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The Homeschool Advantage is a podcast about reclaiming learning as a way of life.
Hosted by educator, author, and instructional leader Bex Buzzie, the show explores how families, teachers, and educational leaders can support meaningful learning—whether children are homeschooled, enrolled in public or charter schools, or navigating a blend of both.
Drawing from over two decades in education and recent work in educational leadership, Bex brings together voices from across the learning landscape, including homeschool families, classroom teachers, curriculum creators, microschools, co-ops, and education innovators.
This is not a podcast about choosing the “perfect” system.
It’s about partnership, posture, and presence.
Whether you’re a parent supporting learning at home, a teacher rethinking instruction, or an educator seeking deeper alignment between school and life, The Homeschool Advantage offers thoughtful conversations, practical insights, and a return to the basics of how learning actually happens.
Because homeschooling isn’t a location.
It’s a posture.
Episodes
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Intro
CEO of Classical Conversations is a job that Robert Bortins was born to do…literally. Leigh Bortins dissatisfied with the education options she found as a new mom, decided first to homeschool her four sons, and then decided to develop her own curriculum, and Robert, her oldest son, was her first pupil.
Robert has a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University in 2006. After graduating, he worked as a management trainee for UPS and as a plant engineer for Easy Gardener, a Jobes company. In 2011 he returned to the family business, Classical Conversations, Inc., to develop a marketing program. He was then appointed CEO of the family-owned company in 2012. In the years since Robert Bortins became CEO of Classical Conversations, the company has grown by 300 percent and has become the world’s largest classical homeschooling organization.
Robert is a member of the board of directors of Homeschool Now USA, the Carolinas Rugby Union and the Clemson University Rugby Foundation Board. He is also a member of C12 Group, the largest professional development network of Christian CEOs and executives. Under Robert’s leadership, Classical Conversations has been named a Certified Best Christian Workplace by BCWI for four years in a row.
Very Powerful, Convicting and Thought Provoking Takeaways
- You do not need to be a trained educator to teach your children; sometimes being trained is a hinderance since homeschooling is not schooling at home but a way of life, and unlearning those habits can be hard.
- When parents say they cannot be around their children all day is a sign of a deeper that parents do not want to address. Not wanting to be around your kid also means you did not raise them in way that you would want to be around them.
- Education is to prepare you to engage in life and with those around you.
- Homeschooling allows your teenager to mature in the areas that are important and will benefit them and their future society.
Call to Action
Resources: https://members.classicalconversations.com/free-learning-center
Books: https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/
Social Media Links
Website: https://classicalconversations.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicalconversations
Instagram: Look up classical conversations according to your state.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClassicalConv
What is Next!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Intro
Shahla And Jay are CEO and Founders of Strikeschool.org they believe that the foundation of a healthy community is strong, healthy family units. Having come from generations of broken families ourselves, we are painfully aware of the impact, especially when it comes to children.
They believe that as business leaders, they have the privilege to make a difference in the lives of their staff and their families, and the honor to serve them in their educational journeys.
Shahla and Jay believe that every parent or guardian has the right to make their own choice, especially considering the education of a child, aligning with their own family values.
Top three takeaways
- You can get a lot done in a short amount of time! And then there can be more time for family time bringing families back to together.
- Flexibility and choices are what Strike School pride themselves in. The ability to help parents best support their students regardless of where they are in their academic journey.
- They have top notch learning coaches that can create a full curriculum with all subjects included around ANY thing your child has an interest in!
Call to Action
Resources: https://strikeschool.org/
Social Media Links
Website: https://strikeschool.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrikeServicesSchool
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/StrikeSchool/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/strike_school
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strike_school/
What is Next!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Register for the Two hour Live Online Lesson Planning Masterclass Below
October 15th from 10am to 12pm PST for only $25!!
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Intro
Mike Zietsma CEO and Founder of www.homeschoolamericanhistory.com and in short Mike loves teaching history, whether its directly to kids in his classroom or through the material he produces for homeschool learning. Mike feels history is undervalued in education, and has a passion to show how very essential it is to our future. In this episode Mike talks about how history reveals everything about who were are at our core (good or bad), how history points to the need for a Savior, and how he provides students with high-quality learning material developed from a Christian perspective and thus creating authentic learning. He's been reviewed in the Cathy Duffy homeschool curriculum reviews and gained a very positive review. So go
Top three takeaways
- Many excellent resources do indeed exist and they are of high quality!
