Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Maister.
Hi Kendra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
At a very young age, I was exposed to teaching and entrepreneurship from my late mother, whose life truly was her work! She worked long hours as a public school teacher, owned and operated a concession stand at the county fairs, and even built and sold a successful dance studio that is still in business today!
My father was always up for any challenge, which meant that he was the stay-at-home dad up until I was sent off to kindergarten on the infamous yellow school bus that most of us remember as kids.
My childhood was pretty normal, but I remember struggling with the school system as a whole. I never really felt seen or heard, which caused me to retract and dim my inner light that used to shine so brightly. My parents moved us out of state a few times, which inevitably put added stress on my brother and me, especially surrounding friendships and fitting in.
As I approached middle school, I became more rebellious and anxious overall. Bullying behavior was a constant threat for my brother and I, instilling a fight or flight mindset early on.
I succumbed to the pressure of getting decent grades, but sadly, most of my energy was wrapped up in shielding myself from malicious gossip from my peers. Once I graduated high school, I felt a sense of freedom that I had never felt before; as if my life had just begun, and the shackles were released once and for all!
After becoming a mother myself, I’ve made it my life’s goal to savor this season of making memories while creating a secure, consistent, and non-judgemental community to raise my children in. Through our flourishing community, we are better able to shed inspiration, wisdom, love, and light towards the next generation of families.
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?
I always longed for an intentional community that fostered deep connections rooted in kindness and depth. It has been a rough road to get to the point where I am in my business, but staying consistent and holding the vision has been my saving grace.
To get from point A to point B, there will inevitably be a fair amount of sacrificing that takes place. My commitment to homeschool my children in a conscientious community while simultaneously directing the inner workings of a nature school can definitely take a toll, but the fulfillment it brings keeps me propelling forward!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are an intentional homeschool community that fosters independent learning through nature play and exploration.
The Indie Sol was founded in an effort to shift the paradigm of education, focusing greater attention on the learning process rather than on the products that learners produce.
By fostering the innate restlessness of children and harnessing an intuitive, child-led curriculum, we become less rigid and more versatile ourselves. Inherently, the children are more apt and able to lean into their needs and desires while still having fun!
We strive to make our program affordable and accessible to families feeling called to homeschool their children. We offer scholarships and sliding scale opportunities for low-income families as well as paid teaching positions for stay-at-home moms and dads in the community! We also extend many volunteer opportunities for parents looking to be more involved in their children’s education.
What matters most to you?
“Once upon a time, all children were homeschooled. They were not sent away from home each day to a place just for children, but lived, learned, worked, and played in the real world, alongside adults and other children of all ages.” –The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole
So much of our childhood is spent sitting at a desk and receiving instructions which we are expected to regurgitate by means of testing. How do we expect our children to develop critical thinking and the necessary coping skills to thrive in the society that we live in today?
I feel that it’s crucial for us as parents to slow down and deeply reflect on our own childhood experiences. Only then can we start to visualize and embrace the memories which we would like to recreate and build lessons upon. By following your child’s interests, you are empowering your child to have a say in their education; and in turn, igniting their passion for learning!
Pricing:
- $75/month 90 min Parent Participation Class (1-4-year-olds)
- $150/month 3-hour Drop Off Class (4-8-year-olds)
- $200/month 4-hour Drop Off Class (4-8- year olds) & (5-10-year-olds)
Contact Info:
- Website: theindiesol.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/theindiesol
- Facebook: facebook.com/theindiesol
Image Credits
Brittanee Taylor Photography
Aubree Lynn Photography
