Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Simpson.
Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It was always my dream to have my own school- I just had no idea how it was going to look! Ever since I began studying early childhood education, I knew I wanted to be a part of a modernized education reform that took a more holistic approach to education. Knowing that, for little ones, a focus on social-emotional growth was imperative compared to the mainstream of the pressures of academic achievement. However, like many dreams, it took some time for me to bring my ideas into reality.
Everyone has to start somewhere. I’ve always known that public school was not for me, but it needed to be a stepping stone to guide my career further. I was fortunate enough to land a public school teaching position straight out of undergrad and it was in pre-k which had always held a special place in my heart! I was scared though- I was hired to be a special needs inclusion teacher with very minimal formal training. Looking back, I am so blessed for this opportunity. Working with 4 and 5 years old with a broad range of skills taught me so much not only as an educator but as a person too. I learned patience, self-regulation, and how to problem-solve big emotions. Skills I should’ve learned as a child but never was given the formal environment to do so. Many of my students were in the same predicament, and I knew I had to be a part of the change.
Our youngest and most challenged learners were being asked to suppress emotions, focus on academic growth, and engage in developmentally inappropriate expectations. For years, I worked with four years old who were labeled as behaviorally challenged. I was taught to follow protocols, behavior management tools and offer reward systems. It wasn’t before long that I realized these methods were only Band-Aids and did not solve the problem. My students needed love, understanding, and most importantly freedom. I began following my intuition and used customized strategies for each individual child in need. I revised my schedule to incorporate more free play, social emotion lessons, mindfulness, and yoga. My classroom became more peaceful. Unfortunately, the limitations of the public school system was still prevalent. Curriculums were replacing social times and I could see the impact it left on my students.
All during this time, I was exploring my own spiritual path and nurturing my own holistic growth. Reiki was the first holistic modality introduced to me and I loved it. It brought me a true sense of calm. From there, I chose to study more conscious topics and shifting my daily life to vibrate in a higher frequency. In 2018, I attended a local holistic expo and met my wonderful teacher, Eva Goulette of Dancing Jaguar Inspirations. Studying under her showed me how I could combine my experience teaching with spiritual content to create a more holistic program for kids. Thus Sprouting Spirits was born.
Sprouting Spirits held its first program in January 2019 in Massachusetts. I had a few children and we had fun learning about chakras. I was all set to hold a few spring and summer camps when the world shut down. It was an interesting bump, but it did not stop the success of Sprouting Spirits. Families reached out and requested private backyard camps. It was in this moment I realized by classroom could be anywhere in nature. In summer 2021, I quit my public school teaching job after 7 years, moved to Venice, and relaunched Sprouting Spirits.
Since Fall 2021, Sprouting Spirits has been offering various classes for ages 0-12 in the West LA area. What started as just one weekly class has expanded into a community and multiple class offerings through the week, as well as birthday parties. I am proud of Sprouting Spirits success and look forward to continuing the growth.
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?
While everything has its purpose, challenges always seem to arise to test us. Previously I mentioned how I quit my public school job and planned to move across country. Soon after I officially quit, gave notice to my landlord, and began apartment searching in LA, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. There was a brief moment where I thought that all my hopes and dreams for Sprouting Spirits would be put on hold again, this time because of cancer. So many questions ran through my head- could I still move, would I have the energy to work with kids, is this financially risky at this time, and more. As I laid in the hospital waiting for my official diagnosis, I felt so scared and had to dig deep to believe in my own ability to heal, as well as Sprouting Spirits’ resilience. To distract myself, I turned on the tv and heard the song “I’ve Got the Magic in Me” by B.o.B. Immediately a sense of calm washed over me and I remembered my strength. I knew everything would be okay and I would be able to overcome any challenges that came my way. Later that summer, in the middle of chemotherapy, I moved to Venice and launched Sprouting Spirits within my first month. While it started slow due to cancer, I was able to quickly regain strength and offer more classes as my healing progressed. I am strong. My program is strong. With inner magic and faith anything is possible!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Sprouting Spirits is a unique program that specializes in the holistic education of children. The programs aim to meet the needs of each individual learner, foster independence and encourage free thinking. Through play, movement, exploration, and guided energy work children learn to connect to their inner power. All the classes are one of a kind, as they are adapted to meet the interests of the kids and are flexible for in the moment learning. Classes can be as simple as an art, music, and yoga class or more in-depth classes about energy work. Kids learn how to use crystals, pendulums, and reiki to open up their chakras. They learn about transmutation, manifestation, and affirmations to help cope with big feelings. We talk to nature and honor the spirits of the land. Class is about connection. My main goal is that children have fun, learn to live harmoniously within the world, and love themselves. I am so grateful to guide children toward a path of healing humanity.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Believe in yourself. Be true to you. Anything is possible with hard work.
Pricing:
- 30 Min Programs $12/child
- 1 Hr Programs $25/child
- 3 Hr Programs $60/child
- Parents Night Out Childcare $20/hr per child
Contact Info:
- Website: SproutingSpirits.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/Sprouting_Spirits
- Facebook: fb.me/SproutingSpirits1
