Learning Liberty

Sarena Cambrea, founder and clinical director, and Julia Santos, director of creative development, from Elevate Behavior Services in Chattanooga, Tennessee, discuss the following:

- their goal “to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families through positive behavior supports”

Felix Milner and his daughter Dalia, a current Thales Academy student, provide the inside details on Thales's curriculum, character-building, enrichment opportunities, and "human element." Plus, they explain why Thales was worth moving their family.

Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations, discusses the humble, family origins of Classical Conversations; why community is so important for homeschoolers; how Classical Conversations meets academic, social, and spiritual needs; and what makes Classical Conversations a unique Christian homeschooling community.

Mercedes Grant, founder of Path of Life Learning in Yorktown, Virginia, and I discuss Path of Life's unique microschooling approach for grades K--6. Students analyze, discuss, and collaborate rather than memorize (and forget) in classes organized by level and ability instead of age. Mercedes also explains Path of Life's curricula including The Good and the Beautiful and Zearn. We also cover some of the issues inherent in traditional environments that Path of Life overcomes with personalized, interest-based learning and small class sizes that eschew standardized testing in favor of mastery and growth.

Iris Boyle--Prenda parent, guide, and homeschool mom--discusses the benefits to parents and students of the Prenda microschool model; choosing educational options with, not, for, children; the four learning modes in Prenda; how Prenda fosters socialization and collaboration; the importance of trust in learning; and overcoming and using failure to grow.

Karen Weary--teacher at Mountain Montessori in Williams, Oregon, catering to kindergarten through third-grade students--explains Maria Montessori's lasting impact, what the Montessori method is, how hands-on learning stimulates amazing growth in kids, the importance of play, and getting kids excited about ongoing learning.

Matt and Evie Thompson, homeschooling parents, discuss their experience using the iLumenEd online curriculum, socialization for homeschoolers, character education, the benefits of both structure and flexibility in a curriculum and in their children's daily work, and the advantages of synchronous instruction.

Bekah Jennings, Prenda guide and parent at the Jennings Fun Zone in Mesa, AZ, explains the Prenda microschool model; how Prenda individualizes learning; what makes Prenda different from other microschools; and the importance of guides in children's learning.

Bekah's personal journey: https://youtu.be/sXsGR-FipWI?si=UeDli3KjUeD-u518

The Rise of Microschools documentary: https://youtu.be/KpIt_GrUzbg?si=L7m_1J3jSYaYieTn

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

Kaitlin Wilder, behavior analyst, discusses how we can treat kids with respect and as individuals without creating egotistical monsters. The secret? Finding balance in behavior. Kaitlin also discusses her experience as a behavior coach in both public and micro schools, such as Discovery Learner's Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOzBEd2olhc).

Kristen Ackerman, a homeschool mom, discusses why she chose to homeschool, the process of choosing (and changing) curricula, why being an expert is not needed, leveraging the homeschooling community around you, homeschool co-ops, and why there is no typical homeschooling schedule--and why that's a good thing. Plus, Kristen talks about the challenges for single parents like her to homeschool but also provides guidance to show that it can work.