Why This Teacher Left Public School (But Still Believes in It)

In this S5E17 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, Sarah Tesar shares why being a public school kindergarten teacher for 12 years made her an excellent teacher for other people's children, but prevented her from being fully present with her own family, and how she's now created a hybrid homeschool model that honors both her expertise as an educator and her needs as a whole human being.What You'll Learn:✅ The emotional cost of teaching and recognizing when your cup is empty✅ How to create mixed-age classrooms where kindergartners and fifth graders thrive together✅ Theme-based curriculum built around science and social studies standards that naturally integrates literacy, math, student engagement, and active learning✅ Scaffolding strategies across multiple skill levels for effective teaching and classroom behavior management✅ Creating 3-hour learning sessions so engaging kids beg to attend✅ Why social-emotional intervention deserves the same priority as academic intervention for student success and classroom belonging✅ Practical strategies for integrated, joyful learning in any setting—public school, homeschool, or hybrid through innovative teaching and instructional strategiesWhether you teach in a traditional school or are exploring alternative models, Sarah shares research-backed strategies (including Vygotsky's zone of proximal development and attention in class techniques) you can use tomorrow to create more purposeful, engaging learning while honoring your own wellbeing and inspiring students through student participation.Some resources mentioned:➡️UFLI Phonics➡️Elizabeth Sulzby's Emergent Storybook Reading Process  ➡️Tara West's Writing Curriculum CHAPTERS0:00 - Introduction: The Cost of Being a Good Teacher3:00 - Meet Sarah Tesar: From Public School to Homeschool5:00 - Research Foundation: Vygotsky & Zone of Proximal Development6:00 - The Breaking Point: When Teaching Depletes Your Cup9:00 - The Empath's Dilemma: Giving Everything Away11:00 - What Shifted: Finding Balance in Hybrid Homeschool14:00 - Meeting Children's Needs: Systems & Social-Emotional Support17:00 - A Day in the Life: Morning Homeschool Routine20:00 - Scaffolding Phonics Across Ages21:00 - The Apple Stand: Relevant, Purposeful Learning23:00 - Hybrid Classroom: K-5 Students Learning Together25:00 - Curriculum Design: Science & Social Studies as Foundation27:00 - Scaffolding Writing: From Words to Paragraphs29:00 - Integration: Shattering Educational Silos31:00 - Parent Expectations in Hybrid Homeschool33:00 - Lightning Round: Homeschool Myths & Best Practices35:00 - Closing: The Gift of Having Something Left to Give36:00 - Takeaways: What You Can Try TomorrowJoin our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child. 📧 Connect: [email protected]🎵 Music: Benjamin WahlDon't forget to 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators! When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.