Unlocking Educational Potential: Embracing Community, Faith, and Learning with Lisa Hill

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lisa Hill, the visionary founder and director of Hill Academy in Oklahoma. Lisa shares her heartfelt journey of creating a Christ-centered learning community tailored to homeschool students, blending core and enrichment classes in a hybrid model. With 30 years of teaching and leadership experience, Lisa's passion for fostering a love for learning and unlocking each child’s God-given potential is both motivating and uplifting. Discover how her personal homeschooling experiences and dedication to community programs led to the birth of Hill Academy, where joy and relational education take center stage.

Balancing the demands of a new venture can be tough, and in this episode, we also explore the vital importance of rest and self-care for business owners and community leaders. Hear personal stories about using travel as a means to recharge, and the essential benefits of stepping away from work to maintain balance. Navigate the challenges and joys of starting an educational institution like Hill Academy, while acknowledging the guidance and grace that come along the way. Stay engaged with our journey, and learn how you can be part of the thriving community at Hill Academy.

Thank you for listening! YouTube - @3KeysforYourJourney -Tune in for a new episode every Sunday. Connect with us at www.ocfo.info

Chapters

• 0:00 Unlocking Potential Through Education and Faith
• 14:17 Prioritizing Rest and Self-Care

Transcript

Greg Jones: 0:00

Welcome to Three Keys for your Journey podcast, where education, faith and community unite. Today's conversation is with Lisa Hill, founder and director of Hill Academy, a Christ-centered learning community in Oklahoma. With 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership, she is passionate about fostering joyful discovery and relational education. Join me as we explore insights and stories that inspire compassion, leadership and love of learning. Let's embark on this journey together.

Speaker 2: 0:41

Are you ready to unlock your potential? Tune in to Three Keys for your Journey podcast, where business owners share invaluable insights and empowering strategies to guide you towards success. Based in Oklahoma City, our host, greg T Jones, will inspire and motivate you every week. Get ready to join our conversation as we build community together.

Greg Jones: 1:08

Well, we're glad to have you on the podcast, lisa, and for most of America I mean us locally we know who you are, but how would you introduce yourself?

Lisa Hill: 1:19

Well, my name is Lisa Hill and I am married to my best friend, jonathan Hill, coming up on 29 years, I'm a mother. I started off with six children, but now I have two daughter-in-laws and another grandchild, and two on the way. So my home has been my ministry for the past 29 years, but also, in that is, have a passion, have always had a passion for education and just loving on children, helping them to learn and helping them to unlock the potential that God has innately put in them. And so, yeah, that's that's me in a nutshell, I'd say Well, that's, that's fantastic.

Greg Jones: 2:14

And, and, and for your friends that know you very well. I mean, I was going to say you like to party, but that's not really. That's not really the word. You love games, you love people. You love to entertain. Um, I think what every birthday, every anniversary, every something y'all are celebrating, right?

Lisa Hill: 2:34

yes, and that's part of kind of the hill yeah, I think it has yes, when I um was uh working as a programs director, I think at Shiloh Adventures some years ago, I got the nickname Dr Fun from Stephen Moore, so that seems to have stuck. But yeah, I just like to have fun and I just like to celebrate people. Well, I was just telling my husband the other day I just want my family and friends to know that I love them and that they were worth celebrating to me.

Greg Jones: 3:07

I think that's an awesome attribute. Now, kind of as we move into one of the passions that you have, you've started Heal Academy. Tell us a little bit about what that is and really kind of, how did that get started? Okay?

