Why Me? Why a Microschool? Why Now?
Why Me?
“There are no great things, just small things done with great love.” –Mother Theresa
Can I be really vulnerable? I never wanted to be a teacher. Being overworked, underpaid, and around snotty kids all day? That was enough to keep me uninterested. When I started at the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou) in 2013, I was enrolled as a psychology major with no true plan for what I wanted to do. At the Midnight BBQ (a yearly tradition for freshmen), I met a girl named Tyler who became my best friend (and 12 years later, we still are!). About a year and a half later, I dropped my psych major, declared an “undecided” major, and just began taking random courses. I spent weeks trying to figure my academic path out when Tyler finally suggested I take a one credit hour education course. She pitched the idea with three main points: I liked kids, she thought I would make a good teacher, and I had nothing to lose. She was 3/3, so I enrolled in the class. The rest is history!
Teaching is not just a craft; it is my craft. I am passionate about challenging young children to explore the world around them and be bold enough to leave their mark. During my time in the classroom, my students actually enjoyed being at school! They never wanted to leave our space. Families would express gratitude for my help in shifting their kid’s perception of school and for creating a safe space where students were eager to learn. Those four years transformed my life and pushed me to take leaps of faith: I got a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction; I co-authored a book chapter about teacher burnout with a professor; I started a podcast to share experiences with fellow educators; and, well, eventually, I quit.
When I left the classroom in May 2022, I knew that was just a pause in my teaching career. The truth is, I was born to teach. I know it. My best friend knew it. And so did so many others. Sometimes, the mirror we hold to ourselves reflects only the familiar, the “safe.” But sometimes others– standing at a different angle– see reflected a hidden brilliance within us. Every day, I strive to be the kind of person who sees potential in others, just like so many people saw in me. All it takes is one person to recognize a hidden talent and help it flourish.
Why a microschool?
“The cure is courage.” – Viola Davis
I had never heard the word microschool until I attended a session at South by Southwest EDU in 2024 with a panel of 4-5 microschool starters. There was a woman on the panel named Tiffany Blassingame, Founder and Head of the Ferguson School in Decatur, GA. In that one hour session, she changed my life. Dramatic? Maybe. True? Absolutely. I left and immediately ran to my work bestie to spill– in true Pisces fashion– how I had a life-altering experience hearing this woman speak. And that I think I should look into starting a microschool. After her talk, and some not-so-gentle nudging from my bestie, I walked over to her and expressed my gratitude for her sharing her story. I told her that she changed my life and inspired me to do things I never imagined. She was so kind, and at the end of the conversation she gave me her digital business card and told me “I believe in you. No matter what happens, just keep going.”
On a random Sunday in August, headed to Kroger for my weekly restock, I scrolled through my rolodex of podcasts looking for one to hold my attention during my quick run. Teacher Career Coach is a podcast I started following when I left the classroom and was trying to determine how I wanted to pivot in my career. The host, Daphne Gomez, is a former teacher that has created educational resources like her podcast, website, and online course to help teachers recognize the value and understand their skills as transferable. “Episode 154- How to Start a Microschool with Amar Kumar” was up next on my home page. I popped my headphones in and clicked play as I strolled through the grocery store. Kumar defined “microschool" and discussed a program he started called KaiPod Learning that supports teachers as they bring their dream school to life. His idea was similar to an accelerated graduate-level program. By the end of the podcast, I knew I had to apply. I sat at my desk that same afternoon and completed the application and, well, now we’re here. 😀
It was never my first idea to start a school. When I quit teaching I told myself that was the end of the road for me in a traditional teaching environment. I was so burned out but told myself maybe again one day. I for sure did not want to teach in the traditional public school setting, because I refused to work within a system that was making choices that directly hurt kids– especially Black and Brown kids. Instead, I had big dreams to open a community learning center with after school and summer programming where we ditched the boring, traditional, jaded, HORRIBLE (I could go on and on) approach to teaching and learning. I wanted to build a space where we valued fun, purposeful learning experiences centered around giving kids skills to thrive in the world. For me, that world can only exist when we value individuality, arts, and play.
Picture this: littles in social dance class or learning theatre through storytelling. Middle schoolers gardening to supply their community with fresh produce and writing short stories. High schoolers learning the basics of cosmetology and getting licensed. That was the vision, and I was determined to make it come true. I saw the need for it in the community I served. Young children deserve to have fun, yet complex learning experiences that promote whole child development and prepare them for the world in which they live. I know this thing to be true: schools messed up when they took the two most fundamental pieces out of learning, art and play. At The Learning Hive, we are bringing them back. We envision a world where children lead with curiosity, creativity, and confidence. The Learning Hive embraces a foundation of joyful learning, artistic expression, and meaningful collaboration. Our students will grow into empathetic, innovative thinkers who value community and courageously explore the possibilities of the world around them.
Why now?
“The journey is meant to show you the power you have always had to make things happen.” –unknown
Today is my thirtieth birthday, and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my past and asking what I want for my future. In my early twenties I never felt confident in making decisions for myself. In this next chapter, I want to focus on doing things that bring me joy. I want to create a space where I feel comfortable trusting myself and trying new things. Taking the risk of leaving the classroom forced me to determine what I truly wanted. I learned that good things happen when I bet on myself, and I needed to do so more often. Now, I am betting on myself. I am opening a microschool. I am taking a risk and crafting my own space where I can be the change in education I want for future generations. I am excited to surprise myself by what I accomplish in the next decade, and cannot wait to continue sharing my story.
