Episode 028 of the ClassCast Podcast features sisters Safa and Falak Koreshi speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about their experiences with homeschooling, unschooling, public schooling, college, and how their unique educational paths have shaped their views on education and personal improvement. They also pull from each phase of their educational progressions to address specific ways we can improve public education and why homeschooling can be great (but also why it might not be for everyone). If you are an educator seeking to expand your views of what education is and can be, if you are a parent considering what homeschooling or unschooling might mean for your own children, if you are a community stakeholder who wants public schools to better address students' needs, this episode is for you. 

Many people involved in public schools tend to shrug off or downplay homeschooling, but that is a narrow and short-sighted view that limits our understandings of what education can or should be. People have been educated outside of school institutions for most of human history; the modern conception of school is a relatively new invention, so if we are serious about considering all options, pulling all the best ideas together, and creating systemic change to improve educational processes and outcomes, then the Koreshi family's experiences and comparisons must be considered.  Make sure you like/share/follow/comment on ClassCast Podcast's website and social media posts to help spread our vision of critical thinking and honest discourse to improve public education.  (And remember, we stream on all major podcast services!)

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In this highlight from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, sisters Safa &  Falak Koreshi describe their educational experiences, from homeschool to unschooling to public schooling to college, and how their transitions and different experiences inform their views of education and self improvement.

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa Koreshi describes her experiences in public school, after being homeschooled until 8th grade, and how school's focus on grades, GPAs, class ranks, and college admissions make it seem more like an academic competition than an experience for personal growth.  Host Ryan Tibbens then references an idea that first came up in Ep.013 with Beth Konkoski -- "fantasy students." Many students refer to high school as a "game," and this discussion helps to lay bare those issues for parents or teachers who are unclear about how many students feel. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, formerly homeschooled sisters Safa & Falak Koreshi talk about how homeschooling and public schooling prepared them for college, particularly for STEM and lab-based classes, and professional situations. Many people misunderstand what homeschooling is really like and what it offers (or can't offer) to students; this discussion helps to better define what most students may want or need from their education, whether at home, in school, or beyond. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa & Falak Koreshi, both of whom were homeschooled then unschooled then public schooled, speak with host Ryan Tibbens about the differences between "education" and "schooling" and why understanding the distinctions is vital to improving public education. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.028, Safa & Falak Koreshi question host Ryan Tibbens about whether or not he would homeschool his own children and what motivates that decision. As a long-time public school teacher who has been exploring the nature of education for years, he sees the situation in professional light, but also as the father of two young children, making the question personal changes the tone of the response.  After listening to the rest of this episode, ClassCast fans should ask themselves: Would I homeschool my own children?

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Episode 026 features the amazing Megan Moffett, a talented teacher, education consultant, future administrator, and parent. She shares advice for parents struggling to "home school" their children, tips to improve school cultures, ideas about what the best early elementary education should include (reading and play!), school division organization, and much, much more. For more information, educational activities, and advice, follow Ms. Moffett's Facebook page for her education consulting business, Littles Love Learning (https://www.facebook.com/mylittleslovelearning/). She's also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mylittleslovelearning/. 

The full episode PLUS six highlight clips are all available below. The ClassCast Podcast also streams on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and most other major podcast platforms. All highlight clips are also available on YouTube. Please comment and respond to let us know what you think about Ms. Moffett's ideas as well as what you want to hear in future episodes! 

Please subscribe/follow the ClassCast Podcast on your preferred streaming platform, 'Like' our videos on YouTube, and follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ClassCastPodcast), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ClassCastPod), and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/classcastpodcast)! 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.026 features early elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discussing a wide variety of topics related to early childhood education, school at home, learning through playing, school climate, testing, teacher preparation, and much, much more. Ms. Moffett shares advice and tips to help parents educate their children at home, to help principals improve school culture, and to help us all achieve a better, more purposeful public education system.  

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early childhood education expert and teacher Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the essential elements of education for preschool and early elementary students in hopes of helping parents navigate "homeschooling" and COVID-19 school closures. Ms. Moffett focuses on the benefits of purposeful play, guided practice, flexibility, stress-reduction, and -- above all -- reading. Several ClassCast listeners have requested an early-childhood episode just like this in recent weeks; this discussion should address the needs so many of us are experiencing. If you or someone you know is struggling with (or stressed about) helping young children to keep learning while staying at home, this highlight clip contains essential advice, research, and grace for parents. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert Megan Moffett describes her "ideal" school. A standard ClassCast question, Ms. Moffett responds with enthusiasm and a clear vision -- an elementary school that focuses on play, collaboration, social-emotional learning, age-appropriate skills, and reading.  Her goals are lofty, but what makes them truly great is that they are practical and attainable -- nothing except stubborn stakeholders, cautious administrators, and dusty legislation prevent us from reinvigorating elementary education as Ms. Moffett envisions in this 6-minute clip. Let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Pocast Ep.026, elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss the trend of splitting elementary schools, clustering grade levels, and other organizational creativity that can potentially save tax dollars and increase collaboration, though they also risk increasing transitions, anxiety, and homogeneity in the school. From "Kindergarten Academies" to upper/lower elementary schools and beyond, school divisions across the country are getting creative with how they organize and facilitate different groups and ages of students. Listen in to learn more, and let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert and future administrator Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the important roles school administrators play and how they can create, change, and maintain school cultures that promote student well-being and that foster growth for faculty and students alike. If you have an interest in school improvement, administration, or culture, this clip is for you.  Let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss teacher preparation, including their own college and student teaching experiences, course requirements, and what future teachers may need to be successful. One of the most important (and obvious) ways to improve the quality of instruction in public schools is to increase the quality of teacher preparation programs; that's a topic that could fill volumes, but this clip is a great place to start. If you are a teacher or administrator, or if you are considering becoming a teacher in the future, this clip is for you!  

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss benefits, drawbacks, and trends related to project-based learning, standardized testing, and data collection during COVID-19 school closures. So much school legislation and policy revolve around assessment, and so much school discussion revolves around assessment, that sometimes it all starts to sound alike.  This clip is honest, direct, and refreshing -- why assessments are necessary, and why we can still do better. Let us know what you think!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early childhood education expert and teacher Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the essential elements of education for preschool and early elementary students in hopes of helping parents navigate "homeschooling" and COVID-19 school closures. Ms. Moffett focuses on the benefits of purposeful play, guided practice, flexibility, stress-reduction, and -- above all -- reading. Several ClassCast listeners have requested an early-childhood episode just like this in recent weeks; this discussion should address the needs so many of us are experiencing. If you or someone you know is struggling with (or stressed about) helping young children to keep learning while staying at home, this highlight clip contains essential advice, research, and grace for parents. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!