Meet Kendra Lamb: From Homeschooler to HST

For our newest HST with Feather River, Kendra Lamb, becoming a homeschool teacher felt like a full-circle moment.

Kendra herself was a homeschool student throughout the 1990s, when homeschool charters were uncommon and meeting other students was rare. “I was an outlier,” she shared. She was homeschooled all the way until her sophomore year, when she then transitioned to a public high school.

Throughout Kendra’s education, the seeds of teaching were planted early. Even as a child, she gravitated toward younger kids — reading to them, babysitting, and surrounding herself with children whenever she could. She was deeply focused on children and the community.

After high school, she briefly considered becoming a chef and even took culinary courses in college. But something didn’t feel quite right. It was then that she realized reading to children always felt easy and teaching was natural. Being in the classroom and working directly with students confirmed that education was where she belonged.

Kendra learned about independent study charters through friends who worked for Sequoia Grove. She was drawn to this model because of the strong support systems for teachers and flexibility for families to choose the approach that works best for their student. It aligned perfectly with her personal background and professional experience.

A Surprising Shift

One of the biggest surprises in the homeschool charter world has been the sheer number of families choosing this path.

Growing up, Kendra rarely met other homeschoolers. Now, she sees thriving communities of families who have intentionally chosen independent study. “It’s so much more than one would think,” she said. The growth of homeschooling has transformed it from an uncommon alternative into a widely embraced educational model. “There are so many more options and resources out there now.”

Supporting families in independent study is very different from running a traditional classroom.

In a brick-and-mortar setting, differences in teaching style can create tension between teachers and parents. In the homeschool model, parents are the primary educators. Instead of conflict over classroom management or policies, the relationship becomes collaborative.

It’s so much more than one would think. There are so many more options and resources out there now.

“It’s so different,” Kendra explained. “The parents are the ones teaching day to day, so it isn’t as intense minute to minute.”

Her role now centers on guidance, encouragement, and partnership. She loves taking on the support role and focuses on making herself available to her families. “Some of them really appreciate texting. I am usually more of an email person, but I set alarms to send out text reminders, and I think it really helps.”

A Moment of Confirmation

There have been many moments when Kendra felt confident she made the right choice switching from a brick-and-mortar school. The clearest moment came during her first Thanksgiving break as a homeschool teacher.

For the first time in years, she enjoyed the break without feeling completely drained or dependent on it. Instead of being so exhausted that the break felt necessary just to survive, she felt rested — even excited to reconnect with her families and resume work.

That shift spoke volumes.

Leading With Empathy

Kendra describes her approach with one primary focus: empathy.

She works to understand the root of challenges families face rather than focusing only on surface-level problems. Learning period (LP) meetings feel personal and meaningful. She stays in regular communication throughout the week and strives to be responsive and flexible to families’ needs and schedules.

For younger students especially, visiting their homes can make a big difference. It allows them to proudly show their projects and learning spaces — something that builds trust beyond academics.

Establishing Routines

For Kendra, working both from home and out in the community required thoughtful adjustment. Building self-discipline and establishing consistent routines took practice — especially with her husband also working from home. Over time, she developed systems that allow her to stay focused, meet families in person, and provide the individualized support her students need.

The parents are the ones teaching day to day and my role is to guide, encourage, and support.

The Little Things

Sometimes, it’s the glimmers we receive each week that bring us the most joy. These tiny moments look different for everyone — maybe the writing on your coffee cup, a little ladybug on the sidewalk, or a silly GIF sent in your work chat.

For Kendra, it’s the weekly staff bulletin. “It’s so well-organized and beautifully designed,” Kendra remarked. It outlines deadlines, events, and reminds teachers which students or grade levels might want to be included in upcoming activities. As a self-described print design enthusiast, she finds genuine happiness in its thoughtful layout and visual appeal.

“It makes me so happy,” she said. “Everything looks so good.”

Impact

Above all, Kendra hopes to inspire lifelong learners.

Her greatest passion is reading. She wants to “infect” her students with a love of books — knowing how deeply literacy impacts confidence, development, and long-term success.

For Kendra, this role is more than a job. It is a full-circle journey—from homeschool student to classroom teacher to homeschool teacher. Her new role allows her to put her deep belief in personalized education into practice.