My Emotional Journey to Finding a New Microschool Location (And why it's all worth it!)
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
Release Date: 02/25/2025
Stocking Your Shelves with the Right Materials for Your Multi-Age Classroom
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
I want you to picture your classroom shelves for a second. Are they overflowing with random resources you grabbed at a garage sale, donated workbooks, or bins of supplies that don’t quite fit together? Or maybe your shelves are kind of empty and you feel this pressure, like, “I need more stuff to make this work.” And here’s the truth: stocking your shelves is not about having more. It’s about having the right things. The things that actually build independence. The things that give kids meaningful choices. The things that encourage curiosity and collaboration — without leaving you...
info_outline
How to Create Balance Between Student Freedom and Teacher Structure in Your Multi-Age Classroom
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
If you’ve ever tried to run a multi-age classroom, you’ve probably wrestled with this question: How do I give my students freedom while still keeping structure? Maybe you’ve seen this play out in your own classroom. You’re working with a small group, and your older students finish early. They start asking, “What do I do now?” Or maybe you gave them options, but then things got messy, and suddenly kids are off-task. You feel torn between giving them ownership and keeping everything under control. And let’s be honest—that’s a real tension. On one hand, you want your classroom...
info_outline
Creating Stations & Independent Work Systems for Your Multi-Age Classroom
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
We’re tackling a topic that can make or break your classroom flow: stations and independent work systems. Now, let me guess — this is one of those areas that keeps you up at night. Because you’re asking yourself questions like: How do I keep my older students engaged while I’m working with the younger ones? What kind of activities can students actually do on their own without constantly needing me? How do I stop the interruptions so I can give each group the attention they need? I want you to know, those are the exact right questions to be asking — because they reveal...
info_outline
How to Choose the Right Blend of Curriculum for a Multi-Age Classroom Without Losing Your Sanity
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
We’re going to talk about the question I get asked all the time: What curriculum do I use? And I know how heavy this question feels. When you’re preparing for a new school year, especially if you’re teaching multiple ages, it can feel like this giant cloud hanging over your head. I hear teachers say things like: “Do I need separate curriculum for every child?” “Should I go all-in with workbooks, or is online learning better?” “What do I do if my older kids finish quickly while my younger ones are still learning the basics?” And maybe you’ve found yourself at...
info_outline
How to Create a Learning Environment That Works for Every Age in Your Multi-Age Classroom
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
Now, if you’re like most teachers I work with, you’ve been dreaming about your classroom layout. You’ve been scrolling Pinterest, looking at beautiful learning spaces, maybe even shopping for flexible seating or storage bins. But deep down, you’re also wondering… How do I make this space work for different ages and needs without it feeling like total chaos? Where do I put everything so the kids can be independent and not constantly need me to find things? How do I keep the older students challenged while the younger ones can still access what they need? And on top of all...
info_outline
Why Multi-Age Classrooms Are the Secret to Thriving Microschools
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
I am so excited about this new series because it’s all about something that so many of you have been asking me about—how to create a successful multi-age classroom. Now, if you’re listening to this, there’s a good chance you’re either planning to open your microschool or homeschool hybrid this fall, or maybe you’ve already started and you’re feeling that tension. You’re asking yourself questions like: How do I teach different ages at the same time? What curriculum do I choose so I’m not drowning in prep? How do I make sure my older students stay challenged while my...
info_outline
Your 7-Step Hiring Plan for Your Microschool or Homeschooling Business
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s going to save you so much stress down the road: why you need a hiring plan—not just a job post. Now, if you’re listening to this, you might be at that stage where you’re thinking, “I need help. I need another teacher.” Maybe you’ve even posted in a local homeschool group or on Indeed, hoping the right person would show up. But let me ask you this: Do you have a clear process to bring that person from “interested” to “fully prepared and thriving on your team”? Do you know how to avoid the headaches, mismatched...
info_outline
What to Look for in Hiring Your Dream Teacher (It’s Not Just Experience!)
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
This episode is going to be one of those “ah-ha” moments that completely shifts the way you think about building your team. Now if you’re anything like I was when I first started hiring, you might be thinking: “Do I need to find someone with classroom experience?” “Should I only hire certified teachers?” “What if they’ve never taught multiple grades before?” “How do I know if they’ll actually fit with our unique program?” Here’s the truth: Years of experience and a fancy resume are NOT what makes someone your dream teacher. Now don’t get me...
info_outline
The Most Common Hiring Mistakes New Microschool Founders Make
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
If you’re dreaming about building a microschool, homeschool hybrid, or tutoring business—and you know you can’t do it all by yourself forever—today’s episode is for you. Hiring teachers is one of the biggest milestones in your journey from solo teacher to school founder. But it’s also one of the places where I see the most mistakes made. I want to help you avoid the pain, pressure, and pitfalls I’ve seen (and personally experienced) along the way. I’ve been in your shoes. You’ve got the vision. You’re building the program. Families are interested. You know it’s time to...
info_outline
Why Hiring the Right Teachers Can Make or Break Your Microschool Vision
All Things Are Possible Teacher Podcast
I’m so excited you’re here because today we’re kicking off a brand-new podcast series all about hiring teachers for your microschool, homeschool hybrid, or tutoring business. This is one of the most important, most transformational, and let’s be honest—sometimes most overwhelming—parts of growing your dream teacher business. If you’re listening right now, I’m guessing you’re either feeling the nudge that it’s time to bring someone onto your team, or maybe you’ve already tried and it didn’t quite go as planned. You might be asking yourself things like: “How do I...
info_outlineYou know, when I first started this journey, I had the big picture in my mind. I had this vision of creating a learner-driven, multi-ethnic space for kids to thrive outside the traditional school system. But if I’m being honest with you, I never expected the hard parts to be this hard.
I didn’t expect the exhaustion, the overwhelm, and the constant push-and-pull of trying to juggle all the responsibilities.
And one of the toughest parts of this whole process? Finding a location.
Maybe you’re in that phase right now, looking for that perfect place, feeling like it’s out of reach, or wondering if this dream will ever become a reality. I get it.
Today, I want to share with you my journey—starting our microschool from my own home, the ups and downs of making it work, and the sacrifices we made as a family. I’m going to get real with you about what it was like juggling everything at once, all while still trying to maintain some sense of peace and sanity in our home.
But I also want this episode to be a message of hope. If you’re struggling right now, if you’re tired or feeling like you’re running out of steam, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be—even when it feels like nothing is working.
I’m going to share the truth about how we went from starting in our living room to finding our dream location at the Boys & Girls Club. It was a long journey, full obstacles, but also full of lessons learned, growth, and a huge dose of perseverance.
So get comfy, and let’s dive into the real, raw, emotional story of finding a new home for our microschool. I hope it encourages you to keep going, no matter what.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: