Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool

In this episode, I chat with Kelsey Schaffer , a former preschool and elementary school teacher turned homeschooling mom of two. From lesson planning with a baby on her hip to unlearning the need for perfection, Kelsey shares her honest journey of building a homeschool that’s rooted in faith, play, and flexibility. You’ll hear: * Why she left the traditional classroom and chose homeschooling for h...

What happens when a passionate teacher leaves the classroom to homeschool her own children? In this episode, I sit down with JeTua Amos , a former middle school science teacher and now homeschool mom of four boys, ages 12–19. Since 2013, she’s been creating an eclectic but intentional homeschool rooted in planning, flexibility, and community. Along the way, she founded Amos Homeschool Consulting ,...

What happens when a seasoned educator decides the school system no longer aligns with her values—and chooses to homeschool instead? In this episode, I talk with Angela McDonald , a former teacher and consultant turned homeschool mom, about her decision to homeschool her 9-year-old daughter Hazel. Angela shares how she shifted from a boxed curriculum to teaching through life experiences, how she or...

What does it look like to go from military life to homeschooling, homesteading, and holistic health coaching? In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, I chat with Shanielle Pabon, a Marine Corps veteran turned homeschooling mom of three, who now lives on 40 acres in Texas with her family. Shanielle opens up about her evolving “why” for homeschooling, the realities of homestead...

What do you do when you can’t find the homeschool or community your family needs? You create it. In this episode, I sit down with Vanita Wells , founder of Little Bean Learning —a nature-based micro school and virtual program that grew out of her own homeschool journey with her two young boys. Vanita shares how she balances teaching, running a program, and homeschooling her kids—all while staying...

What if the secret to a calmer homeschool day wasn’t a brand-new system, but simply staying ready ? In this solo episode, I share my new mantra for the school year: stay ready. From pepper grinders to co-op prep, I unpack how small, simple actions—done ahead of time—can eliminate overwhelm, reduce stress, and make homeschooling feel more peaceful. You’ll hear: * The simple kitchen metaphor that sp...

What does it look like to homeschool and run a bookstore, and lead a nonprofit? In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Anderson , a homeschool mom of four from Wyoming who is also the owner of Blue Mountain Bookstore and the founder of Four Angels , a nonprofit supporting families who’ve experienced stillbirth and miscarriage. Jordan’s story is raw, real, and encouraging. She shares how she navig...

What if homeschooling didn’t have to feel like checking boxes or living up to someone else’s standards? In this episode, I send voice notes back and forth with Megan O’Malley , a homeschool mom of three, who has built her homeschool rhythm around joy, curiosity, and connection. Megan shares how she let go of comparison, embraced a flexible yet intentional rhythm, and created a home learning enviro...

In this week’s solo episode, I’m letting you listen in on a real voice note I shared with my homeschool planning group. We’re talking all about how to plan for the very first week of school —keeping it simple, fun, and confidence-building for our kids. I’ll walk you through: * My week-one academic plan (hint: it’s review-heavy and joy-filled). * The back-to-school traditions I’ve mapped out for ea...

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, I am thrilled to chat with Tam, a seasoned homeschool mom of three from Georgia. We talk all about her experiences, from the accidental start of her homeschooling journey to the organized, community-oriented approach she embraces today. Tam shares invaluable insights on managing different grade levels, utilizing technology for organizat...

Hey, welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool! I just wrapped up a fun-filled weekend celebrating my son's Star Wars-themed birthday party. Now, I'm jumping back into school planning mode. Today, I want to share some tips and personal experiences on getting organized for the new homeschool year. I finally transitioned my planner from summer to fall, wrote down my 25-26 school year...

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Yoni, also known as Mama Yo. She shares her 33-year-long homeschooling story, starting from her early days as a young mom on the South Side of Chicago, overcoming societal stereotypes, to nurturing her children's growth through different stages of life. Mama Yo opens up about the challenges she...

