Ever wondered what it is actually like to be homeschooled from kindergarten all the way through high school? In this episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast, we sit down with Ruth, a former K-12 homeschooler and educator, to discuss the freedom of learning at your own pace and how it shaped her career in special education.

Ruth shares her unique journey growing up as the oldest of five siblings in a family that prioritized individualized education long before the internet made it easy.In this deep dive, Ruth explains how her mother, despite her own struggles with reading, taught herself phonics to ensure her children had a solid foundation.

We explore the benefits of the Running Start program, which allowed Ruth to earn an associate degree before she even had a high school diploma. You will also learn about the Independent Education Network, a platform Ruth founded to empower middle school students and teachers to work together in a way that suits their unique needs.

Whether you are a veteran homeschooler or just starting to consider alternatives to public school, this conversation offers valuable insights into curriculum planning, special education support, and the importance of being your child's first teacher.

Ruth provides practical advice on how to handle the high school years and shares why colleges often prefer homeschool graduates who can manage their own schedules.

Website www.independent-ed.com

Email hello@independent-ed.com

www.ruthkane.com

Ruth is the founder of Independent Education Network (IEN), a virtual learning program built specifically for homeschool families, non-traditional learners, and families seeking enrichment — serving students in grades 6–8. A homeschooler herself from kindergarten through 12th grade, Ruth went on to earn her degree in special education and spent over 10 years in the classroom before returning to her roots.

IEN is the intersection of everything she believes about learning — that every child deserves an environment where they can truly thrive, and every teacher deserves the freedom to actually teach. Through small-group courses in ELA, Math, Science, Geography, French, and Pattern Making, IEN gives students and educators exactly that. Free to learn. Free toteach. Free to grow.Spring 2026 enrollment is open now, with a summer session and full fall launch on the way.

Chapters0:00 Intro and meeting Ruth3:45 Growing up as a K-12 homeschooler7:20 The luxury of learning at your own pace11:15 Resourcefulness before the internet15:30 How Ruth's mom taught herself phonics19:10 Middle school and early online learning23:25 The Running Start program and college degrees27:50 Transitioning to special education teaching32:15 Launching the Independent Education Network36:40 Educational consulting for parents40:10 Success stories and sibling achievements42:15 Three pieces of advice for parents43:30 End of vide

Check out the links above to connect with Ruth and learn more about her consulting services and the Independent Education Network. Make sure to like this video and subscribe to the channel for more support on your homeschooling journey.

#homeschooling #education #specialeducation #independentlearning #homeschooltips

Are you wondering if your child’s speech patterns are affecting their ability to read and spell? In this episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast, host Jae sits down with Karin Kucayan, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in helping homeschool families and teenagers find their voice.

Karin shares her unique journey growing up in a multilingual home and how those early experiences led her to a career in communication. We dive into the broad scope of speech-language pathology, moving beyond just speech sounds to cover executive functioning, social pragmatics, and even public speaking anxiety. Corrine explains why many teens struggle with communication in a digital world and how virtual therapy can provide a comfortable and effective space for them to grow.

We also tackle the big questions parents often have about development. You will learn about the strong correlation between speech sounds and literacy, the red flags to look for in early childhood, and why the wait and see approach might not always be the best path. From using sign language as a tool for regulation to the importance of parental self-care, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for every homeschool parent.

Website: https://www.speechfitslp.com/Email: speechfitslp@gmail.com

Phone: 818-660-6351IG: @speechfitslpTPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/speechfit-slpBook a Call: https://calendly.com/speechfitslp/complementary-consultationLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hartunian-koukeyan/ | LI: www.linkedin.com/company/speechfit-slp/ BIO: Karin “Careen” Hartunian Koukeyan, MS, CCC-SLP, is the founder of SpeechFit, A Speech-Language Pathology Corporation, a solo practice providing clinical, corporate, and consulting services. With over 25 years of experience across private practice, outpatient, telehealth, school, early intervention, and adult home health settings, Karin brings deep expertise in communication and leadership. As a Corporate Speech Pathologist, she coaches professionals to enhance their communication effectiveness, executive presence, and confidence in the workplace. A pioneer in telepractice since 2010, she has delivered services in both educational and healthcare environments and continues to advance best practices in the field. Karin regularly presents at state and national conferences and develops content for articles, podcasts, and webinars on a broad range of topics in communication, telepractice, and professional growth. A strong advocate for expanding access to care through telehealth, she currently serves as the 2025-2027 Board Member, Secretary-Treasurer for California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA), 2026 Co-Chair of the ASHA Telepractice Topic Committee. She also served as the elected 2023-2025 Associate Coordinator for ASHA Special Interest Group 18 (Telepractice).Chapters0:00 Meet Karin Kucayan and the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast4:30 The journey from psychology to speech pathology9:15 Understanding public speaking anxiety in middle and high school14:00 The benefits of telepractice for homeschool families19:20 Breaking down the wide range of speech therapy services24:45 Executive functioning and social connection for teenagers29:15 How speech sound disorders impact reading and spelling34:30 Navigating the shift to virtual therapy post-COVID39:00 When to seek professional help for speech delays44:15 Using sign language and AAC devices as communication tools48:45 Practical self-care strategies for busy parents53:00 Final advice and where to find SpeechFit servicesIf you found this episode helpful, please like and subscribe for more resources to support your homeschooling journey. Check out the links in the description to connect with Karin and explore the Homeschool Yo Kids Expo!#homeschooling #speechtherapy #parentingadvice #literacy #specialeducation

Are you feeling disillusioned with the current state of the public school system and wondering if there is a better way to educate your children? In this episode, we sit down with Erica Dela Rosa, a former educator turned advocate, to discuss the power of school choice and the importance of centering Black and Brown voices in education. Discover how you can reclaim your power as a parent and find the learning environment that truly honors your child’s identity.

In this deep dive, Erica shares her personal journey from being a dedicated teacher in the Houston Independent School District to her current role as the Manager of Strategic Partnerships for Freedom to Choose Schools. We discuss the emotional toll of the teaching profession, the impact of state takeovers on local communities, and why so many passionate educators are choosing to walk away from the traditional classroom.

The conversation explores the nuance of school choice, highlighting that advocating for alternative options like homeschooling, micro-schools, and charters is not an attack on public education but a necessary move toward student-centered learning. Erica explains how the history of the American education system was often designed for assimilation rather than empowerment, and why it is vital for parents to see themselves as the true experts in their children's lives. Whether you are a veteran homeschooler or just starting to explore your options, this episode provides the inspiration and community connection you need to make the best choice for your family.https://chooseschools.org/Erika De La Rosa proudly taught 7th grade English/Language Arts and served as Department Chair in the Houston, Texas, neighborhood where she grew up and currently lives. In her role, she prioritized understanding and honoring her students' varied experiences and cultures to ensure the curriculum validated, inspired, and empowered them to reach their own academic and life goals. In addition to serving her students, she mentored first-year teachers as well as college student-teachers. She participated in fellowships and advocacy with Latinos for Education, Teach Plus Texas, the Education Trust Texas and the Leadership for Educational Equity. She was the 2023 Inspira Award Recipient from Latinos for Education, recognized as a remarkable individual whose unwavering dedication and passion have transformed the landscape of education for Latino students. Erika's work is rooted in her desire for all children to have access to an education that gives them safety, hope, and opportunity, regardless of where they come from. She now uses her classroom experience and deep passion for educational equity to work toward policies that benefit all children.