“facilitator” (noun):
someone who helps to bring about an outcome (such as learning, productivity, or communication) by providing indirect or unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision”
Full Time Facilitator and Director
Abby Oulton (She/Her) chose to work as an educator because she loves learning, change, play, and people. She’s been involved with the flagship Agile Learning Center in NYC since 2013, with Heartwood since 2022, and with a handful of other camps and education initiatives along the way. She took over as director at Heartwood in 2025, aiming to stabilize and regrow the community while pursuing accreditation for both the Clarkston and NYC learning centers.
Regular Co-Contributors
Karema Akilah (She/Her) is an UNschooling mom & founder of The Genius School, the GENIE app, The Geniī DAO, $BeMeToken, author of “for the fish at the bottom of the tree” & the children’s companion, “Who do You Never Get to BE?” She’s the director and primary facilitator of all Genius School projects, often from on-site at Heartwood! Originally a Philly Jawn, now living in ATL.
Crystal Byrd Farmer (She/Her) is an engineer turned educator from Gastonia, North Carolina. At Heartwood, she can often be found crafting, tinkering, writing, or exploring some new video game. She is founder of Gastonia Freedom School, an Agile Learning Center for disabled children. Her book The Token: Common Sense Ideas for Increasing Diversity in your Community, is widely read in organizations of the self-directed education movement, the intentional community movement, and beyond.
Kathryn Brannon (She/Her) enjoys the dynamic puzzles involved with keeping an organization running from the administrative side. She was a founding parent of Heartwood, and our facilitators really appreciate her budgeting and spreadsheet prowess!
