Bridging the Gap Between Parent-Teacher Connections, Education Challenges, and Hopeful Solutions with Kristina Heagh-Avritt

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kristina Heaugh-Avritt about the complexities of school choice, navigating "cracks in the system" of public education, and redefining joyful, values-based learning at home. Kristina, based in Southern Oregon, brings nearly three decades of classroom experience and her perspective as a special needs parent to the conversation. Together, they dive deep into teacher burnout, the shifting landscape of education, and the empowering journey of supporting alternative learning paths for families.

Kristina Heagh-Avritt is the founder of Vibrant Family Education and the co-host of the Bringing Education Home podcast. After over 30 years in education, she now guides parents to create joyful, connected, values-based learning at home. She is dedicated to helping families raise happy, healthy, and successful children who love to learn and feel deeply supported.

Main Topics Covered:

1. The evolving realities and challenges within public school systems, including “teaching to the test” and loss of teacher autonomy
2. How administrative shifts and tech demands have impacted both teachers and families, especially after the pandemic
3. The crucial role of parent involvement and how modern schools have unintentionally created barriers to collaboration
4. Navigating burnout as an educator: emotional shifts, leaving legacy workplaces, and the hard decision to step away
5. The difference between replicating traditional schooling at home versus designing custom home education experiences
6. Demystifying alternative education: homeschooling, unschooling, road schooling, and world schooling—and how to choose the right fit
7. Addressing family values, holistic learning, and handling fears about “missing something” in home-based education
8. How Kristina supports parents through 1:1 coaching, building accountability, routines, and personally tailored plans

Quote from the Episode: “I think a lot of it had to do with helping other people, you know, and just knowing that the children I could impact and help grow and change and be confident and stuff. When I started school, I wasn't very confident, and I grew into my confidence and my capabilities with great teachers. … When you're watching, watching a little kid and they finally get something, their eyes pop open, and you can almost literally see that little cartoon bubble, light bulb above their head going, I got it right.” — Kristina Heaugh-Avritt

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome & intros; Kristina shares her Oregon roots [00:01:20] Snow days: Why Kristina prefers evening walks over outdoor sports [00:02:04] Kristina’s dual perspective—teacher and special needs parent [00:03:06] Why second and third grades are a “sweet spot” for growth [00:04:06] Teaching all subjects except PE, music, and library [00:04:27] Big district restructuring: Shifts, chaos, and adapting [00:05:16] Being an academic “bookworm” and loving school childhood [00:06:01] Mrs. Reynolds: The teacher who inspired Kristina’s journey [00:06:58] Motivation for teaching: Helping kids gain confidence [00:08:13] Hitting limits—“loving kids through the cracks in the system” [00:09:00] From connection to burnout: Policy, tests, and admin changes [00:11:07] Curriculum before “teaching to the test”—what flexibility looked like [00:12:39] What...