Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Crabtree.
Hi Annie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always had a passion for helping people, educating others, and finding creative ways to make a difference. For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. I’m also a children’s book author, a wife, and a mom of two girls.
But one of the most meaningful chapters of my life began when our family decided to homeschool.
We’re now in our third year of homeschooling, and it has completely changed the way I look at education. I’ve discovered that learning doesn’t have to happen within four walls or follow a traditional textbook. Some of the best lessons happen through experiences, travel, hands-on activities, and simply exploring the world around us.
As I began discovering incredible educational resources, free programs, unique field trips, and opportunities for homeschool families, I kept thinking, “Why don’t more parents know about these things?”
That’s really how Annie Homeschools was born.
In the summer of 2026, I decided to start sharing these discoveries on social media. My goal wasn’t to build a huge following. I simply wanted to help other parents find opportunities that would make homeschooling more exciting, affordable, and accessible.
What happened next genuinely surprised me.
In just two months, Annie Homeschools grew to more than 28,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. Videos about free educational programs, hands-on learning, and unique experiences began reaching thousands of families. I started hearing from parents who were discovering opportunities they never knew existed.
That’s when I realized this could become something much bigger than a social media page.
Today, I’m building Annie Homeschools into a resource for families who want to make learning an adventure. Along with sharing educational opportunities, I’m creating my own printable activities, mini-lessons, and travel-inspired learning resources to help parents bring those experiences into their homes.
What I love most is that I’m still learning right alongside my girls. I don’t have everything figured out, and I don’t pretend to. I’m simply a mom who loves discovering something amazing and sharing it with another mom who might need it.
My hope is that Annie Homeschools encourages families to see education differently, feel more confident in their homeschooling journey, and realize that some of the most memorable lessons in life happen when we step outside the classroom.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think one of the biggest challenges of homeschooling is learning to let go of the idea that you have to keep up with traditional public school.
When we first started homeschooling, I had to remind myself that we weren’t trying to recreate public school at home. We chose a different path, and that meant giving ourselves permission to do things differently.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that homeschooling happens on your family’s timeline. You don’t have to follow the same schedule, move at the same pace, or teach every subject exactly the way a traditional classroom does.
And honestly, one-on-one teaching is completely different from teaching a classroom full of children! What might take an entire class an hour to accomplish could take one child 20 minutes. Other lessons might require more time, patience, or a completely different approach. Learning to embrace that flexibility instead of questioning whether we were doing enough was a huge adjustment.
Another challenge is learning to trust yourself when everyone seems to have an opinion.
When you homeschool, you’ll encounter plenty of people who want to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing. Sometimes those opinions come from people who genuinely care about you, but that doesn’t mean they know what’s best for your children.
One thing that has always grounded our family is our faith in Jesus. We pray about our homeschooling journey every day, and even on the days when things don’t go according to plan, we trust that He’s walking alongside us and guiding our steps. That doesn’t mean every day is easy, but it gives us peace knowing we’re not navigating this journey alone.
I’ve learned that you have to be confident enough to listen, learn, pray, and then make the decisions that are right for your own family.
At the end of the day, you are your child’s biggest advocate. You know their strengths, their struggles, their interests, and what makes them light up. That’s something I’ve really learned to trust.
And now, as I’ve started building Annie Homeschools, I’m learning an entirely new set of skills while balancing motherhood, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship. It’s exciting, but it also requires a lot of time, creativity, and patience.
I certainly don’t have everything figured out, but I’ve learned that you don’t have to have all the answers to take the next step.
Sometimes the biggest challenge is simply learning to trust the journey and realizing that doing things differently doesn’t mean you’re doing them wrong.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Annie Homeschools?
Annie Homeschools is an educational brand and growing online community dedicated to helping families discover that learning can happen anywhere!
As a homeschooling mom of two, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to find quality educational resources, plan engaging activities, and create meaningful learning experiences without spending a fortune.
That’s why I created Annie Homeschools.
I specialize in discovering and sharing unique educational opportunities that many families don’t even realize exist. From free STEM programs and educational grants to hands-on workshops, creative curriculum, and unforgettable field trips, my goal is to help parents find resources that make learning exciting, accessible, and affordable.
What sets Annie Homeschools apart is that I’m not simply sharing traditional homeschooling advice. I’m constantly searching for those hidden gems that make parents stop scrolling and say, “Wait, I had no idea this existed!”
And I absolutely love that moment!
Some of my most popular content has featured free aviation experiences for children, baseball-themed educational resources, and unique learning opportunities offered by organizations across the country.
In addition to sharing resources, I’m developing my own educational printables, hands-on mini-lessons, family movie-night learning packs, and destination-inspired travel activity packs designed to turn everyday experiences into educational adventures.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how quickly this community has grown. Within just two months of launching, Annie Homeschools reached more than 28,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
But what means even more to me than the numbers are the messages from parents telling me they discovered something new, found a resource they needed, or felt encouraged in their homeschooling journey.
I want Annie Homeschools to be a place where parents feel inspired rather than overwhelmed. A place where they can discover something exciting, save money, and feel confident creating an education that works for their family.
Although homeschooling is at the heart of my brand, I believe these opportunities should be available to all families. You don’t have to homeschool to appreciate free educational resources, creative activities, or meaningful experiences with your children.
Ultimately, my mission is simple: Make learning an adventure, make incredible opportunities easier to discover, and remind parents that education extends far beyond the classroom.
And we’re just getting started!
What are your plans for the future?
I feel like Annie Homeschools is just getting started, and honestly, that’s one of the most exciting parts!
My biggest goal is to continue building a community where parents feel encouraged, supported, and excited about educating their children.
I’m working on expanding the educational resources I offer, creating more hands-on learning opportunities, and developing new ways to help families make learning an adventure, whether that’s around the kitchen table, in their backyard, or while traveling together.
I’m also excited to continue collaborating with educational brands and organizations that share my passion for making learning fun, accessible, and memorable.
But more than anything, I want Annie Homeschools to become a place where parents feel confident in their homeschooling journey. I want them to know they don’t have to recreate a traditional classroom to give their children an incredible education.
My faith plays a huge role in everything I do. I pray over this business and the direction it’s going, and I truly believe God has a purpose for the opportunities He’s putting in front of me.
I’ve learned that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes you just have to take that first step, trust God, and see where the journey leads.
And I have a feeling this journey is only beginning!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anniehomeschools.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsanniehomeschools/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anniehomeschools
