We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Ackley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Throughout my time teaching Kindergarten and first grade in a local public school, I became known for incorporating the outdoors into the classroom setting. My students observed metamorphosis, incubated and hatched various birds, built and utilized a worm compost, and more! Nature had been a huge part of my upbringing, and I sought to share my love for the outdoors with my students. At the end of every school year, I would plan a Saturday event and invite my students and their families out to my family’s property for an “Epic Outdoor Adventure.” I always referred to my students as “adventurers.” After five wonderful years in education, I chose to temporarily stay home with my young children until they were school-aged. When the pandemic hit in 2020, many were unsure as to how to proceed with their child’s educational experience. One family that knew me because their child was a previous student of mine sought me out to facilitate two of their children’s educational experiences while the world tried to make sense of what to do in regard to Covid-19. Having a Pre-Kindergarten aged kiddo myself, I said “yes.” This decision meant that I would teach four four-five year olds for an entire school year out on my family’s property. During this experience, one of my students lovingly referred to our unconventional schooling as “Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School.” The name just stuck and became very dear to my heart! After a year of working with four students, it became obvious that many local parents desired for their child to be a part of Adventure School as well. So, we turned a homeschooling-type experience that was designed to get through the pandemic into a business available to more students! Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School formed in dark times, but it became a wonderful light to the community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About myself: My name is Laura Ackley. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. All of the success in my life and career can be attributed to the goodness and glory of God. I began my teaching career after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in May 2013. Upon graduation, I was awarded the Pre-service Educator of the Year Award, on behalf of the Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas. I am certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade, and I have also obtained my English as a Second Language Supplemental certification.I taught Kindergarten for four years and first grade for one year, at Bowie Elementary in Corsicana, TX. During my teaching career at Bowie, I received the “Rising Star” award. After five wonderful years in public education, I was led by God to stay home and raise my two children. Throughout this time, I continued working toward earning a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In December 2019, I graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

How I got into the business: During the global pandemic, I was able to put my master’s degree to good use as I designed a combined Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten curriculum using both the Pre-K guidelines and Kindergarten Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills while homeschooling four children. It was through this experience that I decided to open Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School. Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School was founded in 2020 to serve Pre-Kindergarten students in Blooming Grove, Texas, and surrounding communities.

What I provide: Adventure School is a part-time, nature-centered, Pre-K program located on 200 plus acres of land. It is designed to provide students with many outdoor, nature based experiences as the students learn just as much in the outdoor classroom as they do the indoor classroom. At Adventure School, every day, students engage in hands-on, experiential learning in the subjects of phonics, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, and physical education in order to be prepared for Kindergarten mentally, physically, and emotionally. Lessons are designed to promote problem-solving and critical-thinking skills as students engage in class projects such as worm composting, gardening, incubating and hatching different types of birds, and observing the life cycles of various living organisms. Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School is also a Christian-based environment. Each month, students participate in a different service project as they learn leadership through service to others.

What sets me apart: In my rural area, there are not many opportunities for students to attend nature-based preschools. In a heavily tech-driven world, it is unique to offer a classroom space that is both outdoor and indoor. I believe that adventures are the best way to learn; therefore, the educational experience is quite different than a workbook/worksheet driven curriculum.

What am I most proud of: I am able to teach my students the beauty of service. We complete service projects for local non-profits and care facilities such as the animal shelter, nursing homes, habitat for humanity, the Hope Center, and the Child Advocacy Center.

What I want people to know: Kids thrive in an environment where they can learn though hands-on experiences. They were made to adventure!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I made a facebook and an instagram page for Adventure School and began regularly posting our adventures! I found that regularly posting helped boost my following.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think all of the connections that I was able to make while serving in the public school system helped me build a reputation to be a good, trustworthy teacher that was able to provide students with unique experiences!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: mrsackleysadventureschool
• Facebook: Mrs. Ackley’s Adventure School