Everyday Educator

Wondering if your child is ready to start Foundations? Join Delise Germond and Lisa Bailey in this episode of Everyday Educator as they discuss practical signs of school readiness for preschoolers and early learners. Discover how to prepare your child for Classical Conversations Foundations, navigate emotional development milestones, and build essential skills like following directions, fine motor development, and independent play. Learn when to start formal learning, how to give constructive feedback as a homeschool parent, and why emotional intelligence matters as much as academic preparation. Whether you're new to homeschooling or evaluating your child's readiness for Foundations, this episode offers encouragement and actionable strategies for starting your homeschool journey with confidence. Perfect for parents of toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary students considering Classical Conversations or home education.
What you'll learn:
•    How to recognize signs your child is ready for formal learning
•    Ways to develop attention span and help children follow simple directions
•    Activities that build fine motor skills and handwriting readiness
•    Strategies for teaching emotional intelligence and naming feelings
•    How to create routines and expectations together as a family
•    Why sensory learning and developmental milestones matter
•    The key differences between homeschool and traditional school readiness
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Summit Ministries:
Do you want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endure,
and friends and faith for life? Summit's Student Conferences equip young Christians with
the hope, clarity, and confidence they need to follow Jesus boldly in today's world. It's not
just about getting apologetics answers. Students learn how to live winsomely and bravely in today's world. 
Visit summit.org/cc before March 31, 2026, and lock in the early bird rate. Save an additional $250 when you use the code CC26. Want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endures, and friends and faith for life? Grab their spot now at summit.org/cc

What if learning Latin could actually be... fun? Join Lisa Bailey and Tobin Duby as they take you on a delightful journey through the world of Parent Practicum and Latin—two things that might sound intimidating but are actually gateways to lifelong learning for your entire family.
Tobin shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from filming practicums across the country (including the tale of a toddler handing him her yogurt trash), while Lisa opens up about her own "hillbilly belt" moment that brought down the house. But beyond the laughter, discover why practicum is the perfect summer destination for homeschool families seeking community, encouragement, and practical tools.
Then dive into Latin—not as a dusty academic subject, but as a mind-expanding adventure that helps children (and parents!) think more clearly, compose better sentences, and even understand Scripture in new ways. From "pater noster" rhyming when "our father" doesn't, to understanding why St. Paul's sentences are so deliciously complex, you'll discover why Latin is relevant for families with kids of all ages.
Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran, this conversation will inspire you to mark your calendar for this summer's Latin-focused Parent Practicum. Because the best learning happens in community—and it's way more fun than you think!
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Summit Ministries:
Do you want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endure,
and friends and faith for life? Summit's Student Conferences equip young Christians with
the hope, clarity, and confidence they need to follow Jesus boldly in today's world. It's not
just about getting apologetics answers. Students learn how to live winsomely and bravely in today's world. 
Visit summit.org/cc before March 31, 2026, and lock in the early bird rate. Save an additional $250 when you use the code CC26. Want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endures, and friends and faith for life? Grab their spot now at summit.org/cc

Join Delise Germond as she sits down with Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations and homeschool dad of three, for an engaging conversation about family legacy, educational freedom, and his new book Woke and Weaponized.
Robert shares his personal journey from being one of the first 11 students in Classical Conversations to leading the organization for over 13 years. He opens up about the family values that shaped him—hard work, self-discipline, and carrying the family name with honor—and how he's now passing these principles to his own children through practical strategies like job cards instead of allowances and teaching them to work before they play.
The conversation dives deep into Robert's extensively researched book, co-authored with award-winning journalist Alex Newman, which traces the historical roots of public education from Robert Owen's "Trinity of Evil" through Prussia to modern-day America. Discover the surprising truth about who's really funding the school choice movement and why educational independence matters now more than ever.
Robert also explains what it means to become "anti-fragile" as a family—rejecting consumerism, living within your means, and building resilience that doesn't depend on government systems. Whether you're a homeschooling parent, educator, pastor, or anyone concerned about educational freedom, this conversation offers both warning and hope for raising the next generation to know God and make Him known.
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: 
Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education—And How We Can Win It Back – A new book written by Robert Bortins and Alex Newman. 
Discover the shocking truth about how current education reform efforts may actually accelerate the destruction of educational freedom. Through meticulous research, Woke and Weaponized traces the philosophical roots of educational corruption from Robert Owen and John Dewey to critical race theory, while offering practical strategies for families ready to pursue genuine educational independence. Join our exclusive list to be notified the moment it becomes available — plus receive special launch updates and insider information. 
www.WokeAndWeaponized.com
 
