What happens when a teacher decides the best place for her own child to learn might not be a classroom? If you've ever wondered why teachers choose to homeschool — or whether you could homeschool without a teaching degree — this one's for you. In this episode of Everyday Educator, host Kelli Wilt, a former kindergarten teacher, sits down with Erica Atkinson — former first-grade teacher, 14-year CC mom, and CC's book sales manager for the Eastern U.S. — and Wendy Jones — former high school math teacher, CC's Director of Operational Support, and mom of a two-year-old preparing for Foundations.

The three share what they saw from inside the public school classroom — data-driven instruction, nonstop assessments, the kids in the middle getting overlooked, and a graduation stage that felt like a factory — and why it turned their hearts toward home. Erica explains why being a trained teacher made homeschooling unique rather than easier, and why her biggest lesson was that homeschool is not school at home. Kelli shares how Leigh Bortins' The Core quieted the classroom-teacher voice in her head, and Wendy describes how watching CC graduates at National Commencement convinced her this is the education she wants for her daughter. Then they tackle the most common homeschool fears: "I don't have enough patience," "My child will miss out socially," "I don't know enough," and "I could never teach high school."

Here's the good news: you don't need an education degree. You just need to stay one week ahead, lean on your community, and trust that God equips the ones he calls. Grab a coffee and share this one with a friend who's on the fence.

📘 The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar by Leigh Bortins

Is working while homeschooling actually possible — a real, full-time, hands-on job and a thriving homeschool under the same roof? In this episode of Everyday Educator, host Delise Germond sits down with Lisa Bailey — veteran homeschool mom of two grown daughters who has worked for Classical Conversations since her girls were in Foundations — and Randa Clay — graphic designer, former Foundations and Essentials director, and mom of three boys — for an honest conversation about how working homeschool moms make it all fit.

Lisa's motto: you can have it all, just not all at the same time. Together they share how their rhythms shifted as their kids grew — deep work before the house wakes up, mornings with the kids and afternoons for work, and working side by side with teens in Challenge. You'll hear Randa's case for a daily afternoon quiet time with a pile of Usborne books, Lisa's "hot chocolate coffee break" and her silly end-of-workday song, and Delise's mid-day sweet treat that makes mom's work time a highlight of the day. Plus: training kids to wait respectfully (a hand to hold, a whiteboard, a "special things" box), setting up a workspace anywhere — from a plant stand to a tool crate — go-to weeknight meals like crockpot chili and baked salmon, and why meaningful chores are a gift to your kids.

If the Lord is calling you to work and homeschool — even just for a season — this conversation is your reminder that it's doable, and it doesn't have to look like your neighbor's. Grab a hot chocolate (or a coffee) and share this one with a working mom who needs the encouragement.

Resources:

📘 Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." — 2 Corinthians 9:8

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Is homeschooling through a hard season even possible — when illness, a move, a new baby, aging parents, or a teenager's growing pains turn your picnic-blanket read-aloud dreams upside down? In this episode of Everyday Educator, host Delise Germond sits down with Lisa Bailey — veteran homeschool mom of two grown daughters and a pastor's wife who began homeschooling the same season her family set out to plant a church — for an honest, hope-filled conversation about homeschooling through hard times.

Lisa shares why knowing your "why" carries you when well-meaning friends suggest you just quit and get a job, and how a simple daily rhythm — devotion, memory work, reading, then math, even when the morning starts in the afternoon — gives kids steadiness when life feels like papers flying through the air. Delise remembers being homeschooled while her mother walked through cancer treatment and why that unchanging routine became a gift. Together they unpack the freedom of "there is always a choice": skipping the African capitals for a season of Challenge A, taking Fridays off to be with Dad, listening to heavy books on audio, discussing a book instead of writing the paper, and trading worksheets for Legos. Lisa leans on Matthew 11:28–30, Delise on Psalm 30:5 — weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Plus, practical ways to keep the joy: the Candle of Happiness, a surprise diner-waitress lunch, a quilt-tent reading nook, and cozy-season ideas for the post-Christmas winter blues.

If you're in a hard season right now, consider this your permission to bend so you don't break — and a gentle reminder that seasons change and the light is coming. Pour a cup of hot chocolate, light a candle, and share this one with a mom who needs to hear it today.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by HSLDA

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to direct your child's education and tailor it to their unique needs and abilities. At HSLDA, we passionately advocate for your right to homeschool and provide unwavering support along the way. From personalized legal support for your family to exclusive articles, webinars, and downloads, plus discounts from major companies, HSLDA is there to help you with every step of the journey.

Learn more about joining *HSLDA.

*CC family members can save $15 off their annual membership. Find your HSLDA discount

code on the CC Member Advantage list in CC Connected.