Shireen Rattigan, founder of Colossal Academy, discusses her journey from public and Montessori school teacher to innovator in education. She shares how she transformed a pandemic pod into a thriving microschool network, focusing on personalized learning and community building. Shireen explores the benefits of franchising microschools and launching Colossal Online, emphasizing project-based learning and real-world applications. She also highlights the importance of accessibility in education, aiming to empower families with diverse options for their children’s learning.

Jaime Peterson and Rebecca Westbrook Toker, co-founders of Reconnect Nature School in Chattanooga, advocate for nature-based learning for middle schoolers. They share their journey in creating educational alternatives, emphasizing the need for outdoor environments, especially for neurodiverse learners. The discussion touches on the emotional challenges of transitioning schools and the exciting yet daunting path of entrepreneurship. They envision expanding their programs into high school while promoting community support and personalizing education for all.

Danielle McLean, co-founder and executive director of Keystone Education Center, shares her inspiring journey creating a microschool for neurodiverse children in Vero Beach, Florida. She discusses the unique educational challenges faced by her autistic twin boys and other students. The conversation highlights the hurdles of starting a new school, from navigating local regulations to crafting personalized curricula. Danielle emphasizes the significance of community support and innovative financial models that enhance educational opportunities for families in need.

At Skola Microschool near Minneapolis, students and teachers spend much of their day outside, leading to happier, healthier experiences for all. Founded in 2022 by Kristin Fink, Skola has reached capacity with 25 K-8 students. Rather than expand, Kristin and her lead teacher, Ginger Montezon, are supporting other entrepreneurial teachers throughout Minnesota who want to launch similar programs in their communities.  The Rise of Education Entrepreneurs in Minnesota (Forbes.com) *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.  

Jill Haskins is a homeschooling mom in Fort Wayne, Indiana and former microschool teacher who now works closely with the National Microschooling Center as an ecosystem builder within Indiana and across the U.S. Jill currently works with 80 microschools across Indiana—30 of which launched this fall. She expects to see more than 150 microschools in the state in 2025.  Jill estimates that 85% of the students currently in a microschool in Indiana are attending tuition-free or nearly so using one of Indiana's school choice programs. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Marisa Palmer is the cofounder, along with her husband Brandon, of Acton Academy Madison West in Madison, Wisconsin. A former investment banker and hedge fund analyst in New York City, Marisa launched her microschool in January 2023 with four students as part of the global Acton Academy network of learner-driven schools. Today, she has 15 students enrolled in her school, including her 8-year-old son, and expects to grow significantly over the next three years. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Ashley Franz is a homeschooling mother of 5 who founded Cross Creek Academy as a PreK-12th Charlotte Mason-inspired hybrid homeschool program in rural central Arkansas. It currently serves about 100 learners with daily programming. Taylor Guy is a parent of three students at Cross Creek and a staff member. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.  

Today's guest is Tanisha DaCosta, founder of Kingdom Kids Empowerment Academy, a K-12 microschool with a project-based, Montessori-inspired approach that operates on the campus of Barber-Scotia College, an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) in North Carolina.  *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated. 

Mary Jo Fairhead is a former public school teacher and principal who in 2021 founded Onward Learning, an affordable, child-centered PK-8 school in rural Martin, South Dakota. As her enrollment climbs, she plans to open additional schools throughout South Dakota.  *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Vince and Tiffany Torres are the cofounders, along with two other couples, of Santa Fe Christian, a low-cost private school in New Mexico that they launched in 2022. It began with 20 students and has tripled in size over the past two years. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.