Beyond The Schoolhouse: Discovering The Best of Public, Private, Homeschool & Alternative Education

Sarah McCubbin
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Welcome to Beyond the Schoolhouse—discovering the best of public, private, homeschool, and alternative learning. Join your host Sarah McCubbin as we explore the many ways kids learn—inside classrooms, at the kitchen table, online, and beyond. Each week you’ll hear conversations with parents, educators, authors, entrepreneurs, and education leaders who are reimagining what learning can look like. My goal is to inspire and equip you with stories, strategies, and resources so you can make the best education choices for your family right now.

  1. 5d ago

    Signs of Homeschool Neglect: How to Spot Educational Gaps Before They Grow with Melissa Brander

    Welcome back to Beyond The Schoolhouse!🏫 In today’s thought-provoking episode, Sarah McCubbin sits down with fellow blogger and Pocket Homeschool founder Melissa for an honest, heartfelt conversation about a topic many homeschoolers only discuss in hushed tones: educational homeschool neglect. Drawing from their personal journeys as homeschool parents and leaders, Sarah McCubbin and Melissa explore the hidden struggles families face when foundational skills like reading and math just aren’t sticking, the subtle ways well-meaning parents can miss red flags, and how popular advice—online and in community groups—can sometimes do more harm than good. You’ll hear inspiring and practical insights on why intentionality matters, how to avoid unintentional gaps, and how the homeschooling community can better support struggling families. 💕If you’re a parent or educator wrestling with whether “waiting it out” is best, feeling overwhelmed by the maze of resources, or wondering how to approach a friend when you see red flags, this episode offers both validation and clear next steps. Join us as we shed light on an important topic and empower you to be the advocate your child needs—whether you’re new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran. Melissa, from Pocket Homeschool, is passionate about providing smart, simple resources for homeschooling families. Living in Wisconsin with her two sons, aged 11 and 14, whom she has homeschooled from the start, Melissa focuses on meaningful family experiences and affordable, academically oriented tools that encourage explorative learning. She is enthusiastic about helping others and values important conversations about education. ➡️Connect With Melissa at www.pockethomeschool.com ➡️Connect with Sarah at www.sarahmccubbin.com 00:00 Discussing gaps in homeschooling skills 06:06 Addressing concerns in homeschooling 07:42 Homeschooling and seeking evaluations 10:39 Discussing learning disabilities in homeschooling 16:41 Listening and validating concerns 19:27 Discussing the IEP process 21:36 Challenges in children's education 24:51 Letting kids choose their path 27:09 Social media and empty advice 31:53 Benefits of learning higher math 36:39 Curating educational resources for kids 39:41 Intentional choices in homeschooling 43:10 Finding reliable advice in homeschooling 46:21 Finding homeschool-friendly professionals 48:56 Being open to constructive feedback

  2. Sep 21

    Avoiding Legal Headaches When Launching and Leading Homeschool Groups and Resource Centers

    Welcome back to Beyond The Schoolhouse! Today, we dive into the nuts and bolts of launching and leading homeschool groups with Darrin Jones from HSLDA—a 30-year veteran advocate, lawyer, and homeschool parent. With the landscape of homeschooling changing rapidly, Darrin brings practical wisdom from decades of supporting groups across the country, from small playdate circles to robust resource centers. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a local co-op, inheriting a long-running group, or navigating conflicts and policies, this episode is packed with stories, common pitfalls, and actionable advice. We’ll talk vision, legal hurdles, why thoughtful policies matter, and how to set your group up for long-term success—while keeping peace with your neighbors and embracing the creative, independent spirit that defines homeschooling. If you’re ready to support your children’s education and your community even better, this episode is for you! To Connect with Darren: Visit HSLDA.org To Connect with Sarah: sarahmccubbin.com 00:00 Supporting new homeschool group leaders 03:42 Vision planning for group growth 06:21 Finding the right space for co-ops 11:07 Setting up a homeschool nonprofit 13:23 Avoiding legal headaches in co-ops 16:49 Creating school conduct policies 19:43 Handling diverse co-op memberships 23:49 Updating group policies and bylaws 28:14 Discussing marketing for educational groups 30:49 Homeschooling laws in different states 35:03 Organizational setup and leadership questions 36:46 Checking bylaws and compliance 40:56 Finding a lawyer for homeschool groups 43:17 Keeping homeschool co-ops out of trouble

  3. Sep 11

    Beyond the Classroom: How Self-Directed Learning Empowers Kids and Teens with Justine Wilson