- There is a lot of help for parents looking to make the transition to homeschooling - many have gone through the same experience.
- Homeschool doesn't mean just sitting at home! Homeschool associations exist
Call to Action
Resources: https://www.homeschoolamericanhistory.com/
$10 OFF Coupon CODE: HOMESCHOOLADVANTAGE
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.homeschoolamericanhistory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolamericanhistory
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolusahistory/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/homeschoolamericanhistory/
What is Next!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Intro
DeeDee and Ximena, also known as the Chips & Salsa Ladies are the CEO's and Founders of chipsnsalsahomeschooling.com. A little behind the scenes about how they got the name "Chips & Salsa" so many people had said they blended so well when they sang together at church that these best friends decided to keep the name and applied it to one of their biggest passions: homeschooling. You can find them on chipsnsalsahomeschooling.com, creating content for homeschool parents to feel empowered and confident so that you too can enjoy your upcoming homeschool years. They have over 20 years of experience combined and are passionate about helping YOU!! Come along with us as these ladies share their own homeschool journey, how they empower parents to feel confident and homeschool their way with joy and what is new in the world of Chips and Salsa homeschooling!
Top three takeaways
- You do not have to be a certified and trained teacher to homeschool! It isn't about the curriculum it is about the relationships you build with your children and the curriculum is there to bolster and foster experiences and memories!
- Colleges are seeking out homeschooled kids because they are self-directed, self-motivated and are truly proficient in their studies.
- It is not easy homeschooling can be messy but they would do it over and over again 100x's in a heartbeat. This has been and still is the best decision they have ever made and they want to share that with the world!!
Call to Action
Resources: https://www.chipsnsalsahomeschooling.com/
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.chipsnsalsahomeschooling.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chipsandsalsaladies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipsandsalsaladies/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chipssalsahomeschooling
What is Next!
Register for the Two hour Live Online Lesson Planning Masterclass Below
October 15th from 10am to 12pm PST for only $25!!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Intro
Melissa Brander is CEO and Founder of Pockethomeschool.com and the creator of the SMART Learning Collection - SMART stands for Simple to Implement, Meaningful Family Experiences, Academically Oriented, Reasonably Priced, Tools for Explorative Learning. This is her mission and vision for Pocket Homeschool. In this episode Melissa explains how Some really Good friends of Melissa encouraged her and showed her that she had something valuable to offer and now she creates that for you and loves creating curriculum resources for other families. She combines academics like learning about the wetlands with family experiences! And her units cost about as much as 2 gallons of milk! It is curriculum for any budget! You got this guys!
Top three takeaways
- With the rise of influencers, a lot of people think there are lots of people out there homeschooling perfectly, in a really Instagram pretty way. But real homeschooling is not always picture perfect and you need to prepare yourself for the bad day!
- Most people don't realize just how much freedom and flexibility homeschooling allows you to truly have. Often times people who don't homeschool ask about homeschooling, they often frame it in a way as if it operated like a brick and mortar school. Homeschooling is not traditional school at home it can be whatever you want it to be!
- New Homeschooling families will need help and there are people ready in the wings to make homeschooling a smooth transition with resources in your hand!
Call to Action
Resources: https://pockethomeschool.com/
Social Media Links
Website: https://pockethomeschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pockethomeschool/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pockethomeschool/
What is Next!
Register for the Online Lesson Planning Masterclass below
|
October 15, 2022 10am to 12pm PST Two Hour Online Lesson Planning MasterClass Options first 100 people get masterclass group price. 2 hour Online Masterclass with Two 1 week Science Units $25.00 USD |
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Intro
Jael Penn is CEO and Founder of Penn Academy she is also a Texas state certified educator with decades of experience including elementary, special and gifted education.