📣 THIS WEEK ONLY! Homeschool For Freedom Planner Sale Today, I'm recording from my car right after a busy morning of camp drop-off and Starbucks run. Tune in as I talk about juggling client work with homeschooling, the joys of having a babysitter, and my switch from portfolio reviews to using an umbrella organization for homeschooling compliance. If you've ever wondered about Maryland's homeschoo...

Join me and guest Destiny McCoy as we chat about her journey of homeschooling her three kids while managing multiple communities and a business. Destiny shares her invaluable insights into creating a balanced, nurturing environment for both children and moms. Learn about her local homeschool group in Maryland, D.F.G. Homeschooling, The Mom Collective virtual community, and her tips on how to stay...

[FREE] Join our Back to School Prep Community Welcome to another episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool! In this episode, I’m sharing something I’m prioritizing this year - habits! I recently returned from a vacation and have been focused on engaging with my back-to-school prep community on Telegram , which has about 35 members. Today, I'm excited to dive into three categories of hab...

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool , I chat with Natasha about her inspiring journey homeschooling her autistic son, Kalehl. Natasha shares her family’s transition from traditional schooling to homeschooling, highlighting the challenges they've faced and how they've overcome them. She discusses the importance of balancing academics with essential life skills, the unique s...

Hey there! In today's solo voice note episode, I dive into the concept of backwards planning—starting with your end goals and planning backwards to ensure success. Whether you're planning for a day, week, or the entire school year, this approach helps keep you focused and on track. I'll walk you through my process of visioning the end of the school year and how it guides me in making curriculum de...

Join my conversation with Janelle, a dynamic homeschool mom of three young children. Discover her unique approach to homeschooling using a hybrid model that combines in-person schooling with home education. Janelle shares her family's routine, organizational tips, and secrets for balancing homeschooling with multiple part-time jobs. We also talked about the importance of socialization, forming sup...

In this episode, I talk about the unique challenges and reflections from my first year of homeschooling with a kindergartner and an infant who eventually grew into a curious toddler. Despite moving homes and the inevitable chaos of juggling a newborn and homeschooling, I share practical tips and strategies that helped us navigate this journey. From the ease of homeschooling with a three-month-old...

[FREE] Join the Summer Prep Series Hey there! Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool. This super quick bonus episode was recorded from my bed, and I'm racing the clock before the baby wakes up! Tomorrow is the beginning of my summer prep series, and if you need to get ready for the school year like I do, join me! I'll be diving into organizing, curriculum planning, and setting u...

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool Podcast, I'm thrilled to chat with Erica Johns, a seasoned homeschool mom who has homeschooled her six children for 24 years. Erica shares her journey from starting homeschooling in the late '90s to managing a busy household with six children, including times of crisis and shifting educational paths. We discuss important topics like eval...

In this voice note, I explore the role of state or local education departments in providing support to homeschooling families. Based on responses from Facebook groups, I discuss the mandatory reviews required in our state to ensure educational standards and the community's mixed feelings on whether the government should offer additional support, such as funding or workshops. I delve into the pros...

🧮 Grab your copy of Math With Confidence Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool! In this episode, I share my experiences and thoughts on using the Kindergarten Math with Confidence curriculum during our school year and summer learning. I share why we stuck with it for a whole year and highlight the curriculum's strengths. I also discuss how the curriculum uses engagement method...

✅ Grab my free Weekly Planning checklist ! 📚Start Planning using my Homeschool For Freedom Planner ! Welcome back to Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, recorded on the go as I share my opinion about the importance of planning in homeschooling! As a former principal and teacher, planning is second nature to me. In this episode I talk about why I plan our homeschool schedule, the benefits...

In this episode of Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool, I share a personal story about teaching my five-year-old son how to swim, which led me to reflect on broader teaching principles. I recount his initial struggles and fears with swimming lessons and how he eventually overcame them with the right support and tools. This experience reminded me of the importance of taking things slow, givin...