Welcome to Your Natural Learner
Hi there! I’m Leah McDermott, the creator behind Your Natural Learner, a space where parents, educators, and lifelong learners come together to embrace the joy of natural, autonomous, passion-driven education.
Throughout my decades of working with families all over the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of learning that aligns with a child’s natural interests and rhythms. At Your Natural Learner, I combine my expertise in homeschooling, unschooling, and natural learning with my deep passion for empowering families to reclaim education as a joyful, meaningful, and personalized journey. At Bridge Academy, the K-12 private school I founded for unschoolers and homeschoolers, we put all of this into practice to give our thousands of students the freedom to live and learn based on their passions, while ensuring all learning officially counts.
Whether you're transitioning from traditional schooling or are a seasoned homeschooler looking for fresh inspiration, you’ll find thoughtful reflections, actionable tips, and supportive resources designed to meet you where you are.
What You’ll Find Here
At Your Natural Learner, every post is created with intention, offering:
Inspiring Insights: Learn how to foster curiosity and connection in your child’s education while deepening your own understanding of what learning really is.
Practical Strategies: Discover actionable ideas for nurturing creativity, designing enriching environments, and overcoming common homeschooling challenges.
Community Connection: Through shared experiences and thoughtful dialogue, you'll feel supported and understood in your journey.
Exclusive Opportunities: Gain early access to challenges, workshops, and courses, including The Journey, my fantasy-inspired, choose-your-own-adventure course designed to transform your unschooling experience.
Who Is This For?
This Substack is for anyone committed to reimagining learning:
Parents transitioning out of traditional schooling.
Homeschoolers and unschoolers seeking deeper connection and creativity.
Educators looking to incorporate natural learning principles.
Anyone ready to embrace learning as a joyful, life-long adventure.
Why Subscribe?
When you subscribe, you’re not just joining a newsletter; you’re becoming part of a movement. Each post is a step toward empowering your family to break free from conventional norms and discover what’s possible when learning becomes a way of living. Subscribers also receive exclusive content, early access to resources, and invitations to participate in transformative workshops and challenges.
About Me
I’m a passionate advocate for natural learning and unschooling, a parent of three completely unique humans, and an educator with over two decades of experience helping families create meaningful educational experiences. I believe learning happens everywhere, and every moment holds the potential for growth, discovery, and connection. My work is rooted in fostering trust, autonomy, and joy in learning—values that inspire everything I create here at Your Natural Learner.
Let’s Connect
Join me in exploring the infinite possibilities of learning beyond the classroom. Subscribe to receive thoughtful updates straight to your inbox, and let’s embark on this journey together.
Click “Subscribe Now” and take the first step toward embracing education as it was meant to be—joyful, natural, and endlessly fulfilling.