Lisa Hill: 3:22

So I got the name because we homeschooled our children for over 20 years and as I was homeschooling them, I would also like do programs for the community or for the children at church. And you know it started doing little programs or enrichment classes and so I needed a name for the little side business side hustle that I had. So Hill Academy was just what we called our homeschool. So that's kind of where it started. But about a year ago I really felt the Lord put in my heart to start a school and at first I was kind of resistant to it. I'm like I wanted to start an educational business of some sort. I thought maybe homeschool consulting or just to continue what I was doing and doing small enrichment classes and things like that, things that were fun to me. But I just kept hearing this, you know, I kept getting ideas, I'll say, about starting school, and I really feel like that's how the Lord speaks to me with ideas. And so finally I was just like, okay, lord, I'm going to see if this is you, I'm just going to step out in faith. And you were a big part of that, greg, just kind of helping me like with the business side, like get your EIN number, get your business account. And I know I drug my feet for a while because I was like oh man, but just as soon as I stepped out and started just kind of, you know, knocking on doors trying to find out information like how do I do this, the doors just started flying open. And so, yeah, and so we started a Hill Academy learning community about a year ago Hill Academy Learning Community about a year ago and it's a hybrid learning community, which means it's for homeschool students, so two days of the week they're here and they get their core classes, they get enrichment classes like art and picture study and nature study, but they also get math and reading and literature and history and Bible.

Lisa Hill: 5:28

And we try to make it really about discovery, about them unlocking, like I said, the potential that they have to learn, because I believe every child has been born with the potential and an innate desire to learn and to grow, and so we don't want to stifle that. We want to give them opportunities to discover and learn on their own, not always just telling them this is what you're supposed to learn, but providing a feast before them of just great literature, great experiences, and then seeing what they grasp from that, because what you may grasp from it, greg, maybe something totally. I may grasp something totally different, and that doesn't make what, what you got wrong, you know. So it's kind of a different way to looking at education, but we're loving it, we're having fun. I love seeing the little kindergarten students around the property. They're discovering things that I didn't know was out every day, and so it's just a joy like just seeing them excited about learning makes it exciting for me I think that's awesome and that's a great description.

Greg Jones: 6:37

I can tell that joy overflows as you talk about the opportunity to take not only your years of experience, but your god innate ability to be able to just provide an environment for other families, as well as those students as well. Ok, that's. That's fantastic. I know that Hill Academy is is continuing to grow and to flourish. What are some things that you're looking forward to in the future?

Lisa Hill: 7:03

OK. So this year I really didn't know what age students I was going to have. I was trying to narrow it down, but ultimately I was just asking God whatever you want, that's what I'm going to do. So I actually ended up this year with students. I have five kindergartners and I have a senior in high school and children in between, so I literally have kindergarten, the 12th grade, which wasn't the plan, but but it's working. Um. So for high school cause my own daughter's in high school, she'll be a junior next year.

Lisa Hill: 7:36

So one thing we are adding to our program is, um, college concurrent classes. So we haven't picked the university that we're going to, you know, have those classes through yet, but it's in the works. So, yeah, so that's something I'm really excited about that we'll be able to offer concurrent classes. The students won't have to go on campus. They can come here to our program and we're we're trying to see if we're going to have actual like teachers or will we have facilitators. That's just kind of what we're trying. We're trying to iron all that out yet, but there will be concurrent classes available.

Greg Jones: 8:14

I think that's awesome and I think one other thing I think you have that you're doing as well is these enrichment days. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Lisa Hill: 8:20

Enrichment days. The reason I call it enrichment day is because there's not enough time in two days to get in everything that I want to do. But I feel the arts and being creative and being outside in God's nature. I feel like that's just as important in education and a student growing as math is. You know the three R's reading, writing and math. Those are very important. I think that's what most parents are looking for. But teaching children how to and shorter every day. So I look at like nature, study for them to get out, sit down, learn to be quiet, learn to observe their surroundings that's growing. That is a part of their growth and maturity. Also, we do we call it handicrafts, but it's all kinds of stuff. We've done soap carving Right now. I had other things planned, but the group they wanted to learn crochet, so we switched and so we're doing crochet right now. We've also been having a nutrition class, but most of the students are athletes, so the nutrition class has been focused on nutrition for student athletes and habits good, healthy habits for student athletes.

Greg Jones: 9:52

So that's been fun too know you've got at least three. I mean you've probably got more than three, but what are your three keys? What are some things that you have learned over the years through your experience that you'd like to share with the audience.

