Everyday Educator

What happens when homeschool moms and their almost-grown kids get brutally honest about the best, worst, and most surprising moments of their classical education journey? Join Lisa Bailey for a heartfelt journey through the homeschool years with special guests Kelli Wilt, her daughter Libby, and Lisa's daughter Stephanie Meter. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, three generations share their unfiltered perspectives on Classical Conversations, from favorite years and best assignments to honest regrets and surprising lessons learned.

Whether you're a brand-new homeschool parent or deep into your journey, you'll gain valuable insights on:

• Navigating parent-as-tutor dynamics
• Building lasting friendships through Classical Conversations
• The unexpected ways homeschooling transforms parents, not just students
• Why both graduates plan to homeschool their own children
• Practical tips on assignments, timeline projects, and Latin learning

This honest, laughter-filled conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for homeschool families at every stage. Perfect for Classical Conversations families and anyone considering the classical Christian homeschool model.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

What if the best thing you could do for your child's education today is to send them outside? Join Lisa Bailey for an inspiring conversation with Classical Conversations founder Leigh Bortins and Ginny Yurich, creator of the 1000 Hours Outside movement and author of "Homeschooling: You're Doing It Right Just By Doing It." Discover how unstructured outdoor play develops every facet of child development—cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Ginny shares research-backed evidence that complex outdoor movements literally build brain structure and protect against cognitive decline. Both Leigh and Ginny share their paths to home education, from recognizing the limitations of institutional schooling to embracing a lifestyle of family-centered learning. Learn why they believe homeschooling is less about perfect curriculum and more about living life alongside your children. Hear honest stories about the modern childhood crisis—from kindergarteners facing 8-hour academic days to middle schoolers pulling out their hair from stress. The conversation challenges our cultural assumptions about what children truly need to thrive.

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What if the simple act of cutting paper hearts or eating cinnamon rolls could become a cherished memory that lasts a lifetime? Join Lisa Bailey and Emma Bortins for a heartwarming conversation about the power of family traditions during the holiday season and beyond. As a young mother expecting her second child, Emma shares insights on starting new traditions while honoring those from both her and her husband William's families. Lisa brings decades of experience creating meaningful moments that have shaped her daughters' lives—including a 38-year Christmas tradition that will make you rethink how your family celebrates.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why traditions are more than routines—they're the stories that knit hearts together
• How to blend traditions from different families without spinning out of control
• Creative examples like the Christmas cross tradition, storytelling plates, and Thanksgiving ad libs
• The surprising truth about who really keeps family traditions alive

Whether you're just beginning your homeschool journey or you're a seasoned family looking to refresh your traditions, this conversation will inspire you to be intentional about creating moments your children will treasure forever. Perfect timing as the holidays approach!

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Judson College:

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.

Ready to answer your calling?

"Wait, we're supposed to do WHAT in front of everyone next week?" If those words just sent a little panic through your heart, take a deep breath. Kelli and Lisa have been there, done that, survived the chaos, and they're here to tell you it's going to be better than fine—it might even be fun. Join host Delise with Classical Conversations veterans Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey for an encouraging conversation about family presentations in CC community. Whether you're preparing for your first family presentation or you're a seasoned homeschooler looking for fresh ideas, this episode takes the fear out of public speaking and shows how holiday-themed presentations offer unique opportunities to share your family's story and build deeper community connections.

Kelli and Lisa share heartwarming and hilarious stories from years of family presentations—including an escaped hamster that turned opening assembly into a community-wide search party, and a musically-challenged dad whose off-beat performance endeared him to children all year long.

What You'll Learn:

• How to define and approach family presentations in Classical Conversations
• Why weekly presentations give children lifelong confidence in public speaking
• Creative holiday presentation ideas for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine's Day, and more
• Practical preparation tips: respecting 5-7 minute time limits, practicing at home, and involving your children in planning
• How to consider each family member's personality and strengths when assigning roles
• Why visual aids and audience engagement matter when presenting to a room full of children
• The importance of teaching your children to be active, engaged listeners during other families' presentations

Your community isn't looking for perfection or professional presentations—they simply want to know your family better. The only way to do a family presentation wrong is not to do it at all. This episode will leave you equipped, encouraged, and ready to share what makes your family unique with your Classical Conversations community.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.

What if the learning challenge that terrifies you most could become your greatest gift as a homeschooling parent? Join host Lisa Bailey in this heartfelt conversation with veteran homeschool moms Karin Carpenter and Courtney Bradshaw as they share their journeys educating children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences.

In this honest and encouraging episode, you'll discover:

• Early warning signs of learning challenges (including surprising indicators like eye rubbing and trouble with stairs)
• Practical accommodations that worked in real classical homeschool families
• Why labeling a child's diagnosis too early—or too late—can both have consequences
• How sensory input, movement, and alternative learning methods benefit ALL learners, not just those with diagnosed differences
• The surprising ways learning challenges deepened these mothers' faith and revealed their own pride
• Why home education may be the ideal environment for neurodivergent learners
• Real stories of children with dyslexia earning master's degrees and heading to law school

Karin and Courtney offer practical wisdom without sugar-coating the struggles, reminding us that our children are not their diagnoses. Through tears, prayer, and persistence, these moms learned to become students of their own children—and in the process, the Lord transformed their hearts.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.