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Welcome to the ”Teacher, Let Your Light Shine” Podcast! Calling all parents and teachers!! The future of education is in YOUR HANDS! If you are a teacher ready to teach your way, ditch the overwhelm and design a life you love, this is the podcast for you! If you are a parent currently homeschooling, or thinking about the possibility, but also needing to make an income to support your family-tune in! Makenzie Oliver is here to help teachers and parents create profitable micro-schools and homeschooling businesses so they can provide a rich and desirable education for their own children and many others. The time to transform education is now, and this podcast will teach you how to build, scale and market an educational business that is changing the culture of schools and learning environments all over the globe. Teacher friend, is your passion for teaching slowly burning out? Is our broken educational system frustrating you to the point of quitting this career, but you just can’t stand the thought of letting your ”teaching gifts” go to the wayside? Do you envision teaching children with more energy, aliveness, and creativity, but you are ”stuck” conforming to the standardized tests, mandates, and overwhelming policies that just aren’t working? Are you dreaming of freedom, flexibility, and an income that continues to grow exponentially? Have you ever said, ”I should just start my own school”? Wouldn’t it be lovely to teach without unrealistic expectations, endless data collection, meetings, and restrictions? What if you could create your own schedule, curriculum, and class size? Would you sense freedom and fulfillment if you could take learning outside, on field trips, and beyond the state standards? Do you long to use your teaching gift for God’s glory, while creating engaging lesson plans, experiences, and positive relationships with students? Starting your own micro-school or homeschooling business can give you the financial freedom, time freedom, and teaching experiences you are longing for! Parents, are you frustrated with the experiences your child is having in public or private school? Are you searching for a learning experience that LIGHTS your child up? Are you currently homeschooling but you desire to provide financially for your family and want the two worlds to collide? What if you could continue teaching your child but also make an income while providing educational and enrichment experiences to other children and families? If your child is longing for socialization, interaction, and engaging experiences, a profitable homeschooling business would not only provide financial peace and freedom to your family but provide your child with a wonderful learning opportunity! Learning pods, resource centers, and micro-schools are coming your way! Teacher friend, If you’ve ever thought, ” I wish I could stay home and give my children all the attention I give to so many others!”? ”If only I could make money while staying home, teaching, and taking care of my children.... !” OR maybe you are thinking of teaching YOUR OWN WAY, having your OWN BUSINESS, and creating as much profit as you desire while ALSO using your teaching gifts! Let’s get down to business! What if you could have a business right in your backyard-around the corner, or up the street...where children run free, learn authentically, and collaborate with peers like never before? What if YOU could leave a legacy not only for your family but for the generations to come? If you’re a teacher or parent searching for freedom, flexibility, and unlimited financial possibilities- you’re in the right place! In this podcast, I will teach you how to start a fulfilling, profitable, micro-school or homeschooling business built on a foundation of faith! If you’re here for teaching on your own terms and making a bigger impact with a bigger income, You‘re in the right place! I’m Makenzie Oliver. After 14 years in public school as a teacher, instructional coach, and after receiving ”Teacher of the Year” accolades-God changed my heart and led me down a path that has lit my soul on fire. He crafted a dream in my heart to start a school-right out of my living room! Now I run a successful, growing micro-school with unlimited possibilities for career growth, experiences, and lifelong memories! I‘m here to help teachers and parents build a teaching business around the most important aspects of life. For me, this includes motherhood, marriage, and a God-given mission. I help parents and uncover their calling as teachers, build and scale a profitable homeschooling business and or micro-school ! You have the potential to run your own business, from anywhere, while also making a massive impact! Get ready to discover “The Teacher God Created You to Be”, “The God Confidence to Create Your Own Business” and “Effective Ways to Organize and Produce and Plan for Your Micro School” ”Business Basics” and ”The Possibilities Empowering YOU to teach with FREEDOM AND JOY”! Sharpen Your Pencil, Get out your notebook, Re-heat your coffee...It’s time to get your teach on! Let Your Light Shine, Makenzie Oliver Visit our Website for Free Resources, Learn more about Micro schools, AND Receive Coaching to Build Your Business! www.teachersletyourlightshine.com Come Connect with us in our Facebook Group: Teacher Let Your Light Shine-Start Your Homeschooling Business! https://www.facebook.com/groups/250368126648112 Come Connect with me on Instagram: @Teacherletyourlightshine Want to chat? Have some questions? I‘d love to hear from you! Send an Email:teacherletyourlightshine@gmail.com Twitter: @teacher_light Check out Our School on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lighthouselearningmicroschool
Episodes
30 minutes ago
30 minutes ago
Today is Episode 400… a milestone I never imagined when I sat at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, simply trying to create safety and stability for kids who needed a place to learn.
