We recently had the chance to connect with Andrea Hantman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andrea, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90-min of my day is: Set a positive vibe for the day. I check my email and to do list before the kids wake up. Then, when they are up we snuggle for a little before we go to PLAY.
It’s not always that easy, some mornings are struggle when the kids are not ready on time or daddy don’t have their lunch bags ready…lol
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Beyond PLAY was founded on a simple yet powerful idea: children and families thrive when they feel supported. What began as a passion for creating meaningful early childhood experiences has grown into a year-round homeschool and social-emotional learning center that offers not only academic and enrichment services, but also a nurturing community where families can find connection, resources, and genuine care. My name is Andrea Hantman, and my journey in education began in 2017. I started as an instructor for Mommy and Me programs, deeply focused on early childhood development, advocacy for families, children with unique abilities and special needs. Through these experiences, I discovered how play and movement could be powerful tools for growth and learning. I developed programs such as PatuqueTime, a sensory integration and messy play experience, and Aprendiendo en Español, designed for bilingual families who wanted to strengthen their Spanish at home. Eventually, I brought all of my programs together under one umbrella PLAY School Academy, a place dedicated to learning through joy, creativity, and connection. In 2020, when the pandemic reshaped education, I stepped further into homeschooling. I saw how children and families were struggling with virtual learning, and I knew there was a better way. With the guidance of a fellow homeschool mom, I began building what would become Beyond PLAY, a homeschool support and passion-driven education with a holistic approach to social-emotional learning, that nurtures both the child and the family.
At Beyond PLAY, we focus on the whole child. We customize educational plans based on each child’s academic level, learning style, and personal interests. Our approach goes beyond traditional academics to include emotional intelligence, social skills, and developmental growth.
We also view our community as part of the classroom, partnering with local entrepreneurs, small businesses, professionals like OT, Speech, and affirming ABA therapist among others, and families who share our vision for education that inspires curiosity, confidence, and connection.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before starting my journey, I was a wife, a mom and a community model, roles that shaped me in many beautiful ways. But what truly inspired me to create PLAY were my children. “My why, my two kids”. During the pandemic, I realized that children needed individualized attention and lost precious years of socialization. That they don’t need long hours in a building to learn and become social. Every children learn differently, regardless of their abilities and need diverse environments to learn and practice social-emotional intelligence. I wanted to empower that in my kids and then extend it to my community.” Homeschooling has always been a deep passion of mine, and through them, I discovered my purpose. I love my kids beyond words, and I’m grateful every day that I get to spend these precious years learning, growing, and exploring the world alongside them. I have always been an advocate and a firm believer in early intervention when it comes to our children cognitive, sensory, and social-emotional development.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. When it comes to homeschooling and raising our own children, there are moments when life feels overwhelming and you question whether you can keep going. I’ve definitely been there. But every time I walk into PLAY and see what I’ve built—the joy, the community, the growth—it reminds me why I started. PLAY has become a constant source of motivation, pushing me to keep pursuing my dreams. Through this journey, I’ve experienced so much growth, both personally and professionally.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
In my opinion, yes. I genuinely love connecting and collaborating with people—both professionally and personally. What you see is what you get. Of course, there’s also the part of me that loves to unwind and relax, but the person you see publicly is very much who I am in every setting.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace at home on my off days. But truly, when I am traveling I am most at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PLAYschoolacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playschoolacademyfl?igsh=dTBjb2g5ZjNoaDMw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cc5eeXBUA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Beyond PLAY
