I want you to picture your classroom shelves for a second. Are they overflowing with random resources you grabbed at a garage sale, donated workbooks, or bins of supplies that don’t quite fit together? Or maybe your shelves are kind of empty and you feel this pressure, like, “I need more stuff to make this work.”

And here’s the truth: stocking your shelves is not about having more. It’s about having the right things. The things that actually build independence. The things that give kids meaningful choices. The things that encourage curiosity and collaboration — without leaving you overwhelmed and drowning in clutter.

Because let’s be honest — when your shelves are chaotic, your classroom often feels chaotic. But when your shelves are thoughtfully stocked with the right materials, suddenly your classroom starts running smoother. Kids know where to go. They know what they can use. They’re engaged in learning, not just asking you “what’s next?” every 5 minutes.

So today we’re going to talk about what to put on your shelves in a multi-age classroom. I want to help you think about categories of materials and the kinds of resources that will actually serve you and your students. This is about stocking your shelves with purpose so your multi-age classroom can truly thrive.

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If you’ve ever tried to run a multi-age classroom, you’ve probably wrestled with this question:

How do I give my students freedom while still keeping structure?

Maybe you’ve seen this play out in your own classroom. You’re working with a small group, and your older students finish early. They start asking, “What do I do now?” Or maybe you gave them options, but then things got messy, and suddenly kids are off-task. You feel torn between giving them ownership and keeping everything under control.

And let’s be honest—that’s a real tension. On one hand, you want your classroom to foster independence, creativity, and choice. On the other, you need to make sure that everyone is actually learning, not just doing whatever they feel like.

This is where a lot of teachers get stuck. They either lean all the way into freedom—chaos. Or they lean all the way into structure—control, but no joy. The magic of a multi-age classroom is learning how to hold both.

I’m going to share with you the balance of options and requirements—what it looks like, why it matters, and what strategies can help you get there.

So if you’re ready to stop choosing between chaos and control, and instead create a classroom where your students thrive with freedom and accountability, this episode is for you.

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We’re tackling a topic that can make or break your classroom flow: stations and independent work systems.

Now, let me guess — this is one of those areas that keeps you up at night. Because you’re asking yourself questions like:

• How do I keep my older students engaged while I’m working with the younger ones?

• What kind of activities can students actually do on their own without constantly needing me?

• How do I stop the interruptions so I can give each group the attention they need?

I want you to know, those are the exact right questions to be asking — because they reveal something really important: in a multi-age classroom, you cannot do everything for every student at the same time.

If you try, you’ll burn out. And you’ll feel like you’re failing everyone.

But here’s the good news: stations and independent work systems can completely transform your classroom. They allow your older students to thrive without you hovering, they give younger students a chance to practice independence, and they free you up to do focused teaching where it matters most.

By the end of today’s episode, you’re going to walk away with a clear vision of the types of systems and strategies that work in a multi-age classroom.

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And I know how heavy this question feels. When you’re preparing for a new school year, especially if you’re teaching multiple ages, it can feel like this giant cloud hanging over your head.

I hear teachers say things like:

• “Do I need separate curriculum for every child?”

• “Should I go all-in with workbooks, or is online learning better?”

• “What do I do if my older kids finish quickly while my younger ones are still learning the basics?”

And maybe you’ve found yourself at a curriculum fair or on some website late at night, staring at all these shiny boxes and programs, feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you’re about to spend hundreds of dollars on something that won’t actually work in your classroom.

Friend, I get it. I’ve been there. And I want you to know you don’t have to buy all the things. You don’t have to stress over having the “perfect” program. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all curriculum. But there is a way to build a blend of resources that fits your students, your style, and your mission.

That’s what we’re going to break down today. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear framework for how to choose curriculum that works for multiple ages, saves you time, and actually helps your students thrive.

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Now, if you’re like most teachers I work with, you’ve been dreaming about your classroom layout. You’ve been scrolling Pinterest, looking at beautiful learning spaces, maybe even shopping for flexible seating or storage bins. But deep down, you’re also wondering…

• How do I make this space work for different ages and needs without it feeling like total chaos?

• Where do I put everything so the kids can be independent and not constantly need me to find things?

