What happens when your kid is gifted, but misunderstood? When they’re years ahead in reading, but melt down over math? When they ask questions schools aren’t ready to answer—and you’re the one expected to carry the load?
Melissa Meyer gets it.
She’s not just a homeschooling mum of four—she’s a certified teacher, expat, and founder of ThinkerYo (formerly Curio), a platform helping families raise confident readers, writers, and thinkers through tailored online education.
In this episode, Melissa joins me for a wide-open conversation on homeschooling, twice-exceptional kids, and what it really takes to raise independent, critical thinkers in today’s world.
From the Classroom to the Couch
Melissa never planned to homeschool. But after moving abroad to Ecuador, raising bilingual kids, and watching her toddlers read before the age of 5, she realized something: the traditional system just wasn’t going to work.
Rather than pay thousands for a private school that couldn’t meet her kids’ unique needs, she used her teaching background to create something different—starting with her own family.
“The first kid’s always the experiment,” she laughs.
“But when you see what they’re capable of… you start asking bigger questions.”
The Birth of ThinkerYo
When her husband lost his job just after their fourth child was born, Melissa turned to online teaching. What started as tutoring quickly evolved into ThinkerYo—a full-service educational platform offering online book clubs, writing classes, public speaking, and multilingual learning.
Her secret? Meet the kids where they’re at.
Whether they’re gifted, twice-exceptional, or just wildly curious, Melissa’s team helps them learn in ways that feel natural, engaging, and tailored—not standardized.
“We use virtual reality to stand on the cliffs of Machu Picchu. That’s when the questions start—and that’s when the real learning begins.”
What’s a Twice-Exceptional (2E) Kid?
Melissa specializes in teaching gifted and 2E students—kids who are both highly capable and have learning challenges like ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. These are the kids who don’t fit neatly in a box—and frankly, shouldn’t have to.
But traditional education often focuses on averages.
Melissa’s work celebrates edges.
She explains that the biggest challenges for parents in this space aren’t academic—they’re emotional. Burnout, power struggles, and isolation are real.
That’s why ThinkerYo offers more than just worksheets. They offer community, customization, and real support.
Top Tools for Homeschooling Success
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect school room.
Melissa runs her homeschool with:
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A pile of books in the kitchen
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Beach towels in the grass
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Old phones turned into reading devices
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And a whole lot of curiosity over curriculum
Her advice?
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Ask more questions than commands
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Outsource what you don’t want to teach (math, French, public speaking—check!)
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Use printable, flexible curriculum from platforms like ThinkerYo, TeachersPayTeachers, and Outschool
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Build a community—online or IRL—to lighten the load
“It’s not about having it all together. It’s about building something that works—and growing as you go.”
But How Does She Do It?
Melissa starts her day at 4:00am.
By the time most people are just getting up, she’s read her Bible, worked out, journaled, taught classes, and fed four kids.
But this isn’t hustle culture.
It’s intention, boundaries, and teamwork.
Her husband also works from home. Her kids share in the chores. Her mother-in-law helps with dinner. It’s not perfect—but it’s real, and it works.
Final Thoughts: Where Should Parents Be Investing Attention?
Melissa’s take?
“More questions. Less commands.
Ask them what they want to learn. Let them think for themselves. That’s how you grow thinkers.”
Listen Now to Episode 04
Homeschooling, 2E learners, resilience, family routines, and creating education on your terms—this episode is packed.
📍 Stream the full episode on:
Spotify | YouTube | Rumble
🔗 Explore programs at: ThinkerYo.com
If attention is the currency, let’s stop spending it on control—and start investing it in curiosity, connection, and the courage to do things differently.
We’ll see you in the next episode.