The Homeschool Connections Podcast

What does the future of Catholic homeschooling look like, and how can Homeschool Connections continue helping families navigate it? In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara sits down with Cate Godlewski, the new Associate Director of Homeschool Connections. A homeschool graduate herself, Cate brings a lifelong love of education, years of teaching experience, and a deep commitment to Catholic families to her new leadership role. Cate shares her own homeschooling story, how Divine Providence led her to Homeschool Connections, and why she believes homeschooling is much more than an educational method. For Cate, it is a family calling, one that gives parents a unique opportunity to form the whole person while recognizing the individual gifts God has given each child. Kaitlin and Cate also look toward the future. They discuss the challenges presented by rapidly changing technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the importance of preserving genuine human connection in online education, and Cate's vision for providing homeschool parents with even more guidance, resources, and support. It's a wonderful opportunity to get to know one of the people helping carry the Homeschool Connections mission into its next chapter. This Episode Is Sponsored by Homeschool Connections At Homeschool Connections, we believe parents are their children's primary educators. Our job is to make their homeschool journey easier. From live interactive classes to hundreds of recorded courses taught by experienced Catholic instructors, Homeschool Connections gives families the flexibility to choose the support that works for them. Explore courses and homeschool resources at: https://homeschoolconnections.com/ In This Episode Kaitlin and Cate discuss: Cate's experience growing up as a homeschooled student How she discovered her love of teaching while still a homeschooler herself The unexpected path that brought her to Homeschool Connections Her journey from administrative assistant to teacher, mentor, and Associate Director Why Cate sees homeschooling as a family calling, not simply an educational method Why parents remain the primary educators of their children Helping children discover and develop their God-given gifts What Cate has learned from working with Homeschool Connections families The creativity Cate witnessed in HSC's student Makers Fair Why HSC events and resources can serve the wider homeschool community—not only enrolled HSC families Cate's work developing scope-and-sequence resources to help parents see the bigger educational picture How Catholic homeschool families can thoughtfully approach AI and changing technology Why technology should support—not replace—human connection in education Building real community through online classes, siblings, friends, and homeschool co-ops What excites Cate about the future of Homeschool Connections Why homeschool parents can trust in God's Providence even when the path feels uncertain One Big Takeaway The tools available to homeschool families may change, but the heart of education does not. Cate sees tremendous opportunities ahead for Catholic homeschoolers. New technologies, new educational models, and new resources will continue to change how families teach and learn. But the fundamental mission remains the same: parents know their children, families are central to their formation, and education should help each child grow intellectually, personally, and spiritually. As Homeschool Connections moves into its next chapter, Cate hopes to help families navigate those changes while keeping that mission firmly at the center. And for parents who sometimes wonder whether they can really do this, Cate offers a simple reminder from Scripture: “Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” Trust God's Providence for your family and your children. About Cate Godlewski Cate Godlewski was homeschooled herself and joined Homeschool Connections in 2021 as an administrative assistant. Since then, her work has expanded to include teaching, mentoring, and leadership, and she now serves as Associate Director of Homeschool Connections. Cate has published poetry in literary journals, self-published three Shakespeare adaptations written specifically for homeschoolers, and hosted a poetry podcast devoted to the works of Emily Dickinson. She believes passionately in the power of Catholic education to strengthen families, elevate the culture, and glorify Christ through His Church. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.

