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.

In this episode of the Homeschool Your Kids podcast, host Jae sits down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, the founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy and author of Treating Mathematics Anxiety. They explore the startling reality that many children enter kindergarten unprepared for the math curriculum due to a gap in language and vocabulary.

Dr. Nagrath explains why viewing math as a language rather than just a set of rules can transform a childs confidence and performance.You will learn about the basketball analogy for learning math, the importance of conceptual understanding over rote memorization, and how the Elephant Learning app helps students from age two through algebra.

Dr. Nagrath also shares his personal wellness routine and offers three essential tips for parents to help their children succeed in mathematics. Whether your child is just starting out or struggling with high school algebra, this conversation provides a roadmap for building a strong mathematical foundation.

Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityanagrath/Website: https://www.elephantlearning.com/

Dr. Nagrath helps students overcome mathematics anxiety. Aditya is the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy which helps students learn years of mathematics over the course of a few months using their system just 10 minutes per day, 3 days per week.

With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Nagrath has spent over 30 years in industry as a software engineer, author, leader, speaker, and serial entrepreneur working on everything from atomic clocks to iOS and Android apps to Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the Founder of Elephant Head Software, which won the prestigious JD Edwards Innovation Award in 2015, he has also done software projects for Pearson, Verizon, Telefonica, JD Edwards (Oracle), and other billion dollar companies.

Chapters0:00 Intro and Guest Introduction2:50 The Gap in Kindergarten Math Readiness5:45 Understanding Math as a Language8:30 Algebra 2 vs Financial Literacy11:15 Overcoming Math Anxiety and the Basketball Analogy15:00 Common Core and Conceptual Understanding18:45 How Elephant Learning Accelerates Progress22:00 Filling Gaps from Preschool to Algebra25:15 Self-Care and Routines for Success27:30 Three Key Takeaways for ParentsCheck out more resources for your homeschooling journey and dont forget to subscribe for more expert interviews. Visit elephantlearning.com to see how you can support your childs math journey today.#homeschooling #mathhelp #mathanxiety #education #elephantlearning

Ready to transform your childs education and financial literacy through the power of play? In this episode of the Homeschool Your Kids podcast, host Jae sits down with De'von Travell, the visionary creator behind Black Wall Street the Board Game. Together, they explore how gamified learning can empower the next generation with the tools they need to build wealth and understand their history.

De'von shares the incredible journey of how a summer camp experience led to the creation of a historically accurate game that teaches entrepreneurship. We dive deep into the hidden history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, moving past the focus on tragedy to highlight the immense success of figures like O.W. Gurley and Edwin P. McCabe. You will learn about the specific game mechanics designed to teach kids about sole proprietorships, LLCs, and corporations, all while keeping them engaged and entertained.

The conversation also shifts to the heart of homeschooling as Jae discusses her transition from a public school teacher to a homeschooling advocate. They discuss the importance of reclaiming identity and purpose in education and why representation matters in every curriculum. Plus, get an exclusive first look at Devons new game, Allensworth, which focuses on California’s first all-black town and teaches resource management and land development.

Whether you are a homeschooling parent, an educator, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice on how to take action on your dreams.Play Black Wall Street

Websitehttps://www.playblackwallstreet.com/Allensworth

Kickstarterhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/devontruvel/allensworth-the-board-game/descriptionDe’Von Truvel is the

Director of Curriculum and Community Development at Play Black Wall Street and the visionary behind its founding. He leads the design of engaging, culturally relevant educational experiences that blend Black history, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. With over 10 years of experience, De’Von ensures all programs align with the company’s mission to educate and empower through gamified learning.