But 400 episodes later, I have grown.
You have grown.
The entire movement has grown.
And in this episode, I’m sharing a full-circle moment:
the official transformation from the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast into the new era of ReDream Education.
This is not a rebrand.
This is a rebirth.
Over the years, many of us have walked through burnout, fear, exhausted dreams, and the longing for something more meaningful. We’ve outgrown systems that didn’t fit us anymore. We’ve struggled with leaving the classroom, starting schools, raising families, and carrying visions bigger than our circumstances.
And yet—just like me—so many of you have been redreaming your lives, your schools, your identities, and your purpose.
In this episode, I reflect on:
⭐ The evolution I’ve experienced over 400 episodes
Burnout, rebuilding, expansion, leadership, program redesign, and the deep internal shift that demanded a new dream.
⭐ How our community has changed
You’re not just teachers needing encouragement.
You’re founders.
Innovators.
Mothers and fathers creating microschools, homeschool hybrids, learning communities and learner-centered environments from the ground up.
⭐ Why ReDream Education had to be born
Because the world no longer needs encouragement alone—it needs leaders, school builders, and architects of the future committed to mastery-based, personalized, flexible, human-centered learning.
⭐ How Microschool Masterminds is evolving
This is now a national training ground for founders, offering:
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weekly coaching
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leadership frameworks
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enrollment systems
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financial planning
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curriculum decision-making
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multi-age learning structures
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personalized learning blueprints
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legal and operational support
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community building
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scalable school models
It’s everything educators search for when they’re ready to step into their calling as founders.
Microschool Masterminds is no longer just a program.
It is a movement inside the movement.
⭐ Why today marks the official beginning of the ReDream Era
Teacher Let Your Light Shine gave hope.
ReDream Education builds leaders.
Teacher Let Your Light Shine inspired teachers.
ReDream Education equips founders.
Teacher Let Your Light Shine ignited the spark.
ReDream Education builds the fire.
And as we step into this next chapter, I leave you with this question:
What part of your life is asking to be redreamed?
Because if you’re listening today, your dream isn’t dying—
it’s evolving.
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
(An exclusive interview on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast)
After a two-year pause from podcast interviews, Kayse Morris — former classroom teacher turned CEO, bestselling podcaster, and one of the most influential online business coaches for teachers is on the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast for her first interview in almost two years.
In this powerful, deeply personal conversation, Kayse opens up about what most educators and entrepreneurs are afraid to admit out loud:
fear, depression, anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, identity loss, and the mindset shifts required to rebuild your life when everything feels heavy.
Together, Makenzie Oliver and Kayse Morris take listeners inside the real emotional landscape behind teaching, motherhood, leadership, running a business, and rediscovering your purpose.
🔥 In This Episode, We Dive Into:
✨ Kayse’s Return & Reinvention
Why she stepped away, what she healed, and how she’s re-entering the online space with more clarity, peace, purpose, and courage than ever before.
✨ Fear, Identity & the Pressure Educators Carry
How fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change, and fear of judgment show up in teachers’ lives — and how to dismantle them.
✨ Depression, Anxiety & Burnout in Teachers & Teacherpreneurs
A raw, honest conversation about mental health, emotional survival, high-functioning anxiety, and the hidden battles educators face behind the scenes.
✨ Mindset Shifts to Move From Survival to Success
The exact thought patterns and daily habits Kayse used to rebuild her confidence, regain control of her life, revive her creativity, and step boldly back into leadership.
✨ Building a Life & Business You’re Not Afraid Of
How teachers can transition into entrepreneurship, create additional streams of income, and show up online without fear of criticism, perfectionism, or comparison.
✨ Purpose, Authenticity & Finding Joy Again
The transformational conversation every burned-out educator needs to hear.
🌟 Why This Episode Matters
If you’re a teacher, homeschool mom, microschool founder, or educator-entrepreneur navigating exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety, fear, or a major life transition… this episode will feel like coming up for air.
