Beekeeping anyone? Jessica Dally is Buzzing with Know-how

What would you do if you needed organic eggs or honey or cheese, or to have your car repaired, or a dispute resolved, or if you had a banjo that needed playing, or a desire for Irish citizenship burning inside you? Most people would beat a hasty path to Google. But Jessica Dally is not like most people. Dally, the energetic 35-year-old cofounder (with Dani Scar) of Seattle Free School, also serves as its main teacher. Since the alternative-ed endeavor started last spring, she’s taught cheese-making, soap-making, canning, basic auto repair, beekeeping, how to raise chickens in the city and a class on how to get Irish citizenship—all based on skills she learned by taking classes, earning certifications and hanging around experts. As demand has risen, so have class offerings—from two per month to six.

Her motivation in starting Seattle Free School? Dally—whose day job is help-desk technician for Community Voice Mail, a Seattle-based company that provides free voicemail for people in crisis—says she has a general curiosity, and also a desire to “make a statement that we as a community have power.” Though she has no formal teaching experience, she teaches people regularly in her professional and personal life. “In our culture, people think they need to be an expert,” says Dally. “But if you know enough to be able to show me how to do something, you can be a teacher at Seattle Free School.” The school brings people together—usually 15-25 per class—to share their interests. And, truth in advertising: All the classes are free. Seattle Free School does not accept cash donations; it doesn’t receive grants. No money changes hands. Classes meet in libraries, community centers, coffee shops or wherever there is free space. Anyone can attend, and anyone can teach (sign up for both on the Web site).

Is there anything Dally does not know how to do? “Silkscreening,” she says, somewhat apologetically. So if anyone wants to propose this as a Seattle Free School class, they’ll be guaranteed at least one very enthusiastic student.


Photo By Christopher Cumming