Learning Liberty

Jennifer Wolverton (author, CEO, and founder of Log Cabin Schoolhouse) discusses the following:

- the origin of the "log cabin" concept

- the Log Cabin Schoolhouse programs: asynchronous, virtual, and in person classes

- math education centered on creating confidence

- AI writer’s guild

- The Microcollective for AI, Robotics, and Sciences (MARS)

- Using Minecraft for homeschoolers

- Partnering with rec centers to bring her programs across Alabama at low cost

Guest's books:

- Word Wizards (https://www.amazon.com/Word-Wizards-Prompting-Spellbook-Novelists/dp/B0CPYMJYC2)

- Block by Block (https://www.amazon.com/Block-Minecraft-Education-ChatGPT-Homeschool/dp/B0CZXW57W5/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1)

Joel English (president of Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance [AIM], and Tidewater Tech) and Dominic Cummings (AIM Norfolk Piedmont instructor) discuss the following:

- the benefits of career-focused education

- how AIM, Centura, and Tidewater help students focus on a specific field and gain certification within 1-2 years

- the beauty of matching your career with demand for that career (and even being able to turn down jobs)

- how job training is not wasted even if you change jobs

- the ways in which career education teaches communication

- the wide variety of career paths and certifications at AIM, Centura, and Tidewater Tech

- the personal support and instruction offered at AIM, Centura, and Tidewater

- resource of a lifetime career-service coordinator upon graduation from AIM

- Tidewater Tech: https://tidewatertechtrades.edu/

- Centura College: https://www.centuracollege.edu/

- Aviation Institute of Maintenance: https://aviationmaintenance.edu/

Website mentioned: JSFirm.com

Note that guests' views are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Learning Liberty Podcast.

Heidi Cwik, homeschool mom, and her son Stephen, an incoming freshman at the University of Dallas, discuss the following:

- the importance of finding a learning option that reinforces values and allows kids to enjoy learning

- homeschooling with in-person lessons and co-ops

- a schedule that permits a variety of activities

- releasing responsibility to kids as they age

- the great benefit of being able to choose not only classes but also teachers

- using online programs successfully

- socialization and finding friends based on values and interests rather than age

- curricular options for homeschoolers

- homeschooling challenges

- The Potter's School: https://at-tps.org/

- Homeschool Legal Defense Association: www.hslda.org

- Homeschool Connections: www.homeschoolconnections.com

- Rainbow Resource Center: www.rainbowresource.com

- Homeschool Buyers Club: www.homeschoolbuyersclub.com

- Math-U-See: www.mathusee.com

- Institute for Excellence in Writing: www.iew.com

- TeenPact leadership schools: www.teenpact.com

Note that guests' views are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Learning Liberty Podcast.

Randall Hoggard, principal of Pathways Early College Academy, discusses the following:

Josh Herring, professor of classical education at Thales College and host of the Optimistic Curmudgeon podcast, discusses the following:

- how Thales College keeps costs low

- the benefits of a classical education

- surviving without fundraising or government support

- Thales's degree programs (liberal arts, entrepreneurship, classical education, mechanical engineering)

- how Thales returns to a more original model of education

- do college degrees still have value?

- why DEI has proliferated in colleges

The Optimistic Curmudgeon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHk_VFjPzMUYu_sAevkid2g

Christal Banks, homeschool mom and blogger (https://mamasweetbaby.com/), discusses the following:

- the "parent heaven" of homeschooling

- curricula recommendations for homeschoolers (see below)

- fostering socialization and outside activities

- the importance of real-world life skills through hands-on work

- summer programs for year-round learning

Curricula mentioned:

- Oak Meadow curriculum (https://www.oakmeadow.com/)

- Singapore math (https://www.singaporemath.com/)

- Beast Academy (https://beastacademy.com/)

- Thistles and Biscuits (https://www.thistlesandbiscuits.com/)

- Know Yourself (https://knowyourself.com/)

- Hewitt Learning (https://hewittlearning.org/)

Note that guests' views are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Learning Liberty Podcast.

Christy DeVigili, program director for the Florida Citizens Alliance (FLCA), and Deborah Paul, founder of Veritas Study Lounge in Naples, Florida, discuss the following:

- Christy's path to nontraditional education and supporting founders in this space

- FLCA's three pillars: community involvement, education solutions, and legislative action

- FLCA's role in educational reform in Florida

- Deborah's path as a homeschool parent to starting her own school and study lounge

- the Herzog Foundation Schoolbox for starting a Christian school step-by-step

- how FLCA supports founders

- the importance of choice and the lie of "free" schools

- the importance of character and moral guidance for children

- the goals of Veritas Study Lounge (personalized support, flexible scheduling, and engaging activities)

- how Veritas can serve as a community and gathering place

- Veritas's flexibility for parents

Guest's website: https://veritasstudylounge.com/

Herzog Foundation Schoolbox: https://hfschoolbox.com/

Logan Rubatzky, a 12-yeard-old student at Triumph Acton Academy in Cleveland, Tennessee, discusses the following:

- the differences between traditional schools and Triumph

- how the democratic process works in the studio

- his newly developed leadership role

- the value of Socratic discussions

- how autonomy fosters motivation

- the role of adults at Triumph

- the benefits of a mixed-age studio

Alexis and JT Rubatzky, founders of Triumph Acton Academy in Cleveland, Tennessee, discuss the following:

- the importance of autonomy in learning

- the growth they have seen in their own son, Logan, in terms of thinking and leadership

- how Triumph uses Socratic discussions to further involvement, agency, and deep thinking

- the role of guides (adults) at Triumph

- the "chess-like" thinking the Acton model fosters

- being flexible and revising plans as founders

- the first few weeks of a new school

- fostering growth and mastery rather than test-taking and memorization

See Episode 21 for my interview with Logan, Alexis and JT's son and current Triumph student (available on July 25): https://youtu.be/_3v9wrHkCBw

Brettani Shannon, founder of Options for Education in Grant's Pass, Oregon, offers a primer for parents on using summer to explore educational options and children's interests. We discuss the following:

- her upcoming projects and blog

- using summer to learn how your children learn

- finding your "tribe"

- considering options that match academic goals

- giving kids choice in their learning options

- using free trials of curricula for homeschooling or enrichment (and taking advantage of summer sales)

- summer programs available for students

- the bevy of learning options for all types of students (see below)

- finding inspiration via podcasts and elsewhere

- the concern of "falling behind"

- my ridiculous mispronunciation of her name

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• Kerry McDonald & LiberatEd: https://fee.org/liberated

• VELA: https://vela.org/

• CraftED curriculum: https://craftedcurriculum.com/

• Brilliant Microschools: https://home.brilliantmicroschools.org/

• MyTechHigh: https://www.mytechhigh.com/parent-information-sessions

• EdChoice: https://www.edchoice.org

• Sora Schools: https://soraschools.com/

• MobyMax: https://www.mobymax.com/

Episode 2 with Brettani: https://youtu.be/xtjgYpdNUc8