Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasie Brooks.
Hi Kasie , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Five years ago, I found myself wondering how I could make a small but meaningful impact in this big, bright, beautiful world. I had a high-energy, high-needs little one, and then we welcomed another right at the start of COVID. The idea of returning to the classroom full time while also caring for my family felt impossible.
In April 2021, I started Music with Miss Kasie at a neighborhood playground. We were socially distanced, but slowly building something special, one small moment at a time. As time went on, Music with Miss Kasie grew to include both toddlers and their grownups, as well as homeschoolers.
Now, five years later, that first idea has grown into The Nest Learning Collective. The Nest is a teacher-guided, community-centered homeschool co-op, designed to supplement your child’s homeschool experience. We offer a variety of electives, from hands-on Spanish classes and engaging music classes to so much in between, all rooted in connection and curiosity.
My goal as a mom is to create a meaningful, hands-on education for my children in a way that feels as authentic as possible. As an educator, I’ve always been committed to putting intentional learning, kindness, and community at the center of everything I do. At The Nest, we believe children thrive when they feel known, valued, and deeply loved.
The classes we offer, our monthly family field trips, and even our adult nights out are simply extensions of that foundation, each one helping to strengthen and build our nest. The teachers who have graciously come alongside me share these same values, and because of that, our children are not only learning but truly thriving and deeply cared for.
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?
Honestly, this is the most difficult role I’ve ever taken on. When I was in the classroom, I could focus on connecting with my students and the joy of teaching, with the occasional field trip or performance woven in.
Now, as a homeschooling mom and small business owner, the lines between work and life blur. I pour myself into our community around the clock, and yet the reward is so much greater than I ever imagined. The village we are building, the meaningful friendships my children and I have found, and the opportunity to bring together a group of passionate educators to share what they love, it’s all so deeply worth it to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Nest Learning Collective?
The Nest Learning Collective specializes in hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences. Our approach honors the whole child, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. Each class is thoughtfully designed to give children opportunities to explore their interests while also building friendships and a strong sense of belonging.
We are especially proud of the welcoming, inclusive, and deeply intentional environment we have created. At our core, we want our community to know that The Nest is a place where passions are discovered, creativity is celebrated, and every child is valued for exactly who they are. We are here to walk alongside families, offering both structure and flexibility, and to create meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact well beyond the classroom.
In the fall, our classes will meet from 9:00 to 12:30. Students ages 5–7 and 8–11 are invited to join us. Each day, we offer a variety of elective options.
• Mondays: Entrepreneurship, Spanish, and Music
• Wednesdays: litARTure, STEM Games, and World Explorations
• Thursdays: Music, Science, and Story Studio
Fridays are reserved for family field trips, playdates, and schoolwork outside of The Nest. Each day, students rotate through their electives, with play intentionally built into the morning because, as Mr. Rogers said, “for children, play is serious learning.”
We hope you’ll visit our website to learn more about our co-op.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the past five years, so many businesses have trusted me to step into their beautiful spaces and share them with our community so generously. It’s something I will never take lightly.
Beyond our homeschool co-op, our vision is for The Nest to become a hub for small, creative business owners. A space where they can host classes, clubs, and gatherings as if the space were their own. A place where passions are shared, ideas come to life, and children are given the opportunity to discover what they love and how they learn best.
At the same time, I believe deeply in growing slowly and intentionally. One of our amazing teachers is always reminding me to ‘crawl, walk, run’. While building, planning, and dreaming big, those three simple words bring me back to what really matters, taking things one step at a time and trusting that growth will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenestlearningcollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nest_learning_collective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573756970097
