In this episode, Star and Emilirose, co-founders of Acorn School, take you behind the scenes for a look at what really goes into running Acorn School. 

Most people see our classes, festivals, and finished curriculum, but not the gears and heart that keep everything running smoothly. From our amazing admin manager to our curriculum creators, teachers, and marketing team, we’re highlighting the people, processes, and values that make Acorn School a thriving Waldorf-inspired community.

Whether you attend classes, use our take-home curriculum, or are simply curious about how a homeschool enrichment school runs, this conversation offers a candid peek into our team, our business values, and our passion for holistic, family-centered education.

🌸 In This Episode:

• Meet the Acorn School Team & Collaborators
• How Our Curriculum is Created Each Month
• The Roles of Teachers, Writers, and Designers
• Family, Community, and Business Values That Guide Us
• Why Small Business Partnerships Mean So Much
• Our Commitment to Integrity, Sustainability & Living Wages
• What’s Next for Acorn School (special announcement!)
  
  
  

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Back!
01:35 How Our Team Has Grown Beyond the Founders
01:59 Spotlight on Marilee, Our Admin Manager
06:41 The Marketing Team: Star, John, Katelyn, and Jeremy
09:36 Social Media & Branding at Acorn School
12:17 Our Website
13:59 Our Incredible Teaching Team
19:27 The Intentionality Behind Hiring Our Teachers
21:15 The Curriculum Creation Process
33:00 Behind the Scenes of Printing, Photos & Publishing of Our Curriculum
36:11 A special announcement!
37:59 Our Business Values
42:57 Community Within Our Team
44:28 Supporting Small Businesses
52:06 How We Strive to Improve or Add Value Each Year
54:58 Wrapping Up & What’s Next for the Podcast

📺Others Podcasts & Videos Mentioned

Our HomeSchool Curriculum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y7mwkXUIjU&t=13s
Past episode with John & Katelyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG7Y2jgu0no

🤝Collaborators & Partner Businesses
Whole Childhood Collective | https://www.instagram.com/wholechildhoodcollective
Kate | The Wholeness Home |  https://www.instagram.com/thewholenesshome
Mother Nature’s Farm | https://www.mothernaturesfarm.com
ClimbMax Rock Climbing Gym | https://weareclimbmax.com
First Class Marketing | https://www.firstclassmkt.com
Homeschool Printing Services | https://homeschoolprintingservices.com
Homeschool Printing Services | https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolprintingservices
Katelyn Cantu Photography | https://katelyncantu.com
Katelyn Cantu Photography | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelyncantu


🌿 Links & Resources
Shop Our Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum: shop.acornschoolenrichment.com
Amazon Storefront (All Our Book Picks): https://www.amazon.com/shop/intothemischief

🌿 Follow Acorn School
Instagram | 

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

Star & Emilirose join Acorn School parents, John and Katelyn. In this episode, they share about their homeschooling journey, the ups and downs of their personal educational experiences and how they came to embrace homeschooling with their children. They talk about the pressures of traditional schooling, how they found Acorn School, and why they’re so passionate about offering their kids a more relaxed, child-led learning environment.

Tune in to hear about:

• Katelyn and John’s personal struggles with the traditional school system and how those experiences led them to seek a more supportive, flexible approach to education for their children.
• The beauty of homeschooling and how it allows families to tailor learning to each child’s unique needs and interests.
• How Acorn School provides a nurturing space where children can grow, explore, and learn in a community-focused environment, free from the pressures of traditional schooling.

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

In this episode, Star and Emilirose dive into Star’s personal educational evolution, beginning with her formative years at a Waldorf school. Star reflects on the lasting impact of creativity, connection, and holistic learning, and how these principles not only shaped her but also ignited her vision for Acorn School.

Tune in to hear:

• Star’s memories from her Waldorf upbringing and the unique lessons that stuck with her
• The sharp contrast between her Waldorf and public school experiences 
• How freedom and the space to think your own thoughts became a cornerstone of her educational philosophy

& much more

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

In this episode, Star and Emilirose explore the beautiful philosophy of Waldorf education. They discuss the intentionality behind Acorn School’s Waldorf-inspired teaching and how it nurtures children’s spirit through hands-on experiences and joyful engagement with nature, allowing our little ones to truly flourish. 

Tune in to hear: 

• The history of Waldorf education and its focus on nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
• The role of outdoor play and exploration in helping children develop curiosity and creativity.
• The value of hands-on experiences that teach children to learn from mistakes, building resilience and a love for learning.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Acorn School’s Seasonal Curriculum (Digital Download) | Dive into the fascinating world of bats with engaging stories and songs that explore their nighttime adventures and ecological importance. 

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

What’s it really like for kids who are homeschooled from the very beginning? In this episode, Star and Emilirose sit down with Olivia Azevedo, a lifelong homeschooler and now a beloved teacher for Acorn School’s Hummingbirds and Cardinals. Olivia shares her personal journey of how homeschooling shaped her understanding of education, the unique ways she learned, and how she now helps children discover their own learning styles.

Tune in to hear:

• How homeschooling allowed Olivia to personalize her learning journey and flourish in different subjects.
• Olivia’s personal experiences that dispel common myths about homeschooling, including misconceptions about socialization. 
• Olivia’s journey from homeschooled student to Waldorf-inspired teacher.

And so much more!

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

In this episode, Star and Emilirose chat about the idea of flow states and how they can naturally boost a child's learning and creativity. You'll hear about how the right surroundings—both the space they’re in and the people they’re with—can really help children stay focused and engaged. They also touch on the freedom of Waldorf-inspired teaching, explaining how it allows educators to craft joyful, meaningful lessons that create lasting learning experiences for children.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How physical spaces influence a child’s ability to enter a flow state
• The impact of child-led learning and the importance of balancing challenge with skill
• Why Waldorf-inspired education allows teachers to design lessons that inspire deep learning and joy

Resources mentioned:

• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
• The Kingdom of Childhood by Rudolf Steiner
• Roxaboxen (book recommendation)

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

In this episode, Star & Emilirose sit down with Emily O’Brien, Acorn School’s Charlotte Mason-inspired teacher. Together, they dive deep into Emily’s journey to becoming a homeschooling mother, along with discussing the key principles of the Charlotte Mason philosophy and how it aligns (and differs) with other educational methods like Waldorf. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Charlotte-Mason and Waldorf philosophies overlap and what led to Acorn School’s Charlotte-Mason inspired class
• The impact of homeschooling on Emily’s family
• Emily’s journey to finding Acorn School

& much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Emily’s children’s book, Benny the Bird, and Fitz the Fox. Find them both at emilyanneobrien.com/works

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

In this first episode of the Under the Oak Podcast, Emilirose and Star introduce the origins and philosophy behind Acorn School and offers a glimpse into their personal journeys and the experiences that inspired them to create this unique, family-centered educational environment.

Tune in to hear:

• Star and Emilirose’s journey that led to founding Acorn School.
• Insights into the people and principles behind this innovative educational approach.
• A preview of future podcast topics

& more!

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school

Welcome to Under the Oak: an Acorn School Podcast.  Hosted by Acorn School co-founders Star Johnson, homeschool mom of three and Emilirose, former public school teacher. 

Expect open conversations on viewing children as "whole people"—mind, body, heart, and soul—through personal stories, critiques of traditional education, and insights on creating a nurturing and holistic learning environment.

To learn more about Acorn School, visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow along on social media @acorn_school for additional resources, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

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To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school