We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Goins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Crystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The mission behind Heartwise Scholars comes from my journey as a teacher and mother. I wanted a school that keeps families whole while giving kids a great education. Before kids, I gave everything to teaching. I worked late, spent my money, and poured my heart into my classroom. But marriage and motherhood changed my perspective. My family needed me, too. I couldn’t let work take all my time and energy. When my oldest started kindergarten during COVID-19, I knew schools would never be the same. I had five young children and needed a better way to balance teaching and family. So, I returned to school for a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership K-12. I wanted to learn how to shape 21st-century learning.
During that time, I switched teaching jobs six times across three schools. I also launched The Resilient Teacher Mom to share my journey. Then, I started Teachers As Partners to train educators in relationship-based classroom management. My research showed me that social motivation is the key to strong relationships and real learning. Kids gain confidence if they have a safe, pro-social space to grow. They return to their families and communities as whole, connected people. That’s why I created Heartwise Scholars Microschool. It’s a four-day microschool that blends social-emotional learning, research-practiced academics, and social motivational theory. The goal is to build a network of socially motivated scholars who care for themselves, their communities, and the world.
I use PART, a relationship-based classroom management approach I created in 2009, to make this vision work. It teaches kids and adults how to build strong, healthy relationships. At its core, Heartwise Scholars reflects my own life. I built it for families like mine who want connection, balance, and a better education for their kids.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Dr. Crystal Goins—a wife, mom of five (ages 4-11), educator, researcher, and passionate advocate for relationship-based learning. My journey into education started with my Filipino immigrant parents, who taught me that education is freedom. I spent over a decade teaching in Title One schools (K-3), but becoming a mother completely shifted my perspective. I realized how much traditional schooling dictates family life and how disconnected education has become from genuine relationships. When my oldest started kindergarten during the pandemic, I knew schools would never be the same. I pursued a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership K-12, focusing on relationship-based classroom management—helping teachers build classrooms that work without relying on rewards or punishments. This research led me to create Heartwise Scholars, a four-day microschool in Chesapeake, VA, where homeschooling families get structure, socialization, and high-quality academics without sacrificing family connection.
I also founded Teachers As Partners, offering professional development, consulting, and speaking to help educators create relationship-first classrooms where students feel motivated, accountable, and connected. My goal? To help teachers love teaching again, families reclaim their time, and students thrive in a pro-social learning environment. At the core of my work is a simple belief: strong relationships create strong learners. Whether through my microschool, educator training, or writing as The Resilient Teacher Mom, I’m here to help families and teachers build sustainable, relationship-driven learning experiences.
Outside work, my husband and I serve as Young Life leaders for local high school students. In addition, our family dreams of owning a beach house, an RV, and a 15-passenger van for big family adventures. We have built our family lifestyle around building lifelong relationships with other people.
The work I am most proud of are my two publications: (1) my book, When Relationships Matter: A Socio-emotional Approach to Teaching and Learning (published in 2021) and (2) my research, The Impact of a Relationship Based Classroom Management Approach on Teacher Self-Efficacy and Teacher Job Satisfaction for K-3 Public School Educators Post-Pandemic (published in 2024).
Have you ever had to pivot?
In the fall of 2023, my son was placed on out-of-school suspension (OSS) for three months from his private school. This unexpected situation led me to take a 12-week FMLA leave from my school district, adjusting my schedule to work two days a week while homeschooling him the other three. We were paying $5,000 monthly for four children in private school and one in daycare. Watching my son struggle emotionally and mentally while being isolated at home clarified that this arrangement was not healthy for him. My husband reached out to the school, requesting a release from our financial contract, and the school granted our request. We then officially enrolled our son as a homeschool student with our city. By December, when my leave ended, I decided to resign from my teaching position to focus on his transition to homeschooling.
I was writing my dissertation on scholarship in the final year of my doctoral program. Resigning allowed me to dedicate myself to both completing my research and supporting my son’s education. As our family embraced the freedom of homeschooling, we saw tremendous growth in him. However, I also missed teaching other children. Rather than using my doctoral to move into leadership within my district, I took a different path. I applied to become a microschool founder with Kaipod Learning, was accepted into the program, and launched Heartwise Scholars in August 2024. This new venture was born from my challenges when my son’s private school partnership fell through—forcing me to rethink education and what truly matters. My dissertation research on teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and relationship-based classroom management in K-3 public schools post-pandemic further reinforced my belief in a better way forward. Heartwise Scholars is the dream I never knew I had until life pushed me to pivot.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My personal story has been shared widely across the internet through blogging, podcasting, and social media. From Mother Goins (2019–2021) to The Resilient Teacher Mom (2022–present), my online presence has developed alongside my life and work. However, what truly amplified my social media reach was committing to daily Facebook Lives on my personal profile for a year and a half in 2023–2024. That consistency helped me find my voice as I processed life’s transitions—navigating career shifts, parenting, schooling, and business. Using Facebook Live as an outlet to be honest with family and friends about real-life struggles and wins built trust, even with people I didn’t realize were paying attention. Over time, my openness resonated with others, and my relationship work spoke for itself.
At some point, I’ve connected with nearly everyone who follows my journey, and that connection keeps people engaged. My biggest advice? Just show up and stay consistent. It may feel awkward at first, but the long-term payoff is worth it. As time passes, you’ll realize you’ve built an online portfolio of your thoughts and experiences—a record of growth that sometimes even you will need a reminder of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,theresilientteachermom.com. www.heartwisescholars.com. www.teachersaspartners.com
- Instagram: @mothergoins. @theresilientteachermom. @teachersaspartners
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/403257962428920. (Heartwise Microschool). https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082363673626. (The Resilient Teacher Mom)
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mothergoins2021
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeachersAsPartners
Image Credits
Crystal Goins
Benjamin Goins