Hi, Teacher Friend! I’m Makenzie Oliver.

Former Elementary Teacher and Instructional Coach,
Current Microschool Teacher and Homeschool Business Builder

I’m a lover of long walks, dark chocolate, laughing with my daughters, and kayaking with my husband. I’m a sucker for a good book on my back porch. On summer and holiday breaks, you’ll find me eating home-cooked casseroles with my family, back home in Missouri. I’m a midwestern girl at heart, but the Florida sunshine stole my heart!   

I am married to my best friend and college sweetheart, Jamel. He has lifted me up and helped make the dream of having a school a reality. We have two daughters, Jaelyn (8th grade) and Joliana (4th grade). They are bright, funny, creative, and silly!  Our dog, Jax, is the cutest and best school mascot - when he’s not causing trouble during lunchtime or stealing pencils!

I have been teaching since I was just 6 years old. It’s true! My father built a schoolroom in the basement of our house so I could spend hours teaching imaginary friends. My high school and college years consisted of preschool teaching. I obtained my Master’s degree in K-12 Education and Administration Leadership. I was awarded “Heartland’s Best Teacher” in the State of Missouri. I was one of 12 teachers within 5 states to be honored with this award. After teaching there for 7 years, my family and I moved to Florida. I taught 3rd and 5th grade for 5 years and then spent 2 years in leadership as an Instructional Coach, for which I won a “Teacher of the Year” award.

I was dedicated to the core while in public school. I was invested in this season of life. But eventually, God changed my heart. Over the years, I kept envisioning a different kind of education, something beyond what I was experiencing day to day. I dreamed of having students in a tiny school in my backyard, but I never thought it could happen…

…As much as I loved teaching, I felt as if my hands were tied. I thought becoming an instructional coach would help solve many problems our students and teachers were facing, but instead of actually “solving” the problem, I became more like a counselor and confidant to frustrated, burnt-out teachers. Even through all the pain and heartache, this, was one of the best seasons of my teaching career. I knew that transformational teaching began with the heart of the classroom - within our precious teachers.

I knew teachers were going to face so many more hardships with the effects of the pandemic.  With all the changes, mandates, unknowns, and pressures, I knew I didn’t want to teach under these conditions. I also knew I wanted more for my own daughters. But where in the world would I send them for a great education without fear or distractions?  

The desire to build a school was beginning to grow stronger than ever before, but like you, I thought, “This could never happen! I don’t have the time, resources, or insight to build a school!?”  

But God never let the “stir” settle. I had to make a choice - to stay comfortable or go take a big leap of faith and travel uncharted waters. Can I really build a school in the midst of a pandemic?  Can I really get this up and going within 2 months? After much research, I found I could homeschool other children and give a unique and quality education without becoming a private school or a non-profit…

…with Lighthouse Learning and Teacher, Let Your Light Shine!

I learned how to grow and scale a profitable homeschooling business and a microschool.