Frequently asked questions

“Mosaic” is inspired by the tangram mosaic puzzle, symbolizing the autonomy young people have in forging their own path. A mosaic, much like our community, is composed of unique elements and approaches that come together to form something truly beautiful.

We’re a space for everyone—whether you’re curious to learn more about your choices, venturing into independent meaningful learning for the first time, or have been embracing this learning approach for years. We’re a growing community of support, inspiration, and self-directed exploration wherever you are on your journey.

Significant research has highlighted the systemic shortcomings of conventional schooling—ranging from the lack of flexibility for individual learning styles to discrimination and safety concerns. We believe independent meaningful learning offers a more holistic alternative that fosters the growth of both young learners and parents. However, we understand there are many reasons why a family might choose to remain enrolled in the school system, and we welcome those exploring a blended approach.

Mosaic is rooted in four core values: respect, diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and equity. We believe in fostering a culture of appreciation, openness to possibilities, and sensitivity towards everyone’s unique journey. Mosaic is a judgment-free space. We believe that everyone’s journey is different—there is no one “right way.” Consequently, we engage with our community at all levels in a way that promotes and supports this ethos.

We are not affiliated with any political or religious institutions.

Mosaic was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic—a period when an unprecedented number of families began exploring new ways to learn. At the time, we saw a growing need: people wanted a safe place to connect, ask questions, and learn more about alternative options like independent meaningful learning.

To better understand what families were looking for, in 2021 we pioneered an industry-first initiative: conducting a comprehensive survey representative of US families to understand their views on self-directed education. Peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Progressive Education, the survey revealed that a resounding 74% of US families expressed a keen interest in independent experiential learning.

With these insights, we developed a digital community in 2022 to build on this momentum and support families exploring diverse learning styles. 

As more families move towards microschools, homeschooling, co-ops, and self-directed learning centers, Mosaic continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community—providing a trusted place for connection, resources, and guidance.

Mosaic is a 501(c)(3) organization established and initially funded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Jeff Westphal. Led by his wife, Jenifer, the Westphal’s created an unschool environment for their three children. Jeff served as Chair of the Board of Open Connections Inc, the unschooling community founded by Susan Shilcock and Peter Bergson, from 1994–2011 and was a significant contributor to the creation and ongoing growth of Natural Creativity and Cupola Academy, two newer unschooling communities in Philadelphia and Valley Forge, PA. The platform was brought to life with the collective wisdom of advisors and leaders in the education innovation and learning space, parents, and young people—all of whom contributed their unique experiences and perspectives to shape Mosaic. 

Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss serves as the Executive Director, bringing decades of experience leading transformative impact initiatives, many in education. 

In addition, our Board of Directors, composed of leaders in education, corporate, non-profit, and media—as well as our Program Advisory Council, which is made up of thought leaders and people practicing independent meaningful learning—serve to advance Mosaic’s mission to support our community with value, compassion, and inclusion. 

Meet the team here.

We appreciate your interest! Please email us at helllo@weareborntolearn.org and tell us more.

Mosaic, a non-profit 501c3, is growing — and so is the need for what we offer. As more families seek meaningful alternatives or enhancements to conventional schooling, we’re committed to building a community and platform that can truly support them. To do that well — with care, quality, and sustainability — we’re moving to a paid membership model.

Your membership fee directly supports:

• One-on-one guidance and personalized support for families navigating this path
• High-quality resources designed for independent meaningful learning
• A vibrant, ad-free community space that is private, intentional, and values-aligned
• The team behind Mosaic, who work every day to create and sustain this movement

As a nonprofit, every dollar we receive goes back into our mission: making independent meaningful learning possible and powerful for more families. Your support helps us grow with integrity — and ensures no one has to walk this journey alone.

To become a member with Mosaic click the link here. You will be redirected to our Mosaic site membership page. Look over the different types of memberships to find the right one for you and select “apply” underneath the membership of your choice. Fill out our application and once finished select “apply” located at the bottom of the page. A member of the Mosaic team will review your application. Once you are admitted to Mosaic, you will receive an email welcoming you to the community.

Your membership allows you to access everything Mosaic offers — a thriving, purpose-driven learning community built to meet you where you are and walk alongside you. Your membership includes: 

Community, Connection & Conversation

Gain full access to the Mosaic Collective – the place where ideas, questions, and collaboration come alive. You’ll also be able to:

• • Join private groups based on your passions or focus areas
  • Send direct messages to connect one-on-one with fellow members
  • Participate in meaningful dialogue with like-minded learners and changemakersExclusive Events, Discussions & Webinars

You’ll get access to events you won’t find anywhere else – inspiring webinars, live conversations, and interactive gatherings designed to spark ideas, deepen your journey and support you during the wobbles..

Continually Growing Library of Resources

From expertly crafted guides to insights from community members, your membership unlocks a rich library of tools and materials – all curated to support your growth.

Personalized Support

Our biggest differentiator? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Mosaic offers tailored 1:1 and small group to help you make the most of what we offer — pointing you to the content, people, and opportunities that match your family’s unique needs.

One Home for It All

Best of all, it’s all in one place. Mosaic is your 24/7 hub to explore, connect, learn, and grow — anytime, anywhere.