    Welcome to Beyond The Schoolhouse! In today’s episode, host Sarah McCubbin sits down with Justine Wilson, founder of Curious and Kind, a unique self-directed, nature-immersive learning program in Florida. Drawing from 17 years spent teaching and leading schools across the U.S. and abroad, Justine Wilson shares the personal journey that led her to break away from traditional education and create a program designed around the needs and passions of children—not the system. We’ll unpack what self-directed learning really means, how it differs from project-based approaches, and dive into real stories of fostering independence, social-emotional growth, and community among learners from early childhood through the teen years. Sarah McCubbin and Justine Wilson explore what healthy self-directed programs look like, how they support kids with diverse needs—including those struggling with mental health—and how parents can think differently about educational options in a rapidly shifting landscape. If you’ve ever wondered whether self-directed learning, forest schooling, or innovative hybrid models could be the right fit for your family or your students, this episode will inspire and inform your next steps. Learn about Justine's program at: ➡️https://curiousandkind.org/ ➡️https://www.instagram.com/curiousandkindeducation/ ➡️https://www.facebook.com/curiousandkindeducation To Connect with Sarah: ➡️ https://sarahmccubbin.com 00:00 Starting Curious and Kind 05:58 Child-led learning exploration 07:58 Debunking Lord of the Flies myth 12:55 Documenting student learning with apps 15:16 Overview of forest school programs 17:29 Daily routine and group reflections 22:52 Mental Health Monday program 24:09 Introducing the Flying Squad program 28:39 Fitting unique activities into academics 31:45 Outdoor self-directed learning center 34:16 Waldorf school's no-tech policy 39:04 Kids' different approaches to planning 40:46 Homeschoolers' diverse paths and challenges 46:27 Supporting children's interests in learning 48:31 Parents supporting kids' varied interests

  4. Sep 3

    How To Teach Your Kids The Bible & Homeschool Subjects Together with Lesley Russell

    What if education could do more than transfer information—what if it could help children discover who they were created to be? In this episode of Beyond The Schoolhouse, Lesley Russell introduces Revelate Learning, an approach rooted in seeing every subject through the lens of the Creator. Drawing from more than 20 years of homeschooling, a master’s degree in education, and experience launching microschools and training educators internationally, Lesley shares the five foundational elements of Revelate Learning: perspective, personhood, pillars, biblical principles, and transformational pedagogy. Together, we explore how this framework can complement existing Christian curricula, renew the way parents and teachers learn, and help children recognize their identity, calling, creativity, and capacity to see God’s wisdom throughout creation. Leslie also explains why she believes learning should be invigorating rather than transactional—and how families, schools, and communities can equip children to bring a God-centered perspective into every sphere of life. Connect with Lesley ➡️Revelate Learning: https://revelatelearning.com/ ➡️Equip 210: https://www.equip210.com/ 🎯Read her book! Revelations From God in Education https://amzn.to/4x5llum Inside this Podcast: 00:00 Launching new schools with Revelate Learning 05:50 Biblical principles and educational pedagogy 09:23 Reevaluating Christian Faith 12:12 Training teachers in Pakistan and India 13:46 Talking about the word "revelate" 19:51 Teaching Biblical Principles to Kids 23:27 Developing a multilingual curriculum 26:00 Meaning of the term "apostles" 28:28 Educating kids for adulthood To Find out more about the Beyond the Schoolhouse Podcast or to connect with Sarah, visit www.SarahMcCubbin.com

  5. Aug 25

    Launching Teens Into Life: Purposeful Career Exploration & Opportunities with Corey Kossack

    Welcome back to Beyond The Schoolhouse! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most pressing questions facing modern parents and educators: How do we truly prepare our teenagers for meaningful, fulfilling careers in a world full of choices and change? Our guest, Corey Kossack from Orchard, joins us to explore the innovative ways families and schools can move beyond the old “falling into a job” narrative. With decades of collective experience launching kids into adulthood, Corey and our host unpack how AI-driven career guidance can give both students and parents the tools to intentionally map out future pathways—whether your teen is lost, laser-focused, or somewhere in between. We’ll challenge assumptions about college, share real talk about how most of us didn’t get this kind of direction in our own youth, and discover how platforms like Orchard can help families have deeper, curiosity-driven conversations about work, life, and purpose. Get ready for practical insights, honest stories, and a refreshing take on lighting that motivational spark in young people—without pigeonholing or generic advice. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or leader rethinking what career readiness looks like, this episode will leave you inspired and better equipped for the journey. Check Out Orchard.careers to do your own free trial and start helping your young person look at their future career differently. Corey Kossack has dedicated significant time to helping people navigate and reset their career paths when they find themselves stuck. Recognizing the challenges individuals face in unwinding from unsuitable choices, Corey co-created Orchie, an AI career counselor. With Orchie, Corey empowers students to explore diverse career possibilities, deeply understand their own motivations, and thoughtfully map out fulfilling futures. By guiding students through self-discovery and step-by-step planning, Corey ensures they pressure-test their goals and make confident strides toward meaningful careers. To connect with Sarah, visit SarahMcCubbin.com 00:00 AI career counseling tool Orchie 03:35 Filming professionals in their jobs 07:11 Honesty in parenting lessons 11:22 Realizing animation isn't my talent 14:11 Choosing Psychology as a Major 18:16 Exploring careers with AI assistant 22:48 Discussing kids' career aspirations 25:11 Midlife career exploration 27:14 School program integration process 31:47 Motivating kids with personal goals 36:30 Creating a career readiness index 38:57 Old-school career assessments 42:49 Exploring career pivots for parents 46:32 Exploring career paths without degrees 47:24 Guiding conversations with young people 50:38 Vitamin vs painkiller analogy discussion

