Why I Started InCLASS

For the past decade, I’ve dedicated my life to education. Eight of those years have been spent in the middle school classrooms, an age group I genuinely love. There’s something powerful about that stage of life. They’re curious and right on the edge of discovering who they are and who they want to become.

But over time, I noticed the focus in the classroom was less about preparing students for life and more about preparing them for a test.

As a teacher, I felt the pressure to make data only paint a story of growth and achievement. The constant push to prepare for the state test removed creativity from the planning process. While standards and accountability have their place, I began to question whether we were truly serving students in the ways that matter most.

Because when the test is over… then what?

My Personal Experience

I’m a product of public-school education. I took advantage of the free tutoring and extracurricular activities my school provided. I had strong teachers, attended a great district, and was academically successful. But when it came time to step into the real world, go to college, and make big life decisions, I didn’t feel prepared.

I knew how to pass a test (well, most of them).

I didn’t necessarily know how to navigate life though.

That realization stayed with me.

What I Saw in My Students

As I continued teaching, I began to see patterns.

Students were learning content but struggling with confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills. They could memorize terms, but not always apply them. They were checking boxes, but not always building skills.

I also taught many students transitioning from homeschooling into traditional school environments over the years, which opened my eyes even more.

Most of those students struggled with the rigidity of the system or socially, while navigating a completely different structure than what they were used to.

Even before the pandemic, homeschooling and digital learning communities were growing rapidly, but the support systems weren’t growing at the same pace.

A Gap That Needed to Be Filled

In cities like Port St. Lucie, there are already strong homeschooling networks—co-ops, microschools, and learning groups doing incredible work.

I didn’t want to duplicate that.

I wanted to complement it.

I wanted to create something that filled the gaps I saw every day as a teacher that supported teens and tweens in ways traditional systems and existing programs did not.

Where Traditional Education Falls Short

There were a few major gaps that stood out to me:

1. Workforce Readiness Starts Too Late
Most programs focus on high school students with career exploration and job skills. But many of those skills, such as communication, time management, problem-solving, are things students can begin developing much earlier.

So why wait?

Middle school students are already forming interests and identities. They deserve the opportunity to explore, build skills, and gain exposure early on, so they can make more informed decisions later.

2. Leadership Opportunities Are Limited Depending on Where You Attend School

Some schools, like the one I teach at, teach to Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which embeds leadership into everything we do. Other schools, students have to create their own leadership opportunities. All students, no matter where they learn, need spaces to lead, practice, grow, and be heard.

3. Academic Support Isn’t Always Holistic
Across Florida, I’ve seen standards for our students shift and, in many cases, decline. Students are falling behind, not because they lack potential, but because they lack the right kind of support.

And for homeschool and digital learners, access to consistent and diverse resources in one place can be limited.

4. Learning Isn’t Always Connected to Real Life
Students are often asking a simple question:

“When am I ever going to use this?”

And too often, there isn’t a clear answer.

I’m seeing students craving answers to lessons our schools only have the time and opportunity to teach through clubs and extra-curricular activities.

5. Community Service Is Often Passive
Volunteering is valuable—but students are capable of more than just participating in existing efforts. They can identify problems, think critically, and create solutions.

They can lead change. And with the resources, guidance, and space to do it, they can shape the future of their community.

6. Mentorship Is Missing or Inconsistent
Strong relationships matter.

Students need guidance, perspective, and support from both adults and peers. Without that, learning can feel isolating.

Often, those mentorship opportunities are given to students classified as at-risk or who are hand-selected by staff.

When you teach over 100 students, it’s impossible to give them all that special attention required to effectively mentor them as whole people and not just students.

What InCLASS Is Built to Do

InCLASS was created as a response to these gaps.

Not to replace what already exists—but to enhance it.

We are building a space where middle and high school students—especially homeschool and digital learners—can:

• Develop real-world skills early, not just academic knowledge

• Explore career interests through hands-on experiences and exposure

• Build leadership skills in environments that feel safe and empowering

• Access academic support, including tutoring and coaching

• Collaborate in a daytime coworking space designed for learning and growth

• Engage in meaningful community service, including creating their own impact projects

• Build strong relationships through mentorship and peer connection

This isn’t about choosing between traditional education and alternative learning.

It’s about creating something that bridges the gap.

Why This Work Matters

InCLASS allows me to continue doing the work I love, but in a way that feels aligned with what students truly need. It’s about impact beyond standards. Growth beyond testing. Preparation beyond the classroom.

Because students deserve more than just an education that helps them pass.

They deserve one that helps them live.

If you’re a parent, educator, or community member who believes in this vision, I invite you to follow along, get involved, and help us build something meaningful for the next generation.

Because the future our students are stepping into requires more, and together, we can give it to them.