On this episode, I had the privilege to talk to my new friend Tina Hollenbeck, the researcher behind The Homeschool Resource Roadmap, about her journey from public school teacher to home educator. Tina's experience shows that even those on the tighter end of the scale when it comes to schedules and routines can successfully lifeschool their children. The lifeschooling mindset is important and relevant for all types of personalities and homeschooling styles.
Tina and her husband have been home-educating since she quit her job as a public school teacher just prior to giving birth to their older daughter, who is now 16. They also have another daughter, age 15.
Tina was blessed to find amazing homeschool mentor moms when her kids were little, and in recent years has become a outspoken advocate, endeavoring to promote home learning whenever she’s given the opportunity. She mentors prospective home educators in her local area and via her Facebook group, The Christian Homeschool Oasis, and enjoys speaking on various topics related to homeschooling and healthy parenting. She is a regular contributor to Learning Tangent Magazine, serves as the volunteer staff writer for Celebrate Kids, Inc., and has co-authored a book entitled Celebrating Children’s 12 Genius Qualities.

In 2013, Tina launched an on-going research project that culminated in the development of The Homeschool Resource Roadmap, a database of information about more than 3,000 homeschool-oriented resource providers. Though initially focused on each company’s position regarding common core, The Roadmap has now expanded to offer a more detailed “snapshot” of each provider, giving home educators a “one stop shop” for comparing and contrasting various options. (Bio taken from https://hsroadmap.org/about-2/.)
Here is what I asked Tina on this episode of the podcast:

Tell us first of all how you started homeschooling?
I’m always fascinated when a former teacher, particularly a public school teacher, leaves the profession to homeschool. What was it like making that transition? I assume you have not always been of the lifeschooling persuasion!
Tell us some about some of the books that made the biggest impact on your homeschooling journey.
To remind our listeners, the definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” How does your family lifeschool? Is there a part of that definition that particularly speaks to you?
Tell us about a typical day in your homeschool?
I’ve been poking around on your website and your research project is pretty impressive! Tell our listeners about it and what lead you to take on this huge endeavor.
I heard this quote not long ago by a pastor on the radio that went something like this: “Passion is not something that you develop, but rather something that you discover as God shows you what He has already called you to do.” I love that quote because it so fits with my own experience. What would you say is your biggest passion as you carry out your mission?

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!