What happens when a public school principal decides to homeschool her own children?
After nearly a decade as a principal, literacy specialist, and educator, Liz Powell never imagined that homeschooling would become part of her family’s story. But motherhood, and especially thinking about what her own children needed to thrive, changed the way she looked at education.
In this episode of the Homeschool Connections Podcast, Kaitlin Zara talks with Liz, known online as Principal in Pajamas, about what she learned from seeing education from both sides of the classroom.
Liz shares why she left school administration to homeschool, what public schools do well, and what she believes homeschooling makes possible that even excellent classroom teachers can struggle to provide. She and Kaitlin also talk about individualized learning, ADHD and movement, creating structure at home, letting go of the fear of “falling behind,” teaching real-life skills, and why parents don’t need a teaching degree to be effective homeschoolers.
This Episode Is Sponsored by John Paul the Great Catholic University
John Paul the Great Catholic University in California offers hands-on programs in creative arts, digital media, theology, and business within a faithfully Catholic environment.
Apply for free and explore free online storytelling courses for homeschool students at:
https://jpcatholic.edu/homeschool
Resources
Follow Liz Powell — Principal in Pajamas:
https://www.instagram.com/principal_in_pajamas/
Homeschool Connections:
https://homeschoolconnections.com/
In This Episode
Kaitlin and Liz discuss:
- Why a longtime public school principal chose to homeschool her own children
- How becoming a mother changed Liz’s perspective on education
- What public schools and classroom teachers do well—and where the system can make individualized education difficult
- Why one-on-one attention is one of homeschooling’s greatest advantages
- Homeschooling a child with ADHD and incorporating movement and breaks naturally into the day
- Why “connection before curriculum” matters
- How to give children structure without recreating school at home
- Visual schedules, movement breaks, and other practical ways to make homeschool days run more smoothly
- Why it’s okay to close the workbook when a curriculum isn’t working
- How parents can let go of homeschool guilt and the fear of falling behind
- Why former teachers may actually have some things to “unlearn” when they begin homeschooling
- Whether you need professional teacher training to successfully homeschool your children
- Incorporating cooking, homemaking, nature, and other real-life experiences into education
- How Liz’s definition of a successful education changed after leaving school administration
- Why education doesn’t have to revolve around test scores, reading levels, or college readiness
- Encouragement for parents whose children are struggling academically
One Big Takeaway
You don’t need to recreate a traditional classroom to give your child an excellent education.
Liz encourages parents to remember that homeschooling allows them to do something classroom teachers often wish they could do more easily: slow down, change course, take a movement break, follow a child’s interests, spend more time on a difficult concept, or set aside the workbook when it isn’t serving the child.
Most importantly, parents know their children in a way no outside teacher can. Homeschooling gives families the freedom to build education around the individual child rather than requiring the child to fit the system.
About Liz Powell
Liz Powell is a former public school principal, literacy specialist, homeschool mom, and content creator living in coastal Maine with her husband and three young children.
After nearly a decade serving as a public school principal, Liz stepped away from her career following the birth of her third child and embraced life at home with her family. She began her career through Teach For America, taught in multiple states, and later earned her literacy specialist certification.
Today, Liz homeschools her two oldest children and shares practical teaching strategies, literacy support, homeschool ideas, and encouragement for mothers through her Instagram page, Principal in Pajamas. Her perspective combines years of educational leadership and literacy expertise with the everyday experience of homeschooling her own children.
About Your Host
Kaitlin Zara is a veteran educator, homeschool mom, and host of the Homeschool Connections Podcast. She combines her classroom experience with the everyday realities of homeschooling to encourage parents to approach education with confidence, flexibility, and joy.