Everyday Educator

Sometimes, the best homeschool memories revolve around reading aloud as a family!  Christmas is the perfect time to begin this habit, or continue it, at your house.  Join host Lisa Bailey on this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast  as she and Jennifer Courtney share stories of the blessings of reading aloud.  Jennifer offers some of her family read aloud favorites, and reminds us to check ou...

Does you enjoy reading aloud as a family?  Do you wish you did??  Well, Christmas time offers the perfect opportunity to try something new, and perhaps begin a new tradition.  Today's Everyday Educator guests are the perfect advocates for reading aloud as a family, and they have some rich Christmas experiences to share with us all.   Join host Lisa Bailey and guests Whit and Amy Jones as they expl...

For many families, Advent is full of traditions and memory-making opportunities; some of my favorite Christmas times involve reading aloud as a family.  Reading aloud allows us to build family culture, to get to know the same characters, and to develop "inside jokes" and literary references that draw us together.  Reading aloud is also just plain fun!  This year's Everyday Educator Advent series i...

Excellence in our homeschooling is a worthy goal, but is that different from "mastery"?  Can mastery actually be a limiting goal??  On this episode of the Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey talks to Marc Hays, veteran homeschool dad, about what we gain when we pursue mastery and what we might miss .  Perhaps what we need is a different definition of "mastery"…

What will your children remember about homeschooling in twenty years?  The math problem sets?  The Latin translations?  The timeline?!  We think not.  Join Amanda Butler as she shares with host Lisa Bailey what she has learned about the really memorable moments of the homeschool journey.  Discover ways to seek a spirit of joy in your home, and uncover the beauty of your child's soul. 

Do you sometimes feel that you have so much to cover as a home educator that you can't afford to repeat anything?  Join Lisa Bailey and her guest, Lanelle Lowe, as they talk about this common myth and how a thorough understanding of the classical model can reveal the value of repetition.  We believe you'll end up relishing the repeating for practical as well as relational reasons.

Have you ever bought into a myth because "everybody says so"?  Lots of misguided folks believe that classical education is just for smart kids; or even that classical education makes kids smart.  Join Lisa and her guest Chelly Barnard as they bust that myth wide open!  Chelly will help you remember to consider both the purpose of education and the mission of CC; and you'll discover the tools that...

In this new Everyday Educator podcast series, host Lisa Bailey and her guests will do their best to bust some of the most prevalent homeschooling myths—and answer the question "Why do we believe these myths, anyway?"  In this episode, Jennifer Courtney helps to dispel the myth that homeschool success rests on finding the right curriculum—and sticking with it.  Tune in as these veteran educators di...

Are you treating your homeschool journey like a sprint or a marathon?  Many of us begin with the enthusiasm of sprinters, and discover that the sprint pace cannot be maintained for the life of our journey!  Listen in this week as homeschool veteran Kelli Wilt shares her story and some true wisdom from down the road.  You'll learn to pause, reflect, reassess, recalibrate—and rejoice!

Are you ready, willing, and able to become the Lead Learner in your home?  Maybe you are ready, but you've bought into a lie that says you're not able.  Maybe you're willing, but you don't know how to start.  This week's episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast features Lanelle Lowe, sharing the truth that God is out to redeem what's been lost or broken in your educational experience!  You'll find...

Is your homeschool for training minds or training hearts?  Why would we start with the heart when beginning the homeschool journey?  This week, listen as guest Amy Jones and host Lisa Bailey share the conviction that education is for training the mind and heart, in order to think higher thoughts.  Glean some practical ideas for cultivating a sweet spirit in your home, and for discerning some spiri...

One of the more profound lessons "from down the road" may well be that there is more to homeschooling than academic pursuits.  Join veteran homeschool moms Shelly Stockton and Lisa Bailey as they discuss building character, spiritual habits, relational maturity, and practical life skills while living and learning at home with their girls.  Discover how a classical education lived out in community...

