Open conversations on viewing children as "whole people"—mind, body, heart, and soul—through personal stories, critiques of traditional education, and insights on creating a nurturing and holistic learning environment.
Hosted by Acorn School Founders Star Johnson, homeschool mom of three and Emilirose, former public school teacher.
Learn more at: acornschoolenrichment.com
Open conversations on viewing children as "whole people"—mind, body, heart, and soul—through personal stories, critiques of traditional education, and insights on creating a nurturing and holistic learning environment.
Hosted by Acorn School Founders Star Johnson, homeschool mom of three and Emilirose, former public school teacher.
Learn more at: acornschoolenrichment.com
In this episode, Star and Emilirose, co-founders of Acorn School, take you behind the scenes for a look at what really goes into running Acorn School.
Most people see our classes, festivals, and finished curriculum, but not the gears and heart that keep everything running smoothly. From our amazing admin manager to our curriculum creators, teachers, and marketing team, we’re highlighting the people, processes, and values that make Acorn School a thriving Waldorf-inspired community.
Whether you attend classes, use our take-home curriculum, or are simply curious about how a homeschool enrichment school runs, this conversation offers a candid peek into our team, our business values, and our passion for holistic, family-centered education.
🌸 In This Episode:
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Back!
01:35 How Our Team Has Grown Beyond the Founders
01:59 Spotlight on Marilee, Our Admin Manager
06:41 The Marketing Team: Star, John, Katelyn, and Jeremy
09:36 Social Media & Branding at Acorn School
12:17 Our Website
13:59 Our Incredible Teaching Team
19:27 The Intentionality Behind Hiring Our Teachers
21:15 The Curriculum Creation Process
33:00 Behind the Scenes of Printing, Photos & Publishing of Our Curriculum
36:11 A special announcement!
37:59 Our Business Values
42:57 Community Within Our Team
44:28 Supporting Small Businesses
52:06 How We Strive to Improve or Add Value Each Year
54:58 Wrapping Up & What’s Next for the Podcast
📺Others Podcasts & Videos Mentioned
Our HomeSchool Curriculum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y7mwkXUIjU&t=13s
Past episode with John & Katelyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG7Y2jgu0no
🤝Collaborators & Partner Businesses
Whole Childhood Collective | https://www.instagram.com/wholechildhoodcollective
Kate | The Wholeness Home | https://www.instagram.com/thewholenesshome
Mother Nature’s Farm | https://www.mothernaturesfarm.com
ClimbMax Rock Climbing Gym | https://weareclimbmax.com
First Class Marketing | https://www.firstclassmkt.com
Homeschool Printing Services | https://homeschoolprintingservices.com
Homeschool Printing Services | https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolprintingservices
Katelyn Cantu Photography | https://katelyncantu.com
Katelyn Cantu Photography | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelyncantu
🌿 Links & Resources
Shop Our Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum: shop.acornschoolenrichment.com
Amazon Storefront (All Our Book Picks): https://www.amazon.com/shop/intothemischief
🌿 Follow Acorn School
Instagram |
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
Star & Emilirose join Acorn School parents, John and Katelyn. In this episode, they share about their homeschooling journey, the ups and downs of their personal educational experiences and how they came to embrace homeschooling with their children. They talk about the pressures of traditional schooling, how they found Acorn School, and why they’re so passionate about offering their kids a more relaxed, child-led learning environment.
Tune in to hear about:
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
In this episode, Star and Emilirose dive into Star’s personal educational evolution, beginning with her formative years at a Waldorf school. Star reflects on the lasting impact of creativity, connection, and holistic learning, and how these principles not only shaped her but also ignited her vision for Acorn School.
Tune in to hear:
& much more
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
In this episode, Star and Emilirose explore the beautiful philosophy of Waldorf education. They discuss the intentionality behind Acorn School’s Waldorf-inspired teaching and how it nurtures children’s spirit through hands-on experiences and joyful engagement with nature, allowing our little ones to truly flourish.
Tune in to hear:
Mentioned in this episode:
Acorn School’s Seasonal Curriculum (Digital Download) | Dive into the fascinating world of bats with engaging stories and songs that explore their nighttime adventures and ecological importance.
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
What’s it really like for kids who are homeschooled from the very beginning? In this episode, Star and Emilirose sit down with Olivia Azevedo, a lifelong homeschooler and now a beloved teacher for Acorn School’s Hummingbirds and Cardinals. Olivia shares her personal journey of how homeschooling shaped her understanding of education, the unique ways she learned, and how she now helps children discover their own learning styles.
Tune in to hear:
And so much more!
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
In this episode, Star and Emilirose chat about the idea of flow states and how they can naturally boost a child's learning and creativity. You'll hear about how the right surroundings—both the space they’re in and the people they’re with—can really help children stay focused and engaged. They also touch on the freedom of Waldorf-inspired teaching, explaining how it allows educators to craft joyful, meaningful lessons that create lasting learning experiences for children.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Resources mentioned:
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
In this episode, Star & Emilirose sit down with Emily O’Brien, Acorn School’s Charlotte Mason-inspired teacher. Together, they dive deep into Emily’s journey to becoming a homeschooling mother, along with discussing the key principles of the Charlotte Mason philosophy and how it aligns (and differs) with other educational methods like Waldorf.
In this episode you’ll hear:
& much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Emily’s children’s book, Benny the Bird, and Fitz the Fox. Find them both at emilyanneobrien.com/works
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
In this first episode of the Under the Oak Podcast, Emilirose and Star introduce the origins and philosophy behind Acorn School and offers a glimpse into their personal journeys and the experiences that inspired them to create this unique, family-centered educational environment.
Tune in to hear:
& more!
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school
Welcome to Under the Oak: an Acorn School Podcast. Hosted by Acorn School co-founders Star Johnson, homeschool mom of three and Emilirose, former public school teacher.
Expect open conversations on viewing children as "whole people"—mind, body, heart, and soul—through personal stories, critiques of traditional education, and insights on creating a nurturing and holistic learning environment.
To learn more about Acorn School, visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow along on social media @acorn_school for additional resources, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
--
To learn more about Acorn School visit acornschoolenrichment.com or follow us on Instagram @acorn_school