Cheryl sits down with Katie Vieira — a former 4th grade teacher turned homeschool mom — to talk about what surprised her most when she stepped outside the traditional school system. They unpack how early academic pressure has changed, why many kids feel burnout younger than ever, and how standardized testing and school accountability can shape what happens in the classroom (and the stress teachers carry).

They also dive into the real-life side of homeschooling: finding community, handling seasons where screens sneak in more than you planned, keeping reading and learning positive when kids resist “lessons,” and the ongoing challenge of balancing motherhood with creative work and personal goals. Katie shares about her children’s book “Into the Field: Tennessee Summer,” inspired by shifting away from screen-heavy days and toward outdoor adventures, confidence-building, and learning through experience — plus what’s next in her planned series.

In this episode, we cover:

• Katie’s path from certified teacher to homeschool mom
• Why kindergarten/early elementary standards feel so intense now
• Standardized testing pressure (and how it can impact teachers)
• Lockdown drills, school anxiety, and what parents weigh in their choices
• Screen time seasons, outdoor resets, and the “thousand hours outside” idea
• Homeschool balance: work, creativity, and family rhythms
• Colorado homeschool options and one-day-a-week enrichment programs
• How to keep learning positive when kids push back

Links & resources mentioned:
Katie Vieira + Into the Field: Tennessee Summer

Katie's Instagram

 🎹  Have your kiddos learn piano from this amazing resource, check out: Simply Piano. We love it!  🎶 

Cheryl's ebook: The Homeschool How To: Complete Starter Guide

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