Have you ever wished you could ask an "expert" a question about homeschooling?  Well, we don't know many who claim to be experts, but there are those who are farther along on the journey, veterans with wisdom to share.  In this new series, host Lisa Bailey talks with some experienced parents who can offer ideas, tips, and encouragement.  In this episode, Christy Bradley shares well-earned wisdom o...

Heading into Challenge III or IV with lots of expectations, and maybe a few questions?  Join Kathy Donegia and Lisa Bailey for this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, and re-think your assumptions while discovering the real pluses of classical Christian education lived out in community.  Explore both the academic fruit as well as the unanticipated life lessons of shepherding your student th...

Challenge I and Challenge II:  What are your expectations?  Do you have assumptions about the studies, your students, and your role as the lead learner?  On this week's episode of the Everyday Educator, Sonya Lindsey and Lisa Bailey explore both the practicalities and the ideals of these challenge levels.  Listeners will gain both insights and ideas, and discover the real blessings of homeschoolin...

Families preparing for the early Challenge years often ponder the transitions they know are ahead with concern:  How will my student manage the increased workload?  Will my student accept responsibility for his work?  Can we manage the faster pace of assignments?  Will we adjust to our new roles as we change and grow?  Listen in as Angela Oxford offers insights on the early Challenge years, sharin...

Heading into Essentials for the second or third time?  You've got questions, we've got answers!  Listen in as Sarah Pederson shares practical ideas for keeping it fresh from year to year, and for learning English grammar, writing, and math facts family-style.  Essentials is meant to be repeated; join us for some encouragement on how to tackle it all again, with increasing ease and understanding.

Are you and your student preparing to join an Essentials community for the first time?  Are you wondering what to expect, why it will take three years to learn everything, and where to get more help when you need it?  Listen to this week's Everyday Educator Podcast as guest Randa Clay talks first time Essentials families through the beauties of this program.  Be sure to listen for the "surprise le...

Excited, eager, curious, hopeful…the countdown to Foundations Cycle 1 has begun!  Whether you're brand new to Classical Conversations Foundations or a returning community member, guest Lindsey Winter will be a blessing to you.  She'll share what to expect this year, how to extend your enjoyment at home, and ways to find wonder that will last!

Getting ready to jump into Foundations?  If you're looking for answers, resources, encouragement, or new ideas, this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast is for you.  Guest Sarah Pederson offers insights on how to get started, what to expect, how to extend the learning at home, and which resources will bless your whole family.

As you prepare for the new academic year, questions about setting up a schoolroom, building a collection of resources, and finding that perfect schedule may be swirling in your mind.  Listen in as veteran homeschoolers Jennifer Courtney and Lisa Bailey talk about what to gather, where to store it, and when to use it.  You'll gather ideas for cultivating good family habits and maintaining the consi...

As you prepare for a  new homeschool year, what questions are you asking yourself?  On this week's episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast you'll find some answers—and some advice on which questions you might really  need to answer!  Listen in as Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey offer suggestions on how to make sure you get your mind right, not just your school supplies!

As July unfolds and we continue to celebrate summer, our minds inevitably begin to turn to preparing for the fall season of homeschooling.  This week, our new series "Celebrating Summer, Prepping for Fall" begins with a throw-back podcast from 2018.  Enjoy "Blueprints for the Best Education" as you set your minds toward the coming academic year and join us for this new series that will look at eac...

Are you building a family legacy?  Do you want to start?!  Listen to this week's Everyday Educator Podcast and hear how one family is making memories that will last as they attend "Cousins Camp". Guest Chelly Barnard (the "Fun Aunt") shares spot-on tips for enjoying low-tech high-fun good times with her youngest relatives at Cousin Camp.  It will make you long for a summer camp experience at your...

Some people find history as dry as summer without rain…not this week's podcast guest!  Join Lisa Bailey as she talks to Kelli Wilt about celebrating summer by "playing with history" on this week's Everyday Educator podcast.  You'll be encouraged to explore the history of your hometown, to find history at a family reunion, and to fuel the imaginations of your kids as they act out what they're readi...