The OpenEd Podcast

"How can I tell if my student is on level?" It's the question every parent asks—and as Andrea Fife reveals in this episode, it might be the wrong question entirely.66% of 4th graders read below grade level. 70% never catch up. But Tony Mickelsen (CMO of Savvy Learning) shares a counterintuitive approach that's helping thousands of kids not just reach grade level, but actually enjoy reading again.In this episode, Andrea Fife talks with Tony Mickelsen (CMO of Savvy Learning) and Jen Johnson (OpenEd curriculum expert) about why traditional hour-long tutoring sessions are failing our kids—and the method that research shows works 20x better.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Savvy Learning Free Reading Assessment (15 min): https://savvylearning.com/free-readin... Full list of reading resources: [blog post link] OpenEd Marketplace: https://opened.coTIMESTAMPS:0:00 The reading crisis no one's talking about2:36 66% of kids are behind—here's why7:25 How homeschool parents can spot reading struggles early15:42 When reading problems create behavior problems23:10 "Reading is connected to everything"30:00 The 25-minute solution that's 20X more effective38:52 Your next steps: Free assessment and resources#ReadingCrisis #HighDosageTutoring #DyslexiaSupport #HomeschoolReading #EducationReform #ReadingIntervention #OpenEducation #ParentingHelpWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8...Follow us on social:  / openedhq    / openedhq  https://x.com/OpenEdHQ  / openedhq  

Most parents push teens toward college without considering alternatives, but education experts Rose Ybaben and Danielle Randall reveal why this approach is outdated—and what works better.Key Insights:- Why discovering what you DON'T want is just as valuable as finding your passion- How to balance parent support with student autonomy when setting goals- Why adulthood is filled with "do-overs" (and why that's a good thing)Links & Resources:- [CareerOneStop Self-Assessments](https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx)- [O*NET Interest Profiler](https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip)- [BigFuture College & Career Planning](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/)- [Open Ed Academy Virtual High School](https://openedacademy.com/)Chapters(00:00) When Mailroom Misery Becomes Valuable Information(03:57) The Ideal Timeline for Post-High School Planning(07:12) Helping Teens Who Have No Idea What They Want(11:34) The Surprising Value of Knowing What You Hate(15:43) Hard Work vs. Wrong Path: How to Tell the Difference(19:27) Breaking the Helicopter Parent Cycle(24:38) The $200,000 College Debt Trap(31:08) Adulthood: The Ultimate Series of Do-Overs(35:16) Beyond Career: Finding Your Impact(40:02) Final Advice: Goals Are Steps, Not EndpointsAbout Our GuestsRose Ybaben has 15 years of experience working with students of all ages, most recently as a high school counselor. She specializes in helping families navigate the post-high school transition process.Danielle Randall has 12 years of teaching experience across public, charter, and private school settings. She now supports students pursuing state-certified diplomas at Open Ed.Join the ConversationHow did you approach post-high school planning? What alternative paths have worked for your family? Share your experiences in the comments below.Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Feeling exhausted by homeschooling? It might not be your curriculum — it might be your foundation.In this episode, certified life coach and homeschool veteran Meg Thomas (mom of 7, five homeschool grads) shares the 3-part reset that transformed her family’s homeschool: Heart, Habits, and Home.You’ll learn how to build connection without yelling, develop smooth routines without stress, and create a home atmosphere that helps behavior shift naturally.This conversation wasn’t recorded on the OpenEd Podcast, but it was featured in the OpenEd newsletter — where thousands of families go to rethink education every morning.💌 Subscribe to OpenEd: https://opened.co📥 Get Meg’s Happy Habits PDF: [https://example.com]🎨 Art prints Meg mentions: [https://simplejoyart.com]🎵 Spotify: Classical for Kids: [https://open.spotify.com]Timestamps:0:00 – Cold Open: Why Homeschool Feels So Hard Right Now0:40 – Meet Meg Thomas: Life Coach & Mom of 71:35 – The 3-Part Reset That Saved My Homeschool2:10 – HEART: Why Connection Makes Kids More Teachable4:40 – 4 Things That Break Connection (and What to Do Instead)7:30 – Building Trust: Control Yourself First, Then Guide10:30 – HABITS: Charlotte Mason, Chores, and Smooth Days13:20 – The Happy Habits Method (Example–Teach–Praise)16:10 – HOME: Your Environment Shapes Behavior18:35 – Simple Changes That Calm the Chaos (Music, Art, Food)21:20 – Sibling Conflict & Emotional Regulation Tips23:55 – The Praise Formula Meg Uses Daily25:45 – Free Resource: Download the Happy Habits PDF26:20 – Q&A: Teen Disrespect, Bedtimes, and Force vs Trust28:30 – Final Thoughts: Your Homeschool Can Feel Good Again