Lisa Hill: 10:17

I would say the first thing is not to be afraid to just step out and try what's been on your heart or what God has put on your heart. That's the first step. You're never going to know if you can do it or even you may have like. When God spoke to me at school, I had a certain filter that that word went through and I had a certain assumption of what that was going to mean. But once I stepped out and I just started walking with him by faith and just taking those steps, the picture became clearer. But had I never stepped out in the first place? Because I thought, oh, that's too big, I could never start a school? I didn't know that. It would be more like a hybrid program where they're here a couple of days and they're doing work at home for a couple of days, and it's more like we're coming alongside and supporting parents in the education of their children. And so that would be the first thing is just not to be afraid to step out in faith and do what God has put on your heart. The second thing is you don't have to do it alone. Like I said, you were very instrumental in just the first part of saying, hey, you're doing a lot of great stuff, you need to make this a business. And also not being afraid. We just had a recent talk about not being afraid to be compensated for the the your time and all the hard work that you put into something. So I think that was part of it put into something. So I think that was part of it.

Lisa Hill: 11:56

And so my third one that has really been, I would say, important for me this year was not being afraid to pivot, because I had an idea. We're a Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool hybrid community, but I had everything look great on paper. I had it all planned out. When you start implementing it, it doesn't always like turn out the way that you thought it would. Or I mean, we're dealing with children and people, and so All my ideas didn't always fit for the group that I had. I didn't know who I was going to have.

Lisa Hill: 12:30

So one of the things I think the keys to my success this year is just not being afraid to pivot. Like this English curriculum is not working. It's not what I thought it was. I'm going to have to spend the money to switch something that I know that's tried and true, and I know it works well and I'm comfortable with it and it has been a game changer, you know, for I can actually sit and see their wheels turning and see them learning and growing and so just things like that Cause sometimes that's just kind of my personality to to pivot. But I was thinking, lisa, you just need to stick with something, just stick it through for a year. I'm just so glad that I didn't do that.

Lisa Hill: 13:12

You know, I know some people that choose something and they just stick with it and that works for them and I honestly I wanted to be a little bit like more like that, um, but in this situation pivoting was just a key to my student success.

Greg Jones: 13:28

And what would you say? Because when you say that and you gave a great explanation on that the benefit of that pivot you can now see, but you couldn't see it then.

Lisa Hill: 13:39

Right.

Greg Jones: 13:41

But it's something about just allowing yourself to be flexible, agile, according to what you said again inside of you, the spirit kind of leading you and said okay, according to what you said again inside of you, the spirit kind of leading you and said, okay, let's try it. You know, it's interesting because it's kind of been one of the things I've been thinking about. I think sometimes, when God doesn't give us an answer yes or no I think he's saying I trust you. And when you said about pivoting and being agile and flexible, that's kind of what came to my mind Wow, that's been incredible. So. And being agile and flexible, that's kind of what came to my mind Wow, that's been incredible. So, wow. So we're looking forward to having another great year, finishing the year strong and having another great year. Now. Do you take a break during the summer? What do you do to relax, to unwind, to take care of yourself? We call it rest.

Lisa Hill: 14:27

Oh goodness, what do you do?

Greg Jones: 14:29

Tell the people out there oh okay, um.

Lisa Hill: 14:34

well, this year, this past year, I actually um had an opportunity to go out of the country for the first time. Really, I think it's my second time, because I went to Puerto Rico, even though I know that's a US territory. I still flew over water to get somewhere. So, but you know, I have learned that I have to leave because right now the learning community is in my home, so I have to get away sometimes, and so I think traveling will be a good way for me to do that and to rest. I know that's what you have to do to get your rest. You got to get away from it all.

Greg Jones: 15:18

Tell the truth now. Tell the truth, yes, but I ask that question because a lot of times, as business owners, the responsibility you have as a mother, grandmother, um, and and not only that, but it's just a grind and um, sometimes we neglect that ourselves needs, uh, opportunities to to rest, relax, to revive, to rejuvenate, and so I've been asking folks like let's make sure that we also keep ourselves a priority as well, and it it's nothing wrong with that.