This preparatory program will help your child succeed academically and equip them to walk with the Lord as Kingdom builders. She offers live instruction rather than pre-recorded videos. At Academy they desire to glorify God, educate children, and train teachers. They want every family who wants to homeschool to get a quality, Christian education.
Top three takeaways
- Tough situations can either make you or break you!
- Use every opportunity you have in education not only to teach the subject but also teach life skills!
- The use of learning styles to drive instruction is how they individualize instruction. They use an eclectic approach when choosing the curriculum looking for what is best for our students in each individual course.
Call to Action
Resources: https://pennspreparatory.com/
Social Media Links
Website: https://pennspreparatory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jael.penn.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennjael/
What is Next!
Register for the Two hour Online Lesson Planning Masterclass below
Two hour Online Lesson Planning MasterClass
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Intro
Penny Mayes is a professional art teacher, a professional educator, and a veteran home-school mom of 20 years. Her passion is integrating hands-on art projects with art history and history unit studies. She is also a wife and the mother of three adult children. She holds a master’s in education and makes her home in North Carolina. Her story from homeschool mom to curriculum developer will not only inspire you but challenge you to take the leap!
Top three takeaways
- Focusing on connecting history with art history and hands-on art projects is a way to put a "face" on a historical era. By giving families the art, the visuals, and the hands-on, helps expand the child's memory.
- When children are given visuals to connect with what they are learning they create something educators call "brain movies." These are the pictures we make in our minds when we read. The more experiences and visuals a child has the more understanding.
- Hands-on learning can specifically help build the brain, can help with focus, can help with memory, can help with reading comprehension, can help with reluctant learners, and can help with independent learning.
Call to Action
Resources: https://taketimeforart.com/
Promotions Below
Coupon: Go to tab that says coupon and Freebies and sign up for newsletter.
Trial: You can try them out for free when you avail their all access subscription plan, automatic you will have a free week.
Social Media Links
Website: https://taketimeforart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taketimeforart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taketimeforart/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TAKETIMEFORART/
What is Next!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Intro
After using IEW’s curriculum, Diana decided to become an Accredited Instructor at the Certified Level with the company. She believes IEW is the “gold standard” of Language Arts curriculum and encourages parents to use both Fix-it Grammar and IEW’s level appropriate Theme-based writing (her personal favorite), or their Style and Structure for Students. Parents who want to outsource this subject, should look to IEW’s website for their online classes or an accredited instructor on their website.
Top three takeaways
- IEW methodology helps students of all learning styles especially those with what would be considered tougher learning challenges.
- IEW is a great support to families who are newer to homeschooling bringing the training necessary to know when your child has learned the material by teaching the parent first!
- IEW's style of language arts offers the learners a real world use of the subject versus a theoretical and abstract framework.
Call to Action
Resources: https://www.willowridgeacademy.com/
Promotions: All active and retired military families receive a 15% discount on class registrations and $25 off PSP Enrollments
Links mentioned in the Podcast
- IEW’s Placement Test: https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/products/prod018441_ptst01.pdf
- This is the original placement test it will help parents place their student accordingly.
- Contemplating Grammar https://iew.com/sites/default/files/article/fileattachment/contemplating_grammar.pdf
- Accredited Instructor’s list: https://iew.com/events-classes/instructors/find-accredited-instructor
- Schools website: WillowRidgeAcademy.com
- School’s email: WillowRidgePSP@gmail.com
- Personal website: DianaKluwin.com
Here are some other resources for parents.
Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
The Bugaboo Review by Sue Sommer
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.willowridgeacademy.com/
Podcast: https://dianakluwin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTruthBeToldMom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diana.kluwin/
What is Next!
Thank you for supporting this show by listening and sharing with friends! If you like this podcast please rate and write a review of how this show has impacted or helped you!
Great ratings will accelerate the show's visibility to the nation so others can learn more about homeschool and find quality curriculum and the potentially join the homeschool community thus change the face of education forever!!
Who would have thought that we could change the education world with a click and a share!
Also if you would like to hear more about any specific educational topic please email me at realedtalk@gmail.com I would love to support your families educational needs in all areas!!
Bex Buzzie
The Homeschool Advantage Podcast