We had the good fortune of connecting with Marisa Donnelly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marisa, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I’ve been an educator for over a decade, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that my career took a complete pivot. When schools closed, I was faced with an immediate decision—do I watch my dyslexic stepson (ten years old at the time) struggle academically due to school closures, or do I take matters into my own hands? Coming from a background and experience in education, it was a no-brainer. I decided to homeschool my son. . . but one thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had launched a full-time “microschool” and was teaching a group of seven 5th/6th graders out of my two-bedroom home! That year was arguably the hardest and most rewarding year of my life. But it changed everything for me. After running that program, I then created a Kinder-4th grade “microschool” for families looking for educational alternatives and am headed into my 5th year of operation!

What started as a path born of no other option became something I am incredibly passionate about. What the pandemic brought to light, for me and my stepson alike, was the fact that our current education system isn’t always equipped to support students with diverse needs. Families are often left feeling unheard, frustrated, or exhausted by programs that don’t address the root cause of challenges or are simply unable to meet their child’s needs in their setting(s).

The launch (or rather re-launch) of my educational services business—microschool, small-group learning pods, and 1:1 tutoring services—has shown me that there are so many other ways to teach, and so many other ways that students can learn. My programs offer flexible scheduling, hands-on experiences, a small teacher-student ratio, engaging curriculum, and both strategies and systems (born through years of experience!) to support children who may need something different.

I’m so grateful that I get to provide an option for homeschooling families where they don’t feel the pressure to ‘take it all on’ themselves, but rather can outsource their child’s education, while not compromising on curriculum, socialization, safety, personal values, or the comfort of a passionate, dedicated teacher.

What should our readers know about your business?
Miss Donnelly’s Daily Apple is an educational services business that offers individualized, intentionally-designed learning programs and tutoring services to families looking for alternatives or supplements to public and private schooling.

What sets us apart is that everything we offer (from our microschool to 1:1 sessions) is highly personalized and catered to the student(s) we serve. We also prioritize relationships and strive to not only get to know our students and their families but build a community. Our biggest goal is to change the educational landscape, particularly for those with dyslexia and/or other learning challenges, and to empower parents (of all sizes and walks of life) to advocate for their children and their education unapologetically.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in San Diego is such a blessing! As a teacher, I would take them to all my favorite spots (for ‘fieldtrips’ or otherwise).

Some of my favorite nature spots:
(1) Sunset Cliffs – Take a nature walk, explore the tide pools, and watch the sunrise or sunset
(2) Kate Sessions Park – A gorgeous view of the city with a relaxed hill atmosphere to sit/picnic
(3) Torrey Pines Trail – This is a great spot for a walk/hike with beautiful views and right on the coast
(4) Del Mar Dog Beach – A special place to take your pup while enjoying the beautiful beach

Some of my favorite food/coffee shops:
(1) Clairemont Coffee – As a local to this shop, I love the quaint vibes, delicious drinks, and kind staff
(2) Mad Munch – An OB grilled cheese shop that’s to die for
(3) Lighthouse Ice Cream – A small business with great desserts and often gives discounts to students

Some of my favorite museums:
(1) Children’s Museum – A space that’s really hands-on and offers so many options for children of all ages
(2) Fleet Science Center – A museum where you can explore STEM through activities and exhibits
(3) EcoVivarium – A neat place to explore different reptiles and have hands-on encounters with animals

And finally, one of my beloved fieldtrip locations: Frosted Faces (Ramona, CA) – A rescue organization that focuses on senior pets and aims to support their end-of-life journey. We have taken several fieldtrips to their spot, taken their dogs on a hike, and have truly learned about animal advocacy from their incredible staff and their dedication to their work!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I met my stepson in 2017, and everything I’ve done since then I’ve done for him or with him in mind. When my life and career pivoted during the pandemic, it was solely because I wanted to provide an education for him during a time where he had no other options or support for his dyslexia. Flash forward to the present, and while I’m no longer his day-to-day teacher, I run all of my classes, programs, and sessions for him—constantly striving to be the best parent, educator, and financial support I can be so that he can live the life he deserves.

Website: https://donnellydailyapple.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnellydailyapple/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/donnellydailyapple/

Twitter: https://x.com/the_dailyapple

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnellydailyapple

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@donnellydailyapple

Image Credits
https://letthemlearn.net/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.