Meet the Founders
Makenzie Oliver
Founder
Jamel Oliver
Founder
Parents, Partners, and Proud Microschoolers
Lighthouse Learning was founded by Jamel and Makenzie Oliver with a vision to create a school where children learn authentically, joyfully, and without limitations. With a Master’s in K-12 Education and Administration Leadership, years of classroom and leadership experience, and recognition as Heartland’s Best Teacher in Missouri and Teacher of the Year in Florida, Makenzie was deeply committed to public education. However, God shifted her heart toward something greater.
In 2020, with God’s guidance, they took a leap of faith and started this journey right in their living room with a handful of students. Together, as husband and wife, they leaned on their faith, and each other, to build what Lighthouse Learning has become today—a school that now serves over 80 students with a waitlist. Every step of this journey has been a testament to God’s provision and blessings, as well as the hard work and dedication our staff and community have poured into creating a place where children can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
Together, she and her husband built Lighthouse Learning as a place where students feel safe, inspired, and eager to learn, while families and educators work hand in hand to nurture their growth. Their mission is to provide a faith-infused, family-centered, and future-focused education that empowers children to thrive.
Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid provide a flexible, student-centered education with a blend of structured academics and enrichment activities. The programs are designed to support a variety of learning needs while fostering independence, creativity, and real-world skill development. We believe this type of schooling is necessary because so many families are seeking a nurturing, individualized environment for their children—one that allows them to flourish both academically and emotionally.
The traditional top-down approach in education often overlooks the unique needs of each child, but at Lighthouse Learning, we focus on a bottom-up approach. This means we prioritize the individual strengths, passions, and potential of every student, creating a learning environment that changes lives not just for the students, but for their parents and families as well. God has been at the center of this mission, guiding us to build a school where families feel seen, supported, and deeply connected.
God has called Lighthouse Learning to be a vast mission field where learning goes far beyond mandates, assessments, and standardized learning. LHL fosters a learning environment where creativity is embraced, moments are filled with laughter, and children never want to leave!
Opening Keynote Speaker and Featured Panelist at VELA Con 2025
At VELA’s 2nd annual national conference for bold founders who are building a future where families and founders own their education, Makenzie was asked to be a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, as well as a panelist on the academics track, sharing her strategies for growth and learning efficiently.
This high-energy, three-day event brought together the leading network of education founders in the country—the VELA Founder Network! There, educators connect with hundreds of peers who are crafting their own unique paths and building independent, sustainable businesses that are redefining education.
Featured VELA Founder, Makenzie Oliver
The journey of building a school can feel lonely and intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be.
“Please know that you are not alone,” says VELA Founder Makenzie Oliver, founder of Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid and Teacher, Let Your Light Shine.
“VELA has crafted such an incredible mission field for people like us, and you have exactly what it takes and the people around you to support you along the way.”
“Knowing that you [are doing] this alone can feel quite intimidating.”
“There are so many people, like just you and me, that can create a powerhouse community. Please know that you are NOT alone.”
“VELA has crafted such an incredible mission field for people like us, and you have exactly what it takes - and the people to support you along the way!”
“Eager to teach her own children, Seminole teacher started a micro-school.”
From Spectrum News 13
On any day of the week, you'll see a lot of learning going on in just about every room at Lighthouse Learning Micro-School in Longwood, thanks to A+ Teacher Makenzie Oliver. The former public school teacher says she made a major pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic — she started teaching her own children and then opened her home to teach other students as well. Now, she's the director of Lighthouse Learning Micro-School, where she is also a teacher.
An award-winning public school teacher, Makenzie Oliver, interviewed on LiberatED with Kerry McDonald
From LiberatED with Kerry McDonald
Today's guest is Makenzie Oliver, host of the popular podcast Teacher, Let Your Light Shine! and its associated Facebook community. An award-winning public school teacher, Makenzie decided to leave the conventional classroom to launch her own microschool, Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid, in 2020 in Longwood, Florida. It has grown from 6 kids in her living room to a full-fledged microschool with community involvement.
Friday Feature: Makenzie Oliver of The Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast
By Colleen Hroncich of CATO Institute
Teachers and parents who want to start their own learning entities don’t need to go it alone or start completely from scratch. Many of the people who have traveled that path are available for guidance. If you’re considering starting a microschool or homeschool business, the resources at Teacher, Let Your Light Shine can help point you in the right direction.
Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid Offerings
From Macaroni KID
Lighthouse Learning Microschool and Homeschool Hybrid was founded by Jamel and Makenzie Oliver with a vision to create a school where children learn authentically, joyfully, and without limitations. Together, they built Lighthouse Learning as a place where students feel safe, inspired, and eager to learn, while families and educators work hand in hand to nurture their growth.
I’m ready to enroll! Where do I start?
Let’s get you started on the enrollment process so you can secure your spot for next school year!
After you fill out an Interest Form, we’ll send you our FREE Introductory Packet so you can learn more about our school!