Episode 2 is all about turning the mic around. In Episode 1, you heard Simit interview me about my background and why we launched Beyond the Schoolhouse. Today, it’s my turn to introduce you to Simit.
We talk about his journey from software engineer to education entrepreneur, his perspective as a dad of three in private school, and why peer groups are one of the most underrated factors in choosing the right learning environment. We also dive into AI—what it means for the future of learning, how it can support teachers, and where it could become a real problem.
This episode is packed with practical insights for parents weighing their school options and thinking about how technology is changing education.
Episode Snapshot
- Host: Sarah McCubbin
- Guest/Co-host: Simit Patel (software engineer, dad of three, indieeducationnetwork.com co-founder)
- Themes: Choosing private school despite the cost, why peer groups matter most, practical/ethical uses of AI in education, and one thing every parent should do before picking a school.
Opening (00:00)
Sarah:
Welcome back to Beyond the Schoolhouse… In Episode 1, Simit interviewed me. Today we flip the script so you can meet Simit—my co-host and business partner at indieeducationnetwork.com. We talk about why his family chose private school, how he sees AI reshaping education, and the one step every parent should take before deciding on a school. Let’s get started.
Meet Simit (01:10)
Sarah:
Welcome! Tell us about you.
Simit:
I’m a software engineer by trade. We live in Indiana. I’ve got three kids (9, 7, 4). Work and kids—that’s life. And yes, I’m married!
How We Met & Started Working Together (02:26)
Simit:
In 2023, I was experimenting with AI to study post-WWII U.S. history—rooted in my own experience living in NYC during 9/11. I built an AI-assisted course for homeschool teens and needed help reaching families. People said, “Talk to Sarah.” That’s how we connected.
Sarah:
Yep—almost exactly a year ago. I started helping promote the course, and we eventually teamed up on indieeducationnetwork.com. Now we’re co-building that and this podcast.
Simit’s School Choice: Why Private School? (05:58)
Sarah:
You don’t homeschool. What do you do for your kids’ education?
Simit:
Private school. It’s our biggest expense—but we chose it intentionally after researching options (highly recommend every parent do this). Factors vary—budget, location, kids’ needs.
Why private over homeschool?
- Peer group > everything: A huge influence on kids’ behavior and motivation. (Simit references The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris.) We wanted a peer group with good character and academic drive.
- Cooperation & momentum: At home, a “15 minutes of work in 90 minutes of negotiation” dynamic was common. At school, our kids engage and thrive with peers.
- Great teachers matter: Teaching is a real skill. We let teachers be the head coaches, and we reinforce at home.
Co-sign from Homeschool Parents (12:46)
Sarah:
For the record, every homeschool mom feels seen by that “90 minutes of negotiating for 15 minutes of work” line. Also: don’t make school decisions in February—everyone’s burned out by then!
AI at Home: What They Actually Use (14:03)
Sarah:
Do you use AI with your kids?
Simit:
A little, as rewards or creative prompts—like generating short videos with descriptive prompts. Occasionally personalized math word problems using friends/hobbies to boost engagement. But mostly we rely on solid curriculum and steady habits.
AI in Education: Concerns (18:28)
Sarah:
What worries you in EdTech/AI?
Simit:
Tools that try to replace teachers with chatbots or reduce teachers to hall monitors. Most students don’t learn well via self-directed chat alone—especially at foundational levels.
- Direct instruction matters: good teachers sequence skills, reduce cognitive load, and target gaps.
- Human nuance & motivation: Kids need humans to catch misconceptions, adjust explanations, and motivate through struggle.
- Selection effects: Success stories can hide that they’re drawing from already advantaged populations.
AI in Education: What’s Helpful (23:47)
Simit:
I love AI that removes teacher busywork and lightens the lift: grading assists, form-filling, lesson-planning helpers. Less bureaucracy → more energy for teaching and relationships → lower burnout, better outcomes.
Policies & Practicalities for Teens (26:07)
Sarah:
For high school/college, what’s responsible vs. irresponsible AI use?
Simit:
- Favor in-class writing to ensure authentic work.
- Homework’s benefit drops when the internet/AI can do it for you; control the environment for core literacy/critical-thinking skills.
- Absolute bans can create trust problems and false positives. Use caution with “AI detection” via writing samples; keep relationships collaborative, not adversarial.
Sarah:
My kids’ school maintains non-AI writing samples for comparisons. It helps but isn’t perfect—honest kids can be penalized if systems misread the situation.
Final Advice to Parents (30:40)
Simit:
At least consider multiple options—public, private, homeschool, hybrid. It might be the most important parenting decision you make. A little research goes a long way.
Sarah:
Agreed. Thanks, Simit!
Closing (31:32)
Sarah:
Thanks for listening to Beyond the Schoolhouse! Like, subscribe, and share so more families can discover new possibilities for learning. Ready to start a homeschool group or microschool? Visit indieeducationnetwork.com for tools and guidance. Remember—learning happens everywhere.
Leave a Reply