Is traditional school no longer working for your child? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Matt Bowman, former teacher and co-founder of OpenEd (formerly MyTechHigh), to explore how personalized, project-based education can give families real freedom.

We dive into how Matt and his wife Amy built a learning model that honors kids' creativity, family values, and faith — all while breaking free from the one-size-fits-all system. Whether you’re exploring homeschooling, unschooling, or just need a better option, this episode will inspire you to take the lead.

👉 Discover how elementary, middle, and high schoolers can thrive, how tech empowers learning, and how parents can guide with love, limits, and latitude.

• Why traditional school often fails kids

• How OpenEd empowers student-led learning

• Real stories of homeschool success

• Faith-based approaches to education

• Tools for starting your own journey

If you're a faith-driven mom exploring homeschooling, unschooling, or personalized learning, this show is for you. Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave a review — it helps more families find freedom in education!

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References from today's episode:

Learn more about OpenEd HERE

Open Education: How to Reimagine Learning, Ignite Curiosity, and Prepare Your Kids for Success by Matt Bowman & Isaac Morehouse

SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Discover how minimalist homeschooling can bring more peace, clarity, and purpose to your family’s education journey. This episode explores the power of just-in-time learning—an approach that emphasizes core skills, real-world readiness, and student-led discovery.

Whether you're an unschooler, a new homeschool parent, or rethinking traditional education, you'll learn:

• How to simplify your homeschool environment

• The benefits of “learning as needed” vs. preparing for every scenario

• Why kids thrive with freedom, flexibility, and fewer distractions

• The connection between minimalism, mental clarity, and joyful learning

• What historical figures like George Washington can teach us about self-education

This episode is packed with practical tips and deep encouragement for intentional parents, grandparents, and educators pursuing faithful, simplified, and student-centered homeschooling.

SIGN UP FOR JULY'S WEDENSDAY WORKSHOP: CLICK HERE

References from today's episode:

mountvernon.org

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789 by Joseph J. Ellis

Minimalist/Essentialist Books that Inspired:

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh

Declutter Your Heart and Your Home by Julia Ubbenga

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Condo

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

THROWBACK EPISODE:

Ever wonder how early education can shape the future thinkers of our society? This episode welcomes Connor Boyack, a prolific author, public speaker, TV show producer, and the founder and president of Libertas Institute, who explores this question with us. Connor shares his inspiring journey from web development to establishing Libertas Institute and authoring the Tuttle Twins children's series, which brings complex concepts of economics, politics, and civics down to a level young minds can grasp.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into the importance of fostering learning environments outside the confines of traditional classrooms. Connor emphasizes the role parents play in this process, inspiring them to help their children develop critical thinking skills and learn practical life skills.

We also touch on the perception vs reality of education, highlighting the fallacies in the assumption that schools are teaching children to think rather than dictating what to think. Tune in and empower the next generation of free-thinkers!

Libertas Institute

State Policy Network

Mediocrity: 40 Ways Government Schools are Failing Today's Students

SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

* Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

New episodes and a NEW Season coming in July! In the meantime, enjoy this throwback interview with the AMAZING Unschooling Mama and Founder of Empowered Homeschool Club, Nicole Shiffler!

Link to hear Caroline Shiffler's song:

On Golden Sands by Fragile Beings

To Reach Nicole:

@nicoleshiffler

Nichole's Coaching Program

Authors Referred to in this Episode:

How Children Learn by John Holt

Teach Your Own by John Holt

How Children Fail by John Holt

Free to Learn by Peter Gray

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Can fairy tales really shape a child's moral compass? Join me as we navigate the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales, inspired by literary giants like Dr. Vigen Guroian and Bruno Bettelheim. We'll unravel the mysteries behind these timeless stories and their profound influence on nurturing a child's moral imagination, contrasting the enduring narratives of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen with their modern retellings. To ensure you're reading the most authentic versions, I'll share my top recommendations for fairy tale collections and translations. You'll find guidance on choosing rich, unaltered stories that resonate with both children and adults.

BOOKMARKS: Downloadable Bookmarks with Quotes: Download on cardstock and print double-sided.

REFERENCES:

Tending to the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination by Vigen Guroian.

The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim

The Literary Life Podcast with Angelina Stanford

RECOMMENDED FAIRY TALE ANTHOLOGIES:

The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm: The Complete First Edition: by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm; translated by Jack Zipes

Brothers Grimm Selected Tales by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm; translated by David Luke

Hans Christian Andersen: The complete Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Anderson; Erik Christian Haugaard (translator)

The Victorian Fairy Tale Book by Michael Patrick Hearn

The Classic Fairy Tales by Iona and Peter Opie

The Complete Children's Fairy Tales by George MacDonald

King of the Golden River: An Enchanting Tale of Greed, Magic, and Redemption by John Ruskin

SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Joshua GRADUATED!!! Join us in part 2 as we talk to our first homeschool graduate! Yes, unschoolers can graduate! Yes, they can have great lives! Let's chat with Joshua and get his perspective! I apologize for the audio on this one! I am travelling and the mic was NOT having it!

Joshua's Graduation Instagram Reel

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Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

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Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Could you create a summer for your homeschooling family that’s both restful and magical? By choosing meaningful activities, embracing cherished traditions, and keeping things simple, you can craft a summer that you’ll look back on with satisfaction.

Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

Happy Mother's Day! Let's set low expectations! Who is with me?!

YouTube Short of My Mother's Day 2022

Story about Thomas Edison

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School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

*Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

CONNECT with US

Join the Private Facebook Group

Learn more about School to Homeschool

Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com