Kayse brings unmatched wisdom on:
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Teacher burnout recovery
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Teacher mental health
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Online business for teachers
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Overcoming fear and self-doubt
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Mindset transformation
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Building sustainable income outside the classroom
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Becoming a confident creator, leader, and visionary
And Makenzie guides the conversation with the compassion and clarity listeners love — blending leadership, entrepreneurship, and the emotional reality of leaving the classroom to build something new.
🎧 This is the comeback episode the teaching world has been waiting for.
A conversation about healing, rebuilding, and rising again — with two women who have walked the road and are lighting the way for others.
Kayse Morris is a CrossFit, nature, and music-loving mama, a former ELA teacher, and the founder of the CEO Teacher® movement. She went from just wanting to pay her Netflix bill of $50 a month to building a multi-7-figure business supporting teachers around the world, and she believes you can too.
Kayse is a top-ranking podcast host and teacher business coach. Over the past decade, she has taught thousands of educators how to leverage their strengths and classroom experience to build online businesses that provide more income, freedom, and stability than a capped teacher’s salary ever could. All while making a bigger impact on teachers and families globally.
Free resource: Get Started with Monthly Recurring Revenue Guide for Teachers
Website: https://kaysemorris.com
Podcast: The CEO Teacher® Podcast
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kaysemorris
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theceoteacher/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaysemorris
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
When I started my microschool at my dining room table with six children during the pandemic, I thought that was the dream. I thought my purpose was simply to create a safe space for a handful of kids while the world felt uncertain. What I didn’t realize then—what I can see so clearly now—is that the school I started wasn’t the dream. It was the seed of the dream.
And seeds always know how to become more.
In this episode, I’m sharing what it truly means to ReDream your life, your school, and your purpose as a teacher, leader, or future microschool founder. This conversation is deeply personal and sets the stage for the historic transition happening in Episode 400—from Teacher Let Your Light Shine to the new movement: ReDream Education.
Over the last year, I have been in a constant process of ReDreaming.
I’ve redreamed my school model.
I’ve redreamed how I support neurodivergent and gifted students.
I’ve redreamed how I coach teachers, founders, and educational leaders.
I’ve redreamed the entire way I serve this community.
And this episode is where I reveal the truth:
A dream is innocent—but a ReDream is informed.
A ReDream is the evolution that happens when your dream grows bigger than the place it started.
WHAT I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE
💡 What a “dream” actually is—and why it often becomes too small
I break down the real definition of a dream:
a spark, a whisper, a possibility, a longing for something better.
And I explain why dreams can shrink, break, or become misaligned as you evolve.
This is foundational for educators and founders who feel stuck, burnt out, or ready to leave traditional systems.
🔥 What it means to ReDream your life, your classroom, or your school
A ReDream is not a revision—it's a rebirth.
It’s the process of reclaiming what you buried, releasing the pieces that no longer fit, and expanding the vision you were once afraid to claim.
This applies directly to:
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teachers wanting to start a microschool
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educators transitioning out of the classroom
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founders building homeschool hybrids
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leaders designing personalized, mastery-based learning models
🏫 How I have redreamed Lighthouse Learning Microschool
I share the full evolution—from my home to a multi-room campus—and how we now operate as a national example of:
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multi-age teaching
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mastery-based and personalized learning
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PACE + Exact Path systems
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entrepreneurship and trades pathways
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Toastmasters for kids
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social-emotional and neurodivergent-support models
This is powerful for anyone searching terms like:
microschool framework, how to start a school, homeschool hybrid model, mastery-based education, personalized learning systems.
🌟 The birth of Bright Pathways & the Lighthouse Learning Foundation
I explain how we created a full support model for:
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neurodivergent learners
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gifted and advanced students
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academic intervention
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therapeutic partnerships
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individualized learning plans
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resilience and executive functioning
And how the Foundation now provides scholarships, access, and family support.
Educators often search for this under:
“neurodivergent school models,”
“gifted education programs,”
“microschool scholarships,”
“Special Education alternatives,”
“nonprofit educational support.”
