In this inspiring conversation, David sits down with Lily Jones, founder of Educator Forever and a former classroom teacher who transformed her passion for teaching into a thriving business that empowers educators worldwide. Lily shares her journey from teaching kindergarten and first grade in Oakland to building curriculum for major education organizations, and eventually launching Educator Forever—a platform supporting thousands of teachers in exploring new career paths beyond the classroom.

Together, David and Lily dive into the realities of teaching, the burnout many educators face, and the entrepreneurial mindset shifts required to transition from teacher to founder. From testing ideas and listening deeply to your community, to embracing imperfect action and disrupting perfectionism, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone dreaming of starting a microschool—or any education venture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Lily’s journey from classroom teaching to launching Educator Forever
Why sustainability and flexibility matter for educators
The power of listening to your “customers” (students, parents, and communities) before building programs or schools
How to embrace testing, iteration, and co-creation in education and entrepreneurship
The importance of resilience, imperfection, and celebrating small wins
Why teacher voices are crucial in reimagining education beyond the classroom

About Lily Jones:
Lily Jones is the founder of Educator Forever, an organization that helps teachers thrive beyond the classroom through professional development, certification programs, and a curriculum agency. A former kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Lily has spent the past decade designing learning experiences, coaching educators, and supporting thousands of teachers in finding new and sustainable ways to make an impact.

Links & Resources:

Learn more about https://www.educatorforever.com/
Connect with Lily on https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-jones-b940457b/
Explore Changemaker Edu and our Microschool Founder programs

Join the Movement:
Are you an educator dreaming of opening your own microschool? Changemaker Edu supports passionate educators and community leaders in launching thriving microschools with the tools, training, and community they need to succeed. Learn more at https://changemakereducation.com.