Our Beliefs and Promises
OUR BELIEFS
- We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.
- We believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.
- We believe our learning environment is a closely connected community of lifelong learners.
- We believe in a society in which people live a life of meaning according to their deepest beliefs and who take responsibility for their actions.
OUR PROMISES TO YOUR CHILD
You will:
- Develop a Hero's Journey.
- Enhance your curiosity and love of learning.
- Discover your unique gifts along with the dedication it takes to develop excellence.
- Understand the importance of a strong character.
- Experience the arts, the wonders of the physical world, and explore the mysteries of life.
- Celebrate economic, political, cultural and religious freedom.
Our Team
Chris Howard, Co-Owner
Chris Howard is the is the Co-Owner and founder of Acton Academy Curaçao.
Tracey Howard, Co-Owner, Lead Guide, Middle Studio
Tracey Howard is the Co-Owner and founder of Acton Academy Curaçao, and is the Lead Guide in the Explorer Middle Studio. Prior to Acton, she ran a private coaching company and coached hundreds of high-growth entrepreneurs. She is an internationally certified coach with the International Coach Association, has a Masters in Public Policy, and specializes in conflict resolution.
She and her husband opened Acton Academy in Curacao for their two sons and for any family that aligns with the learner-driven model, and believes every child is a genius that deserves to find a calling and change the world.
Shira de Koning, Guide, Discovery Elementary Studio
Shira joined our team in Spring 2025 and is currently our Discovery Elementary Studio Guide. With a background in nature education, Shira was a manager at a nature center for Staatsbosbeheer in the Netherlands, where she created engaging, seasonal activity programs for children, organized nature-inspired birthday parties, and led outdoor educational adventures. Everything she did centered around connection — to nature, to each other, and to joyfully learning by doing.
Bo van Otterdijk, Guide, Spark Preschool Studio
Bo joined our team in Fall 2025. Prior to that, she spent three years working in a Montessori daycare, where she learned firsthand how much learners grow when they're given trust, space and a prepared environment. She studied pedagogy management child and education and has a background in kindergarten. Those years shaped her love for child-led learning, independence and creating places where learners feel safe to explore. She believes a well prepared environment quietly does most of the guiding and she loves watching learners discover what they're capable of, and seeing their confidence grow as they do.
Simone Glas, Substitute Guide
Simone joined our team as a Substitute Guide in Fall 2025. She has been working as a pedagogue for over 20 years; first in running a private childcare center, and since last year, she switched her focus to coaching children, families and professionals who work with children.
As a Rock and Water trainer, she creates environments where children learn in a playful and experiential way to stand stronger in their own shoes. She believes every child has their own unique talents and every child can truly flourish when they are seen and acknowledged.
Nathalie Polanco, Substitute Guide
Nathalie joined our team as a Substitute Guide in Spring 2026. As a mom of three, entrepreneur children’s coach, and former Kidzclub organizer, her work is centered around children and parents. Specifically, giving parents tools to be clear on boundaries while giving space for confidence in a loving environment. Her vision is for all young people to grow and find their own voice by simply allowing them to be themselves.
About The Co-Owners
Tracey & Chris Howard
Hello, we are Tracey and Chris Howard! We are the co-owners of the Acton Academy Curaçao location established in 2024. In the last few years, we've been on a Hero's journey that has brought us here.
Tracey is an American and was private coach and facilitator for entrepreneurs and executives. Chris is English-German and a strategy consultant in the education sector and day trader.
We are parents to two boys, Liam (2019) and Henry (2020). In 2020/21, we moved from London to Germany and then to Curaçao. After two years, we decided to call Curaçao home.
We knew we weren't going to send our boys to a traditional school but weren't sure what to do. It was after we discovered the Acton Academy learner-driven model in 2022 that we knew it was exactly the educational pathway we wanted for our children.
Since an Acton Academy didn't yet exist in Curaçao - we felt called to open one ourselves. We are doing this for all families who believe every child is a genius who deserves to find a calling that will change the world. Thanks for exploring us!