In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm sitting down with Tess Ulrey, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). Tess shares her experience growing up homeschooled across multiple countries, transitioning in and out of public, private, and international schools, and how those experiences shaped her work advocating for homeschool children today.

Together, they unpack the privilege embedded in homeschooling, the blurry lines between homeschooling and unschooling, the challenges many homeschool alumni face in college and adulthood, and why responsible oversight matters—not to punish families, but to protect kids.

This conversation explores the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable realities of homeschooling, including abuse, neglect, and the gaps that exist in state laws across the U.S.

Key Topics Covered

• Tess’s experience being homeschooled in Michigan, Japan, and Germany

• Homeschooling vs. unschooling—and why the line is blurrier than ever

• The role of privilege in homeschooling decisions

• Transitioning from homeschooling to college and adult life

• Why many homeschool alumni hide their education background

• How public schools and community organizations fill critical support gaps

• The mission and work of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education

• The reality of abuse, neglect, and lack of oversight in homeschooling laws

• Current legislation impacting homeschool children in the U.S.

🔗 Resources & Links

• Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org
• Homeschooling's Invisible Children Database: https://hic.crhe.org

Connect with Me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub
• Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com
• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/

If you’re a former homeschooler, your story matters. Consider connecting with CRHE to support research, advocacy, and responsible policy that centers the lived experiences of homeschool alumni.

Chapters

00:00 Coming Up

00:44 Meet Tess Ulrey

01:43 Tess's Homeschooling Journey

04:12 Transitioning Between Education Systems

08:14 Defining Homeschooling and Unschooling

10:17 Challenges and Benefits of Unschooling

14:09 College and Career: Post-Homeschooling Life

18:18 Nonprofit Work and Community Support

23:03 Public Schooling Decision for Tess's Kids

26:41 The Coalition for Responsible Home Education

33:05 How to Get Involved with CRHE

44:42 Conclusion and Call to Action

Join the newsletter here: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/

What happens when homeschooling leaves the house and hits the open road? In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm sitting down with Robin (aka BG Barnstormer), a former homeschooling mom who spent three years educating her kids while living full-time in an RV. Robin shares how a rotating pilot schedule led her family to homeschooling, how community support shaped their early years, and what really happens when learning differences, sensory needs, and emotional regulation collide in 350 square feet. Whether you’re a homeschool parent, an ex-homeschooler, or just curious about alternative education paths, this episode is packed with practical insight and lived experience.

*Key Topics Covered*

- Why a nontraditional work schedule pushed the family toward homeschooling

- Building community through Classical Conversations and homeschool co-ops

- Recognizing reading challenges, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and tracking issues

- The power of audiobooks for kids with learning differences

- Emotional regulation tools and “quiet corners” for kids (and adults)

- How homeschooling in an RV forces flexibility and creativity

- Why getting a diagnosis can be empowering, not limiting

- Transitioning from homeschooling into online public school

*Connect with Robin*

- Website: https://bgbarnstormer.com

- Blog Post Mentioned: https://bgbarnstormer.com/autism-spectrum/snowflakes-understanding-our-unique-self/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bgbarnstormer

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGBarnstormer

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!

*Connect with Me*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub

Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com

*Chapters*

00:00 Introduction to the Ex Homeschoolers Club

00:45 Meet Robin: The Homeschooling Mom on the Road

01:55 The Decision to Homeschool

04:34 Early Homeschooling Days and Community Building

11:50 Homeschooling Challenges and Learning Difficulties

28:36 Homeschooling in an RV: Strategies and Adaptations

31:53 Creating Quiet Spaces for Emotional Regulation

33:33 The Importance of Regulation Tools

49:02 Navigating Public Online Schooling

55:54 Experiential Learning Through Travel

01:00:07 Robin’s Book and Blog

01:03:16 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Wanna be on the podcast? Email your homeschool experience to exhsclub@gmail.com

In this end of year episode I'm reflecting on the incredible year of conversations, stories, and community we've creating in the ex-homeschoolers club. Get a little sneak peek of what's coming in early 2026 and some of the ideas I've got percolating.

Resources & Links

- Email the show: exhsclub@gmail.com

- Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/

- Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub- Learn more about the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE): https://crhe.org

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club

00:23 Thank You For Coming On The Journey

00:53 Happy Holidays

01:26 Sneak Peek of 2026

03:01 What's Changing in 2026

04:34 I Need Your Feedback

06:59 That's All Folks

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!