Why Start A MicroSchool?

I get asked about this question frequently, and it’s obvious why parents want to understand the motivations of their kids’ primary educator. This is my personal story.

When I left my corporate career to search for something more meaningful, teaching was not immediately on my radar. I was exploring starting a business, but even though a number of ideas seemed potentially successful, I couldn't find anything that spoke to me. Tired of sitting at home all day, I decided to try substitute teaching as a way of getting out of the house and into my community in a person-to-person way.

I immediately loved it, and it pained me. I loved working with kids. I loved thinking of how to bring excitement into each lesson. I loved challenging students to set their bar higher. And I loved how the students responded. The first time returning to a school, after having taught a single day multiple weeks prior, I was floored that students remembered me and were excited to see me again. I knew then that I was in the right place.

But as I experienced different schools across the Bay--public, private, and charter schools; elementary, middle, and high schools--I was also pained by what I saw. Coming from a highly competitive tech environment that's constantly striving to be on the cutting edge, I was shocked that most schools seemed to be mostly focused on just getting by.

Too often I encountered disorganized administrators, overburdened teachers, uninviting facilities, and classes where far more time was spent on behavior management than actual learning. Private schools were generally better, but even they seemed to be striving for "good" rather than world class. (And this s with not only high tuition fees but usually additional charitable funding too.) The biggest single difference maker I saw were the rare teachers who more than just being competent were truly exceptional. They brought a deep passion for their subject and a deep caring for every individual student's success, and it was infectious. In their classes there was almost no need for behavior management, students shared their passion and returned their caring--the class strove for success together. These are the teachers all our students deserve, and we need more of them.

At the same time as I was substituting, I was also put into contact a nonprofit that helps educators start their own microschools. I had heard of the microschool model but this was my first opportunity to see it up close. I was impressed, and inspired. Microschools' low overhead (low rent, no non-teacher administrators) enables smaller class sizes, letting teachers give more attention to each student in a calmer and more productive class environment. They give teachers full control over the education. Not least of all, the create a tight knit community between learners and between their families as well. Contrasted against the industrial-era large scale standardized schools that have become the norm, microschools offer a better experience for students, teachers, parents, and their communities. They might take a bit more work, but it's worth it.

So here we are. I'm starting a microschool because I am passionate about the importance of education, I see the opportunity and need for it to be done better, and I've built confidence in my ability to deliver that, both in the classroom as a teacher, and running the organization as an administrator. I can't think of anything else I'd rather spend my life doing.

Sebastian

2/2/2023