Looking back to the days of my Master’s program at the University of Central Florida, one of the first questions we were asked was, Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Without a doubt, I said, “Running my own school. We need to make significant changes, and the politicians are getting in the way.” Little did I know I might just actually do that.

Fast-forward to 2024. iBuild Academy is embarking on a private school journey. We are looking into the first STEM-focused private school in our area. My dream statement, 20 years in the making, might just come true. Based on the last 8 years of developing highly engaging content, networking with business members, and developing community, many pieces are in place. There are still many more pieces to add, like a building, but we are on our way.

I have learned so much about the learning process. The key element is FUN! Our kids have fun every day. We play hard, laugh at our mistakes, and grow with each other. Kids want choice, ownership, and a voice in their learning. Each kid is unique; there is no one-size-fits-all. We cannot continue to expect all kids to advance at the same rate. iBuild Academy will be a model for the future where learning is social.