Daily Inspiration: Meet Denise Lever

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Lever.

Hi Denise, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my first career in wildland firefighting from the late 1980’s through the early 2000’s. There I learned how a small, well lead team can make a large impact. After becoming a homeschool mom to 3, I spent years designing learning experiences around the unique needs of each child. Here I saw the impact of personalized education first hand. Soon, I began helping other families in educational crisis navigate the freedoms and responsibilities of homeschooling. Then in 2020 I founded Baker Creek Academy learning Center at the request of friends in our community. What started with just 7 learners has grown to a network of 9 microschools, with 10 cohorts, serving nearly 15% of our local school age population. Today, through TrialBlazED leadership forge, I coach and connect founders across the country to build, scale and grow their own educational ventures.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. About two and a half years into running BCA, I was faced with a difficult but necessary decision. We had partnered with a private school to share space and resources. It made sense at first and helped us grow quickly. After months of trying to make it work, I realized we were compromising more than we could afford to. I chose to walk away from the partnership, knowing it meant we would need to find a new space right in the middle of the academic year. This was a tough decision but the families showed up and supported the move. I knew then that we were building something extraordinary.
In early 2025, our microschool found itself in an unexpected firestorm. Not in the figurative sense, but a literal one. The Arizona State Fire Marshal threatened to impose tens of thousands of dollars in building changes. We were told we had three options: comply, relocate, or shut our doors. Instead, we chose a fourth. We decided to fight. We partnered with the Institute for Justice who brought critical visibility to the situation. In the end the state backed down and we were able to remain in our current location, for now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I help people find freedom, whether that’s a learner discovering how they learn best, a parent realizing they have real choices, or a founder stepping into leadership with confidence. My work centers on building ecosystems where education is personal, purposeful, and community driven.

Through Baker Creek Academy, I’ve shown what’s possible when families take ownership of learning. And through TrailblazED Microschool Leadership Forge, I help other founders build sustainable, mission-driven education ventures of their own.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built around courage and collaboration. What sets us apart is that we don’t wait for permission to innovate. We create opportunity for everyone at the table, founders, parents, and learners alike.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is that courage will carry you farther than certainty. When I left fire fighting and stepped into education, I didn’t have all the answers but I had the courage to push forward. You can’t anticipate every challenge you will face but, you can approach them all with courage and curiosity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trailblazed.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TrailBlazEDForge/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrailBlazEDForge
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-lever-trailblazed/