eric has an associate’s degree in Drafting and Design Technology from Gloucester County College and a Bachelor of Architecture from Temple University. He sat on the Lower Providence Township Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to help build their 10-year master plan for the Township.

    Outside of work, Eric enjoys playing hockey, golfing, biking, snowboarding and is always looking for new ways to grow personally and professionally.

Kate Groch

Advisory Council

  • Kate is thrilled to join the Cupola Academy Advisory Council and looks forward to exploring new opportunities for collaboration between Cupola Academy and Good Work Foundation in the year ahead.

    South African-born educator, Kate Groch began her career in the field of Zoology. This quickly evolved into a career in Environmental Education immersing young South Africans into their natural world. In 1997 and 1998 Kate, was able to travel the world as a private tutor working for a family of well-known African conservationists. The exposure to the world and its wonder and people from all walks of life and cultures taught Kate two enduring lessons: (1) Everyone deserves access to learning, and, now using technology, that dream is possible; and (2) Learning is exponentially more effective when it is “wonder-filled.”

    Shortly after her round-the-world classroom experiment Kate co-founded a company called Future Nature Edu enabling young people from all over the world to be involved in Community Development and Conservation Projects and in 2006 this lead to her starting the nonprofit organization, Good Work Foundation (GWF), and focused her dream of bringing access to wonder-filled learning to rural South Africans.

    Together with experts from around the world, Kate has pioneered 6 digital learning campuses in rural Mpumalanga and the Free State provinces. (with a 7th planned this year.) These Campuses are designed to infuse entire communities with access to a new way of thinking and learning. Kate with her growing number of staff at Good Work Foundation are creating an Ecosystem of Learning and working bringing opportunity and access to young rural South Africans. Using advances in technology to ensure that no matter where someone is born they have access to world class and wonder filled Education and opportunity.

    Kate is a firm believer in the potential of Africa and all its people and the opportunities that the digital age bring to both.

Sean Palman

Advisory Council

  • Sean Palman has 17+ years experience working at the intersection of financial services and technology industries. Having worked for both a bank and advisory firm, he works with a diverse range of clients, from small businesses and community banks to Fortune 500 companies. Currently he is a Senior Growth Consultant at the Advisory and Accounting firm, Wipfli LLP, where he specializes in business development strategies, payments technology, and digital & operational transformation.

    Sean holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Business Administration from Villanova University, and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). 

    Sean and his wife, Nicole, live in Delaware County where they proudly raise their three daughters. They value the flexibility, leadership development, and confidence that the Cupola Academy staff and community continue to provide and instill. The growth mindset that their daughters have developed while attending Cupola Academy has made a material impact on them and will for years to come. 

Gaby DiFilippo

Advisory Council

  • Gabriela “Gaby” DiFilippo, M.S., LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works with children, adolescents, and adults across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida.

    Holding master’s degrees from Temple University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, she is dedicated to providing compassionate and expert care.

    Gaby works with clients ages 5 to 65+ at her own practice, Helpful Corner Counseling, and as an on-site counselor for a major company. She offers comprehensive, evidence-based support to students, parents, professionals, and healthcare workers to help manage stress, reduce anxiety, and build emotional resilience. Gaby provides therapy both in person and through telehealth, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for busy schedules. She is currently working toward a doctorate in school psychology to further improve her expertise.

    An active contributor to her field, she has published works, presented at national and international conferences, and led workshops at independent schools, companies, fitness centers, and spas focused on mental well-being.

    Gaby strongly advocates for social justice, dedicating much time to promoting racial equality and ensuring all children and young adults have equal access to mental health services, regardless of race or socioeconomic background. She recently published a research article that provides guidance to parents and teachers on racial trauma, benefiting everyone.

    Outside of work and study, she enjoys staying active and balanced by participating in 5Ks and sprint triathlons. She loves exercising, reading, spending time outdoors, hanging with her dog and two cats, and traveling with her husband.

Meliza Reynoso

Advisory Council

  • Meliza Reynoso has over 20 years of experience serving in the Nonprofit and Education sectors in Philadelphia and beyond. Currently a Middle School teacher at Eugenio Maria de Hostos School in Philadelphia, she teaches English Literature, Spanish, and Social Studies. Previously, as a teacher in a public Montessori school in North Carolina, she explored childhood and adolescent development. She also taught English as a second language at John Paul Jones Middle School in the School District of Philadelphia. 

    Her commitment to youth and community-centered organizations led her to serve nonprofits. Meliza has worked in multiple roles at nonprofits including City Year, Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), and Congreso de Latinos Unidos, in Philadelphia.

    Meliza earned a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Temple University and a Masters in Education from Universidad del Turabo in collaboration with Penn State, Abington Campus. Dedicated to her neighborhood in Kensington, where she has lived for over 20 years, she has served as the Co-Chair of the board for the Norris Square Neighborhood Project since 2017.

Nicholas Bergson-Shilcock

Advisory Council

  • Nicholas is CEO of the Recurse Center (recurse.com), a self-directed programming retreat with an integrated recruiting firm based in New York. Since cofounding the Recurse Center in 2010, Nick has helped grow it into a community of nearly 2,000 programmers, who have come from over 50 countries to attend. The retreat is free for all participants, and has disbursed nearly $2M in living expense grants to people from traditionally underrepresented groups in programming. The firm has helped hundreds of companies hire programmers, ranging from fast-growing startups to major public tech companies.

    Nick's strengths include strategic planning, deep technical knowledge, and a decade of experience growing and managing a company based on the principles of unschooling.

    Nick is a lifelong unschooler, and graduate of Franklin and Marshall College (B.A.) and Columbia University (B.S.).

    Nick and his wife reside in Brooklyn, NY and are the parents of two unschooled youth ages 6 and 3.

Peter Bergson

Advisory Council

  • Peter brings extensive knowledge and expertise to Cupola Academy’s Advisory Council, as he has been at the forefront of the self-directed education movement for over fifty years.

    Peter graduated from Harvard College in 1967. During these years, he came across the writings of John Holt, an educator who is known as the “Grandfather of Unschooling.” He spent two years as Primary Teacher at the Early Learning Center in Stamford, Connecticut, and five years with Synectics, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., a consulting group specializing in creative group problem solving (the last two years as Director of Training). In 1978 Peter co-founded Open Connections with his wife, Susan Shilcock (d. 2005) and was executive director of its nonprofit resource center until his semi-retirement in 2007.

    He continues to stay active in the field of alternative education, and went on to co-found Natural Creativity in 2015 in order to bring self-directed learning and partnership education to inner city Philadelphia. He has served as Chair of Lifecycle Wellness and Birth Center in Bryn Mawr (formerly The Birth Center), has served as an independent creative process consultant, and has self-published two books: Open Connections: The OTHER Basics, and Spaces for Children: Work/Play Environments for Home and School.

    Peter is the father of four grown unschoolers (one of them Cupola Academy’s co-founder) and grandfather to eight more.

Honoring the Past.

Creating the Future.

Cupola Academy continues to evolve — not to follow trends, but to meet the real needs of learners and families today.

At Cupola Academy, we are building a vibrant learning ecosystem that grows through meaningful partnerships with community organizations. We are expanding access by offering summer programs, increasing financial aid, and delivering workshop series for the broader community.

Central to this vision is the transformation of Diamond Rock Farm into a fully-realized, dynamic, learner-centered educational space — a hub where community, creativity, and curiosity converge to cultivate a thriving culture of learning.

We are building something lasting — not just for now, but for the next generation.

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Hear from families like yours.

  • “We have had an amazing experience at Cupola Academy. Because of this vibrant and supportive resource, we have been able to enjoy the best of both worlds for our child’s education: membership in a supportive and nurturing learning community and the flexibility to pursue separate interests and open-ended exploration in homeschooling.

    If you like the idea of homeschooling but don’t want your child to miss out on the facilitation, social and community resources found in a traditional school setting, this is the place for you. This is our fourth year at CA and we have seen our child blossom and develop as a learner in such a beautiful way thanks to the inquisitive and thoughtful environment and inclusive community we have found here.”

    — Abby, CA Parent

  • “Cupola Academy helps our family enjoy the best of both worlds. Our 5th and 8th graders get to enjoy the flexibility of homeschooling while also attending CA two and half days a week. They absolutely love their CA days.

    They are eager to see their friends and engage in hands-on projects that we couldn’t do at home like science labs, woodworking, robotics, public speaking and more. As parents, we are especially appreciative of the culture at CA and the fact that the facilitators genuinely care about and want the best for our children.”

    — Lucy, CA Parent

  • “Our 10th grader is in her 4th year at Cupola Academy and I couldn’t imagine her being educated a different way at this point. She has found a community of friends and teachers that she truly connects with and has been inspired in her studies.

    Each year, the facilitators and directors really support us in establishing her full curriculum for the year based on her needs and curiosities. Beyond studies, she is challenged to speak publicly, engage with adults and take low risk opportunities to step out of her comfort level which will go a long way as she grows into an adult. I could not recommend this school and community any more.”

    — Rebecca, CA Parent

  • “Our daughters have attended Cupola for multiple years and have grown so much with the support they receive there. Having a secular homeschooling program that respects the needs and differences of the young people who attend has been so important for our family. We’re grateful to have Cupola as a huge part of our daughters education!”

    — Dana, CA Parent

  • “This is our second year homeschooling, and I’m so grateful to have found Cupola Academy, where my 8th and 9th grade children attended 3 times per week. They have formed wonderful peer connections, and Julia and Mike have guided us every step of the way.

    Cupola offers a supportive, collaborative space that nurtures curiosity and growth. The focus on fostering a sense of responsibility and real-world engagement has been a great fit for our family. The community is so welcoming—it’s been the perfect place to start this new chapter in our education journey.”

    — Kerry, CA Parent

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Every project and experience at Cupola Academy is a thread that helps weave together a complete and meaningful education.

We are dedicated to building skills for the real world. Through project-based learning, youth don’t just study subjects—they live them, connecting ideas and experiences into a vibrant, intellectually stimulating whole. Apply today and join a forward-thinking learning community rooted in joy, respect, trust, and curiosity.

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