🎙 Why I had to redream my podcast, my programs, and my identity as a leader
I speak honestly about:
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ending 1:1 coaching
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redesigning Microschool Masterminds
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moving from encouragement to full-scale leadership
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expanding beyond teachers into national education innovation
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preparing for the launch of ReDream Education
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
In today’s deeply personal and powerful episode, I’m sharing the full story behind why I am officially rebranding Teacher Let Your Light Shine to ReDream Education—and why this evolution matters for teachers, parents, founders, and families who know deep down that the traditional system is no longer working.
I take you back to the beginning—my living room, six students, no roadmap, only faith and fear—and walk you through the moment I realized this was bigger than tips for teachers. It had become a movement. A revolution. And a call to redesign education from the ground up.
This is not “just” a new name.
It’s a new chapter… a bigger vision… and a home for dreamers ready to build something different.
⭐ In This Episode, I Share:
✨ My full origin story
How Lighthouse Learning started with 6 kids in my living room, no blueprint, and a dream that felt bigger than me.
✨ The exact moment I knew TLylS had outgrown its container
And why I felt God pulling me toward something larger.
✨ The explosion of microschools and why this movement matters
How teachers, parents, and founders are reshaping the future of education—right now.
✨ Why the name ReDream Education captures the heart of this mission
This new identity is for:
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teachers longing for purpose again
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parents craving a better option for their kids
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founders launching microschools or hybrids
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current school leaders needing systems, clarity, and courage
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families searching for personalized, meaningful education options
✨ The updated Microschool Masterminds membership
A complete weekly + monthly structure designed to help founders grow strong, sustainable schools:
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Deep-dive workshop
-
Live group coaching
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Live Q&A
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Access to 50+ templates
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Private chat & community feedback
✨ What this shift means for YOU
More clarity.
More support.
More systems.
More purpose.
More ROOM for your dream to grow.
💛 Why This Episode Matters
Because so many of us—teachers, parents, founders—have been carrying dreams that didn’t fit inside the traditional system.
And for years we’ve whispered:
“There has to be something more.”
“There has to be a better way.”
“I know I’m called to this… but I don’t know how.”
ReDream Education is the place where we stop whispering…
and start building.
🔗 Call to Action
If you’re ready to step into the next chapter of your dream—whether you’re a teacher preparing to leave, a parent exploring microschools, or a founder ready to launch or scale—this is your moment.
Join Microschool Masterminds before the pricing updates in January.
🌟 Join here: www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
(This link will update to ReDream Education soon.)
This is our time to dream again.
To rebuild.
To restore.
To redesign education in a way that honors children, teachers, and families.
I’m honored to walk beside you.
Let’s ReDream education—together. 💛
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a microschool while managing major life transitions—or if fear of stepping away has kept you from taking the leap—this episode will encourage and empower you to move forward with faith and clarity.
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Madeline Baird, founder of Peak Learning Microschool in Ohio—and yes, she’s 38 weeks pregnant while running her thriving school! We dove deep into her journey, her passion for education, and how she’s balancing motherhood, leadership, and purpose in this season of life.
Madeline shared her inspiring background as a first-generation college student who started out in youth ministry before earning her degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. Her path took an unexpected turn when she began questioning the “why” behind traditional education systems. That curiosity—and courage to explore new ways of learning—eventually led her across the world to Japan, and later back to the U.S., where she initially described herself as “anti-homeschool.”
But like so many of us, her heart began to shift. After listening to the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Madeline realized she could create something that beautifully blended her love for teaching, her desire to be home with her boys, and her vision for meaningful, student-centered education. That’s when Peak Learning Microschool was born.
We talked about some of the most common fears people have when starting a microschool—especially around taking time off, maternity leave, or balancing family life with the demands of leading a school. Maddie opened up about her state complaint experience, how she handled it with grace and perseverance, and what she learned through the process.
She also shared her insights on curriculum design, how she’s learning to step back from day-to-day teaching to focus more on administrative work and long-term growth, and the lessons she’s learned as her school continues to expand.
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
If you’ve ever felt buried under to-do lists, school planning, paperwork, and the constant pressure to do it all — today’s episode is your breath of fresh air. 🌿
In this deeply personal and transformative conversation, I sit down with Lisa Woodruff, the brilliant founder and CEO of Organize 365, and the woman who completely changed the way I structure my life, home, and business.
Lisa is a former teacher turned successful entrepreneur, bestselling author of The Paper Solution, Organization is a Learnable Skill, and How ADHD Affects Home Organization. Through her podcast and training programs, she has guided thousands of women, educators, and business owners to take control of their homes and work through simple, repeatable systems that bring peace and purpose.