Summit Ministries
Do you want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endure, and friends and faith for life? Summit's Student Conferences equip young Christians with the hope, clarity, and confidence they need to follow Jesus boldly in today's world. It's not just about getting apologetics answers. Students learn how to live winsomely and bravely in today's world. Visit summit.org/cc before March 31, 2026, and lock in the early bird rate. Save an additional $250 when you use the code CC26. Want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endures, and friends and faith for life? Grab their spot now at summit.org/cc

What if the biggest moment in your child's classical education isn't just about academics—but about stepping into their God-given identity?
Join host Kelli Wilt and special guest Charity Miner for an in-depth conversation about one of the most transformative experiences in the Challenge years: the senior thesis. Charity, a veteran Challenge IV director and homeschool mom who has shepherded three children through this process, shares the beauty, purpose, and profound impact of this capstone event.
Discover why senior thesis is so much more than a research paper—it's a culmination of years of presentations, debates, and mock trials rolled into one powerful moment of defense. Learn how students choose topics that reflect who God made them to be, how parents can support without taking over, and why this experience prepares our children not just for college, but for defending their faith and ideas throughout their entire lives.
Whether you're preparing for Challenge IV, currently in the midst of senior thesis, or simply curious about where classical Christian education leads, this episode will encourage and equip you for the journey ahead.
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: 
Summit Ministries
Do you want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endure,
and friends and faith for life? Summit's Student Conferences equip young Christians with
the hope, clarity, and confidence they need to follow Jesus boldly in today's world. It's not
just about getting apologetics answers. Students learn how to live winsomely and bravely in today's world. 
Visit summit.org/cc before March 31, 2026, and lock in the early bird rate. Save an additional $250 when you use the code CC26. Want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endures, and friends and faith for life? Grab their spot now at summit.org/cc

CC Plus Odyssey Program
The Odyssey Leadership Program is a bridge from the security of the Challenge Program to the bright opportunities of the future! In partnership with Southeastern University, an accredited private, Christian university, The Odyssey Program provides Challenge IV graduates the opportunity to begin their college coursework while participating in a leadership and personal development program, launching them into leadership and life! 
2026 Application season is open with limited seats. Learn more by going to https://classicalconversationsplus.com/odyssey-year/

Why do Challenge B graduates consistently name Mock Trial as their favorite memory—even the ones who cried through every rehearsal?
Join host Lisa Bailey and guests Jennifer Hester and Emma Bortins for an encouraging conversation about Mock Trial—the pinnacle Challenge B experience that graduates remember most fondly, even when the journey is rocky. Jennifer shares her journey from terrified new director to confident guide, watching her son improvise courtroom testimony on the fly. Emma opens up about the drama, tears, and her infamous courtroom phrase repeated 15+ times: "That's not in my witness statement!" Lisa reflects on decades of watching 13-year-olds surprise judges, parents, and themselves with skills they didn't know they had. This episode covers the practical side of preparation—where to find resources on CC Connected, how to walk alongside your student without coaching, and why following the week-by-week schedule makes all the difference. You'll hear honest stories about hyperventilating students who become stars, skeptical parents who become believers, and how every Challenge B skill converges in this moment.
 
This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Summit Ministries:
Do you want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endure,
and friends and faith for life? Summit's Student Conferences equip young Christians with
the hope, clarity, and confidence they need to follow Jesus boldly in today's world. It's not
just about getting apologetics answers. Students learn how to live winsomely and bravely in today's world. 
Visit summit.org/cc before March 31, 2026, and lock in the early bird rate. Save an additional $250 when you use the code CC26. Want your child to have conversations that challenge, encouragement that endures, and friends and faith for life? Grab their spot now at summit.org/cc