Greater New Orleans Free Range Educator Meet-Up (February 2026)

Join us for a morning of networking and sharing resources!

Do you consider yourself a "free-range educator"—passionate about building an outside-the-box approach to education for K-12 students and their families? Are you interested in founding a program like this but looking for resources and answers to your questions? If so, we would love to have you join us!

Purpose of this event: The vision of the Greater New Orleans Free Range Educator Meet-ups is to bring together founders, current leaders, and those interested in founding non-traditional K-12 educational programs such as microschools, homeschool co-ops and collaboratives, youth programs, learning pods, creative arts spaces, and beyond who serve families in the greater New Orleans area.

We want to share resources for current founders, leaders, and those who are interested in learning more about starting or scaling their programs, as well as network and hear from you on topics, book clubs, or panel events that would serve you in the future.

Serving NOLA, Metairie, Slidell, Northshore & surrounding areas. Quarterly meet-ups for founders of microschools, co-ops, learning pods, youth programs, arts spaces & beyond. Connect, collaborate, and reimagine what's possible for K-12 learning.

These meet-ups are sponsored by a grant from VELA and hosted by Zoe Learning House, a VELA Community Connector. There is no cost or hidden agenda to sell anyone anything, but genuinely just encourage each of you in the important path you are forging in K-12 education, as well as connect you with grant and funding opportunities.

This event is all about building cooperation over competition, supporting one another in providing high-quality educational options for families in our community.

UPCOMING MEET UP INFORMATION:

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM
Location: The Batture - 25 Walnut Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• We will have reserved picnic tables at The Batture, as well as signage directing you

• Complimentary coffee and refreshments catered by Miss Market.

• In addition, the food trucks and vendors on site will open at 11:00 for you to purchase lunch and other beverages if you'd like.

This event is FREE to attend for founders, current program leaders,

and interested founders.

Registration is required and helps us plan for attendance.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact:

Emily Barnitz

• VELA Community Connector

• Founder & Director of Zoe Learning House

emily.barnitz@zoelearninghouse.com
504-517-2321

We hope to see you there!

This event is all about building cooperation over competition, supporting one another in providing high-quality educational options for families in our community.

What is Zoe Learning House?