Projects
At TrailblazED, our work extends far beyond the classroom. This page highlights the projects, partnerships, and opportunities shaping the future of education freedom. Here you’ll find Denise Lever’s latest contributions to the movement—from published articles, policy discussions, and legal insights to book launches, interviews, and national summits.
Whether it’s speaking at conferences, collaborating on new initiatives, or being featured in media, these projects showcase the bold steps Denise and TrailblazED are taking to inspire change and empower microschool leaders everywhere.
BOOK LAUNCH! GET YOURS NOW!
OUT NOW — Get Your Copy of Education Unleashed!
The movement is here. Education Unleashed: People and Ideas Changing How We Teach, Learn, and Lead brings together powerful stories, bold ideas, and practical strategies from educators, founders, and visionaries transforming learning for the next generation.
This isn’t just a read — it’s a call to action. The future of education isn’t coming… it’s already here. Will you be part of it?
Order Today:
Book + PDF with shipping – $29.99
Paperback Book – $24.99
Digital Book – $9.99
Click here to buy now..
Or scan the QR code on this graphic to order instantly.
#EducationUnleashed #BookLaunch#FutureOfEducation #MicroschoolMovement#PermissionlessEducation#EducationInnovation #LearnerDriven#TeachLeadInspire #EducationReform#BuyTheBook
FEATURED IN FORBES!
BIG NEWS
We’re beyond excited to share that Denise Lever, founder of TrailBlazeD Microschool Leadership Forge, and Baker Creek Academy, has been featured in forbes Magazine by kerry mcdonald!
In her rural Arizona community of Eager, Denise launched one small microschool in 2020 with just 7 students. Today, her vision has grown into TrailBlazED: 10 microschools, 9 guides, and 100 students — serving nearly 8% of the school-age children in Round Valley.
Her leadership and story highlight what’s possible when families take back education:
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Empowered students
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Empowered moms + families
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Thriving rural communities
This Forbes feature shines a spotlight not only on Denise’s journey but also on the growing microschool movement bringing more education options to families nationwide.
Read the full article here:
#ForbesFeature #TrailblazED #Microschools#PermissionlessEducation#FutureOfLearning #EducationInnovation#AlternativeEducation#MicroschoolMovement #RuralEducation
New ESA Op Ed published!
Keep ESAs Strong — Because Students, Parents, and Communities Are Counting on It
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Education isn’t just about grades, test scores, or “perfect” projects — it’s about helping kids feel confident in who they are and hopeful about where they’re going.
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TrailBlazED Founder Denise Lever shares powerful stories from Baker Creek Academy that show what real educational freedom looks like through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs):
A boy who struggled to read but rebuilt a Barbie Jeep from scratch.
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A third grader who couldn’t read until voice-to-text unlocked his imagination — and proudly said, “I feel victorious.” Families from all backgrounds learning together through microschools, tutoring, and community field trips.
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This is what happens when children are seen, supported, and celebrated — not standardized. Every child deserves the chance to feel victorious. Every parent deserves the freedom to choose the education that fits their child best. Every community deserves to thrive through options that work.
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Read Denise’s full article here! Read the full Facebook post here!
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#TrailBlazEDForge #DeniseLever #BakerCreekAcademy
#KeepESAsStrong #EducationFreedom #ESAs #SchoolChoice #Microschools #ParentEmpowerment #EducationReform #AlternativeEducation #PersonalizedLearning #SelfDirectedEducation #MicroschoolMovement #LearnerCentered #ArizonaEducation #EducationalInnovation
Denise was invited to speak on a panel at VELA-CON 2025!
DENISE LEVER SPOKE at the SOLD OUT Vela Conference in Washington D.C.!
From wildland firefighter to rural education powerhouse, Denise Lever is leading a revolution in learner-driven, permissionless education.
She led the panel on Defining Scale on Your Terms alongside some other amazing founders and leaders within this movement.
Founder of Baker Creek Academy, serving over 11% of K–8 students in rural AZ, and the visionary behind TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge, Denise is scaling bold ideas into thriving microschool ecosystems—without losing sight of community and mission.
This is the session every founder needed to define impact your way.
VELA Con is where bold founders gather to craft the future of education. The 2025 conference sold out!! Keep an eye out for tickets for next year because This is one conference you do not want to miss!
