Meet the Team

Cayla McGinnis

Co-Founder and Community Director

Cayla McGinnis, mom of three beautiful girls, was inspired by Tarah to begin her homeschooling journey. In her first year, she took an interest-led, unschooling approach, using weekly "curiosity boards" to help guide topics. She values the life skills and real-world experience homeschooling allows, over having her kids confined to a desk. Cayla brings over a decade of experience in public relations, strategic communications, and nonprofit leadership — including serving as Executive Director of Education First and, in an earlier chapter, working as a camp counselor on a British military base in Germany.

A woman with four young girls stands outdoors in front of green bushes and flowering plants, smiling at the camera.

Tarah Richey

Co-founder and Program Director

Tarah Richey is a homeschooling mom of four, and a former behavior therapist with a background in special education. She's passionate about sensory-friendly learning and creating welcoming spaces where kids grow in confidence and curiosity — and where moms feel encouraged and never alone in the beautifully messy work of raising little ones.

A woman in a white dress standing outdoors with four children in front of her, near a large tree and greenery.

Sydnee Perkins

Co-founder and Nature Club Leader

Sydnee grew up in the woods with a dad who was a true survivalist, learning from a young age how to hunt and live off the land. From safely handling firearms and tracking animals to processing meat and hide, building shelters, and starting fires with natural materials, the outdoors has always been her classroom. She was also raised as a Christian and will incorporate short, age-appropriate scripture into her lessons to encourage kids to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

A woman with long red hair, wearing a blue knit hat, and a young boy with short light brown hair, smiling, standing outdoors on a wooden deck with a forest background of tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.