The American K-12 system had serious problems even before the pandemic. Teachers were frustrated, and students suffered growing levels of anxiety and depression, not to mention the downward academic achievement trends of the past decade. A set of promising new schooling techniques has gained traction during the pandemic, which could bring joy back to education. The first is hands-on distance learning, which offers the opportunity to employ creative new staffing models that make better use of teacher time and play to educators' individual strengths to yield better instruction. The second is microschooling, which employs project-based learning and could allow students to individually pursue their interests while maintaining the joy of community. Combined, they could create new opportunities for families and educators to make education more productive, more centered on family preferences, and even more fun for students and educators.