Roots & Wings Academy: Together Let’s Explore, Learn, and Soar
by Brandilyn Mitchell
Social media has its perks, though I often forget what they are these days! Every once in a while I am reminded that social media is-above all-a place to connect and network. We get distracted, and need to be reminded that it was created to span time and distance to connect us to others all over the globe. I am always pleasantly surprised when social media does what it was designed to do.
In one of my numerous parenting groups, I came across Roots & Wings Academy, founded by Rebecca Pridmore. I was looking for additional ways to socialize my daughter that would fit into our busy schedule. Roots & Wings currently offers tutoring and several monthly classes for young learners, which is exactly what I need! March’s craft afternoon theme was St. Patrick’s Day. April’s theme was Spring and Easter. Rebecca’s craft days aren’t just letting kids loose with pipe cleaners and paint, she had perfectly curated her theme around all things STEAM, heavy on Science and Art. We conducted an experiment called “Sink or Float?”, painted a flower pot then planted some seeds in it to watch grow at home, and built jelly bean and toothpick towers. Which of course, the kids could dismantle and eat at their leisure. This was so much more than a craft day. Kids learned and played together, parents connected, friends were made all around.
Her experience with neuro-diverse children is what hooked me initially. I went to her website and found testimonials all over the place from other parents in my boat. My daughter is a fireball of energy, and I am always anxious when we try something new. But she loves art class and anything science, so I thought, we will just *try* it and see what happens. We will be back because this girl had a dynamic blast with her new buddies and doing the “Sink or Float” experiment. Her excitement carried into bath time where everything she could reach went into the water. “Will dis sink or float, Mommy?” and I would often guess wrong on purpose. I used a little white board to tally the results. Things that sank “won”. Yay for passionate learning!
Yay also for new things coming from Roots & Wings! RWA is transitioning into a full-on homeschool hybrid affectionately called a “Micro-Pod”. If you homeschool already and would like some additional socialization or supplemented learning that is nature-inspired using hands-on experience in a small class for ages 2 to 10, this is the answer for you. If you wanted to homeschool Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten, this is a great option for you too!
At RWA children are allowed to learn at their own pace, in a small pod which allows Rebecca to give them individualized attention to foster their love of learning and building trusting peer relationships. “Rather than being confined to a traditional classroom setting, students will spend a significant amount of time outdoors-observing, exploring, and interacting in nature.” says Rebecca, who taught in the classroom for seven years before creating RWA. A 2024 study found that children need at least 3 hours of outdoor play every day. Students will spend as much time outdoors as possible using a nature-inspired project-based approach. Students will learn team building, problem solving, and life skills. “The curriculum I have chosen is not a one-size-fits all approach. That way each student can find their passion and I can nurture that passion. I enjoy having a choice in how and what I teach so that kids are truly learning, and parents often don’t realize how much choice they have in their child’s education. You don’t have to just send your kid to the closest school to you. You have options. You are your child’s first teacher, no one knows them better than you.” Her teaching style is heavily inspired by Montessori and includes curriculum choices such as Kind, Mystery Science and Rock by Rock (which is a music program-and a very cool one at that.)
I asked her where her passion comes from to be an educator. “I had some traumatic experiences when I was younger, and I knew I wanted to grow up to be the adult I needed. Studies show that even one safe adult in a child’s life increases their chances of success exponentially. I want to be a safe adult who helps children succeed.”
She is currently hosting informational meetings to give you a tour of her facility where you can ask all your questions in a relaxed atmosphere. Such as, “Are you a credentialed teacher?” Yes, she earned her BA in Elementary Education from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon and her Masters from Concordia University in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Trauma and Resilience. “Is your staff background checked?” Thoroughly! The micropod options are reasonably priced, and if you are already connected to a Charter, she may even take vendor dollars from them. Check out the website for the form to show interest in an informational meeting.
Want to try them out before then? There are a couple of ways. Aside from the monthly craft days, you can snag a spot in one of the Summer Camps offered weekly from June 16th to July 18th. Session 1 will be themed “Earth Explorers” discussing soil, rocks, roots, ecosystems, and underground life. Session 2 is “Forest Friends” discussing trees, woodland creatures, habitats and forest sounds. Summer camps are geared towards ages 5-10, but there is one session for “Little Explorers” aged 2-4. Follow Roots & Wings Academy on Facebook or visit the site at rootsandwingsacademyca.my.canva.site for more information on this amazing educational option (or click the live link.)