Lisa Hill: 15:49

Right, because it was around a year ago. This time is when I started. I started working with a consultant and she had this list of, you know, first tasks to do, and I was so grateful for that because I could just I look, I work well with the list seeing what I need to do. I work well with the list seeing what I need to do. But really, literally from last January until August, I feel like I was working around the clock. Literally I'd be sitting in the same spot on the computer, you know, looking at curriculum, trying to, you know, researching how much tuition should be, and all of that Literally. Sometimes it felt like 12 hours a day. But I mean, it was also an enjoyable experience. I was learning, I was being stretched, I was doing something, an idea that I had years ago.

Lisa Hill: 16:39

I've always thought about what would it be like to start a school? I would do this and I would do that, I'd do this differently, and to see that, like dang, this is really about to happen, and so it was enjoyable, but it was a lot. So by the time, like school actually started, then you know, then you're in the thick of it Now. You have people with you, you have teachers, you have students, you have family and parents. And so we had an opportunity to go to Jamaica.

Lisa Hill: 17:07

Some friends actually paid for our trip and I was like, no, I can't go. That's like right after Thanksgiving. And my husband looked at me like, aren't you the boss? And I was like but, but, but and little did I know we would have a family loss in this past November and the trip was literally scheduled right after. I didn't know that was going to be like that, but it was so much of a needed trip just to sit and do nothing, sit by the beach and just think and talk to God and, you know, laugh and cry and get a lot of rest. And that's exactly what I needed. And so I wouldn't say that I was. I've been the best at that. But after this last experience I think it's really important. So I actually have a trip planned in April.

Greg Jones: 18:00

So I'm looking forward to that Fantastic.

Lisa Hill: 18:03

Yeah.

Greg Jones: 18:03

Wow, so well. Thank you for that. That that that's helpful. I think business owners and community leaders that are listening to this need to know that, while the work is rewarding, but there is also that time that we need to really be able to self-reflect, and whether that's with ourselves, our families, whatever that is, but making sure that we take the time to be able to do that. All right, is there anything else that you want to add? Before we kind of start wrapping it up, I'm going to ask you a little bit about how people get in contact with you and all that.

Lisa Hill: 18:33

But, as we've been talking, has anything else come to your mind that you'd like to share? One thing I would want people to know about me is that I know it's the grace of God. The grace of God has made me who I am today, and it's been through his wisdom and his guidance and really the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life, leading and guiding me into all truth, just being dependent upon him, and that's just how I've lived my life with him since I came to know the Lord, and I'm just so grateful for that, and so I mean I just give him just all the honor that's due, because anything that I have, anything that I've accomplished, has been because of him, and I just love him, and that's what I would want people to know about me and about Hill Academy, about my family.

Greg Jones: 19:34

That's awesome. Well, thank you so much. I get this question all the time, and so I've been asking people during the podcast. People want to get in contact with you. How do they reach out to you?

Lisa Hill: 19:47

First way is probably through our website, and that is Hill Academy dot life, simple. And then my email address. Would be the second way, and that's Hill Academy programs at Gmail dot com.

Greg Jones: 20:01

OK, fantastic, and for our listening audience, we'll make sure that we put all that information in the comments so that you have a way to get in contact with Lisa. Lisa, this has been a great opportunity to get to know you even better, a little bit more about Heal Academy and your family. So we appreciate what you're doing and I just ask that you know, as you continue to grow and mature and you know, take all these trips around the world come back on our podcast and let us know how it's going.

Lisa Hill: 20:29

Will you do that? Yes, I will.

Greg Jones: 20:30

All right, we thank you so much for tuning in to Three Keys for your Journey. I'm your host, greg Jones, and we will see you next time.

Speaker 2: 20:41

Thanks for joining Three Keys for your Journey. Tune in next time for another episode.