Once you become a member, you’ll be invited to personalize your Mosaic experience.

• Start by customizing your profile – share a bit about yourself, your interests, and where you are on your learning journey. Whether you’re just beginning or have been walking this path for years, your story matters here.
• Next, one of Mosaic’s incredible Guides will personally reach out to welcome you. They’ll take time to understand your goals, help you find your way around, and invite you into member-only spaces that speak to the unique needs of your family.
• You’ll also be able to tailor your settings – choose what you’d like others in the community to see, set your privacy preferences, and decide which notifications you want to receive.

And just like that, you’ll be ready to dive into the Mosaic Collective – to connect, share, explore, and grow alongside others who care deeply about independent meaningful learning, just like you.

If you need help navigating the platform or run into technical issues, feel free to reach out to us at hello@weareborntolearn.org or contact GlueUp directly at support@glueup.com.

Once you join Mosaic, you’ll automatically become part of our main community – a vibrant space where the journey begins. But that’s just the start.To explore other smaller groups that align with your interests:

1. Look to the left-hand menu on your screen.
   Hover your cursor over the icons — then click the second one from the top, labeled “My Community.”
2. Welcome to your Community Hub!
   A new menu will appear. Click on “Groups” — it’s the second option in this space.
3. If you haven’t joined any groups yet, your feed will be empty. No worries — it just means your next step is to find your people.
4. Click “Discover Groups” to browse all open communities.
   When you find one that feels right, hit “Request Access.”

Once your request is approved, you’ll get a notification in your app and email. Then you’re in — ready to connect, share, and grow with others on a similar path.

Mosaic Guides have monthly “office hours,” where you can sign-up for a 1:1 discussion. This time is for YOU – whether it is to better understand how to make the most of your membership, ask questions 1:1, or any other needs you might have – these slots will be filled as requests come in.

If you are interested in a topic that is not already covered in a community group, please reach out to a Guide and we will work together to create one!

Thank you for your interest! We’re so glad you are here. Please reach out to a Guide or email us at hello@weareborntolearn.org.

Mosaic monitors our community vigilantly, to ensure behaviour is aligned with our shared values. If you see something we should know about, please let a Guide know or email us at hello@weareborntolearn.org. We are committed to ensuring that our community remains a safe, non-judgemental space for everyone.

We want you to feel great about joining Mosaic! If you’re not satisfied with your membership, we offer a no-questions-asked refund policy within 30 days. Just reach out to us at hello@weareborntolearn.org.

After 30 days, membership is non-refundable but we’re always here to listen and improve – your feedback helps us shape a better experience for everyone!

To log in to your Mosaic account click the link here. Locate the “Log In” button at the top right of your page. A pop-up screen will appear. Fill out your login information and then select log in.

To log in on our app, simply download the app and enter the application. The first screen that will pop up is a welcome screen. On the bottom left, tap “Login.” Enter your login information and tap on “Login” to get into your account.

Our app is available on app stores: “Mosaic: We Are Born to Learn.” Find it in the Google Play and Apple stores.

Absolutely. Visit the resources page to enjoy a wide array of resources for free. We will also continue to hold monthly Coffee Hour Chats through the Facebook Group that are open to everyone! If you have any questions, please reach out to us at hello@weareborntolearn.org.

Independent meaningful learning (also known as “self-directed learning” and “unschooling”) lets young people take the lead in their learning, following their interests instead of a strict, adult-led plan. This approach is built on trust, knowing that learning happens naturally through curiosity, play, real-world experiences, and personal goals. Instead of controlling the process, parents and mentors are guides—offering support instead of control, and making space for young people to explore in their own way. 

There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to practice IML. Many people leave the school system to embrace IML full-time, some practice IML at home with occasional support from pre-written curricula, while others adopt certain facets of IML while remaining enrolled in school. The key is finding a style that works for your family.

Since the days of John Holt, a pioneer of this learning approach, plenty of terms have been used to describe learner-centered education—unschooling, self-directed learning, interest-led, liberated learning…the list goes on. Some of these terms have even become polarizing (which we’ve heard a lot about over the years). 

We recognize that language carries meaning, and different terms resonate with different people. Our goal isn’t to prescribe a single “correct” term but to embrace the full spectrum of language—creating a space where all families feel welcome, no matter what terminology they use. If you identify as an “unschooler,” a “self-directed learner,” or something else entirely, Mosaic is for you.

For us, “independent meaningful learning” reflects that inclusivity, but we encourage families and learners to use the language that feels right for them.

Not exactly. While both happen outside of the conventional school system, IML and homeschooling are different in key ways. Homeschooling often follows a set curriculum chosen by parents, while IML gives young people the freedom to decide what, when, and how they learn—with parents acting as guides rather than instructors. That being said, this looks different for every family.

Yes! Plenty of young people transition from IML to successful college careers and beyond. On top of having the freedom to dive deep into their areas of interest, they also build essential skills like problem-solving, confidence,  leadership, and the ability to ask creative questions and chase down their own answers—preparing them for lifelong success.

Take a look at our research page for a collection of studies digging into the science behind this approach to learning.