Life on the Road: RV Homeschooling, Travel, and the Microschool Experience

Introduction

Hey there, RV families! You’re not just traveling.
You’re raising little MacGyvers.

Flat tires? They problem-solve.
New towns? They adapt.

Every stop is a lesson. And so Life on the road teaches kids flexibility.
Breakdowns, detours, new places, new people. But schooling? That’s the tricky part.

Homeschooling or Brilliant Microschools makes it possible. Go where you want. Learn on your terms.

BMS brings the classroom wherever you park. Math in Montana. Literature in Louisiana. Science in Sedona. We keep it structured. You keep it adventurous.

In this edition of Tiny Talks with a Microschool Principal, we dive into an unconventional yet fascinating lifestyle—full-time RV travel, homeschooling, and microschooling.

Meet Mark and Val Domnenko, the adventurous couple behind The Travel Show, a popular Instagram and TikTok series that documents their nomadic life with their children. They share how they balance education, business, and adventure while staying on the move.

What inspired you to start traveling full-time and homeschooling your children?

Mark & Val: It all started before the pandemic. We were living in a house, going through the usual routine, until COVID hit. Schools sent our kids home with tablets and minimal guidance. As parents, we had to take over their education, and we quickly realized how inefficient the traditional school model was for our family.

We had always loved traveling, so we decided to try something new—full-time RV life. We sold our house, bought an RV, and hit the road. What started as a temporary adventure soon became our way of life. Homeschooling felt like a natural extension of this new lifestyle, allowing us to tailor education to our children’s needs and interests.

Would you have transitioned into full-time travel if the pandemic hadn’t happened?

Mark & Val: That’s a great question, and honestly, we’ve never really thought about it! The pandemic was definitely the catalyst, but we were already feeling the need for change. We were considering moving out of Illinois and exploring different options. If not for COVID, we might have relocated somewhere new, but full-time RV life? Maybe not. It’s hard to say...

How did you discover Brilliant Microschools, and why did you enroll?

Mark & Val: We wanted more stability in our children’s education. With homeschooling, we had complete flexibility, but we also needed a system that held us accountable. That’s when we found Brilliant Microschools through a Google search.

We liked that it wasn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It provided structure but still allowed us to maintain our travel lifestyle. Plus, enrolling meant we couldn’t just move on a whim—we had to consider school schedules, which helped bring more stability into our routine.

Have you noticed any differences between homeschooling your daughter and Emmett’s experience at Brilliant Microschools?

Mark & Val: Absolutely! One of the biggest differences is structure. Emmett thrives on having a set schedule with a dedicated teacher who pinpoints his strengths and areas that need improvement. The three-hour, five-day-a-week model works well for him because he needs clear expectations—when to take a break, when lessons start—so the structured microschool keeps him focused and accountable.

Our daughter, on the other hand, is more self-directed, so we’ve taken a different approach with her.

How do you balance homeschooling, social media, and traveling?

Mark & Val: It’s a mix of structured and unstructured learning. Initially, our travels were all about experiential learning—visiting historical sites, national parks, and museums. We call them “field trips.” Over time, we realized we needed more structure, which led us to Brilliant Microschools. Now, we incorporate both hands-on learning and structured virtual lessons. As for our content creation, Mark handles the marketing and business side, while I (Val) am the presenter. We work as a team to keep The Travel Show running while also prioritizing our kids’ education.

What has been the biggest learning moment for your kids during your travels?

Mark & Val: Honestly, everything is a learning moment! One of the biggest advantages of traveling is experiencing history and culture firsthand. We would visit the places most families read about. We’ve taken our kids to Washington D.C., Mount Rushmore, and even spent three months exploring Asia. They’ve seen NASA rockets in Huntsville and learned about different cultures by walking the streets of Singapore and South Korea.

We always ask them to share three cool facts after visiting a museum or historical site. It encourages them to retain and process what they’ve learned rather than just passively observing.

How do you manage socialization for your kids while constantly moving?

Mark & Val: Socialization is actually easier than people think! We’re part of Full Time Families, a membership group for traveling families. It’s like a built-in community. There are meetups, rallies, and organized events where our kids make lasting friendships.

Even though families eventually settle down, they stay connected. We’ve found that this lifestyle fosters strong, deep friendships because everyone shares similar experiences. It’s different from traditional schooling, but it works for us.

Do RV families struggle with a lack of stability, like military families who frequently move and have to leave friends behind?

Mark & Val: It can be a concern, but once you find your people, you tend to travel together. Over time, families do transition off the road, either settling down or shifting to international travel.

What usually prompts RV families to stop traveling and settle down?

Mark & Val: There are different factors—kids reaching their teenage years and wanting more stability, work changes, or simply burnout from constant travel. For us, we know we’ll eventually transition away from full-time RV life, though it may evolve into international travel instead of completely settling down.

So, you see yourselves eventually “plugging out” from RV life, but not necessarily from alternative education?

Mark & Val: Yes, exactly!

What’s your secret to staying together and not driving each other crazy while living and working in such a small space?

Mark & Val: There’s a saying in the RV world: “If you go full-time in an RV, you’re either going to become best friends or get divorced.” There’s no in-between! You have to learn how to work through things because there’s literally nowhere to run.

We’ve adapted to resolving conflicts quickly. If we have a heated moment, we take a breather, go for a walk, or play with the kids. We’ve also learned to apologize when we’re wrong, and that sets a good example for our kids. It’s not always perfect, but we’ve definitely bonded more as a family through this experience.

What advice would you give to families considering full-time travel and homeschooling?

Mark & Val: First, figure out if it’s financially feasible. Full-time travel isn’t cheap, and you need a steady income stream.

Second, find a homeschool model that fits your family. There are so many options now, just like Brilliant Microschools. Homeschooling isn’t just parents teaching their kids all day.

Third, be flexible. Life on the road isn’t always glamorous. There are challenges—tight spaces, unexpected breakdowns, and constant decision-making. But if you embrace the adventure, it can be incredibly rewarding.

What do you think the future of education looks like?

Mark & Val: We think education is shifting away from the traditional, rigid school system. More families are seeking flexible, mastery-based models that focus on life skills rather than rote memorization.

Homeschooling and microschools are becoming more mainstream. It used to be that homeschoolers were seen as “outsiders,” but now they’re leading the way in education innovation. We love that more people are recognizing the value of personalized learning over standardized testing.

Final Thoughts

Mark and Val’s story is a testament to the evolving nature of education and the power of experiential learning. Their journey proves that learning isn’t confined to a classroom—it happens everywhere.

Whether through homeschooling, microschools, or hands-on experiences, education is becoming more adaptable to individual needs.

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Patrick Tzakalako is Head of Admissions at Brilliant Microschools and a guest host of Tiny Talks with a Microschool Principal.

You can reach him at patrick@brilliantmicroschool.org.