• How do I keep the older students challenged while the younger ones can still access what they need?

And on top of all that… you may be doing this in a space that wasn’t originally designed to be a classroom — like a church fellowship hall, a shared space, or even your home. You might be dealing with limited storage, not enough wall space, or the dreaded “multipurpose room” where everything has to be packed up at the end of the day.

Friend, I’ve been there.

But over time, I learned a secret: your space is your silent co-teacher.

When your classroom is set up intentionally, it can help your students be more independent, more focused, and more engaged — and it will take a ton of pressure off of you.

So today, we’re going to dig into how to create a space that works for all ages — from your room layout, to your learning zones, to your storage systems. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear vision for a space that supports learning for every child… and gives you a little more breathing room as the teacher.

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I am so excited about this new series because it’s all about something that so many of you have been asking me about—how to create a successful multi-age classroom.

Now, if you’re listening to this, there’s a good chance you’re either planning to open your microschool or homeschool hybrid this fall, or maybe you’ve already started and you’re feeling that tension. You’re asking yourself questions like:

• How do I teach different ages at the same time?

• What curriculum do I choose so I’m not drowning in prep?

• How do I make sure my older students stay challenged while my younger ones don’t feel left behind?

You’re not alone. I’ve been there. I remember when I first started my microschool, the thought of teaching a 6-year-old and a 10-year-old in the same room at the same time felt almost impossible. I thought I had to plan two, three, sometimes four different lessons for every subject. I was exhausted before I even began.

But here’s what I want you to hear today: multi-age classrooms aren’t something to fear—they are something to embrace. In fact, once you learn how to structure them, they become one of the most life-giving, transformative environments you’ll ever teach in.

In this episode, we’re going to talk about the heart behind multi-age learning—why it works, why it’s so powerful for kids, and why it’s actually going to make your life as a teacher so much better when you lean into it.

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Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s going to save you so much stress down the road: why you need a hiring plan—not just a job post.

Now, if you’re listening to this, you might be at that stage where you’re thinking, “I need help. I need another teacher.” Maybe you’ve even posted in a local homeschool group or on Indeed, hoping the right person would show up.

But let me ask you this:

• Do you have a clear process to bring that person from “interested” to “fully prepared and thriving on your team”?

• Do you know how to avoid the headaches, mismatched hires, and culture clashes that so many microschool founders face?

Here’s the truth: A job post is not a hiring plan.
A job post is just a fishing pole—you still need to know where to cast it, how to reel in the right fish, and what to do once it’s in the boat.

Without a plan, hiring can feel like chaos.
You get overwhelmed. You settle. You wait too long. You second-guess yourself.
And when the wrong person slips through, you pay for it—with your time, your peace, and sometimes even your reputation.

But with a hiring plan?
Everything changes.

You move from reactive to proactive.
You attract teachers who are aligned with your mission.
You lead with confidence.
And you build a team that truly protects and grows your vision.

So today, I’m going to walk you through my 7-step Dream Teacher Hiring Plan Framework—the exact framework I use in my own microschool.

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This episode is going to be one of those “ah-ha” moments that completely shifts the way you think about building your team.

Now if you’re anything like I was when I first started hiring, you might be thinking:

• “Do I need to find someone with classroom experience?”

• “Should I only hire certified teachers?”

• “What if they’ve never taught multiple grades before?”

• “How do I know if they’ll actually fit with our unique program?”

Here’s the truth: Years of experience and a fancy resume are NOT what makes someone your dream teacher.

Now don’t get me wrong—those things can help. But if that’s all you’re looking for? You might end up hiring someone who looks great on paper but doesn’t align with your vision, mission, or the kind of culture you're trying to create.

So today we’re going to talk about the real qualities to look for when hiring—especially in a microschool, homeschool hybrid, or tutoring business, where flexibility, alignment, and culture matter more than ever.

This is especially important for those of you building programs with multi-age learners, smaller student groups, or nontraditional teaching environments. The wrong hire can bring resistance, burnout, and tension… but the right hire? They’ll bring life, peace, joy, and support.

So whether you’re just starting to build your team or you're re-evaluating what kind of teachers you really want beside you—this episode is going to give you clarity and direction.

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