
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald speaks with parent Gabriel Valles about his family's embrace of alternative education, including homeschooling and microschooling.
Gabriel shares his experience launching a low-cost microschool inspired by Acton Academy, his exploration of homeschooling and classical education, and his current journey with his son at Alpha School in Austin. He reflects on what worked—and what didn't—when trying to create more affordable models, and why self-directed education and community support remain central to his vision.
Listeners will hear how Gabriel's personal experiences shaped his philosophy that education should be about self-discovery, responsibility, and joy rather than simply academics or grades. He also discusses the role of alternatives to college like Praxis, the power of student-led projects, and why parents should reconsider what it means to prepare young people for meaningful lives.
***
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!
By Kerry McDonald4.9
6868 ratings
In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald speaks with parent Gabriel Valles about his family's embrace of alternative education, including homeschooling and microschooling.
Gabriel shares his experience launching a low-cost microschool inspired by Acton Academy, his exploration of homeschooling and classical education, and his current journey with his son at Alpha School in Austin. He reflects on what worked—and what didn't—when trying to create more affordable models, and why self-directed education and community support remain central to his vision.
Listeners will hear how Gabriel's personal experiences shaped his philosophy that education should be about self-discovery, responsibility, and joy rather than simply academics or grades. He also discusses the role of alternatives to college like Praxis, the power of student-led projects, and why parents should reconsider what it means to prepare young people for meaningful lives.
***
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

154,075 Listeners

41,142 Listeners

2,311 Listeners

893 Listeners

657 Listeners

423 Listeners

2,114 Listeners

70,310 Listeners

401 Listeners

14,017 Listeners

40,404 Listeners

26,657 Listeners

103 Listeners

529 Listeners

17,023 Listeners