#VELACon2025 #DeniseLever #Microschools#EducationReimagined#AlternativeEducation#VELAFounderNetwork#PermissionlessEducation #LearnerDriven#MicroschoolLeader #Homeschooling#TrailblazED #OwnYourGrowth#ScalingWithPurpose #FounderLed#VELASpeaker #VELAConSpeaker#EducationEntrepreneur #VELA #VELACon
Podcast Feature with the Authors from EDUCATION UNLEASHED!
Big news from the TrailBlazED community!
Denise Lever from trailblazed Microschool Leadership forge and baker creek academy had the incredible opportunity to speak about her chapter in Education Unleashed: People and Ideas Changing How We Teach, Learn, and Lead.
Watch the conversation with The ultimate homeschool Group here!
This book is more than pages—it’s a movement. Packed with bold voices, real-life stories, and innovative ideas, it’s inspiring parents, educators, and founders to reimagine what learning can look like.
Haven’t grabbed your copy yet?
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Education Unleashed Book & PDF with shipping $29.99
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Paperback Book $24.99
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Digital Book $9.99
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SHOP HERE!
#EducationUnleashed #TrailblazED#MicroschoolMovement #LearnerLed#FutureOfEducation #AlternativeEducation#PermissionlessEducation#InnovationInEducation #EducationReform#BookLaunch2025
Podcast Feature with Kerry McDonald on the LiberatED Podcast!
PODCAST FEATURE ALERT!
What’s happening in rural Arizona is reshaping the future of education—and we’re here for it.
TrailblazED founder/owner and microschool advocate Denise Lever sat down with Kerry McDonald of the LiberatED Podcast and the Foundation for Economic Education to dive into why Prenda microschools are thriving in Apache County, AZ, and how learner-centered education is transforming lives in underserved communities.
In Episode 183, you’ll hear:
What makes microschools so effective in rural regions
How Arizona’s unique education policies empower parents
The real impact of choice, community, and learner-driven models
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or future founder—this episode will inspire you to think differently about what school can be.
Listen now:
Spotify
YouTube
Let’s keep the #MicroschoolMovement
growing.
#TrailblazEDForge #LiberatEDPodcast#DeniseLever #Microschools#AlternativeEducation #PrendaSchools#EducationInnovation #ParentLedLearning#LearnerDriven #RuralEducation#ArizonaEducation #MicroschoolFounder#PodcastFeature #SchoolChoice#ReimagineEducation #HomeschoolHybrid#AEOBoost #SEOBoost #IGEducationReform
Denise was asked to speak at the Brave Learner Virtual Summit!
Families everywhere are searching for education models that bring flexibility, engagement, and real-world readiness. One of the most powerful solutions? Self-directed microschools.
Denise participated in the Brave Learner Summit by World Over International to share how this approach empowers learners to thrive with autonomy and purpose.
Denise Lever’s Session was about: “Self-Directed Microschools: Empowering Learners with Voice & Choice”
Check out World Over International and what they do:
summit.worldover.org
#BraveLearnerSummit #TrailblazED#MicroschoolMovement #LearnerLed#SelfDirectedLearning #AlternativeEducation#EducationReimagined #FutureOfEducation
New Podcast Feature about BREAKING BARRIERS in the EDUCATION FREEDOM movement!
NEW PODCAST DROP!
I’m so excited to share this episode of Overcoming the Barriers of Opening a Microschool featuring Denise Lever — founder of TrailBlazED Microschool Leadership Forge and Baker Creek Academy.
In this powerful conversation, Denise dives into:
- How to launch and lead a thriving microschool
- The movement transforming education across the country
- Lessons from building a learner-centered academy from the ground up
- Why leadership, vision, and community are the keys to sustainable growth
If you’re passionate about reimagining education, leading with purpose, and creating learning environments where kids thrive — you don’t want to miss this!
Watch now: https://youtu.be/MD6jpuXGQxY?si=ppFn7IDUMD7NDQi4
And, check out more from @ultimatehomeschool podcast with the host Tiffany Hernandez!!
#Microschool #TrailBlazED #LeadershipForge#BakerCreekAcademy #EducationLeadership#MicroschoolFounders#EducationalInnovation #FutureOfSchool#Podcast #EducationPodcast #DeniseLever#SchoolStartup #LearnerCentered#CommunityLearning #AlternativeEducation#EducationReform #PermissionlessEducation#Teacherpreneur #HomeschoolCommunity