We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Katrina Maruani. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah Katrina below.
Sarah Katrina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Teaching children or anyone how to read is a gift; I know this at my core. Knowing and holding onto this thought is at the core of every step I have taken in the last twenty years.
As I progressed in my career, I encountered many struggling students, which brought me back to my own struggles as a student. My first language was my Family’s native tongue; school felt like a blur. I remember being pulled in and out of the classroom from Kindergarten to 5th grade. It left me feeling left out and unsure of my environment.
Once I was a classroom teacher, many of my students received supplemental support after school. However, I quickly noticed that the results from those sessions genuinely did not translate back into the classroom.
I love to nurture and support growth in others, and sharing the gift of reading pushed me to search for avenues to offer this to others. I vividly remember how often my colleagues would ask me how my students were improving so quickly and what the “secret” method was.
Several vital and pivotal moments and individuals have shaped my life story.
As a first-generation American, your relationship with your parents is a unique journey in many ways; learning to thrive in a new land where your parents needed to adapt and grow was terrific to witness. My parents worked seven days a week throughout my entire childhood. My brother Johnny was my best friend, and we navigated it all together. I also never felt a financial lack as a child, even though I had a very modest upbringing.
Two teachers significantly impacted me as a student: Mrs. Mary Robison from Alameda Elementary School in Downey, CA, who guided my immigrant parents on my academic struggles. Also, Ms. Debra J. Fletcher from the Student Disability office at CSUF was a guiding light and advocated while I pursued my college degrees. She discovered my learning disability and helped me thrive as a college student.
With my Husband’s support and encouragement, he has pushed for the unknown and taken Kids on the Yard as far as it has come. He inspires us to grow and overcome our fears daily. Nothing is built without trial and error; I was lucky enough that my husband encouraged me daily and mentored me in business terms to help me blossom and grow and meet other business mentors.
Many came forward throughout my career with encouragement, including my then-boss, the CEO of the non-profit I worked for, who helped me understand the importance of creating tools, resources, programs, and training for educators, organizations, parents, etc.
The need for tools, structure, training, resources, educational games, worksheets, and a mentoring program motivated me to form Kids on the Yard.
Since 2014, our primary focus:
Care! People need and desire to be cared for, especially when their children need support with reading.
Creating training programs to transfer the KOTY method to many educators.
Setting up a training or coaching program for academic and social-emotional learning.
Having 100% success. YES! We indeed have a 100% success rate within 12-18 weeks from Pre-4 to College.
Make our services and products affordable.
Kids on the Yard was created to gift people with the skill of reading that will last a lifetime.
If an individual can not read, reaching their goals and achieving their life dreams is very challenging. Once those reading skills are mastered, the next step is to empower others to seek emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness, not just for themselves but for the world around them.
Today, we partner with parents, schools, and non-profits to provide personalized learning solutions and seek to expand physical locations around the USA.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Kids on the Yard did not happen overnight.
It was a 20-plus-year journey to get here. We did not have investors or significant financial backing; we just had much heart and devotion to create something that wasn’t out there. But we are blessed to have created an organization that is meaningful to many families!
Our brand story is simple: every human must have a few particular core skills to thrive properly in life. Reading is essential to thrive and succeed. With it, one can fully reach their potential.
I’ve learned countless lessons along the way, going from a classroom teacher to a businesswoman. My stretch was comprehensive, and I had to learn quickly how to manage many facets of the business and what it takes to create a thriving business with meaningful products, a team that receives inspiration, and a team that is dedicated to your brand.
I learned that if you love what you are creating, even on the dark days, the days you think I’m throwing in the towel, and everyone has those days, what will pick you up from those intense moments is knowing you have a purpose and have been honored and humble to create something meaningful that infinite amount of people benefit from in the world.
Sarah Katrina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Kids on the Yard did not happen overnight.
It was a 20-plus-year journey to get here. We did not have investors or significant financial backing; we just had much heart and devotion to create something that wasn’t out there. But we are blessed to have created an organization that is meaningful to many families!
Our brand story is simple: every human must have a few particular core skills to thrive properly in life. Reading is essential to thrive and succeed. With it, one can fully reach their potential.
I’ve learned countless lessons along the way, going from a classroom teacher to a businesswoman. My stretch was comprehensive, and I had to learn quickly how to manage many facets of the business and what it takes to create a thriving business with meaningful products, a team that receives inspiration, and a team that is dedicated to your brand.
I learned that if you love what you are creating, even on the dark days, the days you think I’m throwing in the towel, and everyone has those days, what will pick you up from those intense moments is knowing you have a purpose and have been honored and humble to create something meaningful that infinite amount of people benefit from in the world.
Today, Kids on the Yard operates worldwide, with certified teachers in over 32 states across the US. We offer learning solutions to help children improve skills and develop confidence, motivation, and resilience alongside other educational programs such as academic tutoring, kids’ SEL life coaching, shadow teacher support, special education, and schools and districts. Our organization collaborates with Homeschool Programs, Charter Schools, Private Schools, Public Schools, and districts across the USA.
Numerous reasons set us apart from the rest! The top 3 primary reasons why our students have tremendous success and progress:
All our educators are certified in their respective fields and have classroom experience. They are mentored and guided by senior educators.
Each student’s educational program is reviewed weekly and adjusted based on the student’s pace and goals met.
We do not act as a marketplace, period! Instead, we are hands-on with each student and Family, whether SEL
Coaches or academic programs. We provide a personal touch as we are an employee-based organization.
Finally, our staff is trained to integrate SEL coaching into their academic lessons to enhance the student’s overall experience and develop a growth mindset.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience is a muscle that strengthens with use, especially in the demanding world of business. Starting or owning an organization offers a unique crucible for personal growth. Daily challenges will reveal your strengths and weaknesses, forcing you to adapt and overcome.
To thrive in this environment, you must have a genuine passion for your products or services. When you believe in the value you provide others, business becomes less transactional and more fulfilling. Otherwise, the journey can feel cold and isolating.
The moment I left my full-time job to dedicate myself to Kids on the Yard full-time was, wow, a transition that I held onto every part of certainty with all my heart.
Our last business was not successful at all. We need to rebuild from zero again. I also loved the school I was at. It provided friendships and financial security. My Husband was such a strength, and my dear friend Michael Capponi gave me the best advice. If you focus on your purpose wholeheartedly, the universe will support you.
The success and growth of Kids on the Yard showed me that this is precisely the direction my soul is supposed to go in.
True success is experiencing resiliency and learning that your life has a purpose and that you can change to connect to your inner happiness, which leads to your purpose.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
At Kids on the Yard, we believe that our greatest asset is our people. Your unique talents, perspectives, and ideas are essential to our success. We foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute, collaborate, and innovate.
Growth is a journey, not a destination. We encourage open communication, active listening, and a willingness to explore new possibilities. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we can harness our team’s collective power to drive positive change and achieve our goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kidsontheyard.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsontheyard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsontheyard/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kidsontheyard
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kidsontheyard
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKdiib6-c2sZd20hbBsJcbQ
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/kidsontheyard/