Ramsey Solutions host Ken Coleman explains why focusing on your child's weaknesses is hurting their future career prospects. Get his book "Find the Work You're Wired to Do" with free career assessment: https://ter.li/krbn8lKen Coleman, bestselling author and career expert at Ramsey Solutions, shares practical strategies for helping kids discover their natural talents instead of forcing them to be "well-rounded." Learn why employers don't care about GPAs, which character traits actually matter, and how to guide your child toward work they're wired to do.[mention Open Education + Isaac Morehouse]📚 Get Ken's Book + Free Assessment:Find the Work You're Wired to Do (Student Version)https://ter.li/krbn8l🎙️ Listen to The Ken Coleman Show:https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-ken-coleman-show📞 Call the show: 844-747-2577✉️ Email Ken: ask@kencoleman.comConnect with Ken Coleman:Instagram: https://instagram.com/kencolemanTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kencolemanFacebook: https://facebook.com/KenColemanShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kencolemanTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction: Rethinking Education and Career Preparation02:09 - Understanding Your Child's Three Wires (Talent, Passion, Mission)07:24 - Why Starting With Weaknesses Helps Identify Strengths09:48 - How the Workplace Values Excellence Over Well-Roundedness12:46 - The Problem With Raising "Well-Rounded" Kids14:33 - Natural Learning vs. Forced Education18:09 - When Parents Accidentally Crush Career Dreams21:23 - Examining Your Own Motivations as a Parent25:13 - What Employers Look For vs. What Schools Teach28:18 - Building Coachability and Adaptability in Kids32:10 - Age-Appropriate Career Conversations34:59 - Teaching Financial Literacy Through Experience37:40 - Personalized Approach to Each Child's DevelopmentConnect with OpenEd:Website: https://www.opened.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/openeddaily

When your refrigerator breaks, you don't panic because you never read the manual—you find what you need to know right when you need it. So why do we force children to memorize information "just in case" they might need it someday? Connor Boyack, creator of the 6-million-selling Tuttle Twins series, explains why our entire educational model is fundamentally backward and how switching to "just in time" learning could transform results. Discover why Minecraft might be more educational than math worksheets and why intentionality matters more than which educational path you choose.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:44 - Connor's three-pronged approach to educational freedom04:25 - The importance of intentionality in education07:25 - Being an outlaw beekeeper09:35 - The myth of the rule of law in education14:00 - The children's entrepreneur market16:51 - Building a vision incrementally23:07 - Focusing on what not to do25:32 - Content without context fails31:03 - Stories help information stick35:30 - Building curriculum around children's interests38:16 - "Just in case" vs "just in time" learning models42:08 - Final thoughts and resourcesLinks & References:- Tuttle Twins books and animated series: [tuttletwins.com](https://tuttletwins.com/)- Libertas Network: [libertas.org](https://libertas.org/)- Children's Entrepreneur Market: [kidsmarkets.com](https://kidsmarkets.com/)- Praxis (college alternative): [discoverpraxis.com](https://discoverpraxis.com/)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Enrollment opening August 2025: https://www.openedacademy.comMost virtual schools simply move traditional education online - same rigid structure, same standardized curriculum, same one-size-fits-all approach. OpenEd Academy is different.After 15 years helping over 100,000 students personalize their education, the OpenEd Foundation is launching a nationwide virtual private school built on a radical premise: education should adapt to YOUR child, not the other way around.In this conversation with Teresa King, CEO of the OpenEd Foundation, we explore how OpenEd Academy:• Lets YOU choose the curriculum that works for your child• Allows YOU to set your own pace and schedule• Gives transcript credit for real-world learning• Builds education on trust rather than controlStarting at just $2,900/year, OpenEd Academy combines the freedom of homeschooling with the support of an accredited school.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction3:45 The problem with traditional virtual schools7:22 Teresa's background in education innovation10:05 Building education around the child14:30 The "buffet" approach to curriculum18:06 Setting your own schedule and pace21:45 Real-world learning on your transcript27:20 Education built on trust, not control38:10 How OpenEd Academy works day-to-day42:55 Advice for families considering a change48:25 Where to learn more#VirtualSchool #PersonalizedLearning #Education #Homeschool #OpenEducationWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.

Did you know our school system is based on a 200-year-old Prussian model designed to create obedient soldiers? Or that we grade students in ways that would make even elite athletes like LeBron James look like failures?Isaac Morehouse and Matt Bowman expose the fundamental flaws in our education system in their category-defining new book "Open Education: How to Reimagine Learning, Ignite Curiosity, and Prepare Your Kids for Success."In this episode, the authors break down Part One of their book, examining the historical traps of education, why standardization doesn't work, and their revolutionary "mastered or not yet" approach.0:00 Introduction to the book "Open Education"2:00 Two types of nonfiction books and how this one combines both4:48 The "good enough for who it's for" principle9:20 Overview of Part One's three chapters11:40 The "Mastered or Not Yet" approach to learning16:07 Contrasting education with real-world hiring practices20:56 The shocking history of public education21:51 Why "LeBron James is a failure" by school standards24:08 The fish climbing a tree: why standardization fails29:19 Finding the balance between challenge and passion31:35 Preview of Part Two: giving children voice and choice📚 GET THE BOOK: https://opened.co/book

