What Homeschooling Taught a Future Education Researcher

Check out CRHE's Research: https://crhe.org/research/research-resources/

Growing up homeschooled across multiple countries, experiencing homelessness, transitioning into public school, and eventually earning a PhD, Dr. Jonah Stewart has a story unlike most. In this episode, I sit down with Jonah to talk about their unconventional homeschool experience, the challenges of adapting to traditional education, and how those experiences ultimately shaped a career researching education and advocating for homeschool reform through the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). We also discuss ADHD, social development, college, and why every homeschool story is unique.

*Key Takeaways* • Dr. Jonah Stewart shares what it was like being homeschooled across the U.S. and Australia. • How Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum shaped—and limited—their learning • The difficult transition from homeschooling to public school during a period of family instability. • Living with ADHD and discovering learning strategies that actually worked. • Why social development is just as important as academic success. • The mission of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education and why responsible oversight matters. • Lessons learned from college, graduate school, and building an independent adult life.

*Resources Mentioned* • Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org • CRHE Newsletter: https://crhe.org/newsletter-archive/ • Homeschooling's Invisible Children: https://hic.crhe.org

*Listener Question* Have you ever transitioned from homeschooling into public or private school? What was the biggest surprise for you? Share your story in the comments!

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*Chapters* 00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club 01:21 Jonah Homeschool Background 03:22 Curriculum and Daily Routine 08:22 How Our Parents Built Structure with ADHD Students 11:29 Did You Find Homeschool Community or was it Isolating 16:15 Why did you Switch to Public School 19:20 Adjusting to Public School 25:53 Finding Stability and Good Teachers 32:04 The Different Forms of Intelligence and Social Skills 35:57 Launching into Independence and College 39:25 Leaving Home Reality Check 43:31 Hiding Homeschool Roots 44:24 Stereotypes and Self Proof 49:40 Reinvention in Grad School 50:28 Coming Out and Finding Belonging 55:42 Turning 30 Confidence Shift 01:00:49 Finding CRHE and Purpose 01:05:54 Research Gaps and Regulation 01:12:58 Key Studies to Read 01:19:39 Future Research Questions 01:26:05 Why Lived Experience Matters 01:28:35 Wrap Up and Resources