About Dandelion Learning | 80+ Years of Teaching Experience
Our Story
Dandelion Learning was founded by Dalton Onorato and her family in 2019, when they were looking for a place that would fit both their Mom's ideals about teaching and their wishes for their children's school experience. After launching their own homeschool, Dalton invited more children to join her kids in their living room, hoping to provide her own kids with learning that only other kids can offer - and following Montessori ideals of a child-centered, focused learning enviroment that met kids with key building blocks for literacy, math, content, themselves, and their world when they are ready, not when an institution needs or expects them to be.
Our Work
At Dandelion Learning Collaborative, we are passionate about providing families with access to part-time, high-quality group education as well as support for individualized learning and growth at home. Our programs include the "best of" school experiences for both social and academic learning and are designed to be authentic, connected, and tailored to each child's and family's goals.
Our work is to foster the confidence and skills children and families need to know and trust themselves and their humanity. We strive to create a supportive learning community that allows the movement, conversation, play, and mistakes that lead to growth, confidence, and self-determination.
Our Intention
With our combined 80+ years as school and homeschool educators, we understand that learning should be meaningful, supported, and safe. We also know that not all models work for all people. That's why we have developed programs with features of Montessori, self-directed, project-based, community, and traditional approaches.
At Dandelion Learning Collaborative, we are committed to celebrating all as their best selves!
Schoolhouse Staff
Dalton Onorato
Victoria Cramer
Victoria Cramer
Dalton and her family began homeschooling and founded Dandelion Learning Collaborative in 2019. She has invested 20 years in education and leadership and holds degrees and certifications in Montessori, special education, language, and equity. Dalton is almost always reading two or more books. She enjoys time with family, cheering for her kids, yoga, walks, and both coffee and tea.
Victoria Cramer
Victoria Cramer
Victoria Cramer
Victoria brings seven years of experience in elementary education from Maryland and a passion for service to our group. She's a certified Montessori educator with six years of experience at Schoolhouse. Victoria takes the lead with our schedule, roster, project-based learning programs, and field trips.
Mary Golden
Victoria Cramer
Martha Parrish
Mary is dedicated to meeting the needs of all students and committed to a progressive, student-centered approach to teaching and learning. Mary leads our literacy workshops and brings extensive classroom and leadership experience to our community. A few of her favorite things are family, travel, the beach, and hockey!
Martha Parrish
Martha Parrish
Martha Parrish
Martha shares her love and interest in plants and animals with the group. She is also her family's homeschool administrator and parent of three schoolhouse members. With six years of experience in the Schoolhouse, Martha is often found in our garden, creating art, and supporting our youngest learners.
Alyssa Whitley
Martha Parrish
Alyssa Whitley
Alyssa brings 7 years of experience in special education, both in middle grades and elementary school. She is passionate about providing accessible learning experiences for students with various needs and learning styles. Alyssa played and coached softball in the past, loves to read, spend time with her daughter CJ and her husband, and go to the beach.
Nick Onorato
Martha Parrish
Alyssa Whitley
Working mostly behind the scenes, Nick is Dandelion Learning's contact for all things finance. CFO of local Revival Recordings and baseball/softball coach, Nick shares his love of music and math with our community. He's also Dalton’s husband and a homeschooling father of three.
Community
Young People
Young People
Young People
Our work is designed the spirit and interest of young people as its center. The autonomy and leadership of youth is essential to our success in learning. together. In our community, adults work alongside youth to design our menus, lessons, field trips, and projects.
Families
Young People
Young People
We celebrate the freedom of choice that homeschooling offers all us. We also understand the responsibilities that homeschool entails. Parents in our group are respected as their own "homeschool administrators" and invited to join in sharing learning with all of us!
Service
Young People
Service
We work with local, national, and international partners to provide opportunities for learning through service. This includes local charities, the town of Wake Forest, the American Montessori Society, the Alliance for Self-Directed Education, Flying Squads, and Kids for Peace global initiatives.