Jack Casdorph shares the moment his third-grade teacher turned a 25-second compass experiment into a half-hour of dictated notes, destroying his interest in science. Now a mechanical engineer, Jack reveals his STEM Spectrum framework explaining why traditional education's theory-first approach fails, and how project-based learning can reignite curiosity in children.JOIN THE BRIDGE BUILDING COMPETITION! Enter Jack's Gingerbread Bridge Challenge by May 18, 2025! Build a bridge using food items, test its weight capacity, and submit your video. The best submissions will be featured in Jack's highlight video!https://www.cleanyourcraft.com/blog/creators-craft-challenge-1-gingerbread-bridgeTimestamp Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Personal Story00:31 Meet the Guests: Jack and Rachel01:21 The State of Science Education02:04 Personal Experiences with Science and Math03:51 Challenges in Teaching STEM06:32 The Spectrum of STEM Education10:32 Project-Based Learning: A Personal Story15:23 Project-Based Learning in the Classroom20:33 Balancing Traditional and Project-Based Learning23:11 Introducing Creator's Craft Crates30:14 Encouraging Creativity in Kids35:45 Bridge Building Competition Announcement41:00 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFeatured Resource:Gingerbread Bridge Challenge - Official Entry Page: https://www.cleanyourcraft.com/blog/creators-craft-challenge-1-gingerbread-bridge

Traditional education was designed for a factory era—not for how humans actually learn. In this conversation between Isaac Morehouse (CEO of OpenEd) and Amir Nathoo (CEO of Outschool), we explore how education is being unbundled into something more natural and effective."We don't live in a world where our entire existence is contained in one box," Morehouse points out. So why do we expect children to get everything they need from a single institution?This conversation reveals the growing movement toward what they call "open education" or "networked learning"—where families combine multiple approaches rather than choosing just one path. Whether it's a child learning Minecraft modding from an expert when parents can't help, or teachers finally getting to share their genuine passions without institutional constraints, the educational landscape is shifting dramatically.(00:00) - Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal(05:14) - Building a Marketplace for Personalized Learning(12:30) - Technology as a Tool, Not a Threat(18:45) - The Creative Continuum: Consumption to Creation(25:36) - When Parents Can't Teach What Kids Want to Learn(34:10) - From Homeschooling to Open Education(39:22) - Why Networked Learning Matches Human Nature(44:40) - Teachers as Creative Entrepreneurs(48:55) - The Future of Educational ChoiceLinks:- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirnathoo/)- [X](https://x.com/amirnathoo)- [Outschool Website](https://outschool.com/)- [OpenEd Academy](https://opened.co/)

In this episode of the OpenEd podcast, we speak with Cassie Tinsmon, founder of Lily Lake Homeschool Collective in Kansas. Cassie shares how she created a flexible learning community that supports working parents while giving children the freedom to learn naturally and at their own pace.What You'll Learn:Why Cassie chose an unschooling approach and built a microschool communityHow Lily Lake integrates real-life business experience into children's educationThe importance of parent confidence in guiding a child's learning journeyWhat a typical day looks like in a self-directed learning environmentHow children naturally develop academic and practical skills when given freedomGuest Spotlight: Cassie Tinsmon Born and raised in Wichita, KS, Cassie earned her degree in Social Work from Wichita State University and later completed a Masters in Public Health from New Mexico State University. Her career path took her through Denver, Washington DC, and New York City before returning to her Midwestern roots in 2012. Today, she serves as President of Katz Compliance LLC, a political consulting firm where she's worked for 15 years. Together with her husband Stewart and another homeschooling family, she founded what began as Bee Curious Learning Collective in 2022, supported by a $10,000 grant from Vela Education Fund. When the opportunity arose to purchase Lily Lake, Cassie saw the potential to create the supportive learning community she had always envisioned. What started as a small co-op has now grown into a flexible educational community serving families from across the region, complete with a homeschool space and toddler play café.Connect with Lily Lake:Website: https://lilylakekansas.com/Key Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Raising Kids Beyond Productivity00:31 Welcome to the Open Ed Podcast00:59 Cassie Tinman's Educational Journey01:28 Unschooling and Self-Directed Learning03:29 Challenges and Adaptations in Homeschooling04:10 The Birth of Lily Lake Homeschool Collective07:47 Daily Life at Lily Lake09:53 Balancing Work and Homeschooling15:31 Integrating Learning into Everyday Life18:27 Supporting Homeschooling Families19:56 Concerns About Traditional Schooling24:59 Homeschooling Success Stories30:07 Building a Homeschool Community32:17 Exciting Developments at Lily Lake34:46 Conclusion and Contact Information