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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

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Are you a teacher, homeschool hybrid leader, or microschool founder who feels overwhelmed by marketing your school? You’re not alone—and you don’t need to become a full-time marketer to attract the right families.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real, raw struggles of building a microschool from the ground up—juggling curriculum, enrollment, communication, and finances—while trying to find students who actually belong in your program.
Makenzie shares the exact struggles she faced in Years 1–3 of launching her microschool—from having no enrollment system, no marketing consistency, and no follow-up strategy—to finally unlocking the systems that grew her school from 6 to 12, then 18 students in her living room… to 50… and now over 100 projected.
If you’ve ever thought:
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“I’m not a salesperson.”
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“Marketing feels awkward.”
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“I just want to help kids and make a difference.”
Then the Microschool Marketing Blueprint was made for you.
This step-by-step course is packed with the foundational systems every microschool or homeschool hybrid needs to enroll students with confidence—and implement real growth strategies in as little as 3–6 weeks.
Whether you're in Year 1 or stabilizing in Year 3, this is the marketing mentorship you’ve been praying for.
🎓 Learn how to:
✔️ Clarify your message
✔️ Attract your ideal families
✔️ Build a simple, repeatable marketing system
✔️ Create enrollment funnels and events
✔️ Grow without burnout
🔗 Learn more + enroll today → www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/blueprint
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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!

Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
Let’s talk about money—but not in a scary or overwhelming way.
In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I went from financially winging it (and praying the numbers would work) to building a microschool with clear, sustainable financial systems. If you’re a microschool founder, homeschool hybrid leader, or teacher dreaming of starting your own school—this episode is your financial reset.
This is Part 2 of our Summer of Clarity series, and we’re diving deep into:
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What my financial systems used to look like in Years 1–2 (hint: disorganized, reactive, and stressful)
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The exact tools and habits that changed everything—like weekly finance check-ins, monthly forecasting, tuition dashboards, and hiring a bookkeeper
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How creating financial clarity gave me the freedom to grow, hire, rest, and lead with confidence
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What I’m focusing on this summer (and what you should be looking at too): compensation structure, tuition tiering, forecasting for a second location, and more
💡 Whether you're just starting or already running a thriving microschool, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to:
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Stop guessing about your school’s financial health
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Build a cash flow system that gives you freedom to make smart decisions
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Eliminate financial stress and start leading with clarity
👉 Want access to the templates and tools I use inside my own school?
Join MicroSchool Masterminds and download our Financial Flowchart + Tuition Forecasting Template.
We’ll coach you through building your school your way—with confidence and strategy.
www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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 May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Starting a microschool—or even thinking about it—can feel like walking into the unknown. And in May, when reflection, burnout, transition, and anticipation collide, those feelings get amplified.
In this episode, I’m sharing the raw, behind-the-scenes truth about what it’s like to start something from scratch as a teacher-turned-entrepreneur. If you’re in a season of doubt, fear, or exhaustion, this conversation is for you.
You’ll hear:
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Why the first steps of starting a microschool or homeschool hybrid matter more than you think
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How to move forward when you’re filled with doubt or comparison
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My personal journey from quitting the classroom to starting Lighthouse Learning
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The faith and practical strategies that carried me through the hardest parts
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Why your dream doesn’t need perfection—it needs persistence
This isn’t just inspiration—it’s clarity and connection. Whether you're planning to leave the classroom, launching your own microschool, or simply rebuilding your belief in what’s possible, this episode will help you keep going.
Want support from a community that truly gets it? Join MicroSchool Masterminds for the training, tools, and encouragement to move forward with clarity:
www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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!

Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
May has always felt sacred to me. It's the bridge between everything I’ve poured into this school year and the dream that’s still unfolding for the next. And if you’re listening today feeling like you’re doubting, dreaming, or barely holding on… I see you. I’ve been you. And this episode is for you.
When I started my microschool, I didn’t have a blueprint—just a calling, a lot of questions, and a deep desire to give students something different. There were moments I didn’t think anyone would show up. Moments I wanted to quit. And moments I realized the smallest signs of progress were actually the biggest affirmations.
This episode isn’t just about my journey—it’s about yours. If you're in the early stages of starting a microschool or homeschool hybrid, thinking about leaving the classroom, or just trying to breathe through the overwhelm of leading something meaningful… this message is for you.
Inside this episode, I share:
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Why your first steps—however messy—are the most sacred
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What to do when fear, comparison, or uncertainty shows up
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The power of God's faithfulness when your own strength feels like it’s running out
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Practical encouragement if you're just getting started or feeling stuck
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How to recognize small wins and let them build your belief
You'll walk away with:
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Permission to slow down and reflect
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A simple action—write a letter to your past or future self
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Ideas to start your “faith and favor” folder (something that changed my mindset)
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And most importantly… a reminder that you are not behind. You are building something beautiful.
If you’re ready to walk this journey with others who truly understand what you’re building, I’d love to invite you to join me inside MicroSchool Masterminds. It’s the community I wish I had when I started—and it’s full of support, strategy, and strong women just like you.
Learn more and join us at
www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
You don’t have to figure this all out on your own.
You were never meant to.
— Makenzie
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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 May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
May is more than a season of endings—it’s the foundation for your next beginning. If you're a microschool founder, homeschool hybrid leader, or education entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed about next year, this episode will change the way you approach your summer.
In today's conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares why May is the most strategic month to start planning for your school’s future, how early preparation saved her school from August chaos, and simple steps you can take now to build momentum without burning out.
Inside this episode:
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How May planning protects your peace (and sanity) in August
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The 5 critical systems you should start before summer break
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Why “done is better than perfect” when it comes to early planning
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Real-life examples from Lighthouse Learning’s early years—what worked and what didn’t
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Practical steps to organize your staffing, curriculum, family communications, and facility prep before summer hits
If you want a peaceful, confident school year start, it begins today—not in July. Your future students, staff, and self will thank you.
Learn how to plan with ease inside MicroSchool Masterminds:
www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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!

