Are you questioning the traditional education system? Curious about homeschooling, creative learning, or how to raise lifelong learners? In this powerful episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, meet David Alford—a former public high school English teacher who left the classroom to homeschool his children and eventually became an award-winning independent filmmaker.

When David’s wife entered medical school, he made the bold decision to leave his teaching job to stay home with their daughter. That moment sparked a complete shift in his view of education. What started as a practical move quickly became a transformative journey into child-led learning, educational freedom, and the incredible impact of storytelling in education.

You’ll hear how David and his family learned history through novels, explored creativity through theater, and turned homeschooling into a lifestyle filled with meaning, flexibility, and purpose. His latest film, Searching for the Elephant, takes on addiction with empathy—rooted in the same storytelling values that shaped his homeschooling philosophy.

🔗 Explore David’s Films and Work:www.crosspurposes.productions

⏱ Episode Chapters

00:00:00 – Meet David Alford: From Teacher to Homeschooler
00:09:51 – The Path to Homeschooling
00:17:37 – Theater Background and Film Beginnings
00:27:36 – Education Freedom and Learning Through Stories
00:31:24 – Behind the Scenes: Family Filmmaking
00:33:24 – College Alternatives and Individual Paths
00:40:30 – Searching for the Elephant: Film Overview

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• Why many parents are leaving the public school system
• How homeschooling creates space for creativity, connection, and curiosity
• How to teach history and literature through storytelling
• The role of theater and filmmaking in family bonding and learning
• Alternatives to college and traditional career paths
• How to build confidence in your homeschooling journey—even if you're just starting

💬 David’s Advice to New Homeschoolers:

“Give yourself grace. Teach them to love learning, and all the rest will come as needed.”

What is the most important thing we can teach our kids?
HOW TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY!
This could mean life or death in some cases!
Help a child you know navigate how to handle an emergency situation with ease: Let's Talk, Emergencies! 

🛒 Get 15% off the Tuttle Twins books mentioned in this episode using code Cheryl15: 
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