A Life Update: Following the Pull

As many of you have probably guessed, I'm staying in NYC for this next chapter!

The funny thing is, I can't even say, "I never imagined this." The truth is, I imagined it all the time.

For the past few years, I've felt pulled toward New York in a way I couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was the energy of the city, the endless possibility around every corner, or the way every visit left me wanting just a little more time. Whatever it was, I found myself constantly wondering what it would be like to call this city home.

Long before I ever packed a suitcase, I was writing about New York in my journal. I filled Pinterest boards with apartments, bookstores, coffee shops, and little snapshots of a life I hoped to create someday. This past January, I made a vision board that included many of those same dreams. At the time, they still felt far away. Looking back now, it's surreal to see how many of them have become reality.

A year ago this month, life looked very different. I had just been laid off from my role as a literacy coach with a nonprofit organization, and while I trusted that something would work out, I didn't have a clear picture of what was next. At the same time, Rockstar Leaders was beginning to grow into something bigger than I had imagined. We were hosting Mommy & Me Yoga classes, partnering with incredible organizations throughout Charlotte, expanding our tutoring services, and welcoming new tutors to our team. There was uncertainty, but there was also excitement, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was building something that was truly my own.

Then, in November, I accepted a position with Alpha School and was originally preparing to join the Charlotte campus. As plans evolved and the opening timeline shifted, an opportunity unexpectedly opened up in New York City. What was supposed to be a six-month adventure suddenly became a chance to experience the city I had been dreaming about for years.

So in January, Ollie and I packed up our lives and headed north.

Over the past six months, New York has challenged me, stretched me, inspired me, and reminded me how much growth can happen when you're willing to say yes to something that feels both exciting and a little scary. I've fallen in love with the work I'm doing, the people I've met, and the opportunity to help reimagine what school can look like for young learners.

I'm incredibly excited to share that I'll be staying in New York to help build and lead Wonder Lab, Alpha's PreK program. The opportunity to create a school culture from the ground up, support families during such an important stage of development, and build something meaningful alongside an amazing team feels like the kind of opportunity you don't pass up.

Before that chapter officially begins, I'll be spending most of the summer in the Hamptons leading Alpha Summer, which feels like the perfect bridge between this season and the next. Then this fall, I'll settle into my own apartment and officially begin putting down roots in the city I've been dreaming about for years.

While so much has changed, one thing that hasn't is Rockstar Leaders.

Rockstar Leaders is still going strong, and I couldn't be more grateful. We have an incredible team of tutors supporting amazing students and families, and it has been so rewarding to watch the impact they're making every week. Even from New York, I remain deeply connected to the work and the families we serve, and I'm excited about what lies ahead.

Our summer tutoring session begins next week, and it's not too late to join us. Summer is such a valuable opportunity to strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, and maintain learning momentum before the new school year begins. If you've been considering tutoring for your child, we'd love to support you this summer.

As I reflect on this past year, I'm reminded that some of the biggest changes in our lives begin as small thoughts we can't seem to shake. A journal entry. A Pinterest board. A vision board hanging on the wall. A dream that keeps showing up long before you're ready to act on it.

Sometimes those quiet nudges are worth paying attention to.

Thank you for following along on this journey. Whether you've attended a class, trusted us with your child, cheered me on from afar, or simply been part of this community, I'm so grateful you're here.

Love and light always,

Jenna