From an early age, she knew she wanted to teach and educate children, but not within the confines of the traditional educational system. She envisioned creating a curriculum that drew from her nursing and educator background, combined with her experience, knowledge, understanding, and love for teaching. While working in the school system, she realized she wasn’t fully utilizing her God-given gifts.

She understood that having her children in the traditional school system would limit their potential and wouldn’t give them the opportunity to unleash all their capabilities, knowing that the system is designed to trap minds and dumb down consciousness. Determined to change the trajectory for her children and others in the school system, she wanted to create a supportive environment based on understanding individual temperaments and providing a sense of belonging.

She aimed to prepare her scholars to be critical, independent thinkers by understanding how to eradicate the distinctions put up by society. So, she took a risk, resigned from the public school system as an educator, and started her own alternative homeschool system, Beyond Academics, her homeschool is right out of her house. She began by renovating her garage and then utilizing her entire home. She believed she could do it, and she did it.

Beyond Academics is a space she created to facilitate learning and community engagement. The name of her first homeschool, Beyond Academics speaks to her philosophy that education must go beyond academics to truly tap into scholars’ capabilities. The focus is on self-awareness and understanding what it means to show up and bring one’s best. While academic excellence is at the forefront, knowing oneself allows the identification of any barriers to learning before teaching even begins.

She is filled with gratitude for providing a service that families didn’t realize they needed: a “home away from home” environment. It is a place where their child can be seen and rewarded for their excellence, all of which began during the pandemic when so much was uncertain, overwhelming, and unknown.

For the last four years, her home has facilitated wholesomeness and safety for scholars and families to learn and grow together. Her extensive curriculum covers black history, financial literacy, anatomy, culinary arts, self-discovery, nutrition and so much more. In terms of history, scholars are taught that they are inventors, chemists, mathematicians, kings, queens, etc. This approach breaks down the barriers and shackles that have led to the belief that black history is only about “slavery.”

Because self-awareness, identity, and representation are important to her, she created a Black Inventor Workbook called “You Can Be an Inventor Too”. Fostered by a labor of love and passion with her son Elijah who illustrated each page with care and creativity, aimed at inspiring young minds; this workbook not only introduces children to these brilliant innovators but also incorporates essential learning skills such as Math, English, and critical thinking. Additionally,  she also created “ Beyond Academics Blank Recipe book”, a tool for both personal and classroom use, designed to ignite creativity in the kitchen while also serving as a learning resource. Cooking and baking are wonderful ways for children to practice math skills, follow instructions, and explore new flavors and cultures.

As a mother of two, she is unschooling her children while running a business, balancing these roles with love and dedication. It took courage, discipline, and faith to get where she is at. She is grateful for the amazing souls she’s encountered along this journey, and she knows that her work is far from over; she’s only just beginning. She is here to serve and give back. The proceeds from her books helps fund her homeschooling, Beyond Academics programs and initiatives, making a positive difference in the community. We truly appreciate her generosity and support for homeschool.

It took courage, discipline, and faith to get here, and the amazing souls she has encountered remind her that her work is not done; it is only just beginning. She is here to serve and give back. Contact her beyondacademics111@gmail.com, visit her website beyondacademics.ca or Instagram @itsbeyondacademics

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