What happens when a seasoned educator decides the school system no longer aligns with her values—and chooses to homeschool instead?

In this episode, I talk with Angela McDonald, a former teacher and consultant turned homeschool mom, about her decision to homeschool her 9-year-old daughter Hazel. Angela shares how she shifted from a boxed curriculum to teaching through life experiences, how she organizes lessons with skill-based planning, and the role of faith and obedience in her journey.

You’ll hear:

* Why Angela chose to leave the traditional school system behind

* How she balances structure with freedom in her homeschool days

* Practical ways she organizes lessons around everyday life (from baking to gardening to Hallmark movies!)

* What deschooling has looked like for her as both a teacher and a mom

* How faith and God’s timing guide her family and her business, Growing Greatness Homeschool

✨ Listen in and be encouraged that homeschooling doesn’t have to fit in a box—it can be full of freedom, faith, and real life.

About Angela:

School leader turned homeschool mom. We use real life as the curriculum. No busywork, just skills that matter. Helping families make learning simple, joyful, and real.

⏱ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Angela’s background in education

04:00 – Why she chose to homeschool Hazel after 15 years in schools

06:00 – Breaking cycles & seeing school for what it was designed to do

10:00 – How her daughter adjusted & found her voice again

14:00 – A peek into their daily rhythm (Bible, workouts, gardening, baking, lessons)

20:00 – Teaching ELA with Hallmark movies & real-life writing

24:00 – How she uses skill-based guides instead of boxed curriculum

28:00 – Organization: binders, standards checklists, and weekly planning

34:00 – Freedom, deschooling, and blending best practices with real life

39:00 – Building community & finding support beyond school walls

44:00 – God’s timing, faith, and the story that changed everything

53:00 – Growing Greatness Homeschool: her mission & resources for families

1:02:00 – Final encouragement + where to connect with Angela

🔗 Resources & Links

* Check out Angela’s website Growing Greatness Homeschool

* Follow Angela on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube

* Recommended resource: Angela’s free standards checklist (on her site)

* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool

* Listen & subscribe: Apple | Spotify | Substack

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com