The Hannah Frankman Podcast

Kerry McDonald: Breaking Free from Conventional Schooling

Mar 13, 2025

Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at FEE and author of 'Unschooled' and 'Joyful Learning,' discusses the rise of microschools and homeschooling, spurred by parents seeking innovative education options after the pandemic. She highlights the entrepreneurial spirit driving these movements and how school choice policies impact educational models. Kerry shares her excitement about the new trends in alternative education and community-focused learning, emphasizing the potential of microschools to create personalized and engaging educational experiences.

01:09:59

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Kerry McDonald

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Quick takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for microschooling and homeschooling as parents seek more personalized and effective educational options.

Education entrepreneurs, particularly former public school teachers, are leading the movement towards alternative schooling models that emphasize innovation and individualized learning.

The rise of social media and community networks has greatly facilitated the sharing of resources and support for families exploring alternative education pathways.

Deep dives

Rising Demand for Alternative Education

The increase in school choice policies has empowered parents to explore alternatives to traditional education systems, resulting in a surge in demand for innovative educational models. Many families are increasingly focusing on personalized learning options that better fit their children's unique needs. This demand has led to a growing number of education entrepreneurs, including parents and teachers, stepping up to create micro schools and other learning environments. As parents recognize the limitations of conventional schooling, they are opting for alternatives that reflect their values and priorities.

Intro

2min

Exploring Innovative Education: Joyful Learning and Micro Schools

6min

Entrepreneurship in Education: The Rise of Micro Schools

8min

Shifts in Educational Perspectives Post-Pandemic

29min

Navigating the Post-Pandemic Education Landscape

5min

Navigating the Micro School Movement

14min

Empowering Small Communities through Micro Schools

7min

Kerry McDonald is a Senior Fellow at FEE and the author of Unschooled and the forthcoming book Joyful Learning.

Kerry returns to the podcast to talk about the trends in the microschool movement coming out of the pandemic, why homeschooling and microschooling is on the rise, and how school choice policy is affecting innovation and entrepreneurship in education. We also talk about the models and trends that Kerry is most excited about as she travels across the country interviewing school founders and entrepreneurs on her podcast LiberatED

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:19 - Kerry's new book Joyful Learning

7:38 - Entrepreneurship and New Careers in Education

15:21 - What Sparked the Proliferation of Alternative Education?

25:59 - States Where School Choice is Flourishing

30:13 - Concerns About School Choice

38:52 - Optimism for the Future of School Choice

43:39 - The Rise of the Microschool Movement

51:23 - Larger Networks of Microschools

57:02 - Adapting Curriculum for Microschools

1:00:51 - Microschools for Middle & High School