In this episode, we talk about:
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📚 How Lisa’s journey from classroom teacher to CEO can inspire any educator or microschool founder
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🧺 Why organization isn’t about perfection — it’s about freedom, confidence, and control
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🗂 How the Sunday Basket® System helped me personally transform my school, home, and mental space
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⏰ Practical strategies for teachers and parents to organize paper, time, and routines
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💡 The connection between organization and leadership — and how systems can multiply your impact
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❤️ Why learning to manage your time and environment is actually an act of self-care and calling
I share openly about how Lisa’s work gave me clarity during one of the busiest seasons of my life — running Lighthouse Learning Microschool, leading staff, and raising a family. Implementing her methods didn’t just help me tidy my spaces — it gave me margin to lead with peace, create with focus, and live more intentionally.
This episode is for you if you’re:
✨ A teacher dreaming of launching a microschool or homeschool hybrid
✨ A mom or educator juggling multiple responsibilities and craving simplicity
✨ A visionary who knows you’re called to lead — but need systems to sustain your success
🔗 Resources Mentioned
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Visit Lisa’s website: www.organize365.com
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Listen to The Organize 365 Podcast
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Check out Lisa’s books:
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The Paper Solution
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Organization is a Learnable Skill
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How ADHD Affects Home Organization
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Learn about the Sunday Basket® System
Lisa Woodruff is the founder and CEO of Organize 365®, a company dedicated to helping women reclaim their time and transform their lives through functional organization. A former teacher and mother of two, Lisa developed proven systems for home and business organization, including the world-renowned Sunday Basket® program.
She’s the host of the top-rated Organize 365 Podcast, and author of bestselling books including The Paper Solution, Organization is a Learnable Skill, and How ADHD Affects Home Organization. Her mission is to help women and educators turn chaos into confidence and clutter into clarity — one system at a time.
Learn more at www.organize365.com.
We also invite you to join your new FAVORITE online community full of resources, templates, videos, LIVE Q and A, Group Coaching and New Monthy Content Centered around your Educational Entrepreneurship Needs! Microschool Masterminds, designed to help you start or grow your micro school by maximizing your time, optimizing your finances, and mastering your marketing. Whether you are a seasoned microschool owner or a teacher with a dream, Microschool Masterminds provides a dedicated space to share resources, collaborate with fellow educators, and access expert guidance.
Join us as we embark on this journey together. Your dreams are about to take flight. No more fears, no more hesitations. Microschool Masterminds is here to fuel your journey. It's your time. Your destiny awaits. Let's soar together into a future of limitless possibilities.
VELA Organization:
VELA Education FundJoin our Mastermind Program!
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
This isn’t just an interview! Today’s podcast is an inspiring dialogue between two passionate women who are transforming education from the ground up in numerous ways. 🌟
In this episode, Makenzie Oliver, founder of Lighthouse Learning Microschool and host of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, sits down with Kerry McDonald — Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education, host of The Liberated Podcast, and author of Unschooled and Joyful Learning. Together, they dive deep into what it truly means to reclaim joy, autonomy, and purpose in education.
This episode will help you:
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Understand what “joyful learning” really means and how to cultivate it in any setting
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Explore the microschool and homeschool hybrid movement that’s transforming education
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Learn how teachers can become education entrepreneurs and create thriving learning spaces outside the traditional system
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Hear from two women who have lived it — both sharing real stories, homeschooling, participating in higher education, research, challenges, and victories
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Discover the policies, funding opportunities, and innovative models fueling educational freedom in 2025
Whether you’re a teacher dreaming of launching your own microschool, a parent seeking personalized education, or a visionary who believes learning should be liberated, meaningful, and joyful, this conversation will reignite your belief in what’s possible.
✨ It’s time to redefine success. Reclaim joy. And let your light shine.
🔗 Connect with Kerry McDonald
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🌍 Website: https://www.edentrepreneurs.org
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🎙 Podcast: The Liberated Podcast
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📖 Books: Joyful Learning and Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom
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🏛 Foundation for Economic Education: https://fee.org/kerry
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💬 Social Media: @Kerry_edu
#TeacherLetYourLightShine #KerryMcDonald #JoyfulLearning #TheLiberatedPodcast #EducationEntrepreneurshipLab #EducationFreedom #Homeschooling #Microschools #Unschooling #AlternativeEducation #ParentEmpowerment #EducationInnovation #EdEntrepreneurs #MakenzieOliver #LighthouseLearningMicroschool #SchoolChoice #Microgrants #ESAs #HomeschoolHybrid #EducationalChoice #FreedomInEducation #ReimagineEducation #LearningPods
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more.
