We recently connected with Leslie Martino and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

The goals of education vary widely amongst those who have a stake in its overall outcome. As an educator, I see great value in encouraging students to have and explore ideas, to engage with the world around them, to adapt to change and uncertainty, and to practice valuable skills that help them access those ideas. How can we expect students to make their own valuable contributions if we don’t help them manage their own learning and self-directed pursuits, maintain flexibility and flexible thinking, and think critically and reflectively? A love for learning is not rushed. It is built through the kind of care that over time, grows our self-awareness and ability to make sound moral judgments that complement various fields and disciplines.

As a classroom teacher and home educator, I have seen firsthand how important it is to slow down to accomplish more. I know the power of giving students time. They need time to become resilient by learning to confront challenges. If they can do this through meaningful learning opportunities that they connect to on many levels, then we have elevated education to something far from dull and uninteresting.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My education journey began quite some time ago. I have over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. I currently homeschool my four children while also working as an educational consultant. I write curricula, train teachers, and coach parents to approach learning in an interest-based and child-directed way. I am a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and an author of an upcoming book, The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning.

While I consult privately with schools and families, I also run a four-week group coaching/mentorship program dedicated to helping homeschool moms experience a greater level of freedom and joy. Sometimes, we need someone to walk alongside us and help us be more intentional in what we are attempting to accomplish. When we’re feeling stuck, we want to know that we have the freedom to move beyond the past, as well as the freedom to exist as our complicated, growing selves while we grow, adapt, and become better. We also want the freedom to explore, wonder, and create right alongside our children. I help my clients to do just that.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I have to admit that my advice for building a social media presence is not very conventional, but it has worked for me. I was sweating the day that I turned my Instagram account from private to public. In some ways, it would have been so much easier to keep a measure of control over who had access to my posts, but I knew I had things to say and I needed to find the audience who wanted to hear them. I consistently began to share encouraging messages related to education and homeschooling, while focusing on authenticity and true connection with others. I wanted to be a light and an inspiration, even if it was for one person. I didn’t really start out with the goal of trying to grow my account. Social media platforms are constantly changing and it has been a struggle at times to decide how I want to show up in those spaces. However, my intention hasn’t really changed. As much as I can, I want to relate to others and share my heart.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Outside of social media, my best source of clients has been the new families and educators I meet through speaking engagements, workshops, conferences, and podcast interviews.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lesliemartino.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliemmartino/