#129

Discover "The Key to Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential 🎓" in this insightful episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast. Host Jae is joined by the incredible cofounders of Growing Nurtured Minds—Dr. Maria Diana, an educational therapist; Gladys, a nationally accredited school psychologist; and Nicole Soto, a social worker and certified yoga instructor. Together, they share their expertise on empowering students, fostering a growth mindset, and reimagining what learning looks like for children and families.

Explore creative ways to simplify the homeschool journey, address challenges in traditional education systems, and nurture holistic growth for every child. From social-emotional learning to individualized support for parents and students, this episode dives deep into building a supportive learning environment that ensures student success.

Learn how Growing Nurtured Minds combines cognitive, emotional, and educational perspectives to create personalized programs that address the whole child. Discover their innovative services, such as virtual and in-person assessments, executive functioning coaching, and even integrated yoga classes designed to meet the unique needs of every student.

https://www.growingnurturedminds.com/

Nicole Soto

Nicole Soto is a first-generation mother with three children who has a deep love and passion for working with children. A licensed social worker in New Jersey, currently pending licensure, Nicole was born and raised in New Jersey and is committed to creating therapeutic environments that support the emotional well-being of children. She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse communities, children, families, and schools. Nicole has partnered with several organizations to provide resources to schools and families, furthering her impact in the community.

Nicole’s professional background includes in-home therapy, where she worked with children and families using the wraparound model to address their needs. She has organized multiple events throughout New Jersey to raise awareness of mental health and improve access to community resources. Nicole’s dog, Millie, a Mini Schnauzer, will soon be certified by Pet Partners to assist in therapy sessions.

Gladys Owusu-Broni

Gladys Owusu-Broni is a dedicated Ghanaian-American school psychologist, born and raised in New Jersey. Her upbringing instilled in her a profound appreciation for diversity, resilience, and the transformative power of education. As a first-generation professional, Gladys is committed to fostering supportive environments where children can excel academically, emotionally, and socially.

Currently, Gladys serves as a school psychologist at a K-8 charter school. In this role, she collaborates with students, families, and educators to address a broad spectrum of needs. Demonstrating her commitment to holistic student development, Gladys recently partnered with colleagues to design and implement a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)curriculum and school systems modeled on the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports(NJTSS).

Maria Diana

Maria Diana, Ph.D., LDT-C, OG-T, has dedicated the past 18 years to serving K–12 students in New Jersey public and private schools. She earned her Doctor of Education in Teaching, Learning, Leadership, & Curriculum in 2020 from Montclair State University, where her groundbreaking research focused on lifelong learning challenges, the interplay between learning difficulties and cognitive function, and comprehensive diagnostic assessments.

Her experiences include guiding children, their teachers, and parents through the challenges posed by various learning disabilities, including those often co-occurring with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Anxiety. Driven by a passion for fostering resilience and a lifelong love of learning, Maria employs a unique, multisensory approach tailored to individual needs.

#128

Take an inspiring look at the homeschool journey with Jennifer Henn in this episode of "Homeschool Yo Kids." From struggles to success, Jennifer shares her 19+ years of homeschooling experience, offering practical advice, creative ways to simplify education, and a growth mindset to help parents reimagine what learning looks like. Discover how grit, perseverance, and a supportive learning environment can lead to student success while nurturing strong family bonds.

Jennifer discusses empowering students through personalized approaches, overcoming learning disabilities, and fostering character development. Her passion for unburdening homeschool parents shines as she provides actionable tips for creating a thriving homeschool community and embracing unconventional learning experiences.

JenniferHenn.com

Jennifer Henn, The Homeschooler’s Helper, teaches parents how to homeschool with a contagious passion that inspires parents to embrace their child’s strengths and natural curiosity. She’s taught Homeschooling 101 and parenting workshops for over a decade. She’s an author, speaker, and board member of Unite Homeschool Network. Learn more at JenniferHenn.com

Join the conversation and learn how to homeschool with confidence, no matter where you are in your journey. Don’t miss Jennifer’s insights on balancing academics with life skills, building relationships, and finding the right resources.

Visit HomeschoolYoKidsExpo.com and follow our channel to stay connected, explore helpful resources, and join a supportive community dedicated to education and growth. Together, let’s make learning empowering and fun for every family!

#educationalresources #homeschoollessonplans #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolingonlineresources #homeschoolingsupportCHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction00:40 - Reasons for Homeschooling10:00 - Trauma from Traditional Schooling11:18 - Jennifer's Homeschooling Journey17:45 - Teaching Kids to Read20:10 - Effective Math Teaching Strategies20:50 - Homeschooling Multiple Kids at Once23:10 - Evaluating Julie’s Homeschooling Approach27:40 - Transitioning to Public School35:35 - Importance of Character Development39:14 - Building Self-Esteem in Children42:50 - Understanding Learning Styles44:26 - Simplifying the Homeschooling Process47:58 - Addressing Peer Dependency54:32 - Self-Care for Homeschooling Parents56:45 - Importance of Mom Playdates59:25 - Finding Jennifer Hen Online1:01:18 - Key Takeaways for Parents1:03:28 - Closing Remarks

#127 Unschooling & Homeschool Hacks That Work 🚀 Dive into this inspiring episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast as host Jae welcomes Jaleesa Smith, founder of Friends of Cabrini and a seasoned homeschooler with over a decade of experience. Together, they explore creative ways to simplify your homeschool journey, reimagining what learning looks like with a focus on empowering students and fostering a growth mindset.

Jaleesa shares her personal journey into homeschooling, how she embraced unschooling, and the innovative resources she’s created to enhance the learning environment. Learn practical homeschool hacks, from nurturing early childhood education to fostering independent learning and connecting with the homeschool community. Jaleesa also highlights how Friends of Cabrini provides virtual classes, tutoring, and clubs to support student success, no matter where you are.

https://friendsofcabrini.com/

Friends of Cabrini is an inclusive, independent online hub that offers small group classes for unschoolers, covering a multitude of subjects including language arts, mathematics, history, civics, science, financial literacy, and languages. We also provided personalized tutoring sessions and extracurricular clubs for unschoolers who enjoy gaming, reading, debating, and socialization.

Whether you're new to homeschooling or looking for fresh ways to engage your kids, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement. Ready to take your educational journey to the next level? Visit homeschoolyokidsexpo.com for invaluable resources, follow us on social media @homeschoolyokids, and join our thriving community today. Homeschooling is better together—let’s make it work for you!

#homeschoolingcommunity #homeschoolingsupport #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolingonlineresources #homeschooling101

CHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction01:25 - Jaleesa Smith Introduction03:08 - Reasons for Homeschooling07:32 - Teaching Reading Techniques11:00 - Daily Life of a Homeschooler13:37 - Homeschool Co-ops Involvement16:04 - Using a Set Curriculum18:14 - Journey into Unschooling19:53 - Friends of Cabrini Overview23:53 - Friends of Cabrini Explanation25:00 - Friends of Cabrini Insights27:30 - Friends of Cabrini Activities29:39 - Book Club Discussion32:05 - Chicago Insights37:20 - Cabrini's Acting Journey39:50 - Ensuring Self-Care44:00 - Final Words from Jalisa47:27 - Importance of Community in Homeschooling48:00 - Final Thoughts