TLDR: I ran a pod homeschool Kindergarten this year on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (WTF). The name was as serendipitous as practical, so of course, I went with it. This year was as rewarding as it was challenging, and I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

We got the call last summer that the schools were going virtual. That would mean for Stella, our tribe’s kindergartener, that she would be on a screen for 4-5 hours a day. That she wouldn’t be able to play with friends. She would miss out on all the things that Kindergarten does in the development of being a student, as well as a little human. She’s not my kid, but I couldn’t stomach it.

The pandemic dealt a hefty blow to my company 7Roots. In a time where businesses and non-profits are buckling down, hiring a creative agency, just wasn’t at the top of anyone’s list. We watched our contracts get canceled (understandable) and then the fires ripped through the Santa Cruz Mountains and literally burned down our last standing client and major contract.

As Angie and I began to think through what was best for our staff to keep them employed, both of us came off of the payroll and pivoted. She picked up work where she could and I found myself in a unique position… NO ONE is hiring Creative Consultants right now, work is coming in sporadically - maybe I could stay home with Stella (which would allow her mom and dad to continue to work) and contribute to the tribe this way.

At the same time, my brave sister, Crystal was developing a curriculum for emergency homeschooling for people in our situation. I called her, took her class on Building Your Homeschool, and ordered the curriculum.

I also thought, if I was going to stay home with Stella, I still want her to have that Kindergarten experience – there must be others out there thinking the same. I called the moms of some of her friends from pre-school and lead out with this… SO, I have an idea… What would you think about doing a POD Kindergarten? I’m not a certified teacher, but I have a certified curriculum. They’ll get socialization. They’ll do all the Kindergarten things…AND if we are safe and basically pod together, they won’t have to wear masks. I expected it would take time for a decision…

They jumped at it.

Oh, Ok! So, um, what is happening to me?! Did I just become a HOMESCHOOL MOM?

We quickly jumped into action and converted our potting shed into a small classroom. The local school was providing free desks and chairs to anyone who needed them… I needed four desks and four chairs, please.

In order to keep 7Roots running, I knew I needed to put in time there, too. So, we decided to run our school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Which then birthed the name WTF Elementary. With 2020 being the way that it was and the practicality of the school running on those days… there’s no way I was passing this up.

Our school ended last Friday. 7Roots has started to pick up again and now it’s time for me to pivot once again. Over the next couple of days and weeks, you’re going to see several posts from me about this amazing, crazy, incredible pivot. I have so much to share about this year, there’s no way to do it in one post.

Is Kindergarten my calling? No. Are creating experiences that also happens to teach kids things along the way my jam? Yeah. (Been in camping for too long for it not to be)

This year will be one of those years and experiences that will never leave me.