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
May brings a perfect storm of reflection, burnout, transition—and for many microschool founders, serious financial pressure. If you're staring at your re-enrollment numbers, worrying about tuition gaps, or scrambling to figure out summer revenue strategies, this episode is for you.
In this practical and encouraging conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares real stories from Lighthouse Learning Microschool, including the year she faced a major enrollment dip and rising expenses—and how she turned it around with clear communication, creative planning, and strategic systems.
You’ll walk away with real solutions for your microschool, including:
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How to manage the emotional stress of May Money Panic without losing momentum
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Why delayed re-enrollments are normal—and how to accelerate family commitments
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Smart summer revenue ideas that bridge the tuition gap (without burnout)
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How to shift your mindset from scarcity to strategy in your school leadership
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Proven re-enrollment techniques (including bonuses, deadlines, and personal calls)
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Why slow growth often leads to stronger, more aligned communities
If you’re tired of feeling reactive, stressed, or alone in building your school’s financial future, this episode will give you the clarity and next steps you need.
Learn practical, proven strategies to lead your microschool with confidence—even through the financial uncertainty May can bring.
Want personalized support, systems, and strategy to grow your microschool with less stress?
Join MicroSchool Masterminds this summer and move forward with confidence.
Details at www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow school founder or homeschool leader who needs encouragement during this season.
Microschool Masterminds.
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 May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Are you exhausted from trying to do it all in your microschool or homeschool hybrid? You love what you’ve built—but you’re realizing that your dream is starting to feel like a burden.
This episode is for the teacher-turned-founder who’s drowning in leadership, overwhelmed by logistics, and ready to build a microschool that runs with systems—not stress.
In this practical and honest conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares her own turning point moment—when she went from trying to manage everything herself to creating simple systems that helped Lighthouse Learning thrive without burning out her life. If you're feeling overworked, under-supported, or just tired of holding everything together with duct tape and goodwill, this episode will give you hope—and a clear next step.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
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Why systems save your school and your sanity
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How to move from “Superwoman Mode” to sustainable leadership
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The 6 essential systems every microschool needs before August (communication, curriculum, staffing, behavior, facility, and finances)
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The exact question to ask yourself: Could my school still run if I took a week off?
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Why simple systems = sustainable success
Whether you’re launching, growing, or scaling your microschool, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to prepare for a stronger, more peaceful school year.
Download your free checklist and get the support you need inside MicroSchool Masterminds:
www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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!

Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
May is a whirlwind — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re feeling a wave of doubt about your school, your vision, or your leadership right now — you’re not alone.
In today’s episode, I’m opening up about one of the hardest Mays in my journey building Lighthouse Learning Microschool. Sitting in my car, exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if I had made a mistake — questioning if I was cut out for this dream I had worked so hard for.
If you’re second-guessing everything — Is this really working? Am I crazy to think I can do this? — I want you to hear me clearly:
👉 You are not failing. You are growing.
Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:
✅ Why doubt is normal for microschool founders and education entrepreneurs (especially in May)
✅ How to recognize that low energy doesn’t invalidate your vision
✅ Why difficulty isn’t a detour — it’s often a sign of breakthrough
✅ How real founders (like Darla and Laura) overcame moments of fear, low enrollment, and uncertainty
✅ Practical steps to reset your confidence and clarity before summer hits
You’ll also hear my personal story from the flood year at Lighthouse — when nothing looked like the dream I envisioned — and how I had to redefine what success looked like through seasons of difficulty.
✨ Practical strategies you can start today:
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Write down three obstacles you’ve already overcome this year
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Reach out to a fellow microschool builder, mentor, or mastermind community for encouragement
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Rest before you rush — major decisions should come after recovery, not from exhaustion
🌟 You’re not behind. You’re just becoming.
👉 Ready to rebuild your momentum and vision this summer?
Join us inside MicroSchool Masterminds, where dreamers, builders, and leaders grow their microschools with real support, systems, and soul.
🔗 Learn more and join at www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag @TeacherLetYourLightShine when you share — we love seeing this incredible community grow!
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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 May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
May is emotional — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re a teacher, school leader, or microschool founder, chances are you’re feeling all of that at once right now. Today, we’re diving into how to finish your year with purpose — without losing your peace.
Have you ever looked up in May and thought… How am I still standing? The emails, the field trips, the assessments, the questions about next year — and somehow, you’re also expected to plan ahead while barely surviving today?
I’ve been there. In this episode, I’m sharing how I handled the chaos of my first May at Lighthouse Learning — and what I learned about finishing strong without burning out.
Here’s what you’ll walk away with: ✅ Why it’s okay to feel overwhelmed — and how to reframe it
✅ The 3 P’s that saved my sanity in May: Prioritize, Purge, and Plan Lightly
✅ How to make space for presence, not perfection
✅ A simple 3-column system to close your year with intention
✅ Encouragement from someone who has been where you are — and made it through
This episode is for you if you’re exhausted, stretched thin, or wondering how to wrap this school year without losing yourself in the process.
You are still a good leader — even if you’re tired.
You can finish with purpose — even if you simplify.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
✨ Ready to reset this summer with clarity, confidence, and community?
Join me inside MicroSchool Masterminds, where we’ll walk through the systems, strategies, and support you need to build your best school year yet:
👉 www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this encouraged you — and tag @TeacherLetYourLightShine so I can cheer you on!
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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

Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
Are you still teaching every subject, every grade, every day in your microschool?
Whether you're just starting out and feel overwhelmed, ready to bring in an assistant, or completely done with teaching and ready to build a team—this episode is your roadmap.
If you’ve ever thought:
👉 “How do I hand off teaching to someone else?”
👉 “What if my new hire doesn’t know what to do?”
👉 “How can I make this school run without me leading every lesson?”
…then this episode is for YOU.
🎯 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
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Why delegation starts with curriculum—not just hiring
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How to avoid burnout by building replicable systems, not redoing lessons every week
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How to choose curriculum that:
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✅ Is easy to train others on
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✅ Is self-paced or adaptive
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✅ Includes clear documentation, guides, and checklists
-
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The power of using tools like PACE/ACE, portfolios, and adaptive learning software (Reading Eggs, DreamBox, Exact Path) to support multi-age learners and your staff
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How to prepare for hiring by organizing your curriculum in a way that supports growth
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The difference between “teaching everything” and “leading instructional systems”
📚 INSIDE THIS EPISODE, I’LL BREAK IT DOWN FOR THREE TYPES OF MICROSCHOOL LEADERS:
🔹 The Beginner — Starting out, overwhelmed, and trying to figure it all out alone
🔹 The Builder — Ready to hire or train others, but unsure how to hand things off
🔹 The Visionary Leader — No longer wants to teach, but wants to scale a team and lead a school
Each of you has one thing in common:
💡 You need curriculum systems that are clear, teachable, and scalable.
🧠 AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE’RE DOING IN MAY’S CURRICULUM PLANNING DAY
Inside Microschool Masterminds, we’ll be walking through my full Curriculum Clarity Workbook, where you’ll:
✔️ Map out subject-by-subject plans
✔️ Create a curriculum training guide
✔️ Set up systems that support both student independence and staff leadership
✔️ Build a scalable framework that makes growth possible—without burnout
🔗 JOIN THE MAY SESSION NOW:
🎯 www.teachersletyourlightshine.com/masterminds
📩 DM me “CURRICULUM” on Instagram @teacherletyourlightshine to preview the workbook and see how this session will transform your school’s operations and vision.
💛 THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:
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You want to stop doing everything yourself
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You’re ready to grow, but your systems aren’t yet ready to scale
-
You’ve hired someone before—but felt unsure how to train them
-
You’re a visionary educator who wants to build something bigger than just “a one-room schoolhouse”
🧡 REMEMBER:
✨ You don’t need to teach every subject forever.
✨ You don’t need a clone—you need a system.
✨ And you don’t have to grow alone.
Let’s build your teaching team and curriculum foundation—together.
Microschool Masterminds.
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!
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!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Join Our Facebook Group for a supportive community and the “best place on the corner of the internet”
Teacher, Let Your Light Shine's Microschool Community | Facebook
Book a Clarity Coaching Session:
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
Get started on your dream school right now! Get all the documents you need to jumpstart, market and enroll students!
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching
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
Teacher Let Your Light Shine Microschool, Learning Pod, Tutoring and Homeschool Business Coaching