Story & Lesson Highlights with Leslie M. Martino

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Leslie M. Martino. Check out our conversation below.

Leslie M., it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me feel proud was listening to my children share their accomplishments, goals, and plans with me, all while sipping tea. I remember thinking, “What a gift it is to have this time with them to connect and converse.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the proud author of the book The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning. I have over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. I currently homeschool my four children while also working as an educational consultant, coaching parents and training teachers to approach learning in an interest-based and connection-rich way. I am a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and am also a contributing writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community.

While I consult privately with schools and families, I also run a four-week group coaching program designed to help homeschooling moms thrive. I want them to feel confident as they do the noble work of nurturing whole, capable learners, deepening their connection with their children in meaningful ways, and aligning their homeschool rhythm with their values.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That would have to be my husband, Jordan. For years, he would tell me that he could see me coaching homeschool parents, speaking publicly, and doing all the things I am currently doing. At the time, I laughed at him. I was much more comfortable being behind the scenes, out of the spotlight. He continued to encourage me and speak life into me until I finally started to see myself the same way.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I’ve been held back by the fear of failing. I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, and there were times when I doubted my ability to execute at the level I imagined I should be operating at. I have learned with time that failure is as much a part of the learning process and my overall growth as success. I have also learned that it’s possible to put myself out there, even while scared, nervous, hesitant, or still learning.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I work in the field of education. One of the biggest lies education tells itself is that learning can and should be standardized. We measure progress by how quickly students move through material, how closely they conform to expectations, and how well they perform on assessments designed for comparison rather than understanding. Yet, true learning has never been about speed or sameness. It’s about depth, curiosity, and connection.

Another lie is that rigor is found in constant productivity. We equate busyness with achievement and mistake exhaustion for excellence. But the most meaningful growth often happens in stillness, or in the space we create for reflection, experimentation, and failure.

Education also tells itself that knowledge is the end goal, when in reality, knowledge is only the beginning. Our students need time and guidance to transform what they know into how they live, think, and contribute.

In my experience as both a classroom teacher and a home educator, I’ve seen that slowing down helps students accomplish far more. When we give learners the time and trust to direct their own learning, adapt to uncertainty, and wrestle with real challenges, they develop resilience, self-awareness, and the capacity to think deeply and morally. If education is to fulfill its purpose, it must stop pretending that rushing leads to results. A love of learning is cultivated through care, curiosity, and time — the very things our current systems too often overlook.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as a joyful person who never stopped growing and was full of passion to learn, dream, and create. I hope they will see me as someone who loved God fiercely, inspired others, and served her family well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lesliemartino.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliemmartino/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliemartinodotcom

Image Credits
Kayla Smith (4)
Montana Shea (2)