How do you keep homeschooling and keep loving your family well when life is extraordinarily hard? Author, speaker, and veteran homeschool mom Mary Lenaburg joins Kaitlin Zara for an honest, hope-filled conversation about homeschooling, parenting a child with profound disabilities, caring for siblings' needs, strengthening a marriage under tremendous pressure, and finding joy even in seasons of suffering. Mary and her husband homeschooled their son, Jonathan, from second grade through high school while raising their daughter, Courtney, who experienced significant medical and developmental challenges throughout her life. Looking back, Mary shares both the beautiful memories and the things she wishes she had done differently. Her advice is refreshingly practical: fall in love with your children and what they love. Get help before you think you need it. Protect your marriage. Let go of the idea that a successful homeschool is measured by completing every page of curriculum. And when a family you love is overwhelmed by medical or special needs, don't simply ask how you can help; show up and do something. Above all, Mary reminds us that joy is not the same thing as having an easy life. It is something deeper, rooted in knowing who we are and trusting God with what we cannot control. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses for homeschool students at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool In This Episode Kaitlin and Mary discuss: Why Mary began homeschooling in the 1990s Homeschooling a gifted child while caring for a sibling with profound disabilities and medical needs How homeschooling gave Mary's family greater flexibility during an unusually demanding season What Mary wishes she had understood about the needs of siblings in special-needs families Why parents should “fall in love with what their children love” The importance of seeking counseling and outside support Protecting your marriage when parenting and caregiving become overwhelming Why being fully present doesn't mean being available to everyone every minute Giving yourself grace for the parenting decisions you made with the knowledge you had at the time Why practical life skills, character, faith, and relationships matter alongside academics How friends can practically support families caring for a child with disabilities Mary's simple advice for helping an overwhelmed parent: “Don't ask, just do.” Finding hope after loss One Big Takeaway A successful homeschool and a successful family aren't ones where everything goes according to plan. Looking back on decades of motherhood, homeschooling, caregiving, marriage, loss, and healing, Mary encourages parents to focus less on checking every academic box and more on the people God has placed in front of them. When life doesn't look anything like you expected, remember Mary's words: “Joy is a choice.” About Mary Lenaburg Mary Lenaburg is a wife of nearly four decades, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, and veteran homeschool mom. She is the author of the award-winning Be Brave in the Scared, Be Bold in the Broken, and a forthcoming book from Ascension Press arriving in October 2026. Her writing has also appeared in newspapers, magazines, and seven additional books. An acclaimed international speaker, Mary leads retreats, delivers keynotes at conferences, and co-hosts The Mary and Jerry Podcast with her husband. Known for tackling difficult topics with both passion and humor, Mary seeks to help people know that they are seen, known, and loved by God. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.

What happens when a public school principal decides to homeschool her own children? After nearly a decade as a principal, literacy specialist, and educator, Liz Powell never imagined that homeschooling would become part of her family's story. But motherhood—and especially thinking about what her own children needed to thrive—changed the way she looked at education. In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, Kaitlin Zara talks with Liz, known online as Principal in Pajamas, about what she learned from seeing education from both sides of the classroom. Liz shares why she left school administration to homeschool, what public schools do well, and what she believes homeschooling makes possible that even excellent classroom teachers can struggle to provide. She and Kaitlin also talk about individualized learning, ADHD and movement, creating structure at home, letting go of the fear of “falling behind,” teaching real-life skills, and why parents don't need a teaching degree to be effective homeschoolers. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses for homeschool students at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool Resources Follow Liz Powell — Principal in Pajamas: https://www.instagram.com/principal_in_pajamas/ Homeschool Connections: https://homeschoolconnections.com/ In This Episode Kaitlin and Liz discuss: Why a longtime public school principal chose to homeschool her own children How becoming a mother changed Liz's perspective on education What public schools and classroom teachers do well—and where the system can make individualized education difficult Why one-on-one attention is one of homeschooling's greatest advantages Homeschooling a child with ADHD and incorporating movement and breaks naturally into the day Why “connection before curriculum” matters How to give children structure without recreating school at home Visual schedules, movement breaks, and other practical ways to make homeschool days run more smoothly Why it's okay to close the workbook when a curriculum isn't working How parents can let go of homeschool guilt and the fear of falling behind Why former teachers may actually have some things to “unlearn” when they begin homeschooling Whether you need professional teacher training to successfully homeschool your children Incorporating cooking, homemaking, nature, and other real-life experiences into education How Liz's definition of a successful education changed after leaving school administration Why education doesn't have to revolve around test scores, reading levels, or college readiness Encouragement for parents whose children are struggling academically One Big Takeaway You don't need to recreate a traditional classroom to give your child an excellent education. Liz encourages parents to remember that homeschooling allows them to do something classroom teachers often wish they could do more easily: slow down, change course, take a movement break, follow a child's interests, spend more time on a difficult concept, or set aside the workbook when it isn't serving the child. Most importantly, parents know their children in a way no outside teacher can. Homeschooling gives families the freedom to build education around the individual child rather than requiring the child to fit the system. About Liz Powell Liz Powell is a former public school principal, literacy specialist, homeschool mom, and content creator living in coastal Maine with her husband and three young children. After nearly a decade serving as a public school principal, Liz stepped away from her career following the birth of her third child and embraced life at home with her family. She began her career through Teach For America, taught in multiple states, and later earned her literacy specialist certification. Today, Liz homeschools her two oldest children and shares practical teaching strategies, literacy support, homeschool ideas, and encouragement for mothers through her Instagram page, Principal in Pajamas. Her perspective combines years of educational leadership and literacy expertise with the everyday experience of homeschooling her own children. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.

Does history sometimes feel like a disconnected collection of names, dates, and events? What if your children could begin with people they already have a reason to care about? Their own ancestors? In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, host Kaitlin Zara welcomes longtime Catholic educator, homeschool mom, and curriculum creator Maryanne Patterson for a fascinating conversation about teaching history through genealogy and family stories. Maryanne explains how researching her family tree became one of her family’s most memorable homeschool experiences. By placing their ancestors on a 400-year timeline, exploring the places they lived, and connecting their lives to wars, inventions, saints, immigration, and major historical events, history became personal, meaningful, and unforgettable. This approach also transformed history into a whole-family, interdisciplinary study that incorporated geography, writing, art, research, science, faith, and prayer. Then Maryanne brings the method to life by revealing what she discovered about Kaitlin’s Italian ancestors. It is an emotional and unforgettable reminder that our lives were made possible through generations of love, prayer, courage, sacrifice, and faith. This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in the creative arts, digital media, theology, and business—all within a faithfully Catholic environment. Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses at: https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool Resources Explore Family of God and Maryanne’s Approach See photographs, examples, project ideas, and information about using genealogy to teach history: https://allfortheepublications.godaddysites.com/ Download Family of God: A Study of History Through Genealogy for Catholic Homeschooling Families https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Family-of-God-A-Study-of-History-Through-Genealogy-for-Catholic-Homeschooling-14937312 Contact Maryanne Patterson [email protected] In This Episode Why family stories can give children an engaging doorway into history How Maryanne turned genealogy into a multi-age, whole-family homeschool study Creative project ideas, including ancestral timelines, scrapbooks, maps, biographies, and family interviews Why stories help children retain historical facts better than memorization alone How genealogy can build gratitude, empathy, resilience, identity, and a sense of belonging Simple and affordable ways to begin researching your family tree Helpful genealogy resources, including Ancestry, FamilySearch, Ellis Island records, and Find a Grave How family history naturally integrates history, geography, writing, art, science, faith, and prayer Why speaking with living relatives and preserving their stories should be a priority Maryanne’s moving discoveries about Kaitlin’s Italian ancestors and their connections to immigration, saints, military service, New York City, and centuries of history One Big Takeaway History becomes more meaningful when children understand that their family did not exist apart from it. Their ancestors lived through wars, migrations, political changes, inventions, epidemics, economic hardship, and cultural transformation. They worked, prayed, sacrificed, raised families, and made decisions that eventually led to the lives we have today. You do not need to research hundreds of years of family history to begin. Start with one photograph, one name, one date, or one conversation with a living relative. About Maryanne Patterson Maryanne Patterson is the creator of the Family of God curriculum and a longtime Catholic educator, homeschool mom, and parish ministry leader. A mother of six and grandmother of four, she spent 15 years homeschooling her children while actively serving her parish in numerous educational and ministry roles, including preschool teacher, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist, ministry coordinator, and Vacation Bible School leader. Inspired by a lifelong interest in genealogy and family history, Maryanne developed Family of God: A Study of History for Catholic Homeschooling Families to help children connect faith, family, and Catholic heritage in meaningful and memorable ways. Her passion is creating resources that strengthen family bonds while fostering a deeper love for the Catholic faith. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her homeschool blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991

Kaitlin Unscripted Episode 13: No scripts, no interviews—just homeschool real talk. What if you could design the perfect school for your child? Choose the curriculum, class size, teachers, and everything else? Would you still homeschool? Kaitlin's answer is yes. In this episode of Kaitlin Unscripted, Kaitlin shares why homeschooling has become much more than an alternative to traditional school for her family. It's a choice she would make even if every other educational option were exactly what she wanted. In This Episode Kaitlin talks about: The freedom to follow a child's interests and individual learning style Why the whole world can become a homeschooler's classroom How children learn from far more people than just Mom Letting learning fit naturally into family life instead of arranging family life around school Creating a healthy rhythm of busy days, quiet days, work, play, and even boredom Why one-on-one attention allows parents to recognize what makes each child unique The irreplaceable love and attention parents bring to their children's education One Big Takeaway Homeschooling doesn't have to be something families choose because other educational options have failed them. It can be something they intentionally choose because of what homeschooling uniquely offers. For Kaitlin, that means freedom, flexibility, learning woven into everyday life, and the opportunity to give her children an education shaped by the people who know and love them best. About Your Host Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. See her related blog posts here: https://homeschoolconnections.com/author/?n=245991