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School to Homeschool

School to Homeschool

By: Janae Daniels
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 In July 2020, I did something I vowed as a once-public middle school teacher, that I would NEVER do. I withdrew my remaining four children of six and began homeschooling. My oldest two sons had graduated from public/charter schools and my remaining four had been in public school since Pre-K. I had two children about to finish middle school and head into high school. To say I was terrified was an understatement–even with my experience teaching hundreds of kids a year prior to getting married. This was different. What if I made them stupid? What if they became “weird” homeschooled kids? What if they couldn’t get into college? What if I messed up? What if I ruined them forever? I wasn’t a math teacher. I wasn’t a science teacher. I wasn’t an English teacher. I had been a theater teacher! I was an ELECTIVE teacher. Most kids came to my class because they WANTED to, not because they HAD to. My own kids would be DOOMED! Yet, I felt compelled…and the upcoming 2020-2021 school year was so uncertain and scary. Would they be in school or out of school? Would they be online or hybrid? Would they have to social distance? What kind of an experience would that be for them? No one knew what to expect…not administrators, not teachers, not parents…no one. They needed stability. Amidst the uncertainty, and at the very least, I could give them stability. Plus, it couldn’t be any worse than the remainder of the school year at the onset of Covid, could it? So I took the plunge. On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, with hands shaking, I handed in my Notice of Intent to Homeschool to my school district and thus began the journey. I was terrified. I didn’t know anyone who withdrew their children BEFORE high school to homeschool. The few homeschoolers that I knew had ALWAYS homeschooled or withdrawn them in elementary and then often put them IN school to complete high school. I felt afraid and alone. I don’t anymore. Over the past few years, along with homeschooling my kids, I have spent hundreds of hours studying the history of the school system in the United States coupled with a better understanding of how children learn and how they do not. I have studied dozens of educational philosophies–philosophies NEVER discussed in my education work to become a certified teacher. Yet, the philosophies are brilliant and effective. I have met with like-minded parents–all over the country–whose kids are thriving and happy being educated at home! Our family has gone through a masterful journey. My children are thriving more than they ever did while in public school despite all my deficiencies as a mother and as a teacher. By sharing our journey, experiences, and lessons learned, I hope to calm some of your fears, welcome you to this magical world, answer the hard questions and give you the confidence to start this journey with your children… I want you to come away with confidence knowing: -where to find resources and the legalities in your state to leave public school -how to deschool them and you -what to do about socialization and friendships -what the different forms of homeschooling look like to determine what is best for your family -what to do with your elementary and middle schoolers -what to do with your high schoolers -determine how to help them discover their passions -how to prepare them for college, trade school, or other paths -what curriculums to choose or not to choose -what to do about personal time for yourself -what to do if you don’t feel qualified or know every subject -what to do about technology -what to do about Math, Science, Reading, and Writing -and much more… I had those fears too! You don’t need to be afraid! You just need a guide. I want to share with you our journey so you can have the confidence to start yours. You can do this! It doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to be lonely. You won’t ruin your kids and you just might come to love them even more than you thought was possible. Join me as I take you through the journey from School to Homeschool.2023
Episodes
  • 106. Minimalist Homeschooling & Just-In-Time Learning

    106. Minimalist Homeschooling & Just-In-Time Learning
    Jul 7 2025

    Discover how minimalist homeschooling can bring more peace, clarity, and purpose to your family’s education journey. This episode explores the power of just-in-time learning—an approach that emphasizes core skills, real-world readiness, and student-led discovery.

    Whether you're an unschooler, a new homeschool parent, or rethinking traditional education, you'll learn:

    • How to simplify your homeschool environment

    • The benefits of “learning as needed” vs. preparing for every scenario

    • Why kids thrive with freedom, flexibility, and fewer distractions

    • The connection between minimalism, mental clarity, and joyful learning

    • What historical figures like George Washington can teach us about self-education

    This episode is packed with practical tips and deep encouragement for intentional parents, grandparents, and educators pursuing faithful, simplified, and student-centered homeschooling.

    References from today's episode:

    mountvernon.org

    The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789 by Joseph J. Ellis

    Minimalist/Essentialist Books that Inspired:

    The More of Less by Joshua Becker

    It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh

    Declutter Your Heart and Your Home by Julia Ubbenga

    The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Condo

    Essentialism by Greg McKeown

    SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

    Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

    Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

    School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

    Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

    *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

    CONNECT with US

    Join the Private Facebook Group

    Learn more about School to Homeschool

    Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • THROWBACK INTERVIEW with Connor Boyack: Author of the Tuttle Twins

    THROWBACK INTERVIEW with Connor Boyack: Author of the Tuttle Twins
    Jun 16 2025

    THROWBACK EPISODE:

    Ever wonder how early education can shape the future thinkers of our society? This episode welcomes Connor Boyack, a prolific author, public speaker, TV show producer, and the founder and president of Libertas Institute, who explores this question with us. Connor shares his inspiring journey from web development to establishing Libertas Institute and authoring the Tuttle Twins children's series, which brings complex concepts of economics, politics, and civics down to a level young minds can grasp.

    Our conversation takes a deep dive into the importance of fostering learning environments outside the confines of traditional classrooms. Connor emphasizes the role parents play in this process, inspiring them to help their children develop critical thinking skills and learn practical life skills.

    We also touch on the perception vs reality of education, highlighting the fallacies in the assumption that schools are teaching children to think rather than dictating what to think. Tune in and empower the next generation of free-thinkers!

    Libertas Institute

    State Policy Network

    A Nation at Risk

    Mediocrity: 40 Ways Government Schools are Failing Today's Students

    SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES:

    Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

    Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

    School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

    Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

    *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

    CONNECT with US

    Join the Private Facebook Group

    Learn more about School to Homeschool

    Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

    * Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • THROWBACK INTERVIEW: Nicole Shiffler on Unschooling

    THROWBACK INTERVIEW: Nicole Shiffler on Unschooling
    Jun 9 2025

    New episodes and a NEW Season coming in July! In the meantime, enjoy this throwback interview with the AMAZING Unschooling Mama and Founder of Empowered Homeschool Club, Nicole Shiffler!

    Link to hear Caroline Shiffler's song:

    On Golden Sands by Fragile Beings

    To Reach Nicole:

    @nicoleshiffler

    Nichole's Coaching Program

    Authors Referred to in this Episode:

    How Children Learn by John Holt

    Teach Your Own by John Holt

    How Children Fail by John Holt

    Free to Learn by Peter Gray

    *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

    Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter

    Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call

    School to Homeschool YouTube Channel

    Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag

    *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links.

    CONNECT with US

    Join the Private Facebook Group

    Learn more about School to Homeschool

    Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 10 mins
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