In my work with homeschool groups across the country, I talk with co-op leaders constantly—people juggling curriculum fairs and liability questions and membership disputes, usually while also educating their own children. After a while, you start to notice patterns. One I keep running into: Some of the most effective leaders are the ones who’ve been on the other side of the table. Not just as homeschooling parents, but as homeschool students themselves.
This year I sat down with four co-op leaders—Carolyn McKeon, Melanie Perego, Jodie Ellis, and Jessica Kelly—each of whom were educated outside the traditional school system. They didn’t arrive at leadership by accident. Their own experiences as homeschool and non-traditional students shaped what they built, what they prioritized, and how they treat the families who walk through their doors. Their stories are worth sharing.