Teacher, Let Your Light Shine! Start a Micro-School, Homeschool Hybrid or Tutoring Business! From Teacher or Homeschool Mom to Teacher Entrepreneur and Education Advocate

October is a turning point for microschool leaders, homeschool hybrid founders, and small school visionaries. The excitement of the first weeks has settled, the routines are in place, and now comes the opportunity to either drift into burnout—or intentionally recalibrate for the months ahead.

In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver unpacks exactly what microschool leaders need in October: a rene...

As a microschool founder or homeschool hybrid leader, it’s easy to get caught up in curriculum, enrollment, finances, and the daily logistics of running a school—but one of the most powerful growth multipliers you have is reconnecting to your roots and knowing your people. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver shares how understanding your team’s natural strengths, communication styles, and mo...

What does it look like to step out of traditional education and wait on God’s timing to build something completely new?

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jennifer Pinto, co-founder of Logos Homeschool Academy in Iowa. After leaving traditional schooling in 2023, Jennifer connected with a like-minded friend—whom she met in the library—and together they launched a homeschool hybrid program rooted in faith, family, and fr...

Starting a microschool comes with incredible joy—but it also comes with the pressure of making everyone happy: parents, students, even your staff. If you’ve ever felt the weight of parent expectations on your shoulders, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, I’m pulling back the curtain on how new founders can manage parent pressure without burning out. We’ll talk about: ✨ Why boundaries are essential for your sanity...

For six years, I’ve poured my heart into building a microschool—creating a place of freedom, belonging, and personalized learning. My daughters were the reason I started this journey. And yet, today, neither of them are with us at our microschool.

In this episode, I open up about:

• My daughter’s transition from a small, nurturing microschool environment into the overwhelm of middle school.

  My other daughter’s leap from bei...

Behind every thriving microschool is a leader who is juggling 1,000 spinning plates — curriculum, enrollment, parent communication, staff management, and personal life. In this candid behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the honest truth about what’s actually saving my sanity right now as a microschool founder…and what’s not.

You’ll hear the daily routines, systems, and decisions that keep me grounded, plus the areas where I’m st...

Running a microschool requires relentless focus, clarity, and strong systems. If you’re spinning your wheels every September—re-creating lesson plans, re-building operations, and re-learning the same organizational habits—you’re headed straight for overwhelm.

In this episode, I walk you through a 4-Week Reset System that will help you:

• Audit what’s working (and cut what’s not).

• Build repeatable systems that save time, money...

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired!

August is one of the most transformational, and, let's be honest, intense months for microschool builders. Whether you're ge...

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired!

August is one of the most transformational, and, let's be honest, intense months for microschool builders. Whether you're ge...

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired!

August is one of the most transformational, and, let's be honest, intense months for microschool builders. Whether you're ge...

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired!

August is one of the most transformational, and, let's be honest, intense months for microschool builders. Whether you're ge...

Are you a microschool leader running on empty, juggling all the roles, and wondering how to keep going? In this powerful episode, we're diving deep into why professional development isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline. Whether you're starting out or deep in the trenches, this episode will show you how PD can radically transform your confidence, your systems, and your impact as a school leader.

We'll unpack:

• Shocking stats on leade...

Are you underestimating the power of your school’s open house? This episode breaks down why open houses are so much more than enrollment events—they're your most effective and affordable in-person marketing strategy to build community, increase visibility, and strengthen your brand.

Whether you're running a microschool, homeschool hybrid, private school, or learning pod, this episode will show you how to turn your open house in...

Are you feeling the weight of trying to do everything as a microschool founder, homeschooling parent, or educational entrepreneur? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and practical episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to lead a microschool into a new school year — without burning out in the process.

I’m sharing how I’m intentionally scaling back in order to show up fully — for my family, my team, m...

Are you overwhelmed trying to plan your next school open house? 😩 You’re not alone. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the chaos, confusion, and emotional weight that comes with trying to host a meaningful event that actually leads to enrollment. Whether you run a microschool, private school, or homeschool hybrid, this episode will help you stop winging it and start building an intentional, repeatable open house system th...

I used to freeze at the thought of “marketing my school.” I’m not naturally outgoing. I’ve always been more of a behind-the-scenes, let-me-do-the-work-in-peace kind of woman. And for a long time, I thought that meant I wasn’t cut out to grow a successful microschool. All I kept hearing was: “You need to network more,” “You need to post every day,” “You have to sell yourself,” and honestly... I just wanted to crawl into a hole.

...

There were so many days I felt completely alone. I didn’t even know how to ask for help—because I didn’t know what kind of help I needed. I just knew I couldn’t keep doing everything by myself.

Maybe you're in that place too. You’re carrying the vision. You’re showing up for everyone else. But deep down, you’re tired… and wondering who’s showing up for you.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the loneliest parts of lea...

Creating Community Through Events: How to Plan Meaningful Microschool Gatherings That Grow Connection & Enrollment

As a microschool or homeschool hybrid leader, you’re not just teaching—you’re building a movement. And one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools in your toolkit? Events. Whether you’re welcoming new families, showcasing student work, or gathering around a holiday tradition, events bring your school to life.

I...

Feeling alone in your microschool journey? Whether you're just starting or several years in, building a microschool community can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, I’m sharing how I went from homeschooling a few students in my living room to leading a thriving microschool with a fully engaged Parent Advisory Council and a strong waitlist.

You’ll lear...