  6. Aug 17

    The Future of Education: How EdTech and AI are Changing the Game with Karim Kuperhause

    Learn how Karim Kuperhause creates effective educational resources for schools and ed tech companies. See his approach here. This episode of Beyond the Schoolhouse features an introduction to Kareem Cooperhouse, a professional with extensive experience bridging the gap between classroom needs and educational technology. We examine his specific methods for building tools designed to support teachers and administrators. If you are interested in ed tech development, you will gain insight into how to design better educational resources. We discuss his history of collaborating with various institutions to improve student learning outcomes and operational efficiency within the school system. Subscribe for weekly educational leadership breakdowns, and comment below on which industry topics you want us to cover next. Karim is a thought leader in education and runs an education accelerator through HierLearning.com He is also the author of The Great Unlock: How AI Is Making the Future of Learning More Human https://amzn.to/4x6cXMf Join us as we talk about: The true definition and scope of edtech inside and outside the classroomWhy only a small fraction of edtech solutions directly improve student outcomesHow parents can set clear expectations and use metrics to evaluate learning toolsThe challenge of student motivation and the potential of AI-powered personalized learningThe importance of co-design, open communication, and adaptability in education decisions To connect with Sarah, visit SarahMcCubbin.com

  7. Jul 29

    Homeschool High School: Finding Resources, and Fostering Independence with Kym Kent

    Thinking about homeschooling your child through high school? In this episode, Kym Kent shares practical advice and addresses common concerns for parents navigating the high school years at home. Why homeschooling through high school is not as daunting as it seems How to tap into resources, dual enrollment, and affordable learning opportunities The critical role of community and how to find or create your support network Strategies for motivating teens and aligning academics with real-world goals Addressing the “failure to launch” concern and setting your child up for post-graduation success Connect With Kym! website:  https://extendhomeschool.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ExtendHomeschool Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extendhomeschool/ Connect with Sarah: sarah@tenminutemomentum.com

  8. Jul 7

    Raising Children for Greatness: The Blue Manor Academy Approach

    In this episode, Britton LaTulippe shares his innovative approach to education through Blue Manor Academy, emphasizing character, leadership, and the subjects of greatness. Discover how his model integrates traditional elite prep school principles into an online platform to cultivate future leaders. Learn More About Blue Manor: https://www.bluemanoracademy.com/?via=sarah Keywords: education, leadership, character, prep school, online schooling, Blue Manor Academy, raising children, greatness, homeschooling, character development Key Topics The concept of raising children for greatnessThe difference between traditional prep schools and Blue ManorThe role of character and leadership in educationThe monitorial system and student-led authorityThe importance of teaching wisdom and virtueThe integration of body, mind, and spirit in schoolingThe history of elite families and their educational principlesThe practical application of leadership training for childrenThe online platform and curriculum of Blue ManorThe importance of family and community in education Chapters 00:00Introduction to Britton LaTulippe and Blue Manor Academy 06:58Defining Elite Prep Schools and Their Purpose 13:11The Importance of Character and Leadership in Education 18:16Subjects of Greatness: Family, Wealth, and Leadership 23:33The Monitorial System: Student-Led Leadership in Education 28:33Leadership in Action: Student-Led Initiatives 30:59The Importance of Experience in Leadership 36:24Foundations of Leadership Education 38:43Evolving Educational Philosophy 44:57Connecting with Blue Manor Academy

    Raising Children for Greatness: The Blue Manor Academy Approach
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About

Welcome to Beyond the Schoolhouse—discovering the best of public, private, homeschool, and alternative learning. Join your host Sarah McCubbin as we explore the many ways kids learn—inside classrooms, at the kitchen table, online, and beyond. Each week you’ll hear conversations with parents, educators, authors, entrepreneurs, and education leaders who are reimagining what learning can look like. My goal is to inspire and equip you with stories, strategies, and resources so you can make the best education choices for your family right now.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah McCubbin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sarah McCubbin