In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit.
I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and events. But if we’re not careful, we can move so fast that we stop seeing the beauty of what we’ve built.
The Autumn Audit is a moment to pause and look at your school — or even just the dream of your school — through new eyes.
Whether you’re already open and serving families or you’re just beginning to build, this reflection process helps you realign your space, your systems, and your spirit with the vision God first placed in your heart.
✨ In This Episode, I’m Sharing:
-
Why reflection is the most important — and often most neglected — leadership skill for microschool founders.
-
The real reason burnout happens (and how to course-correct before January).
-
The simple questions I’m asking myself during my own Autumn Audit at Lighthouse Learning.
-
How to see your microschool through the eyes of your parents, staff, and students — and use that feedback to grow.
-
What’s included inside this month’s Microschool Masterminds experience, including:
-
My Autumn Audit Workbook
-
A Kid-Friendly School Audit Checklist (students love this one!)
-
The Staff & Community Reflection Guide
-
And the Parent Post-Tour Follow-Up Template to turn curiosity into connection.
-
💛 A Word from My Heart:
I created the Autumn Audit because I needed it too.
I needed a pause — to breathe, to see clearly, to remember what’s working, and to realign what’s not.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
It’s about giving yourself permission to step out of the rush and rediscover the joy of what you’ve created.
If you’ve been feeling foggy, overwhelmed, or just ready for a refresh — this episode (and this month’s Mastermind content) is your reset button.
🔥 Join Me Inside Microschool Masterminds:
This November, I’m walking you through the Autumn Audit Experience step by step inside Microschool Masterminds.
When you join, you’ll get:
✅ The full Autumn Audit Workbook
✅ The Kid-Friendly, Staff, and Parent Audit Checklists
✅ Access to live group coaching calls
✅ A supportive community of founders who are ready to reflect, refresh, and relaunch
👉 Join now at: www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
Doors open soon — don’t miss the moment to realign your vision before the new year begins.
🌟 Let’s Connect:
If this episode spoke to you, I’d love to hear about it.
Take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me @teacherletyourlightshine with one thing you’re most grateful for in your microschool this fall.
Let’s celebrate this season of reflection and renewal together. 🍂
We also invite you to join your new FAVORITE online community full of resources, templates, videos, LIVE Q and A, Group Coaching and New Monthy Content Centered around your Educational Entrepreneurship Needs! Microschool Masterminds, designed to help you start or grow your micro school by maximizing your time, optimizing your finances, and mastering your marketing. Whether you are a seasoned microschool owner or a teacher with a dream, Microschool Masterminds provides a dedicated space to share resources, collaborate with fellow educators, and access expert guidance.
Join us as we embark on this journey together. Your dreams are about to take flight. No more fears, no more hesitations. Microschool Masterminds is here to fuel your journey. It's your time. Your destiny awaits. Let's soar together into a future of limitless possibilities.
VELA Organization:
Join our Mastermind Program!
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more.
In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit.
I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and events. But if we’re not careful, we can move so fast that we stop seeing the beauty of what we’ve built.
The Autumn Audit is a moment to pause and look at your school — or even just the dream of your school — through new eyes.
Whether you’re already open and serving families or you’re just beginning to build, this reflection process helps you realign your space, your systems, and your spirit with the vision God first placed in your heart.
✨ In This Episode, I’m Sharing:
- Why reflection is the most important — and often most neglected — leadership skill for microschool founders.
- The real reason burnout happens (and how to course-correct before January).
- The simple questions I’m asking myself during my own Autumn Audit at Lighthouse Learning.
- How to see your microschool through the eyes of your parents, staff, and students — and use that feedback to grow.
- What’s included inside this month’s Microschool Masterminds experience, including:
- My Autumn Audit Workbook
- A Kid-Friendly School Audit Checklist (students love this one!)
- The Staff & Community Reflection Guide
- And the Parent Post-Tour Follow-Up Template to turn curiosity into connection.
