Homeschooling Journeys is a limited-series, six episode podcast from Pioneer Institute. Spend 30 minutes with education expert “Curious Mike” and parents navigating two trends: homeschooling (https://www.educationnext.org/new-u-s-census-bureau-data-confirm-growth-in-homeschooling-amid-pandemic/) and Education Savings Accounts (https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/types-of-school-choice/education-savings-account/). Armed with $5,000 to $8,000 per year, do parents buy traditional experiences (like algebra tutoring or geography curriculum), or specialized items (like Science Through Skateboards, or a class examining all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia)?
Tim’s Take: An Education Reform Stalwart Takes a Curious Look at Homeschoolers With ESAs
Curious Mike sits down with Education Navigator CEO Tim Daly, a former CEO of TNTP, to explore the intersection of ESAs and traditional public schools, highlighting the risks of hubris and the potential for top teachers to depart for ESA opportunities.
24 Oct 2024
Mountain State Modifications: Tiffany Uses ESA Flexibility to Pivot Quickly For Her Son’s Education
This week on Homeschooling Journeys, we meet Tiffany Hoben from West Virginia. Curious Mike chatted with her twice: once in June 2024, and again in October 2024. This October episode shows the nature of homeschooling: plans change. That cuts both good and bad. One cool opportunity disappeared; but at roughly the same time, a new need emerged, as well as the perfect educator to solve that problem. Tiffany, like other homeschoolers using Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), has a variety of experiences: she gets to personalize her son's education, but in doing so, experiences friction that comes both from DIY and from the red tape of actually making purchases (software challenges and bureaucratic hoops). Her $4,900 “Hope Scholarship” is used for her son’s biology curriculum, rock climbing, an AI-aided writing class, and above all, a specialized phonics tutor. She is optimistic about the future of ESAs for homeschoolers in West Virginia.
10 Oct 2024
Homeschooling with Hope: Katie Switzer’s ESA Experience
In this episode of Homeschooling Journeys with Curious Mike, Katie Switzer from West Virginia shares her compelling story as a homeschooling mom navigating the state's Hope Scholarship program. She recounts her pivotal role as a plaintiff in the legal battle that saw the scholarship declared unconstitutional by a West Virginia Circuit Court, only to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Katie also sheds light on the frustrations and red tape surrounding the reimbursement process, a challenge many parents face when trying to access funds through the scholarship. Despite the hurdles, Katie successfully uses her Hope Scholarship for her children’s education, covering basic curriculum, speech therapy, piano lessons, and online classes with a beloved teacher, Miss Ashley. This episode provides an eye-opening look at the struggles and successes within the evolving landscape of school choice and education savings accounts.
3 Oct 2024
Surf, Skate, Learn: Hands-On Science for Homeschoolers
In this episode of Homeschooling Journeys, Curious Mike interviews Uli and Toni, the founders of Surf Skate Science, a unique program that combines beach-based science lessons with surfing and skateboarding activities. The program offers kids hands-on experiences in physics and chemistry, both on land and in the water. They explore how Surf Skate Science highlights the advantages of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which allow families to fund specialized, engaging educational experiences. This episode also reflects on how traditional schools often lack the resources, freedom, and partnerships, like those between Uli and Toni, that can make learning truly relevant and memorable for kids.
26 Sept 2024
Vitamin Parents Part 2: Twin Moms converting a decent traditional school experience into a “Wow” homeschool one
This week's episode of Homeschooling Journeys features Andreina, twin sister of Mariana (last week’s interview). Using Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Andreina funds activities like competitive jujitsu, music lessons at School of Rock, and Surf Skate Science. As a "Vitamin Homeschooler” (Curious Mike’s term), Andreina enhances her children's education through independent learning tasks and family projects. While the kids’ desire for homeschooling serves as the foundation for their motivation, she experiments also with small rewards like a little screen time or chocolate. Andreina also benefits from family support with her twin; Mike observes that formal feedback isn't common in homeschooling, unlike in traditional classrooms.
19 Sept 2024
Vitamin Parents Part 1: Twin Moms Converting a Decent Traditional School Experience Into a “Wow” Homeschool One
The upcoming episodes of Homeschooling Journeys feature twin sisters, Mariana and Andreina, originally from Venezuela and now living in Florida. Each is a mom of two kids. Curious Mike describes them as "Vitamin Homeschoolers"—they see homeschooling as a way to enhance their children's education rather than addressing any major issues with traditional schooling. They discuss the challenges of balancing time and responsibilities but emphasize the benefits of stronger family bonds and the enriching experiences they've been able to provide through Educational Savings Accounts (ESA). Non-homeschoolers often worry about the socialization of homeschooled kids, but Mariana and Andreina have their children socializing a lot—playing in rock bands, competing at a high level in soccer, and attending in-person, unusual academic classes, like Surf Skate Science and competitive extracurriculars.
12 Sept 2024
From Stress to Success: How Daniella Transformed Her Son’s Learning with ESA Funds
This week on Homeschooling Journeys, Curious Mike talks with Daniella Moreci-Pack, an Arizona mom utilizing her state's Education Savings Account (ESA) to homeschool her son with ADHD. Daniella shares how she spends ESA funds on special needs therapies, curriculum products, and in-person enrichment activities like karate and dance classes. She explores key themes, including the flexibility of homeschooling, the initial anxiety of leaving traditional schooling, and the common shift from structured schedules to more child-led learning. Daniella also discusses navigating ESA red tape, as new rules add bureaucratic hurdles. Tune in to hear highlights of Daniella's approach and resilience in overcoming these challenges to give her child a personalized education.
5 Sept 2024
From Garden to Table: How Alicia Garcia Reshapes Home Ec with ESAs
In the debut episode of Homeschooling Journeys, we meet Alicia Garcia, the founder of Project Flourish Community. Alicia offers an innovative Home Ec experience where students participate in hands-on learning, from picking ingredients in her backyard to cooking healthy meals. As both a provider and user of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Alicia shares her unique perspective on homeschooling. Curious Mike and Alicia delve into the challenges of setting up ESA payments and the benefits of specialized learning. Alicia also touches on a heartwarming story of how she used ESA funds to help her introverted son join a local stage musical. We hope you enjoy!
30 Aug 2024
Welcome to Homeschooling Journeys with Curious Mike
Welcome to Homeschooling Journeys with Curious Mike! This seven-episode series delves into the stories of homeschooling parents who are using Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to enrich their children’s education with unique learning experiences. Mark your calendars, the first episode is set to air on Thursday, September 5th at Noon!
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