Community Connectors: The Worldschool Coach

We enjoyed the opportunity to connect with Jak Boston, also known as The Worldschool Coach and one of the members of Boston Tribe Travels. His programs provide both individualized coaching and abundant resources–like family travel itineraries, gear reviews, travel stories, and more–to support your journey. 

In our book, we encourage traveling families to individualize their approaches for themselves and their families. Jak’s coaching services have both well-proven modules as well as the flexibility to tailor your own worldschooling plan. We also admire his manifesto of inclusion, camaraderie, personal growth, contribution, kindness, and adventure.

Jak shares his experiences and insights with us below.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hey there!  I’m Jak, and I’ve spent over 13 years immersed in the world of primary/elementary education, working in various international schools across the globe. From South Korea to the UK, Cyprus to Borneo, my journey has seen me wear multiple hats – from class teacher to educational leader and beyond. 

My wife and I have been living abroad since 2010, which started with a backpack and a one-way ticket to South East Asia. Fast forward to July 2022, and we decided to leave our teaching jobs in Brunei and start a new adventure, chasing freedom, full time travel, and worldschooling with our two amazing daughters. This shift from traditional education to a more experiential approach has been eye-opening, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of worldschooling. My family and I are passionate about exploring the world, not just as tourists but as engaged learners, and are currently travelling full time and loving it!

Why did you start The Worldschool Coach?

The Worldschool Coach was born out of my firsthand experience as a worldschooling parent and educator. When my family and I took the plunge into worldschooling, we thought we had it all figured out, armed with my background in teaching. But boy, were we wrong! The sheer abundance of resources, opportunities, and changing routines left us feeling overwhelmed. That’s when it hit me – there was a need for guidance tailored specifically for families like ours. I wanted to create a resource that would both empower parents and give them the tools to confidently navigate the worldschooling, offering practical strategies and personalised assistance to make their educational adventures less daunting and more enriching. 

What are the components of your program?

The Worldschool Coach program is a comprehensive 6-session course designed to empower families embarking on the worldschooling journey. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach – instead, it’s a personalised roadmap to balance education and travel.

The program covers breaking down barriers to worldschooling, crafting a flexible worldschool curriculum, exploring core subjects and resources, maximising learning opportunities through travel, empowering self-directed learning, and tailoring the worldschool model to fit your travels. The course is designed for parents considering a family gap year or extended travel journey, or those already travelling who want to confidently worldschool their children while maintaining academics, nurturing personal growth, and embracing the joy of family travel. 

What is your educational philosophy?

The Worldschool Coach philosophy is centred on flexibility and adaptability, recognising that each child, family, destination, and learning opportunity is unique. It seeks to empower families to find their own educational journey, tailoring a worldschooling model to suit their individual needs and circumstances. 

The program aims to break down barriers to worldschooling, providing families with guidance  and practical strategies to confidently tackle the challenges and uncertainties associated with this lifestyle. It encourages a holistic approach to growth, fostering academic development but also personal, cultural, and experiential learning.

At its core, the Worldschool Coach philosophy emphasises the importance of seizing every travel experience as a valuable learning opportunity.

As someone with teaching experience, can you give a pep talk to parents who might have no teaching experience? What skills does a parent need to actually do this?

Absolutely, I understand that the idea of taking on the role of an educator might seem daunting, especially for parents without formal teaching experience.

Firstly, parents are natural educators. From the moment your child is born, you embark on a journey of teaching and guiding them through life. You’ve been their first teacher, teaching them to walk, talk, and explore the world around them. Worldschooling is simply an extension of this innate ability to nurture and educate.

 

Here are some key skills that can empower parents on the worldschooling path:

Adaptability:

The ability to adapt to new environments and situations is a crucial skill. Flexibility allows you to turn unexpected challenges into learning opportunities, fostering resilience in both you and your child.

Curiosity:

Cultivate a spirit of curiosity, not just in your child but in yourself. Be open to exploring new cultures, trying new foods, and delving into unfamiliar topics. Your genuine curiosity will inspire your child to approach learning with the same enthusiasm.

Patience:

Learning is a process, and it unfolds at its own pace. Patience is key, especially when facing challenges or when your child is grappling with a new concept. Understand that every moment is a chance to learn and grow.

Resourcefulness:

You don’t need a traditional classroom filled with textbooks. Leverage the wealth of resources available online, in libraries, and within the communities you visit. Be resourceful in finding creative ways to impart knowledge.

Communication:

Clear and open communication is vital. Encourage your child to ask questions, share their thoughts, and express their interests. Likewise, share your experiences, insights, and knowledge with them. Communication builds a strong foundation for learning.

Critical Thinking:

Foster critical thinking by encouraging your child to question, analyse, and evaluate information. Help them develop problem-solving skills by involving them in decision-making processes.

Joy of Learning:

Infuse joy into the learning process. Whether it’s through games, hands-on activities, or exploration, make learning a fun and enjoyable experience. A positive attitude towards learning is contagious. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert in every subject. Embrace the learning journey together.

As a current worldschooling family, any advice for parents who want to balance remote work and worldschooling their own kiddos? 

Balancing the demands of work and education, all whilst travelling and planning, is no small feat. From juggling online lessons, minimising screen time, seeking experiences in unfamiliar territories to decoding the mysteries of reliable wifi, the challenges are as diverse as the destinations. 

From one worldschooling family to another, here are some insights gained through our own journey:

Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that balancing work and worldschooling requires flexibility. Set realistic expectations for yourself and acknowledge that not every day will go as planned. Embrace the unpredictability of travel while maintaining a broad framework for both work and education.

Leverage Your Strengths: Identify your strengths and work to them. Whether it’s your organisational skills, adaptability, or creativity, use these attributes to your advantage. Align your work and educational strategies with what comes naturally to you. If you don’t feel confident in the area then level up. We have found so many online courses, YouTube videos, blogs, and online resources such as tutors or coaches to enrich our adventures and improve our skillset.

It’s been great getting to know Jak, his services, and his family’s path a bit more. You can follow Jak on his instagram @theworldschoolcoach or visit his website at www.bostontribetravels. We look forward to following their travels.