💛 A Word from My Heart:
I created the Autumn Audit because I needed it too.
I needed a pause — to breathe, to see clearly, to remember what’s working, and to realign what’s not.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
It’s about giving yourself permission to step out of the rush and rediscover the joy of what you’ve created.
If you’ve been feeling foggy, overwhelmed, or just ready for a refresh — this episode (and this month’s Mastermind content) is your reset button.
🔥 Join Me Inside Microschool Masterminds:
This November, I’m walking you through the Autumn Audit Experience step by step inside Microschool Masterminds.
When you join, you’ll get:
✅ The full Autumn Audit Workbook
✅ The Kid-Friendly, Staff, and Parent Audit Checklists
✅ Access to live group coaching calls
✅ A supportive community of founders who are ready to reflect, refresh, and relaunch
👉 Join now at: www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
Doors open soon — don’t miss the moment to realign your vision before the new year begins.
🌟 Let’s Connect:
If this episode spoke to you, I’d love to hear about it.
Take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me @teacherletyourlightshine with one thing you’re most grateful for in your microschool this fall.
Let’s celebrate this season of reflection and renewal together. 🍂
We also invite you to join your new FAVORITE online community full of resources, templates, videos, LIVE Q and A, Group Coaching and New Monthy Content Centered around your Educational Entrepreneurship Needs! Microschool Masterminds, designed to help you start or grow your micro school by maximizing your time, optimizing your finances, and mastering your marketing. Whether you are a seasoned microschool owner or a teacher with a dream, Microschool Masterminds provides a dedicated space to share resources, collaborate with fellow educators, and access expert guidance.
Join us as we embark on this journey together. Your dreams are about to take flight. No more fears, no more hesitations. Microschool Masterminds is here to fuel your journey. It's your time. Your destiny awaits. Let's soar together into a future of limitless possibilities.
VELA Organization:
Join our Mastermind Program!
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kami Melton, founder of Arkwright Microschool, to hear how her journey from homeschooling mom to microschool builder unfolded—inside a yurt!
Kami began her homeschooling journey in Virginia, later moved with her family to Poland, and returned to rural southwest Georgia during the pandemic. In a county of fewer than 5,000 people, Kami and her community did something extraordinary: they raised money for an authentic Blue Ridge Yurt that now serves as the heart of her microschool.
Together, we talk about what it means to stay anchored through life’s transitions, the power of community, and how faith and perseverance shaped the dream that became Arkwright Microschool—a creative homeschool hybrid offering à la carte, half-day, and full-day programs with Learning Quests designed for twice-exceptional learners.
Kami shares how she built her own proprietary curriculum, balanced family and faith through challenges, and leaned on a strong marriage as a foundation for both homeschooling and entrepreneurship. Her story reminds us that innovation doesn’t have to happen in big cities or big buildings—it can grow right in your backyard, even under the canvas of a yurt.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to blend creativity, courage, and community to bring your educational vision to life, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
👉 Connect with Kami and learn more about her work at www.arkwrightguardians.com
Learn more about Blue Ridge Yurts at www.blueridgeyurts.com
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
We also invite you to join your new FAVORITE online community full of resources, templates, videos, LIVE Q and A, Group Coaching and New Monthy Content Centered around your Educational Entrepreneurship Needs! Microschool Masterminds, designed to help you start or grow your micro school by maximizing your time, optimizing your finances, and mastering your marketing. Whether you are a seasoned microschool owner or a teacher with a dream, Microschool Masterminds provides a dedicated space to share resources, collaborate with fellow educators, and access expert guidance.
Join us as we embark on this journey together. Your dreams are about to take flight. No more fears, no more hesitations. Microschool Masterminds is here to fuel your journey. It's your time. Your destiny awaits. Let's soar together into a future of limitless possibilities.
VELA Organization:
Join our Mastermind Program!
Launch and Scale Your Microschool or Homeschool Hybrid by Maximizing Your Time, Optimizing Your Finances and Mastering Your Marketing! With our program, you'll confidently navigate the journey of starting or growing your educational venture, equipped with the tools and support needed to achieve lasting success!
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
We have step-by-step instructions to help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more! You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by my micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms. You will be able to seal the deal with peace and clarity when you hand deliver your new handbook and contract. Tune in to today's episode to find out more and head over to our shop to purchase your documents at teachersletyourlightshine.com!